Every Tuesday Morning: 
BikeWorks Beach & Sport – Queens Marketplace. Free fun road ride for cyclists of all levels at 8:30 a.m. Rental bikes available. Get updates on all the BikeWorks activities on the Emily T Gail Show at http://espnhawaii.com/ under the lineup or visit http://www.bikeworkshawaii.com/. Queens Marketplace, Waikoloa Beach Rd. For information about other community rides and/or bike routes call BikeWorks at (808) 886-5000.

January 2 – 10:
Waimea Ocean Film Festival.  The seventh annual Waimea Ocean Film Festival is at numerous venues on Hawai`i Island, including Waimea theaters, The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai`i, the Mauna Kea Resort and Four Seasons Resort, Hualalai. Ocean Film brings over 60 films to the big screen each year. Most are world, U.S., Hawai`i or Big Island of Hawai`i premieres, with many filmmakers in attendance. Films fall into categories of ocean experience, such as surfing; ocean environment; and island culture and history. In addition, films of broader cultural, historic and conservational appeal are also featured, as well as generally inspirational film and stories of epic adventure. In addition to film, the festival offers intimate breakfast talks, Q & A filmmaker sessions and more. Festival passes and program information and venues are available online at http://www.waimeaoceanfilm.org/. For more information call (808) 854-6095 or email info@waimeaoceanfilm.org

Every Monday:
Niaulani Nature Walk.  A free, guided rain forest tour in Volcano. This one-hour nature walk travels through a lush portion of an old-growth Hawaiian rain forest on an easy, 1/7-mile loop trail. The walk introduces visitors to the native plants and birds of Volcano. Guides focus on the biological, ecological, and geological features of the area, and the cultural usages of flora and fauna by native Hawaiians. Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus, 19-4074 Old Volcano Rd., Volcano Village. 9:30 a.m. Free; donations welcome. For more information call (808) 967-8222 or visit http://volcanoartcenter.org/.

The Emily T Gail Show, aka “Emily T. Gail Talks Story” show is found on http://espnhawaii.com/ online, all the time and via https://www.facebook.com/emilytgailtalkstory/ and a free iTunes podcast. Emily “talks story” with recreational, high school and professional athletes, along with coaches, parents, community organizers and members of print and broadcast media. She talks about how keiki, high school, college, major league and recreational sports play an important part in communities where Emily is involved; Big Island of Hawai`i and Detroit, her home town.  Sponsored by Aloha Big Island Visitor Guide.  Emily will also have updates on local events like the Community Bike rides every Tuesday 8:15 a.m. from Bike Works at Queens Marketplace, AmerAri Division I Intercollegiate Golf Tournament at Waikoloa Kings’ February 1-4, Waikoloa Dry Forest Wiliwili Festival at Waikoloa Stables in Waikoloa Village January 28th, and PATH Connecting People & Places activities and events. Queens Marketplace Entertainment at Center Court and Kailua Village multi-sport activities.  Contact Emily at (808) 896-6780 or emilytgail@emilys.org.

Friday, December 30:
Annual Wailea Village Mochi Pounding. Celebrate making traditional rice cakes the “old-fashioned” way.  Everyone takes their turn at pounding the glutinous sticky rice for good luck. Hearty local style lunch available to purchase. New Year’s crafts, calligraphy & floral arrangements, plantation stories, Okinawan taiko drumming, Hawaiian entertainment & more.  Akiko’s Buddhist Bed & Breakfast, 29-2091 Old Mamalahoa Hwy. (Hwy 19 – 15 mile marker), Hakalau.  8 a.m. to 2 p.m.  For information call (808) 963-6422.

Tuesday – Thursday, December 20 – 22:
The Nutcracker Ballet.  West Hawai`i Dance Theatre and Academy lights up the holidays by presenting Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker Ballet.” This visually stunning festive family-friendly production includes more than 60 local dancers, guest dancers from The Maui Academy of Performing Arts, and guest professional dancers from the Matsuyama Ballet, Carolina Ballet and Bolshoi Ballet.  A Silent Auction and Nutcracker Boutique will be held in the lobby. Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Rd., Waimea.  Tuesday & Wednesday, 6 p.m.; Thursday, 2 p.m.  For tickets call (808) 885-6868 or visit http://kahilutheatre.org/. For information call (808) 329-8876 or visit http://whdt.org/.

Saturday, December 17:
Hula Kahiko Performance. Hula halau from across Hawai`i and beyond have been invited to perform in a one-of-a-kind outdoor setting at the kahua hula (platform) in the Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, located just a short walking distance from the Volcano Art Gallery in Ka`auea. 10:30 a.m.  Audience members are encouraged to bring sun/rain gear and sitting mat. Event is free, park fees apply. Date is subject to change; to confirm dates, call (808) 987-7288. Held in conjunction with the Hula Kahiko performances, enjoy a display of “Na Mea Hula” (all things hula). Visitors share in a variety of instruments, implements and lei styles that play an integral role in the life of the hula practitioner. This memorable demonstration is hands-on and family friendly.  Lanai of the Volcano Art Gallery. 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  For more information call (808) 967-8222 or visit http://volcanoartcenter.org/.

Sunday, December 11:
Kokua Kailua Hulihe`e Palace Concert Series & Village Stroll.  Ali`i Drive along scenic Kailua Bay in Kailua-Kona becomes a festive pedestrian-only walkway from 1 to 6 p.m. Enjoy music, artists, merchants and restaurants. At 4 p.m., there is a free Hawaiian music concert on the lawn at Hulihe`e Palace. Bring your own mat or chair and they will be checked for free while you stroll Ali`i Drive, Kailua Village (Kona).  For information, visit http://kvbid.org/.

Friday, December 9:
4^th Annual Feast on the Beach Benefit.  A highly anticipated holiday benefit for local charities Hawai`i Island Humane Society, Hospice of Kona, Kohala Chamber of Commerce Lava Kids, Kona Community Hospital Foundation and North Hawai`i Hospice. Feast on the Beach features beer, wine and food stations created in conjunction with Paradise Gourmet Catering, along with Lava Lava Beach Club’s signature toes-in-the-sand ambiance. Nonstop music by LT Smooth and Ho`onu`a throughout the evening.  Lava Lava Beach Club at Waikoloa Beach Resort, 69-699 Waikoloa Beach Dr., Waimea. 5:30 to 9 pm. Tickets are $150 per person or $2,000 for a reserved table. For more information, call (808) 326-7820 or visit http://lavalavabeachclub.com/bigisland/feast/.

Every Tuesday Morning:
BikeWorks Beach & Sport – Queens Marketplace. Free fun road ride for cyclists of all levels at 8:30 a.m. Rental bikes available. Get updates on all the BikeWorks activities on the Emily T Gail Show at http://espnhawaii.com/ under the lineup or visit http://www.bikeworkshawaii.com/. Queens Marketplace, Waikoloa Beach Rd. For information about other community rides and/or bike routes call BikeWorks at (808) 886-5000.