Throughout the Month of July:
Obon Dance & Festival. The Obon tradition was brought to Hawai`i by Japanese immigrants and evolved into a social and cultural event, as well as a religious custom designed to honor ancestors through an evening of dance, music and merry-making. Festivities and Dance schedules and locations are listed below:

• Friday & Saturday, July 4 & 5: Puna Hongwanji Mission,16-592 Old Volcano Rd., Kea`au-Mountain View. Service 6 p.m., Dance 7 p.m. For information call (808) 966-9981.
• Saturday, July 4: Kohala Hongwanji, 53-4294 Akoni Pule Hwy., Waimea. Service 6 p.m., Dance 7 p.m. For information call (808) 775-7232.
• Saturday, July 11: Kona Daifukuji Soto Mission, 79-7241 Mamalahoa Hwy., Kealakekua, Service 6:30 p.m., Dance 7 p.m. For information call (808) 322-3524.
• Saturday, July 11: Kohala Jodo Mission, Kapa`au. Service 6 p.m., Dance 7 p.m. For information call (808) 775-0965.
• Saturday July 11: Pa`auilo Hongwanji, Pa`auilo. Service 6:30 p.m., Dance 7:30 p.m. For information call (808) 776-1369.
• Saturday, July 11: Hilo Meisho-in Mission, 97 Olona St., Hilo Service 7 p.m., Dance 8 p.m. For information call (808) 935-6996.
• Friday & Saturday, July 17 & 18: Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin, 398 Kilauea Ave., Hilo. Service 6 p.m., Dance 7 p.m. For information call (808) 962-6677.
• Saturday, July 18: Honoka`a Hongwanji, 45-5016 Plumeria St., Honoka`a. Service 6 p.m., Dance 7 p.m. For information call (808) 775-7232
• Saturday, July 18: Ke`ei Buddhist Church (Kona Hongwanji), 81-6630 Mamalahoa Hwy, Kealakekua, Service 6 p.m., Dance 7 p.m. For information call (808) 323-2993.
• Saturday, July 25: Hilo Hooganji Mission, 457 Manono St., Hilo. Service 6 p.m., 7:30 p.m. For information call (808) 935-8331.
• Saturday July 25: Kona Hongwanji, 81-6630 Mamalahoa Hwy, Kealakekua. Lantern parade 6 p.m., Dance 6:30 p.m. Hatsubon service on Sunday, July 26, 9 a.m. For information call (808) 323-2993.
• Saturday July 25: Papa`aloa Hongwanji, 35-2026 Old Mamalahoa Hwy, Papa`aloa. Service 6 p.m., Dance 7 p.m. For information call (808) 962-6340.

Every Friday:
Aloha Fridays at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. A free hands-on demonstration lesson is given in a cultural craft that varies each week. Held at Volcano Art Center Gallery porch in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. All events are free (donations welcome); park entrance fees apply. For information call (808) 967-8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.

Saturday, June 20:
Na Mea Hula. Held in conjunction with the Hula Kahiko performances, presenting a lovely 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 information call (808) 967-8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.

Saturday, June 20:
Hula Kahiko Performance by Kumu Hula Iwalani KaLima with Halau Kou Lime Nani E. 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 an area known as Ka`auea. 10:30 a.m. Audience members are encouraged to bring sun/rain gear and sitting mat. The event is free, park fees apply. For information call (808) 967-8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.

Saturday – Sunday, June 20 – 28:
Kona Marathon and Family Fun Runs. Choose from four great family races – marathon, half-marathon, and 5-K and 10-K runs. The race will start and finish at Waikoloa Bowl at Queen’s Garden. There’s also a Keiki Run at Kona Commons, Saturday, June 20. Saturday, June 27, brings a family fitness and health expo plus registration and packet pickup. Kona Marathon, Half-Marathon, Quarter Marathon, & 5K races will be held Sunday, June 28th. Waikoloa Beach Resort, 69-1000 Kolea Kai Cir., Waikoloa. For more information call (808) 967-8240 or visit www.konamarathon.com.

Sunday, June 14:
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 www.KVBID.org.

Fridays – Sundays, June 12 – 21:
Thoroughly Modern Millie. In New York City in 1922, young Millie Dillmount has just moved to the big city in search of a new life for herself. It’s a New York full of intrigue and jazz – in a time when women were entering the workforce and the rules of love and social behavior were changing forever. Aloha Theatre, 79-7384 Mamalahoa Hwy, Kealakekua.   Fridays & Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.; Sundays 2:30 p.m. For tickets and information call (808) 322-9924 or visit apachawaii.org.

Thursday, June 11:
Kamehameha Day – Kohala. Enjoy a full day of celebration throughout Kohala with education, participation, music, and good food. The day begins with a traditional lei draping ceremony at King Kamehameha’s statue in Kapa’au at 7:45 a.m. The Pa’u Parade will then grace Akoni Pule Highway starting in Hawi at 9 a.m., travel past the statue in Kapa’au, and end at Kamehameha Park, where the celebration continues until 4 p.m. Continuous entertainment featuring music and dance performances, food booths offering varied local dishes, and lots of activities. For schedule and location of events, visit www.kamehamehadaycelebration.org.

Thursday – Saturday, June 11 – 13:
Kauai Music Festival Presents: The Hawai`i Songwriting Festival. A celebration of the art & craft of songwriting, with an emphasis on collaboration, education, and music for film and TV. Songwriters of all levels from all walks of life come together to collaborate and network with each other and music professionals from Hawai`i, the mainland, and beyond. Enjoy songwriting workshops, seminars, small group sessions, panels, one-on-one meetings, nightly open mic and more. Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, 62-100 Kaunaoa Dr., Kohala Coast. For more information call (808) 885-6558 or visit www.kauaimusicfestival.com.

Thursday, June 11:
Kamehameha Festival – Hilo. Celebrate Kamehameha Day and the memory of King Kamehameha. The festival will feature sweet Hawaiian music and various Hula Halau sharing dance. The Festival is free, open to the public, and is a drug, alcohol, and tobacco, free, and family friendly event. Mokuola (Coconut Island), 77 Keli`ipio Place, Hilo, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information call (808) 989-4844 or visit www.kamehamehafestival.org.