Saturday, July 5:
A Taste of Kilohana. An exclusive, guided food tour that offers a seasonal taste of Kilohana Plantation. Ride an open-air plantation-style train, feed wild boar, goats and chickens and stroll through the orchard with an expert in local agriculture. Pick, eat, and learn how to select and prepare exotic tropical fruit. Tour the historic Manor House. Finally, enjoy a three-course, locally sourced meal in the Private Dining Room of the historic Wilcox Mansion. $115. Kilohana Plantation, Lihue. 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For reservations and information call (808) 685-0257.

Saturday & Sunday, July 5 & 6: 
Kaua`i Kau Wela Summer Festival. The event begins Saturday at 10 a.m. at Kukui Grove Mall, Center Stage, 3-2600 Kaumuali`i Hwy, Lihue, featuring Hula and Tahitian dance competitions, Live Tahitian drummers, entertainment, and Polynesian Crafts and displays. Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the ukulele competition will be held at Kamokila Hawaiian Village, 580 Kuamo`o Rd, Kapa`a. Gates open 9-5 p.m. $10 adults, $5 children 3-12 years old.   At 11:30 a.m., Wa`a kaulua, double canoe, navigates down Wailua River with Punohu (the warrior), Ilima (the Chanter), and Na Kane (the men) paddle toward the 17th century rock foundation.  For information call (808) 822-5959.

Friday Evenings:
Slack Key Guitar Concerts. Traditional Hawaiian slack key guitar and `ukulele concerts. July 4 – For the Birds; July 11 – Sea Turtle Serenade; July 18 – `Ohana Slack Key Guitar & Ukulele Concert; July 25 – Heart of Slack Key Guitar & Ukulele. Free gift drawing. Tickets: $20 ($15 keiki/seniors). Slack key guitar and `ukulele in the real old style.  All traditional music with songs and stories of the islands, telling the history of this Hawaiian musical art form. Voted 2014 Best Live Show in Hawai`i by Hawai`i Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards. A portion of the proceeds supports the Hale Halawai Ohana `O Hanalei. Hanalei Family Community Center, 5-5299 Kuhio Hwy, Hanalei. 4 to 6 p.m. For information and reservations call (808) 826-1469 or visit www.McMasterSlackKey.com.

Friday Evenings:
Hanapepe Friday Night Festival & Art Walk. Stroll through the many art galleries in historic Old Town Hanapepe and meet the local artists from 6-9 p.m. Enjoy shopping at local vendors, several restaurants, art galleries, stilt walkers, classic cars, live music and entertainment. For information call (808) 335-6469.

Friday, July 4:
Kauai Hospice Concert in the Sky. Enjoy a local style Independence Day celebration with Hawaiian entertainment by local musicians and halau dancers, culminating with one of the largest aerial fireworks events on Kauai on the 4th of July. Visitors will get to celebrate our national holiday with the local cultural experiences of music and dance. Vidinha Stadium Soccer Field, located at Halau Street and Ka`ana Streets in Lihue, 6 p.m. For information call (808) 652-4988.

Thursday – Sunday, July 3 – 6:
59^th Annual Makawao Rodeo. Enjoy a weekend full of rodeo fun, including local venders, food and refreshments. Presented by the Maui Roping Club at the Oski Rice Arena. Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. – Qualifying runs (free admission); Friday, 7 p.m. – Bull Bash, $15 adults; Saturday & Sunday, 1 p.m. – Rodeo, $15 adults, $10 seniors & students, $5 under 12. Free shuttle Saturday to and from town to watch the parade. For information call (808) 357-3524.

Daily:
Na Keiki `O Ka Aina (The Children of the Land). Classes in Hawaiian and Polynesian Arts and Culture for Keiki & Adults.  Most Keiki classes are free, adult classes request a donation to the non-profit organization. Located under the Whale Clock Tower in Kaua`i Village Shopping Center.  For more information and class schedules call (808) 821-1234 or visit www.TheChildrenoftheLand.com.

Friday, June 27:
A Taste of Kaua`i, Yesterday and Today.  Guests are saturated in timeless beauty at the Waipa Ahupua`a, one of 67 watersheds homesteaded by the first Polynesians. A one-of-a-kind experience for those who wish to explore traditional agriculture and food of Hawai`i. Lunch included. Reservations are required three days before event. $115. 5-5785A Kuhio Hwy., Hanalei. For information and reservations call (808) 635-0257 or email info@tastingkauai.com.

Wednesday – Saturday, June 25 – 28:
Red Clay Jazz Festival. National and locally known jazz and blues artists will descend on Kauai to play during this event. Wednesday: Jam Session, Kauai Marriott Aupaka Bar, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Free; Thursday: Workshops at Kauai Beach Resort, 2 to 4 p.m., $10 fee; Friday, Concert at Kauai Beach Resort, 7 – 10 p.m., $30 fee; Saturday, Concert at Kauai Lagoons, 4 – 9 p.m., $40 fee. For more information on other venues, workshops, and concert schedules call (808) 822-3148 or visit www.redclayjazz.org.

Friday, June 20:
A Culinary Romp through Paradise. Learn about and sample exotic local fruit while taking a leisurely tour of an exotic fruit farm. Enjoy a cooking demonstration and gourmet, four-course lunch at the outdoor courtyard of the Kaua`i Marriott Resort at Kalapaki Bay. The day ends with an exclusive tour of Hawai`i’s only meadery. 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., $140. For information, call (808) 635-0257 or visit www.tastingkauai.com. Reservations required three days before event.