Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Oct. 31-Nov. 6: Halloween mood bleeds over into weekend with Ghost Stories, other events : Big Island Now

With Halloween just one day of this week’s top 10, we wanted to make sure all of our space wasn’t taken up by haunting happenings.

But as the universe would have it — and is quite frequently the case when it comes to the spooky season anyway — there is some Halloween bleeding over into the weekend.

Like Ghost Stories with “Hawai‘i’s own Ghost Guy” Lopaka Kapanui at Kahilu Theatre in Waimea. It’s sure to be an unforgettable night of mystery and the unexplained.

We also wanted to make sure we included any events you might have to register for to participate in on All Hallows’ Eve.

Keiki who want to trick-or-treat and receive a goodie bag on Halloween afternoon during the Candy Crawl Halloween Celebration at Keauhou Shopping Center in Kailua-Kona need to sign up before they go.

There also are, what we’d call “Halloween-adjacent” events happening, too, including the It’s a Soul Thing: Dia de Los Muertos Edition event on Saturday at Keawe Street Theater in Hilo, honoring loved ones that have passed on by celebrating.

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And the monthly Bingo and Chili night at VFW Post 3830 in Nānāwale, while not a Halloween event per se, it does promise “Halloween bingo.”

Hilo Hooganji Mission hosts its Food Feast, while Coffee Notes in downtown Hilo hosts its Sunday Jazz Brunch Series and Keiki Fest returns to West Hawaiʻi this coming weeknd, too.

So it’s not all about Halloween. We just have to get past Saturday.

Here are our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for Oct. 31 to Nov. 6.

Note: Keep an eye out Friday morning for a list of more Halloween-specific events.

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Crop from image courtesy of Keauhou Shopping Center website

NO. 1 — Candy Crawl Halloween Celebration (Kailua-Kona, Oct. 31)

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When: 4 to 6 p.m.

Location: Keauhou Shopping Center, 78-6831 Ali‘i Drive

Enjoy safe trick-or-treating with participating merchants and complimentary keiki goodie bags along with family-friendly activities including face painting, balloon twisting, a dry bounce house and a photo booth. There also will be a costume contest following trick-or-treating. Registration is required for goodie bags and trick-or-treating. Check-in will open at 4 p.m. in the courtyard.

More info/register: Visit the Keauhou Shopping Center website.

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NO. 2 — Food Fest (Hilo, Nov. 1)

When: 8 to 11 a.m.

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Location: Hilo Hooganji Mission, 457 Manono St.

Come for the traditional tastes and find some new treats. Andagi, nishime and chili are just a few of the favorites offered. Additional local favorites include sushi, sekihan, assorted musubi, soba salad, shoyu chicken/pork, mochi/manju, many different preserves and a wide variety of baked goods. Foods sell out really fast, so stop by early for the best selection. Fresh flowers, produce and plants are also available, and a Holiday Boutique featuring a variety of handcrafted items. Proceeds support church maintenance and repairs.

More info: Visit the Hilo Hooganji website or check Craigslist for updates, photos and parking information.

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NO. 3 — Chili & Bingo (Nānāwale, Nov. 1)

When: 4:30 p.m.

Location: VFW Post 3830, 15-775 Maluhia Road

Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3830 invites everyone down to Nānāwale this weekend for some Halloween bingo and chili at the post. Come in costume and get a free extra bingo card! Talk story, play some bingo, enjoy some ‘ono grindz and support the brave men and women who served the nation. Everyone is welcome for a donation of $10. Just follow the blue “VFW” signs once you turn into Nānāwale.

More info: Visit the VFW Post 3830 website or email to webmaster@vfw3830aux.org.

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Image Courtesy: Kahilu Theatre website

NO. 4 — Ghost Stories with Lopaka Kapanui (Waimea, Nov. 1)

When: 7 p.m.

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

Step into the mysterious world of Hawaiian ghost stories with “Hawai‘i’s own Ghost Guy” Lopaka Kapanui, who will share chilling tales of local hauntings, legends and supernatural encounters passed down through generations. Come — if you dare — for an unforgettable night of mo‘olelo, mystery and the unexplained. Tickets start at $40.

More info/tickets: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website.

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NO. 5 — It’s a Soul Thing: Dia de Los Muertos Edition (Hilo, Nov. 1)

When: 7 to 10 p.m.

Location: Keawe Theater, 280 Keawe St.

Come out and remember your loved ones who have passed with some Motown moves, soulful sounds, funky freshness and disco on the dance floor during this special night of booty shaking with DJ Uplifter, Haskel and Sapience spinning in a new and improved venue. Those who attend are encouraged to bring a picture or two of the loved ones they want to remember for the ofrenda, or altar, too. All ages welcome. Just $10.

More info/tickets: Visit the Hilo Community Players website.

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NO. 6 — Coffee Notes Sunday Jazz Brunch Series (Hilo, Nov. 2)

When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: Coffee Notes, 116 Keawe St.

One of Hilo’s newest downtown coffee spots is brewing up a smooth midday Sunday event you won’t want to miss. It’s jazz and coffee — a perfect pairing. Who needs more? Well, there will be breakfast sandwiches and waffles available, too. But the music is free, and will feature Paul Lindbergh on saxophone and flute along with Jason Sherbundy on keyboards. So come relax with some great tunes and good brew.

More info: Call 808-767-8887.

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NO. 7 — Keiki Fest (Ocean View, Nov. 2)

When: 1 to 4 p.m.

Location: ʻĀina and Co. Farm Stand, Ocean View Farmer’s Market, 92-2021 Kailua Boulevard

Get ready for a day of science-fueled fun full of foam, family-friendly activities, music, adventure and, of course, bubbles! You can even take the Bull Riding Challenge on the mechanical bull. It’s also a chance to wear our Halloween costumes one more time. There will be some ʻono food, too, and maybe a sweet treat. Don’t miss this free family day presented in partnership with the Hawai‘i.

More info: Click here for a video from a past event to learn more.

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NO. 8 — Hakalau Farmers Market: Market Day (Hakalau, Nov. 4)

When: 2 to 5 p.m.

Location: Hakalau Veterans Park, 29-2197 Old Māmalahoa Highway

Come enjoy a wide selection of tons of hyper-local fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, beverages and food on offer while you meet the farmers who grow, harvest, process and make your food before you buy it to take home.

More info: Contact Hakalau Farmers Market via email at foodshare@brahea.com.

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No. 9 — Hawai‘i 2025 Men’s Boot Camp (Gilbert Kahele Recreation Area, Nov. 6-9)

When: Begins 6 p.m. Thursday; ends 1 p.m. Nov. 9

Location: 44-5400 Daniel K. Inouye Highway

Hosted by Warrior at Heart Ministry, this is going to be yet another amazing life-changing weekend full of powerful teachings, testimonies and videos and the path toward becoming the Warrior-man God intended you to be. Cost is $150 for the entire weekend.

More info/register: Visit the Warrior at Heart Ministry website (www.waheart.com).

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NO. 10 — Astronomy on Tap (Hilo, Nov. 6)

When: 7 p.m.

Location: Hilo Town Tavern, 168 Keawe St.

This interstellar itinerary returns with two new amazing speakers — Felipe Olivares with the Institute for Astronomy and Jasmin Silva with Canada-France-Hawai‘i Telescope — who will discuss the cosmic surf report and how to take apart a 3.6m telescope. Come for a fun night of astronomy and play in quiz to win prizes. This event is free and open to everyone.

More info: Email to astronomyontaphawaii@noirlab.edu.

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Image Compilation by Big Island Now

Check for yourself to see what’s happening around the Big Island

We admit. We can’t fit everything going on each week in our top 10. So here are websites for some popular Big Island venues that you can peruse to discover other events, activities, shows, festivals or workshops that pique your interest.

Willy’s Hot Chicken, Kailua-Kona: https://willieshotchicken.com/

Aloha Theatre, Kealakekua: https://apachawaii.org/

Blue Dragon Tavern, Kawaihae: https://www.bluedragontavern.com/

Donkey Mill Art Center, Hōlualoa: https://donkeymillartcenter.org/

East Hawai‘i Cultural Center, Hilo: https://ehcc.org/

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park: https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm

Hilo Town Market, Hilo: https://hilotownmarket.co/events

Hilo Town Tavern, Hilo (on Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100041333509786

Honoka‘a People’s Theatre, Honoka‘a: https://www.honokaapeople.com/

Kahilu Theatre, Waimea: https://kahilu.org/

Keauhou Shopping Center, Kailua-Kona: https://keauhoushoppingcenter.com/experience/

Kona Commons, Kailua-Kona: https://www.konacommons.com/events