We bring you this week’s top 10 with one caveat: There’s a lot of fun planned for this weekend and beyond, but a powerful brewing kona low could end up crashing the party.
Sure, OperAloha returns for its fourth annual edition at Kahilu Theatre in Waimea and the 2nd annual YAS Fest promises an exciting array of performances, art activities and more in downtown Hilo.
Plus, there’s a benefit concert planned at Maku‘u Farmers Market to help raise funds for beloved cultural practitioner, devoted kumu hula, educator and Kahu of Ka Mau Loa o ka Mālamalama Aunty Piʻilani Kaʻawaloa for her fight against brain cancer.
Ekolu also is slated to hit the stage at Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo and everyone is invited to the 21st annual Home Expo Hawaiʻi in Keauhou for inspiration to remodel, redecorate and elevate their living spaces.
Those events and the others in this week’s top 10 remained as planned Wednesday afternoon; however, that pesky storm is a real wild card because it could result in schedule changes.
This year’s Kona Brewers Festival originally set for this weekend in Kailua-Kona, which was going to appear in this week’s top 10, is an example. The impending severe weather caused its postponement, with a new date now scheduled during the first part of April.
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So while we hope everything goes off without a hitch, we also suggest it might be good to check if the looming storm causes a change to the event you want to attend.
We also want everyone to be safe, so keep an eye on weather forecasts and be sure hazards aren’t in your way even if your event is still happening. Remember: turn around, don’t drown in the event of flooding and drive with care in high-profile vehicles during breezy, gusty wind conditions — if you have to drive at all.
It could become a weekend where it’s better to stay at home, but we hope the kona low decides to spare the Big Island from its wrath.
After all, it would be way more fun to attend any of this week’s top 10 things to do on the Big Island.
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Image Courtesy: Kahilu Theatre website
No. 1 — OperAloha (Waimea, March 13)
When: 7 p.m.
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Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road
OperAloha returns for its fourth annual edition at Kahilu, continuing its signature fusion of world-class opera and rich musical traditions of Hawai‘i. The evening spans a stunning musical landscape — with selections in Native Hawaiian, Māori, Samoan, Portuguese, Italian and French in genres from opera and jazz to fado, Golden Age classics and art song.
More info/tickets: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website.
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Photo Courtesy
No. 2 — 21st annual Home Expo Hawaiʻi (Keauhou, March 14-15)
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday
Location: OUTRIGGER Kona Resort and Spa, Kaleiopapa Convention Center, 78-128 ʻEhukai St.
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Come get inspired to remodel, redecorate and elevate your living space! The community is invited to this free annual home show, packed with products and services featuring 20-plus local exhibitors. Also enjoy live radio with KAPA D.J. Darde Gamayo, prize giveaways and a chance to win a free night’s stay at OUTRIGGER Kona Resort and Spa.
More info: Visit the Home Expo Hawai‘i website.
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Image Courtesy: East Hawai‘i Cultural Center
No. 3 — 2nd annual YAS Fest (Hilo, March 14)
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Kalākaua Park, 136 Kalākaua St.
East Hawai‘i Cultural Center’s Youth Art Series treats keiki and their families to an exciting array of performances, craft and information booths and art activities, bringing together local organizations dedicated to providing arts opportunities to keiki and teens from around Hawai’i Island. Headlining the performers is HAAStile, a teen rock band from Hawai‘i Academy of Arts and Sciences.
More info/full lineup: Visit the East Hawai‘i Cultural Center website, call 808-961-5711 or visit the cultural center during regular business hours at 141 Kalākaua Street
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Image Courtesy: Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park website
No. 4 — Hula Kahiko (Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, March 14)
When: 10:30 a.m.
Location: Kahua hula (hula platform) near Volcano Art Center Gallery
Enjoy traditional hula by Hālau Unalau under the direction of Pele Kaio. Bring sun/rain gear and sitting mats and arrive early because of limited parking at Kīlauea Visitor Center, which is under renovation. If parking is full, be prepared to walk from the overflow lot at Kūkamāhuākea (Steam Vents).
More info: Call 808-967-7565 or email to info@volcanoartcenter.org.
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Image Courtesy: National Park Service
No. 5 — Haʻi Moʻolelo (Storytelling) (Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, March 14)
When: 11 a.m. to noon
Location: Kahuku Visitor Contact Station, Kahuku Unit
Hālau Nā Lei Haʻaheo o Kona under the direction of Nā Kumu Hula Bobo Palacat, Konia Palacat, Ashlynn Palacat, Ali’i Keanaaina, Aoi Takamiyagi and Alohi Abraham presents a wondrous tale about Pele’s journey from Kahiki to Hawaiʻi, her time in Kīlauea and the stpru of Hiʻiaka and Lohiʻau. It will also honor hula maʻi (procreation chants) that inspire creation of new life and care for the land and its people.
More info: Visit the national park online calendar.
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Image Courtesy
No. 6 — STEAM-CON (Pāhoa, March 14)
When: 2 to 6 p.m.
Location: Arts and Sciences Center, 15-1397 Post Office Road
This inaugural event encourages attendees to arrive curious so they can leave in awe, newly aware of the extraordinary creativity, intelligence and collaboration quietly unfolding in Puna. This celebration of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics is designed to spark curiosity, elevate local work and illuminate pathways for learning, innovation, connection and opportunity that exist close to home.
More info: Visit the STEAM-CON website.
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Image from Facebook
No. 7 — EkoluLaule‘a (Hilo, March 14)
When: 4:15 p.m.; doors open at 3:30 p.m.
Location: Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo, 93 Banyan Drive
Enjoy an evening of great music and high-energy performances, local food and craft vendors in a beautiful tropical setting with a vibrant outdoor music experience filled with island rhythms and aloha vibes. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable celebration of music and community with legendary group Ekolu.
More info/tickets: Visit the Ekolu website.
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Image Courtesy: Eventbrite
No. 8 — Puana ke Alaula Ho‘olaule‘a (ʻĀinaloa, March 15)
When: Noon to 5 p.m.
Location: Maku’u Farmers Market, 15-2131 Kea’au-Pāhoa Road, Unit A7
This special, heartfelt benefit concert honors beloved cultural practitioner, devoted kumu hula, educator and Kahu of Ka Mau Loa o ka Mālamalama Piʻilani Kaʻawaloa. Enjoy live Hawaiian mele, hula, food, vendors, fellowship and aloha while standing together to raise funds for a woman who has given so much to keiki, her lāhui and the community so she can fight brain cancer.
More info/tickets: Visit Eventbrite. Visit her GoFundMe campaign for additional ways to donate.
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Photo Courtesy: Hawai‘i Keiki Museum
No. 9 — Spring Break Science Makers (Waikōloa, March 16-20)
When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day
Location: Hawai‘i Keiki Museum, 69-250 Waikōloa Beach Drive, K104
Looking for a way for keiki to get creative during Spring Break? Send them to become Science Makers during this week of workshops that will spark their imagination. There will be virtual reality wayfinding, a cardboard arcade, drones and photography, breaking and beatboxing, sign language as well as geodes and sand art. Perfect for keiki ages 7 to 14 years old.
More info/register: Visit the Hawai‘i Keiki Museum website.
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Image from Facebook
No. 10 — Climbing Camp (Hilo, March 16-19)
When: Noon to 3 p.m. each day
Location: Big Island Climbing, 126 Keawe St.
This Spring Break camp is perfect for kids ages 8 to 13 years old to explore their climbing abilities, make new friends and have a blast in a safe, supportive environment. Each session is packed with creative games, movement challenges and plenty of climbing fun, no matter if your child is new to climbing or has some experience. Don’t wait to sign up. Space is limited.
More info/register: Visit the Big Island Climbing website.
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Image Compilation: Big Island Now
Check for yourself what’s happening around the Big Island
We admit. As hard as we try every week, we still likely didn’t find every event happening around the Big Island. Plus, we can’t fit everything going on each week in our entertainment roundup. 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
Lava Shack, Pāhoa (on Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/lavashackpahoa/?hl=en
Lyman Museum, Hilo: https://lymanmuseum.org/
MyBar Kona, Kailua-Kona: https://www.mybarkona.com/
Palace Theater, Hilo: https://hilopalace.com/
University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Performing Arts Center, Hilo: https://artscenter.uhh.hawaii.edu/
Volcano Art Center, Volcano: https://volcanoartcenter.org/
Wailoa Center, Hilo: https://www.wailoacenter.com/