EVENTS Coming on The Big Island
North Kohala Kamehameha Day Celebration
King Kamehameha Statue
54-3897 Akoni Pule Hwy., Kapaau
The birthplace of King Kamehameha I begins June 11 with an 8 a.m. blessing, hula and lei draping at the original statue of Kamehameha. At 9 a.m. a traditional pa‘u parade makes its way from Kohala High and Elementary School to Kamehameha Park. There will be no hoolaulea this year.
King Kamehameha Day Lei Draping
King Kamehameha Statue
Wailoa River State Recreation Area, Downtown Hilo
King Kamehameha’s statue will be draped with lei, 5 p.m. June 10. The next day, June 11, the Royal Order of Kamehameha Ekahi Heiau O Mamalahoa Royal procession takes place from Moku Ola to the statue, 9 a.m.
A Musical Evening with Nick Wong
KBXtreme
75-5591 Palani Rd., Kailua-Kona | 808-938-7376
Known for his easy blend of songwriting, smooth vocals and guitar, Hawaii-based singer/songwriter, musician and producer Nick Wong performs 7 p.m. June 10. Doors open 6:30 p.m. Tickets.
Lei Hulu (Feather Lei) Demonstration
Volcano Art Center Gallery
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Join Robert Beebe and Momi Szirom as they demonstrate the intricacies of feather lei making, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. June 10-11. Both received teaching certificates from Kumu (teacher) Doreen Henderson. Free; park entrance fees apply.
5th Annual Hawaii Kuauli Pacific & Asia Cultural Festival
Courtyard Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel
75-5660 Palani Rd., Kailua-Kona | 808-331-8265
This three-day event features cultural groups, fashion, fireknife competition, hula performances and a Taste of Pacific & Asia event, June 10-12. Free events include the Wearable Arts Exhibit & Pop-Up Shops two workshops. Full program and ticket info.
Palace Pride Shorts Showcase
Palace Theater
38 Haili St., Hilo | 808-934-7010
Enjoy a full program of short films from around the world that showcase a range of perspectives from the LGBTQ+ community, June 10-14. Tickets.
King Kamehameha Day Celebration Parade & Hoolaulea
Along Alii Dr., Historic Kailua Village, Kailua-Kona
In this 150th year of celebrating King Kamehameha Day, communities throughout the state gather to honor the great warrior, diplomat and leader, King Kamehameha I, also known as Kamehameha the Great, who united the Hawaiian Islands in 1810. Kailua-Kona brings back its parade after a two-year hiatus with pa‘u riders, floats, marching bands, equestrian units and more, 9 a.m. June 11. After the parade from 11:30 a.m., enjoy the King Kamehameha Celebration Hoolaulea at Hulihee Palace with vendors selling crafts, apparel, and lots of food, plus live music and cultural demonstrations.
Artisan Market
Kona Commons
74-5444 Makala Blvd., Kailua-Kona | 808-203-2240
This monthly fair held every second Saturday of the month features local crafters and makers selling gifts, art, crafts, edibles and more, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. June 11.
World Ocean Day
Kalakaua Park
150 Kalakaua St., Hilo
The Downtown Hilo Museum Square kicks off it 1st Annual World Ocean Day event, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. June 11. The event aims to bring awareness to sustainable management of the worlds’ oceans and highlights ocean conservation education and, most of all, action. Enjoy keiki activities, informational booths, live radio broadcast from KWXX and more. Museum Square is a collective composed of the East Hawaii Cultural Center, Hawaii Science and Technology Museum, Mokupapapa Discovery Center, and the Pacific Tsunami Museum with the goal of uplifting the downtown Hilo community.
Under the Moon Run
At Saddle Rd. and Mauna Kea Access Rd.
This run on June 11 offers all runners a distance option. The 200K takes off at 2 p.m.; 100k and 100K Relay at 5 p.m.; 50K and 50K Relay at 10 p.m.; and 25K at 11:55 p.m. Two different check in points and times. Registration closes June 10. Information and registration.
Home Herbalist Workshop
Volcano Art Center
Niaulani Campus, 19-4074 Old Volcano Rd., Volcano | 808-967-8222
Learn about the germ-fighting abilities of plants and herbs, and discover how to use them, as well as watch how to make salves, syrups, tinctures, citrus cleaners, hand sanitizers and more from scratch, 9-11 a.m. June 11. Heather Penfield will show students how to make effective home remedies. Register.
Jazz in the Forest
Volcano Art Center
Niaulani Campus, 19-4074 Old Volcano Rd., Volcano Village | 808-967-8222
Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner for the 2021 Jazz Album of the Year, Maggie Herron, fellow performer Paul Lindbergh, presents a jazz concert in the forest, 5:30 p.m. June 11. Ticket purchase includes a free copy of the artist’s 2020 album, “Renditions.”
Volunteer: Stewardship at the Summit
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park | 808-985-6011
Join Stewardship at the Summit to help remove invasive, non-native plant species, 9 a.m.-noon, June 11, 17, 25. The moderate, one-mile roundtrip hike departs from Kilauea Visitor Center over rough, uneven terrain with up to a 400-foot elevation change. Wear hiking shoes, long pants and a hat; bring rain gear, snacks and water. Gloves and loppers will be provided. Park fee applies. For info, email Paul and Jane Field at field@hawaii.edu, otherwise, meet at the Kilauea Visitor Center at 8:45 a.m. Groups should contact Kupono McDaniel at 808-985-6015. No registration required.
King Kamehameha’s Awesome Athletes Inclusive Canoe Race
Hilo Bayfront Beach Park
1273 Kamehemeha Ave., Hilo
This event is a partnership between The Arc of Hilo, OSMD Hawaii (Operation Sammy Muscular Dystrophy) and inclusive canoe club Ohana Waa Laulima in which all share a vision to host a safe and inclusive paddling event for individuals with disabilities in an activity with cultural and historical significance. Cheer on these Awesome Athletes, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. June 12.
Kokua Kailua
Historic Kailua Village
Along Alii Drive
Shop, dine and buy local as island vendors set up booths along Alii Drive, 1-6 p.m. June 12, making for a pleasant afternoon stroll. Find all sorts of handcrafted items and meet the maker behind the product.
Through June 19: ‘Clue’ On Stage
Aloha Theatre
79-7384 Mamalahoa Hwy., Kainaliu | 808-322-9924
If you’ve played the board game, then you know the cast of characters and their goings on within Boddy Manor. Tickets are on sale for the production of the cult classic “whodunnit” film, “Clue.” Tickets.
Through June 26: Honoring King Kamehameha
Volcano Art Center Gallery
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
June 11, 2022 marks the 150th anniversary of the holiday dedicated to King Kamehameha the Great. The special day was decreed by royal proclamation in 1871 by King Kamehameha V, the grandson of Kamehameha I, to not just honor his grandfather’s legacy, but to honor the father of the nation of Hawaii. A reception will be held for participating artists, 2-4 p.m. June 11. In celebration of this occasion, Volcano Art Center located in the national park showcases works of art in a juried exhibition. Gallery is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.
Glass Mosaic Workshop
Volcano Art Center
Niaulani Campus, 19-4074 Old Volcano Rd., Volcano | 808-967-8222
Expert mosaic artist Michael Reeder teaches participants the basics of mosaic art on a 9” x 9” wood template on which participants will create their own design in a three-session workshop, 10 a.m.-noon June 12, 19 and 26. Info and registration.
‘Perceiving Place: Sanctuary in Spaces of Conflict’
Donkey Mill Art Center
78-6670 Mamalahoa Hwy., Holualoa | 808-322-3362
In conjunction with the current exhibition, “Puuhonua,” artists Nanci Amaka and Reem Bassous take a deep dive into each other’s work and will share insights into their own experiences, 5:30-7 p.m. June 16. Registration required: in-person or virtual.
Jacaranda Summer Paint-N-Sip
VFW Auxiliary Post 12122
74-5543 Kaiwi St., Kailua-Kona | 808-331-2425
Nonprofit Get Ready Hawaii ensures the youth of Hawaii are ready for life’s challenges, and this month they partner with VFW Auxiliary Post 12122 for a fun paint-n-sip event, 6-9 p.m. June 16. Participants will create a custom painting based on an image. $35 admission includes painting supplies and pupu; beverages purchased from the bar support VFW. Tickets.
Lauhala Demonstration
Volcano Art Center Gallery
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Enjoy a free, hands-on lauhala workshop with Kuuipo Kalahiki-Morales, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. June 17.
Augie T
Palace Theater
38 Haili St., Hilo | 808-934-7010
Comedian Augie T celebrates 30 years of comedy on his Laugh with Aloha Tour as he performs two shows, 7 and 9 p.m. June 17. Tickets.
Makana presents a Father’s Day Concert
Palace Theater
38 Haili St., Hilo | 808-934-7010
Makana performs songs from his newest album, “Pulama: Legacies of Hawaii,” as well as past favorites in a special Father’s Day concert, 4 p.m. June 19. Tickets.
Wacky Music Class
East Hawaii Cultural Center
141 Kalakaua St., Hilo | 808-961-5711
The Youth Arts Series offers a class led by Carol Walker in which students will play, experiment with and even make their own unusual musical instruments, ranging from ocarinas to bamboo shakers to water xylophones, 1-2 p.m. June 28, 30 and July 5, 7, 12, 14. All will learn basic principles behind the science of sound and compose their own tunes. At the conclusion, students will perform their own compositions for family and friends. Deadline to register is 4 p.m. June 17.
Through July 2: ‘Puuhonua’ exhibit
Donkey Mill Art Center
78-6670 Mamalahoa Hwy., Holualoa | 808-322-3362
This exhibit reflects on puuhonua — places and people of peace and safety — with contributing artists exploring concepts of refuge, sanctuary and healing, and their interpretations of its meaning through sculptures, paintings, drawings, digital illustrations, fiber arts, and book arts. “Puuhonua encourages viewers to reflect on their own places of refuge — whether they are literal places or people — or an energy, action, idea or state of mind,” said Mina Elison, exhibition curator. The gallery is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday.
Through July 29: ‘After Life: A Wood Sculpture Exhibition’
East Hawaii Cultural Center
141 Kalakaua St., Hilo | 808-961-5711
Every part of a tree’s life is critical to ecosystems, wildlife, humans. This exhibit, curated by Andrzej Kramarz, offers a look at the “second life” of trees interpreted by sculptors. Artists include Henry Bianchini, Patrick Daniel Sarsfield, Daniel Sheinfeld Rodriguez, Randy Takaki and Lonny Tomono. Gallery hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Ongoing events:
Every Monday: Niaulani Rain Forest Tour
Volcano Art Center, Niaulani Campus
19-4074 Old Volcano Rd., Volcano | 808-967-8222
Immerse yourself in a native Hawaiian rainforest on a weekly guided tour, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Niaulani is one of Kilauea’s last old-growth koa and ohia rainforests. You’ll learn about its significance, continual threats, how native species are different from their colonizing ancestors, uses of Hawaiian flora and more. Tour takes place rain or shine, so dress appropriately. Reservations aren’t required but are appreciated for groups of five or more. Donations are appreciated. Custom tours are also available.
Place orders every Monday: East Hawaii Master Gardeners Plant Sale
Komohana Research & Extension Center
875 Komohana St., Hilo, HI 96720 | 808-969-8203
Populate your garden with native plants, succulents, perennials, seed starts and more. Plants are only available for pick up 10-11:30 a.m. every Friday at the Komohana Research & Extension Center in Hilo, and orders must be placed by 10 p.m. the previous Monday. All orders are to be placed via email only to himga@hawaii.edu; no drop-in sales are permitted. Cash only.
Virtual performances: ‘Live from the Empty Palace’
Hilo’s Palace Theater
If you’re ever in the mood to listen to local performers doing their thing plain and simple, head to Hilo’s Palace Theater website, which gives artists the open space to perform a variety of music — Hawaiian, Hawaiian reggae, psychedelic jazz funk, folk, country and much more. The acoustics are perfect, and the focus is the artist in their element.
