Hear, see, touch, taste and smell your way through a full calendar of things to do on Big Island this week, with family-friendly activities, live music and a milestone celebration at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
Kūpuna and keiki can explore their senses at Sensory Summer in Hilo. Film lovers can catch “Chaperone,” a locally set feature that has earned national accolades. Young riders can saddle up in Mountain View at the Back to School Horse Adventure. And Downtown Hilo venues will team up for Jerry Garcia Day with performances across town.
Here are the top 10 picks for July 31 to Aug. 6.
No. 1 — Songwriting Hōʻike (Waimea, July 31)
When: 12:30 p.m.
Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road
This free showcase wraps up the advanced Songwriting & Production Intensive summer camp, featuring original music created and performed by emerging Hawaiʻi artists. No ticket required.
More info: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website.
No. 2 — Sensory Summer (Hilo, July 31)
When: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Location: Aging and Disability Resource Center training room, Hawaiʻi County Office of Aging, 1055 Kinoʻole St.
An intergenerational afternoon for kūpuna, grandchildren and family that invites hands-on learning through sight, sound, touch, taste and smell. Free plants and snacks will be available. Space is limited.
More info/registration: Call the Hawaiʻi County Office of Aging at 808-961-8600.
No. 3 — “Chaperone” (Hilo, July 31 and Aug. 2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. Sunday. Doors open 30 minutes prior.
Location: Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.
The 2024 Slamdance Grand Jury Award winner, set in Hilo and featuring an all Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander cast, follows 29-year-old Misha as she drifts into a risky connection with an 18-year-old athlete who believes she is a fellow student.
More info/tickets: Visit the Palace Theater website.
What’s happening at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park?
No. 4 — Celebrate the 110th Birthday of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (Aug. 1)
When: All day
Enjoy free entry as the park marks 110 years of protecting native ecosystems and perpetuating Hawaiian culture linked to its landscapes, while offering safe access to Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. Additional birthday programs are scheduled throughout the month.
More info: Call 808-985-6011 or email the park.
No. 5 — Kahuku Memories (Aug. 1)
When: 9:30 a.m.
Location: Kahuku Visitor Contact Station, near mile marker 70.5 on Highway 11 in Kaʻū
Learn about paniolo heritage and Kahuku’s ranching past. Uncle John Replogle will share recollections of Kaʻū and working on Kahuku Ranch.
More info: Call 808-985-6011 or email the park.
No. 6 — Dr. Thomas Jaggar returns to Uēkahuna for the park’s 110th birthday (Aug. 1)
When: 10 a.m. to noon
Location: Uēkahuna observation deck, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Kaʻū actor Dick Hershberger presents a special interpretive performance as Hawaiian Volcano Observatory founder Thomas Jaggar, revisiting the era when Hawaiʻi National Park was established and highlighting lessons from Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.
More info: Call 808-985-6011 or email the park.
No. 7 — Jerry Garcia Day (Hilo, Aug. 1)
When: Performances begin at 3 p.m. and continue into the night
Location: Multiple Downtown Hilo venues
A joint effort by popular Hilo spots celebrates the music icon. Scheduled sets include PunaKat from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. at Hale Kanikapila, Uncle Charlie from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Booch Bar, Wild Wondergrass Revival from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Kava Republic and Steve Fundy Acoustic from 3 to 4 p.m. upstairs at Hilo Night Market.
More info: Contact each participating venue.
No. 8 — Ledward Kāapana & 808 ʻOhana benefit for Boys to Men Mentoring Hawaiʻi (Hilo, Aug. 1)
When: 7 to 9 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Location: Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.
Enjoy live performances by Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner, Grammy nominee and Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame inductee Ledward Kāapana, along with a Nā Hōkū-winning reggae band. The evening also features a silent auction supporting mentorship for middle and high school boys.
More info/tickets: Visit the Palace Theater website or the Boys to Men Mentoring Hawaiʻi website, or call 808-934-7010.
No. 9 — Back to School Horse Adventure! (Mountain View, Aug. 2)
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Rainbow Isle Party Animals. Address provided upon registration.
Kick off the school year with horse rides, a petting zoo, farm story time and a school supply hunt. Bring lunch. Long pants and closed-toe shoes are required. A parent or guardian must remain on-site. Reserve by July 30. Cost is 50 dollars per child, ages 3 to 10.
More info/sign up: Call or text 808-435-5410.
No. 10 — Queers in ʻĀina: Beach Sesh at Waiʻōlena (Keaukaha, Aug. 2)
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Waiʻōlena Beach Park, 2151 Kalanianaʻole St.
Cool off at the beach with the Queers in ʻĀina community. Bring water, a swimsuit, towel and snacks to share. RSVP is requested to help with headcount, last-minute updates and carpool connections.
More info/reservations: Visit Eventbrite or email avalonparadea@gmail.com.
Check for yourself what’s happening around the Big Island
There is always more to explore than we can list. For additional shows, festivals, classes and activities, browse calendars from these popular venues and organizations:
- Aloha Theatre, Kealakekua: https://apachawaii.org/
- Blue Dragon Tavern, Kawaihae: https://www.bluedragontavern.com/
- Donkey Mill Art Center, Hōlualoa: https://donkeymillartcenter.org/
- East Hawaiʻi Cultural Center, Hilo: https://ehcc.org/
- Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park: https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm
- Hilo Town Market, Hilo: https://hilotownmarket.co/events
- Hale Kanikapila, Hilo: https://halekanikapila.com/
- Honokaʻa People’s Theatre, Honokaʻa: 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: 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/
- UH Hilo Performing Arts Center, Hilo: https://artscenter.uhh.hawaii.edu/
- Volcano Art Center, Volcano: https://volcanoartcenter.org/
- Wailoa Center, Hilo: https://www.wailoacenter.com/
- Waimea Arts Council, Waimea: https://www.waimeaartscouncil.org
- Willy’s Hot Chicken, Kailua-Kona: https://willieshotchicken.com/
For another upcoming community event on the west side, see Coffee with a Cop coming to Waikōloa on Wednesday morning.
