This week’s lineup of things to do on Big Island spans culture, music, history, wellness, art and more, with happenings from Pāpaʻikou to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
Bake a crispy, spiral baumstriezel over an open fire in the rain forest on Friday, join a brain health scavenger hunt in Hilo on Saturday, celebrate 808 Day with a block party downtown, step back in time with a Portuguese immigration performance at Lyman Museum, and check out drag racing in Hilo. There is also a sound healing session in Waikōloa, dual art exhibits in Waimea, a free guitar and ʻukulele swap meet in Keauhou, and a workshop for food entrepreneurs in Hāwī.
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No. 1 — Hands-on Baking: Bake Your Own Baumstriezel (Pāpaʻikou, Aug. 7)
When: Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Baumkuchenfarm, 27-714 Kaʻieʻie Road
Try your hand at making this traditional predecessor to baumkuchen over a campfire during a cultural baking adventure in the rain forest. You will roll the dough, coat it with sugar, roast it, and watch it caramelize into a crisp, sweet spiral. This is a fully hands-on session.
More info/registration: Visit the Baumkuchenfarm website.
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No. 2 — “Formations” and “Dinnshenchas: The Language of Place” (Waimea, through Sept. 13)
When: Noon to 4 p.m. Thursdays, 3 to 5 p.m. Fridays
Location: Suli T. Go Gallery, Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road
Two exhibitions explore geologic forms from distinct perspectives. One examines the ties between language and place through photography, drawings and video. The other presents close artistic observations through ceramics, wall and spatial installations, and mixed media.
More info: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website.
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No. 3 — Echoes of the Valley (Waikōloa, Aug. 7)
When: 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Location: The Beauty Barn, 1832 Hawaiʻi Living Co., Waikōloa Stables, 68-1936 Waikōloa Road
Unwind with therapeutic soundscapes inspired by the wild horses of Waipiʻo Valley. Crystal singing bowls, gongs and chimes create grounding vibrations in the twilight setting of the Stables.
More info/reservations: Click here.
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No. 4 — Brain Health Scavenger Hunt (Hilo, Aug. 8)
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Prince Kūhiō Plaza, 111 E. Pūʻainakō St.
Visit interactive stations hosted by AARP and partners to learn science-based ways to keep your mind healthy with age. Participants can enter to win one of three $50 gift cards. An online option is available with a chance at a $100 Safeway gift card.
More info/enter online: Visit the AARP website.
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No. 5 — Kona Guitar and ʻUkulele Swap Meet (Keauhou, Aug. 8)
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Keauhou Shopping Center stage/courtyard area, 78-6831 Aliʻi Drive
Musicians and fans are invited to buy, sell and trade guitars and ʻukulele at this free community gathering. Look for product demos, a kanikapila-style jam, meet-and-greets with local music shop staff and additional music-focused vendors.
More info: Click here.
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No. 6 — Taiko (Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Aug. 8)
When: 11 a.m.
Location: Kahuku Visitor Contact Station, Kahuku Unit, near the 70.5-mile marker on Highway 11 in Kaʻū
Learn about taiko performance posture and movement, drum types, sticks, traditional attire and rhythms. Participants might get a chance to try drumming themselves.
More info: Call Park Information at 808-985-6011.
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No. 7 — Build Your Food Business (Hāwī, Aug. 8)
When: 1 to 3 p.m.
Location: Touching the Earth Farm Kitchen, 55-567 Lincoln Ave.
Get grounded in the financial basics of starting and funding a food venture. This hands-on session covers what it actually takes to build a sustainable food business in Hawaiʻi. Free and open to the community.
More info/registration: Click here.
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Things to do on Big Island: 808 Day Block Party (Hilo, Aug. 8)
When: 4 to 10 p.m.
Location: Hilo Town Market, 69 Waiānuenue Avenue
Waiānuenue Avenue will be closed for a classic block party featuring a full music lineup, live painting, lei making, screen printing, art installations and other interactive activities. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
More info/tickets: Visit the 808 Day website.
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No. 9 — Hot August Days (Hilo, Aug. 8-9)
When: Gates open 8 a.m. both days
Location: Hilo Dragstrip, 2295 Hoʻolaulima Road
Big Island Auto Club presents two days of drag racing, with the Volks-War bracket on Saturday and Japan vs. Germany on Sunday. Also on tap are junior dragsters, bikes and motorcycles, time trials and a VW car display. Keiki 12 and under are free.
More info: Follow Big Island Auto Club on Facebook and Instagram.
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No. 10 — “Chegamos: We Arrived” (Hilo, Aug. 10-11)
When: 7 p.m. Monday, 3 p.m. Tuesday
Location: Lyman Museum, 276 Haili St.
Between 1878 and 1911, nearly 16,000 Portuguese immigrants arrived in Hawaiʻi on 24 ships to work sugar plantations. This performance brings their journeys to life through true reminiscences from families who sought a new beginning.
More info: Visit the Lyman Museum website.
Between 1878 and 1911, nearly 16,000 Portuguese immigrants arrived in Hawaiʻi on 24 ships to work sugar plantations. This performance brings their journeys to life through true reminiscences from families who sought a new beginning, echoing other efforts to uplift local narratives such as the Nā Leo TV workshops to boost community storytelling skills.
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Check for yourself what’s happening around the Big Island
We do our best to round up weekly highlights, but there is always more. Browse these popular venue calendars for additional events, shows and workshops:
- 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 (formerly Hilo Town Tavern), 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/
- University of Hawaiʻi 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/
- Waimea Arts Council, Waimea: https://www.waimeaartscouncil.org
- Willy’s Hot Chicken, Kailua-Kona: https://willieshotchicken.com/
