Adventures, Activities & Events
4th Annual Parade and Festival for the United Nations International Day of Peace - September 19, 2010
The 4th Annual Parade & Festival for the United Nations International Day of Peace in Honoka'a. Celebrate peace, compassion and global interdependence, as an eclectic "moving stage" marches down Mamane Street at 11 a.m. Free. Community festival follows at noon. (808) 883-0669
5th Annual Kahumoku 'Ohana Hawaiian Music & Lifestyles Workshop - Nov. 6 -13, 2010
Keoki Kahumoku, a five-time Grammy award winner, announces the teaching lineup for his 5th annual Kahumoku 'Ohana Hawaiian Music & Lifestyles Workshop. Learn slack key guitar and 'ukulele from the masters at Pahala Plantation Cottages, with George Kahumoku Jr., Moses Kahumoku, Dennis Kamakahi, Amy Hanaiali'i, Ledward Ka'apana, Herb Ohta, Jr., John Keawe, Sonny Lim, Diana Aki, Danny Akaka, Buddy Fo, Brittni Paiva, Kona Bob, Aka Pule, Darci Baker, Jeff Peterson, James Hill and more.
Fifth Annual Moku O Keawe Hula Festival - Nov. 4-7, 2010
On the big stage, hula halau (troupes) dance in dramatic kahiko (ancient) and 'auana (modern) competition in the Waikoloa Bowl at Queens' Gardens at the Waikoloa Beach Resort. During the day, cultural workshops and excursions share authentic arts, places, practices and musical instruments of hula. Visit the Made-in-Hawaii Marketplace and see the final night ho'ike starring workshop students and a special appearance by Merrie Monarch Festival winners O'Brien Eselu and the men of Ke Kai O Kahiki. (808) 345-9364.
Big Island Eco Adventures
North Kohala's Big Island Eco Adventures not only offers eight incredible ziplines with ocean, rainforest and waterfall views, ATV tours, horseback riding, snorkeling, sunset sailing, and snorkeling, but they've also purchased Luke's Place restaurant and bar, and the Kohala Village Inn, making it easier than ever to stay and play in historic North Kohala. (808) 889-5111.
Kalapana Updates
New Kalapana Updates. The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) is now posting an afternoon status report on lava flow activity near Kalapana in Coastal Puna on the HVO Web site (http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/activity/kilaueastatus.php). These reports are typically posted by 4:30 p.m. each day, until they are no longer necessary. For more information, visit www.usgs.gov.
Legends of Kahua Ghost Tour
New! Legends of Kahua Ghost Tour. Gather round a campfire and "meet" the many men and women who worked and died on the ranch over the years, but whose spirits refuse to leave. A storyteller escorts you around Kahua Ranch, founded in 1928, to the main house, the haunted sheep-shearing shed, and to a historical church. Held Monday nights, $65/ person. Includes paniolo beef stew for dinner. Get your spook on, and call (808) 882-7954.
Mealani's Taste of the Hawaiian Range and Agriculture Festival
Where's the Beef? At Mealani's Taste of the Hawaiian Range and Agriculture Festival! Join ranchers, farmers, chefs and eager eaters to celebrate a bounty of locally produced food. The event is 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 10 at Hilton Waikoloa Village. Enjoy delectable dishes using grass-fed beef, pork, lamb, goat, mutton and wild boar, plus fresh island fruit and veggies. Attendees can "talk story" with the people producing local food at gaily decorated vendor booths. Ticket sales are available online now.
Paradise Helicopters
Paradise Helicopters introduces its new "Discover Hilo" air adventure departing from Kona International Airport. Guests enjoy an air tour of the Big Island and explore the culture, cuisine and diversity that historic Hilo offers. After a beautiful morning floating over lush valleys and waterfalls of the Kohala and Hamakua coasts, passengers arrive in Hilo for a day of exploration. Afterwards, the helicopter flies you over erupting Kilauea volcano on the way back to Kona. (866) 876-7422
Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series
The world's best cliff divers descend upon Hilo Sept. 12 for the final stop of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series at a private waterfall north of Hilo. Divers leap from an 80-foot platform to water in only three seconds, and must impress the crowd and judges to win. Will nine-time world champion and Hawai'i resident Orlando Duque fend off last year's runner up, Gary Hunt? Be there to find out who makes the splash. Check the Red Bull site for info on ticketing and other details.
Reef Fish Hawaii
A new iPhone app is available from the Big Island authors of Snorkel Hawaii The Big Island, a guide to 200 of the most common fish in Hawaii. Reef Fish Hawaii has dazzling pictures like this Ornate Butterflyfish, and it's only $4.99 in the Apple App Store. Coming in August: Reef Critters Hawaii, a guide to the common invertebrates seen while snorkeling here. Bonus: a free app that gives "real time" weather data from South Kohala plus underwater videos: Mauna Lani.
RideTheRim
RideTheRim's new Tutumobile is Here! Tutus (grandmothers and grandmothers at heart) ride on the new, smooth-riding Polaris six-seat "Ranger." For $99, your tutu can see Waipi'o Valley from up top. Call (808) 775-1450 or toll-free, (877) 775-1450 or visit www.ridetherim.com.
Safari Helicopters
Safari Helicopters is now offering its #1 rated "Deluxe Hawaii Volcano Tour" for $179 (plus surcharges and fees). That's $45 off the regular price of $224. Be entranced as you glide over craters, lava lakes, and glowing skylights. Lush rainforests will leave you speechless along the Hilo coastline. Due to the extreme popularity of this tour, book now online to lock in your reservation. Offer good through 2010, and cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts. www.safarihelicopters.com.
Vavoom Volcano Tours
Free Shirt! See the world's most active volcano with Vavoom Volcano Tours, and score a free T-shirt when you book a party of four or more. The six-hour van tour includes highlights of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, including Jaggar Museum, Steam Vents, Kilauea Iki, Sulphur Banks, Chain of Craters Road, and more. Tours start at $127 per person, but the person booking a party of four or more gets their trip for $80! Valid through 2010. (808) 966-8858
Looking for more to do? Visit www.bigisland.org/calendar for detailed information about additional Hawaii Island happenings this summer and throughout 2010.
