‘Sizzling Summer Fun’ events coming to Big Island

While the island of Hawai‘i can essentially boast of having summer weather all year round, the actual summer season brings with it the bonus of longer days to enjoy it all.

From canoe races and food festivals to island-wide tours and cultural activities and experiences, the summer offers plenty of time to celebrate all the seasonal fun it brings to Hawai‘i Island.

Read on to learn about upcoming events and exciting new activities announced by the Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau for this summer on the island of Hawai‘i.

• Sunday, June 4 – Nonprofit disability support organization, The Arc of Hilo, is holding its second annual King Kamehameha’s Awesome Athletes Inclusive Canoe Race for youth and adults with special needs. The Hilo Bay outrigger race is hosted by The Arc of Hilo in partnership with inclusive canoe clubs ‘Ohana Wa‘a Laulima and OSMD Hawai‘i Foundation. More than 100 athletes and volunteers competed in the event’s 2022 races and organizers expect even more participants this year. Registration is open now at Hilocanoerace.com for participants and volunteers.

• Thursday, June 8 – In celebration of World Oceans Day, Mauna Lani will host a beach cleanup and SPF sunscreen swap with Project Reef from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for guests of the resort. Also on World Oceans Day, Mauna Lani will hold a workshop, led by ocean plastics jewelry maker A.B. Seas founder Alice Birnbaum, on creating resin-made products using recycled microplastics from the beach cleanup. Later that evening, Mauna Lani will host a free, open-to-the-public film screening of “My Octopus Teacher” at 6 p.m. on its Milo Tree Lawn. For more information, call (855) 550-5008.
  
• Sunday, June 11 – Every King Kamehameha Day, the North Kohala Kamehameha Day Celebration celebrates and honors Hawai‘i’s first monarch. On this year’s holiday, the North Kohala community’s original King Kamehameha statue will be draped with a 20-foot lei, followed by a blessing ceremony, hula and music performances, and sharing of history. A parade following the ceremony will include traditional pāʻū riders (women horseback riders) and horses adorned in flowers and colors representing each Hawaiian Island. For more information, visit Kamehamehadaycelebration.org.

• Sunday, July 9 through Tuesday, July 11 – The Hawai‘i Kuauli Pacific & Asia Cultural Festival is an annual celebration of the island of Hawai’i as a multicultural melting pot. This year’s three-day event promises fashion, food, cultural presentations, a hula hō‘ike (show), a fire knife competition, a culinary event and more. The festival will take place at Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort. For more information, visit Hikuauli.com.
  
• Saturday, July 29 through Sunday, July 30 – The Experience Volcano Festival is a celebration of the culture, people and traditions that make the Volcano Village area of the island of Hawai‘i unique. The fest aims to give attendees a taste of everything Volcano Village offers, showcasing Hawaiian culture, local music, area art and artisans, tours, keiki (children) and ‘ohana (family) activities, restaurant happy hours and specials, food trucks and more. For more information, click here.
  
• Saturday, July 29 – Join the Volcano’s ‘Ōhiʻa Lehua Runs. Beginning and ending in Volcano Village, the event’s course takes runners along the community’s Wright Road through a beautiful ‘ōhiʻa forest with scenic views of Maunakea and Maunaloa. For more information, visit Ohialehuahalf.com.