Top 20 things to do on Big Island July 13-19: Maoli concert, Grease, car & fitness show, Relay for Life

All around the Big Island there’s plenty of summer fun to be had for keiki to kūpuna this week. Thereʻs acclaimed Maui reggae band Maoli performing in Kona, a Fitness and Car Show at the Old Kona Airport, the musical “Grease” kicks off at the Hilo Palace Theater and the always worthy event, Relay for Life of the Big Island.

Check out the Top 20 list below. And for a comprehensive list of upcoming events – concerts, shows, entertainment, community events and outdoor/farmers markets – for this week and beyond, click here.

No. 1 – Band Maoli performs at KBXtreme (Kona, July 14-15)

Since their debut in 2007, Maoli has had more than 21 #1 Regional Island Reggae Hits, and has been steadily on the rise with performances in 42 of the 50 states, New Zealand, Australia, Mexico, Guam and Saipan Territories. Maoli was the 2020 i-Heart’s Island Music Awards Album of the Year Winner and Group of the Year Award, and it also won a Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for Reggae Album of the Year.

The Maui-based band with their unique style of country, R&B, soul, acoustic, rock & roll and reggae will perform on July 14 & 15 at KBXtreme at 75-5645 Palani Road in Kona. Learn more here. Tickets run around $40 online.

No. 2 – Red Hot Sizzlin’ Summer Car Show & Fitness Expo (Kona, July 15)

On Saturday at the Old Kona Airport, there will be a car show to benefit Shriners Hospital for Children-Honolulu and the Pasqual Bernal Fitness Expo fundraiser.

The show runs from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. You can mix and mingle with athletes such Coach David Bowden and beauty queens Mrs. Universe 2014 and Mrs. Kona Hawai’i Universe. You can also enter the competition for $65. There will be music, games and food. Learn more here.

No. 3 – Musical “Grease” at Hilo Palace Theater (Hilo, July 13–16)

One of the all-time favorite musical’s runs Thursday through Sunday at the historic Hilo Palace Theater, with tickets at $20. “Grease” is being performed by the Hilo Education Arts Repertory Theater (H.E.A.R.T.).

You can watch your favorite characters sing “Greased Lightnin’,” “You’re The One That I Want,” “Raining on Prom Night” and “We Go Together.” Shows are at 7 p.m. on July 13-15 and at 2 p.m. on July 15 and 16. Learn more here.

No. 4 – Christmas in July Gifts, Jewelry, Arts & Craft Fair (Kona, July 15)

Why not get started on your Christmas shopping early by checking out an arts & crafts fair on Saturday that features local artisans and vendors at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel.

There will be a wide-range of products, including jellies and jams, dolls, oils and lotions, baked goods, original paintings, cards, decorative ceramic tiles, pottery, photography, watercolors, purses, bags, T-shirts, shorts, bikinis, clothing, crochet items, baby items, kid’s books, grown up books, shell items, quilts, glass items, koa and wood products, signs, household items and mail items.

The event will take place 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. near the Kamakahonu ballrooms and entry way, at the Herb Kane Middle Lobby Mall and outdoor garden tent area.

No. 5 – Mozartʻs “The Magic Flute” at Kahilu Theatre (July 15 & 16, Waimea)

The Hawaiʻi Performing Arts Festival, made up of talented young musicians from Hawaiʻi and around the world, will perform Mozart’s classic opera, Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) at Kahilu on Saturday at 7p.m. and on Sunday at 4:00pm.

Mozart’s timeless opera follows the adventures of Prince Tamino and Papageno on their search for the Queen of the Night’s daughter, Pamina. To guide their adventures, the duo are gifted a magic flute (Die Zauberflöte). Sung in German with English dialogue and supertitles. Tickets start at $28. For more information and tickets, click here.

No. 6 – Tic-Tac-Toe Grill Game (Kona, July 15)

Looking for something to bring the keiki to this weekend? Why not check out a DIY workshop at Lowe’s in Kona on Saturday. The work shop will last from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. You have until Friday to sign up, although walk-ins will be available.

Attendees will build their own grill that also will double as a tic-tac-toe game. The workshop will take place at the Lowe’s at 75-5677 Hale Kapili St. in Kona. Sign up here.

No. 7 – “Dirty Date Clay Night” at Haina Sugar Ceramics (Honoka’a, July 15)

The inaugural “Dirty Date Clay Night” is taking place at Haina Sugar Ceramics in Honoka’a on Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m.

The clay date night is for five couples (10 people total) for an evening of drinks, pupus and pottery. For $50 a person, you and your beloved can try this pottery and get to know each other better by creating something together. You can create by hand or by using a wheel. All materials are included. The pottery will be fired at the shop. Find out more here.

No. 8 – Community Service and Bon Dance (Honoka’a, July 15)

Another summer weekend means another Bon Dance. This Saturday you can join the Honoka’a Hongwanji Mission at 5:30 p.m. for the annual community service and dance event. The dance will begin at 7 p.m., and the entire community is invited to honor loved ones that have passed on.

Community service will occur before the dance and if you would like your loved one’s name recited during the ceremony, submit the names at [email protected]. The event is free.

No. 9 – Average Joes at Kīlauea Military Camp’s Lava Lounge (Volcano, July 15)

Looking for some live music this weekend? Head up to the volcano and check out Average Joes for a live performance at the Kīlauea Military Camp’s Lava Lounge on Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. The cover is $10.

The Average Joes are 3-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards finalists.

No. 10 – Ho’e Fetiʻi Tahitian Workshop with LeiIsa Case (Hilo, July 14)

Ho’e Fetiʻi Tahitian and Leilsa Case are hosting a Tahitian workshop on Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. Learn or refine your Tahitian dance skills during this workshop.

Cost for the 3 1/2-hour workshop is $40 and will be held at 1266 Kamehameha Ave. in Hilo. Learn more here.

No. 11 – First Latin Night at Soil to Soul (Hilo, July 19)

Ready to dance this week? Soil to Soul is hosting its first Latin Night. On July 19, from 7 to 10 p.m., you can learn a variety of salsa moves, machata, merengue or zouk. The cost is $10 to $15.

Soil to Soul is a smoothie bar and Wifi lounge in downtown Hilo, at 301 Keawe St. Throughout the month the company hosts a variety of events. Learn more on its website.

No. 12 – Relay for Life at Francis Wong Stadium (Hilo, July 15)

Relay for Life of the Big Island will take place on Saturday from 5 p.m. until midnight at the Francis Wong Stadium in Hilo. The event celebrates cancer survivors, remembers those we have lost, and provides support to fight back as a community to end cancer. 

The event includes a costume contest, Zumbathon, performances by Hilo High School Band, a dunk tank and games to keep you entertained. Food will be available to purchase. Learn more here.

No. 13 – Bad Papa (Kawaihae, July 13)

The “Bad Papa” music duo of Hawai’i will play Thursday at the Blue Dragon Tavern in Kawaihae. The duo of Big Island residents Jammin Joe Buck and Bob Bojorquez have been actively writing, producing and performing quality original music for years.

The show will start at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance or $13 at the door. Learn more here.

No. 14 – After Dark in the Park: A Legacy of Science (Volcano, July 18)

On Tuesday, residents and guests are encouraged to check out the After Dark in the Park series. This week you will learn about how perched high on the rim of Uēkahuna Bluff since the late 1940s, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has been the hub of research and monitoring of Hawaiian volcanoes.

The Reginald T. Okamura Building, constructed in 1985 and the heart of the observatory, was damaged beyond repair during the Kīlauea earthquakes of 2018. Join Don Swanson, who has a 55-year association with the observatory, as he takes you through the science conducted at this remarkable facility and the legacy being carried into the future.

For information, call 808-985-6011. Guests are encouraged to provide a $2 donation that will help support park programs. Park entrance fees apply. The event starts at 7 p.m. and will last about an hour. Learn more here.

No. 15 – Kokua Kailua Monthly Stroll (Kona, July 16)

The Kokua Kailua monthly stroll for July will be Sunday from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. Local craftsmen and artists are featured during this free event in downtown Kona off Aliʻi Drive.

No. 16 – Forces of Nature: Young Artist Exhibition (Kona, July 14 – Aug. 12)

Forces of Nature art exhibition at the Donkey Mill Art Center opens on Friday and runs through Aug. 12. It features artworks by more than 30 young artists, ages 9 to 12, creating meaningful connections with the natural world during this year’s Summer Art Experience programs.

By activating kilo kilo (profound observation), the imagination, curiosity, creativity and expressive play, youth explored new materials and techniques in drawing, painting, printmaking, fiber arts, ceramics, mixed media, metals and dance.

This exhibition was curated by Angaea Cuna, Mina Elison and Gerald Lucena and is free and open to the public. The exhibition is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Learn more here.

No. 17 –Community Yard Sale (Mountain View, July 15)

A community yard sale will be held at Hilo Coffee Mill’s Farmer’s Market on Saturday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. The event is at 17-995 Volcano Road in Mountain View.

The free event will feature a wide-range of options to shop from – including artwork, food, tools and plants.

No. 18 – Nalukai Academy Hōʻike at UH Hilo (Hilo, July 16)

Nalukai Academy is inviting members of the community to celebrate their achievements at a Hōʻike event to showcase Founder projects on Saturday from 11 a.m to 1:30 pm. The exhibition will be held in the UH Hilo presentation space (UCB127) and those interested are encouraged to attend in-person or virtually via our YouTube livestream.

During Hōʻike, the Nalukai cohort will pitch their projects and receive feedback and reflections from attendees and remote members of the Nalukai network.

Founder pitches will be followed by a project showcase, a full cohort Q&A about Nalukai, and an opportunity to connect with and celebrate the Nalukai community and everyone who sustains it. Earlier this month 28 high school students across the island arrived at UH-Hilo to engage in project-based learning and formed teams to create solutions to real problems in their communities and lives. Learn what they found at the event. Learn more here.

No. 19 – Korean Natural Farming Class: Sea Water and Fermented Sea Water (Hilo, July 15)

Rob Cole will hold a class about how to use sea water and fermented sea water for plants and animals. If you want sweeter fruit or better feather health for your birds, then this class is for you. It is on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Fellowship for Perpetual Growth Plant and Animal Sanctuary.

For the past four years he has incorporated Korean Natural Farming methods into his permaculture practice, and will participants the simple process to collect and transform this natural resource for better health in your homestead. A potluck lunch will follow the class. Please bring a vegan dish, as well as your own plate and utensils.

A suggested donation of $20 per person to cover supplies and the speaker is appreciated. You can RSVP by calling 808-968-7161. Learn more here.

No. 20 – 10th annual “Kid-Shakes” Hō Ka Hū: No Ack! (Hilo, July 14-16)

This free show is a locally-written adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing by Dr. Justina ʻŌlalimākiaikalauaki Mattos. It is directed by Kate Curtis and stars the keiki of Hilo.

The show will take place at the UH Hilo Performing Arts Center on July 14-16 at 4:30 p.m. Watch as the performers take you through the story of a local school where the students learn that gossip can make or break relationships.