Top 20 things to do on the Big Island Aug. 10-16: Donate to Lahaina, Flower Fest, Pāhoa Art Walk, Carlos Santana Tribute, and Football

From a Flower Festival in Honoka’a to a Tribute to Carlos Santana in Hilo, there’s music, food, Walks to End homelessness and more happening on the Big Island this week. But our No. 1 thing to do this week is help the people of Lahaina, whose town was devastated by a wildfire with 36 lives lost so far and many more injured.

No. 1 — Give to Lahaina

With the onset of devastation occurring on the neighboring island of Maui, Big Island businesses and residents are organizing donations and help throughout the island.

For the best way to donate, click here for some official options.

No.2 — Flower Fest (Honoka’a, Aug. 12)

The second annual Flower Fest will be held from 11:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. in Honoka’a at Grace Flowers Hawai’i on Saturday.

There will be food trucks and a few other vendors offering lunch options and goodies for purchase. You can sign up to make lei, engage in plant talks with floricutlure industry leaders, participate in team competitions, live fashion show and enjoy live music and flower talk. Learn more here.

No. 3 — Pāhoa Art Walk (Pāhoa, Aug. 12)

This Saturday from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m., head to downtown Pāhoa for a special art walk where local businesses will be hosting art-related events, music, food and more throughout East Hawai‘i.

Check out the local stores for some featured live art, or try some coconut weaving or catch some live DJ’s all day.

No. 4— Tribute to Carlos Santana (Hilo, Aug. 12)

On Saturday at the Hilo Palace Theater you can catch Lightning Larry Dupio’s Tribute to Carlos Santana performance that will include a line up of other musicians such as Yumbel Marassi, Trever Veilleux, Leo Brayman, Reggae McGowan, Jason Sherbundy, Joshua Timmons, Noa Eads, with more surprises in store.

Show starts at 7 p.m., with doors, box office and concessions opening at 6 p.m. Tickets are available now for $30 general admissions. All tickets are $5 more on the day of the show.

No. 5 — West African Drum & Dance (Wailoa, Aug. 12)

Learn how the art of African drum and dance at Wailoa State Park on Saturday starting at 1:30 p.m. with dance happening around 2:45 p.m.

Cost is $15 for one class or $20 for both. Keiki get in free! 

No. 6 — Weldon Kekauoha (Kona, Aug. 10)

Tonight (Thursday, Aug. 10) you can head down to Umekes in Kona from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. for a live show by Weldon Kekauoha.

Enjoy a live performance with dinner and drinks. The restaurant, located in West Hawai’i’s brewery block district, is ran by owner and head Chef Nakoa Pabre, and you can enjoy the sounds of this Grammy Award nominated, multi Na Hoku Hanohano Award winning Hawaiian singer, songwriter. and recording artist.

No. 7— Grand Slam Rockin’ the Eagles Aerie (Kea’au, Aug. 11)

Local band Grand Slam Rockin’ will be playing in Kea’au on Friday at the Eagles Aerie from 6:30-9:30 p.m. $10 to enter. The music show will take place in the East Hawai‘i town to bring music to the crowd.

No. 8— West Coast Swing Social Dance (Kona, Aug. 12)

This Saturday (Aug. 12) you can bring your dancing shoes to the West Coast Swing Social Dance Night. Hosted by Warren D’Aquin at the Hale Hana located at 74-5583 Luhia Street Suite 1A in Kona, will include all levels of dance with tips and tricks to help elevate your dancing game.

Cost to entry is $15.

No. 9— Greg and Shirley’s Big Swing (Hilo, Aug. 12)

The show on Saturday will take place from 5-9:30 p.m. at the Kawaihae-based bar and restaurant The Blue Dragon Tavern. The band features a three-piece horn section, fully rhythm section, and 7-piece band covers everything from Big Bad Voodoo Daddies to Brian Setzer Orchestra.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the show starting at 6:30 p.m. and running until 9:30 p.m. Tickets are available online at bluedragontavern.com. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door with children 12 and under free.

No. 10— Long Beach Poly vs Konawaena High School Football LIVE (Kealakekua, Aug. 12)

Konawaena will begin its 2023 season against the Long Beach Poly (Calif.) on Saturday at 7 p.m. The Jackrabbits are ranked 50th in the country, according to MaxPreps. The game is away but you can catch it online.

Cost unknown.

No. 11— Unko Ponch (Kona, Aug. 12)

More music in West Hawai‘i at Oceans Sports Bar starting at 7 p.m. and lasting until 10 p.m. Unko Ponch will be playing ukulele music, followed by DJ Bodie who will be playing music into the evening. Call or text 808-990-4589 for more information. Entry free.

No. 12— Reflecting and Looking Ahead at Uēkahuna (Volcano, Aug. 12)

This free event taking place at the former Jaggar Museum on Saturday will begin around 10:30 a.m. and last about an hour. It’s a guided tour and hike.

Right now, the Jaggar museum and the buildings once used by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists at the Kīlauea summit will soon be deconstructed. Park Ranger Mequette Gallegos will discuss the sacred landscape, and offer participants a chance to can envision a return of open space and viewing area with expansive views of Kaluapele (the caldera). Meet in front of the bathrooms.

No. 13— HI Country Band (Kona, Aug. 12)

HI Country Band, focused on honkey tonk, line dancing, and all-things country will be performing Saturday for two shows at Gertude’s Jazz Bar & Bistro. With one at 7 p.m. and again at 9 p.m., reservations can be made online. Cost of show is $5 (each).

No. 14— Free Hula Show (Kona, Aug. 12)

Keauhou Shopping Center is hosting Free Friday Hula Shows at the shopping plaza’s Center Courtyard at 6 p.m.

No same hālau performs twice each time, and the event is free to the public. Learn more here.

No. 15— Kamehameha Hawai‘i Vs. Kea‘au LIVE | High-School Football (Kea’au, Aug. 11)

Starting at 7:30 p.m., Kamehameha Hawai‘i will take on Kea‘au High School live on Friday. It will be the Warriors at the Cougars’s stadium, with Kea‘au hosting the non conference game. Cost unknown.

No. 16— Big Island Art Fair (Waimea, Aug. 10-12)

Starting Thursday and lasting until Saturday, there will be a Big Island Art Fair show running from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., except on Sunday where the exhibit at Kahilu Town Hall will start at 9 a.m. and last until 4 p.m.

The show will feature more than 20 Big Island Artists. There will also be a drawing with a chance to win $100 at the event on Friday, with a Saturday announcement on the winners of an art contest. Learn more here. Cost unknown.

No. 17— Latin Night (Hilo, Aug. 16)

Here’s a dance opportunity for East Hawai’i residents next Wednesday.

Located at 301 Keawe St. in Hilo at the Soil to Soul establishment, for $10 online or $15 on the door, you can participate in a special salsa dance class starting around 7 p.m. Event is BYOB.

No. 18— Walk to End Homelessness (Hilo, Aug. 12)

Interfaith Communities in Action (ICIA) will be holding a FUNdraising walk Saturday morning at 8 a.m. at the Edith Kanaka‘ole Tennis Stadium, located at 350 Kalanikoa St. in Hilo, to support their signature fund “Hale ka Po‘e Keiki” (Homes for Children). 

This fund was established in January 2022 to support local non-profit organizations helping our East Hawai‘i community end family homelessness. The 2023 recipient of the ICIA “Hale ka Po‘e Keiki” fund is Habitat for Humanity Hawai‘i Island. Costs for adults is $15, with ages 6-12 costing $10. Kids 5 years old or younger can walk for free. Prizes will be awarded for the top three walkers who have collected the most donations. Decorated baby strollers and wheelchairs are welcome as walkers. Sign up the day of the event.

No. 19— Hoʻopili ʻĀina Gathering on Reusable Foodware (Hilo, Aug. 16)

Join in designing a reusable foodware system that is informed by kānaka maoli, pacific relatives, and kanaka, ʻāina, akua connections at Aunt Sally Kaleohano’s Lū‘au Hale at 799 Piilani Street Hilo, HI 96720 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. You can sign up the day of the event. 

This is an opportunity for indigenous people and perspectives to take precedence in informing the design of a reusable foodware system for Hilo. Contact K. Kuʻulei Kanahele (Perreira-Keawekane) at 808-940-6989 or on Instagram @kuuleimusic for more information on Saturday’s event.

No. 20— Girl’s Night Out (Volcano, Aug. 12)

Happening this Saturday for a $10 cover at the Lava Lounge at the Kīlauea Military Camp, you can check out a hot dance band from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Featuring a full band and singers, the live music will play into the evening.