Top 10 things to do on the Big Island for May 2-8: Kodomo No Matsuri, AstroDay, Mālama Healing Festival and more

The first weekend of May is packed with art, music, crafts, celebrations and even science around the Big Island.

The Japanese Community Association of Hawai‘i invites everyone to celebrate Children’s Day during its annual Kodomo No Matsuri event in Hilo. The festival is full of activities, food, Japanese children’s games and live performances.

If you’re looking for a night filled with great music for a good cause, check out the Mālama Healing Festival in Hilo. Artists performing include Anuhea, Vibes Up Strong featuring James McWhinney of Big Mountain, Star from The Steppas and others. The festival is a benefit in support of sports and arts programming for Big Island youth.

Come out for AstroDay at the Prince Kūhiō Plaza in Hilo to learn about scientific discoveries and technology while enjoying free, hands-on educational activities, games, giveaways, demonstrations, entertainment and programs.

While you’re at the Hilo mall, check out Free Comic Day and Star Wars Day specials and events at Enjoy Comics.

Season 7 of Henry Kapono’s Artist 2 Artist Concert Series also kicks off this weekend in Kona, shining a spotlight on husband and wife Kala’e Parish and Kalenaku, with Maui’s own Pat Simmons Jr.

Here is our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for the week of May 2-8.

No. 1 — “One Heart: Korean Art and History Across the Pacific” (Hilo, May 3-June 20)

The public is invited to this University of Hawai‘i at Hilo exhibit that will be on display at the Wailoa Center, located at 200 Piopio St. There is no admission charge.

The exhibition brings together a juried art show and presentation of Korean history on the Big Island, including translations and discussions of gravestones and stories of individuals who supported Korean independence.

There also will be several guest speakers featured throughout the exhibit’s duration, including Lumiel Kim, granddaughter of an independence activist, on Saturday; retired Hawai‘i Electric Light Co. director of administration Rhea Lee-Moku on May 11; and artist Gary Chong on June 1.

The Wailoa Center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Email to seri@hawaii.edu for more information.

No. 2 — Kodomo No Matsuri Children’s Day Festival (Hilo, May 4)

The Japanese Community Association of Hawai‘i is excited to bring back this special event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sangha Hall, located at 424 Kīlauea Ave., full of activities, food, Japanese children’s games and live performances for everyone, from keiki to kūpuna. You can also meet Doraemon, the Japanese manga cat, and Mountain Appl Man.

The festival will also feature a 20th-anniversary celebration for Puna Taiko, which will present the Puna Taiko & Friends concert at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 for general admission, with open seating, and can be purchased at both KTA Super Stores Hilo locations, Hawai‘i Printing Corp. and online.

The festival is free to attend. For more information, click here.

No. 3 — Artist Reception for Mark Johnson (Hāwī, May 3)

‘Ōlena Gallery, located at 55-498 Hāwī Road, is pleased to present Mark Johnson as featured artist for the month of May.

The reception will be hosted from 3 to 6 p.m., with pupus and wine available. Johnson is showing photographs from his collection throughout the month.

For more information, click here.

No. 4 — Henry Kapono’s Artist 2 Artist Concert (Kailua-Kona, May 3)

Multiple award-winning and Grammy nominee Henry Kapono is back on the Kona Salt Farm, located at 73-907 Makako Bay Drive, for the seventh season of this concert series. The first concert is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.

Season 7 is presented by the Henry Kapono Foundation in support of the We Are Friends Maui program and shines the spotlight on husband and wife Kala‘e Parish and Kalenaku, with Maui’s own Pat Simmons Jr. Join Kapono and his guests as they discuss their connection and recovery efforts for the Maui community.

Tickets are $40 general admission. For more information, click here.

No. 5 — AstroDay 2024 (Hilo, May 4)

May the 4th be with you. “Star Wars” fans and other science buffs are welcome to invade Prince Kūhiō Plaza, located at 111 Puainako St., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for this annual event, which this year happens to fall on Star Wars Day. Admission if free.

Dozens of volunteers from observatories on the island will be on hand to share activities and information for those who attend to learn about scientific discoveries and technology. Local science centers such as the Hawai‘i Science and Technology Museum, Onizuka Space Flight Program and the Pacific Tsunami Museum will share their passion for science and technology with participants of all ages.

Collect AstroDay Coins and enter to win one of two skateboards or telescopes by visiting participating activity tables. Enjoy free, hands-on educational activities, games, giveaways and programs throughout the day. Head to the mid-mall stage for fun science demonstrations, entertainment and awards.

For more information, click here.

No. 6 — Free Comic Book Day and Star Wars Day (Hilo, May 4)

Enjoy Comics, located inside Prince Kūhiō Plaza at 111 E. Puainako St., invites the public to come out from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. for free comic grab bags, bonus prizes, a special sale and a special raffle. You can also meet Lucasfilm and ILM visual artist Wayne Lo.

Lo, who worked on “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” animated series, two of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies and “The Hulk,” as well as comic books and other books, will meet and greet the public from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the comic book store.

The event is suitable for all ages. One grab bag per person, while supplies last.

No. 7 — Keiki Market (Hilo, May 5)

Kai Store, located at 2010 Kīlauea Ave., is excited to host this special event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the keiki entrepreneurs of the community. The keiki-preneurs will be showcasing a wide range of products and activities as they learn business and life skills.

This is the first outdoor market at Kai Store, which will be celebrating Children’s Day as well. Come by and support the future business owners of the Big Island.

There also will be random drawings throughout the event. Admission is free.

No. 8 — Mālama Healing Festival (Hilo, May 4)

Come to Nani Mau Gardens, located at 421 Makalika St., from 5 to 10:30 p.m. for this festival filled with music and connection. Not only will the event highlight the healing of our communities, it also is a benefit concert to support sports and arts programming for Big Island youth.

Artists performing will include Anuhea, Vibes Up Strong featuring James McWhinney of Big Mountain, Peni Dean (former member of Natural Vibrations), Star from The Steppas, Drew Daniels and Oeson.

The festival is for all ages, rain or shine. General admission is $50, VIP access is $99 and keiki 12 and younger are free. If you are getting a general admission ticket, feel free to bring your own chair or ground blanket. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

No. 9 — Cinco De Mayo Party (Kailua-Kona, May 5)

This special Fuego Latin Orchestra Hawai‘i event is presented by King Kamehameha Kona Beach Resort and Sax Monkey Hawai‘i and will be hosted in the Kamakahonu Ballroom and foyer at the resort, located at 75-5660 Palani Road.

Come enjoy live music, dancing, a margarita bar, a taco bar and more. A dance class kicks off the evening from 5:15 to 5:45 p.m. followed by a traditional dance by Ballet Folklorico La Negra from 5:45 to 6 p.m. and culminated with a social dance from 6 to 9 p.m.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased in advance or at the door. Click here to purchase yours now. For more information, email to fuegobigisland@gmail.com.

No. 10 — Spring Crafts Fair (Kealakekua, May 4)

This fun family event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. upstairs at Teshima Restaurant, located at 79-7251 Māmalahoa Highway, will feature handmade crafts and gifts from local vendors, live music, games and a photo booth.

The fair is free to attend.

For more information, call 808-322-9140, click here or find the craft fair on Facebook.