Top 10 things to do on Big Island for July 25-31: Occupy yourself with orchids, sip some sake, play with the ‘Peanuts’ gang, experience Volcano and more

Getting nutty seems to be somewhat of a common theme for upcoming events around the Big Island.

You can get nutty literally by attending Mac Fest 2024 in Honokaʻa, which includes Mac Nut Factory tours and a mac nut dessert contest or figuratively by hanging out with the “Peanuts” gang for a production of “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” on stage in Ocean View.

Got nuts by and know “How Sweet It Is!” by celebrating iconic musician Jerry Garcia’s enduring legacy during a tribute show at the historic Palace Theater in Hilo. You might even get a little nutty by attending Hilo Bottle Shop’s first-ever Sake Tasting event, featuring selections from Islander Sake.

You’ll be nuts over the lineup of events, music and activities during the Experience Volcano Festival in Volcano Village, and you’d be absolutely nuts if you miss out on the chance to support keiki by not making it to the annual School Supply Giveaway and Keiki Swap Meet at Gam3Escape in Hilo.

Here are our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for July 25-31.

Oh, be sure to check out a special extra from our friends on the “9th Island” at the end of today’s top 10, too.

No. 1 — Hilo Orchid Show Gala Preview Party (Hilo, July 25)

When: 6 to 9 p.m.

Location: Edith Kanakaʻole Multi-Purpose Stadium, 350 Kalanikoa St.

You are cordially invited to this “fun”-raiser that kicks off the Hilo Orchid Society’s annual Orchid Show and Sale, which benefits Kuʻikahi Mediation Center and its cause of “Finding Solutions, Growing Peace” and with silent auction proceeds funding the orchid society’s agriculture scholarships for students.

The gala features hard and soft beverages, catered food, live music along with orchid viewing and pre-sales. Those who attend receive a souvenir wine or beer glass to enjoy the libations and take home.

Tickets are $100, of which $40 is tax-deductible, and can be purchased in advance at The Most Irresistible Shop in Hilo and Kuʻikahi Mediation Center. Reserved seating for 4, 6, 8 or 10 people is also available at bronze, silver, gold and platinum sponsorship levels.

To purchase tickets, tables and sponsorships online, click here. For more information, contact Shelby at 808-935-7844, ext. 3.

No. 2 — Hilo Orchid Society Annual Show and Sale (Hilo, July 26-28)

When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Location: Edith Kanakaʻole Multi-Purpose Stadium, 350 Kalanikoa St.

The largest and most comprehensive orchid show and sale in the state of Hawaiʻi is back and the Big Island has front-row seating.

This feast for the senses features gorgeous displays of thousands of orchids, including exotic orchid species and hybrids not typically found at major retail and grocery store chains. The sale includes orchids suited for beginners to expert growers, plus other orchid-related items.

Tasty, reasonably-priced food from local vendors will be available throughout the 3 days of the floral festival to keep crowds fed. There will also be several informative and educational lectures and demonstrations for you to improve your green thumb to propagate and grow the best orchids you can.​

Tickets are just $6 for adults; children 17 and younger are free. Discount advance tickets for $3 are available from any Hilo Orchid Society member and at Garden Exchange and Paradise Plants in Hilo. For more information about the Hilo Orchid Society and the annual show and sale, click here.

No. 3 — Hilo Bottle Shop’s first Sake Tasting (Hilo, July 26)

When: 3 to 6 p.m.

Location: Hilo Bottle Shop, 340 Kīlauea Ave.

This inaugural event will feature Islander Sake with special guest head brewer and president Chiaki Takahishi. Don’t miss this opportunity to try some beautiful sake made right here on the Big Island.

Those who attend will be able to sample three flavors — Kitashizuku Daiginjo, pineapple sake and lilikoi sake. Reservations are not necessary. Tasting is complimentary.

Must be 21 or older to taste. Bring a friend and a sake cup. Both are optional but recommended. For more information about Hilo Bottle Shop or the sake tasting, call 808-796-3306 or email imbibe@hilobottleshop.com.

No. 4 — “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” (Ocean View, July 26-28)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday

Location: Ocean View Community Center, 92-8924 Leilani Circle

Kilauea Drama & Entertainment Network presents this classic all-ages stage production based on the “Peanuts” comic strip by Charles M. Schulz. This is a show you shouldn’t miss.

Audiences will watch Charlie Brown and the entire “Peanuts” gang explore life’s great questions as they play baseball, struggle with homework, sing songs, swoon over their crushes and celebrate the joy of friendship. Plus, there will be free popcorn for everyone.

Tickets are available at the door; cash or check only. Cost is $20 general admission and only $10 for students (with ID) and kūpuna; children 12 and younger are free but must be accompanied by a paid adult and no more than 3 children are allowed per paid adult.

There will also be shows Aug. 2-4 at Hilo Church of the Nazarene.

For more information or to make reservations, call 808-982-7344 or email kdenhawaii@gmail.com.

No. 5 — Annual School Supply Giveaway and Keiki Swap Meet (Hilo, July 27)

When: 1 p.m.

Location: Gam3Escape, 57 Shipman St.

Gam3Escape, TCG808 Marketplace and Antics Pizza are partnering together to do everything they can to make sure keiki can start the 2024-25 school year off right by hosting this event to make sure they have the supplies they need — at no charge because of the generous donations from the community.

The same day, Gam3Escape is hosting another exciting opportunity for the Big Island’s keiki to show off their business and entrepreneurship by selling their special products. Vendor spots are also still available. To sign up, click here or use the QR code in the image above.

Admission is free. There also will be random drawings throughout the day. Come by and support the island’s keiki.

No. 6 — Experience Volcano Festival (Volcano, July 27-28)

When: Various times Saturday and Sunday; most from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days

Location: Various locations in Volcano

Celebrate the culture, people and traditions that this diverse part of the Big Island so unique. Volcano is more than just a gateway to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, and this is your chance to get a taste of everything that the Puna community has to offer.

The festival will feature music, Hawaiian culture, artists in action, tours, demonstrations, keiki and ʻohana activities, happy hours, restaurant specials, food trucks and much more. Almost all of the events are free and span the whole of the Volcano area.

For more information, including a map of locations and additional information about specific vendors, events and activities, click here.

No. 7 — Arts for Everybody: “Celebrating Fatherhood Through Art” (Waimea, July 27)

When: 5 p.m.

Location: Tutu’s House, No. 305, 64-1032 Māmalahoa Highway

Devoted father, loving husband, compassionate friend to the world and Big Island artist Jeramy Madrid, an artist fellow at Vibrant Hawaiʻi, will showcase his special art exhibit as part of the national Arts for Everybody event as part of the “One Nation, One Project” initiative.

Madrid explores the pressing questions of contemporary society through his art. This exhibit focuses on the vital role fathers play in our lives. Come to be inspired during this evening that will be filled with art, food and live music, highlighting the unique beauty of our diverse cultures and shared humanity.

A total of 11 Vibrant Hawaiʻi artist fellows are presenting visual arts, natural fiber weavings, devised theater, music performances and workshops in kapa, community-created quilting, writing and more as part of the nationwide Arts for Everybody.

Events are scheduled from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. in Kapaʻau, Kailua-Kona, Hōlualoa, Kainaliu, Ka‘awaloa, Hilo, Pāhoa, Mountain View, Volcano and of course Madrid’s in Waimea. For more information, click here.

No. 8 — Mac Fest 2024 (Honokaʻa, July 27)

When: 5 p.m.

Location: Mac Nut Factory, 45-359 Lehua St.

Join ʻĀhualoa Family Farms and get a little nutty this weekend. Macadamia nutty, that is.

There are 8 processing plants and more than 700 mac nut farms in Hawaiʻi. The industry employs some 3,000 people statewide and contributes about $100 million a year to the state’s economy. Tourists and Hawaiʻi residents alike enjoy the popular sweet nuts, which have had some high-profile admirers through the years, including Julie Andrews and Jimmy Steward, who were each investors in orchards here, and Jim Nabors, TV’s Gomer Pyle.

The festival celebrates everything macadamia nut. There will be food, live music, face painting, factory tours and a mac nut dessert contest. You can even stop by the Nuthouse on Māmane Street for a free bag of mac nuts to use for your recipe.

Bring the whole family for an event that’s going to be truly nuts with a whole lot of macadamia merrymaking. For more information, contact ʻĀhualoa Family Farms at 808-775-1821 or via email at aloha@ahualoafarms.com.

No. 9 — “How Sweet It Is!” (Hilo, July 29)

When: 7 p.m.; doors, box office and concessions open at 6 p.m.

Location: Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.

How sweet it is to be loved by you! Oh yes, what a wondrous feeling it is to connect with Jerry Garcia — whether it’s through his songs, recordings, interviews, art or the millions of fans worldwide who continue to embrace and reflect the heart and soul of his musical legacy.

Garcia imbued his spirit in every one of his musical endeavors. He also brought generational talent to the fore along with an insatiable zest for artistic, musical exploration. He helped create a songbook and community unrivaled in size and impact, and will never fade away. At the center of it all is his love.

Join the historic Palace Theater and Roots Music Hawaiʻi for this birthday tribute concert and gather in joy and gratitude to celebrate Garcia and his enduring legacy. This one show only event features the Skeleton Krewe all-star band live.

Tickets are available now online. Plan ahead general admission tickets are $42.50, last chance general admission tickets are $47.50 and priority orchestra tickets are $65.

No. 10 — Community Garden Party (Nīnole, July 31)

When: 1 to 7:30 p.m.

Location: Rainbow Bridge Hawaiʻi, 961 Hawaiʻi Belt Road

Friends and family are invited every Wednesday to join the nonprofit and plant-based ecovillage on the Hāmākua Coast to get their hands dirty, listen to music, connect with new beautiful souls and have fun.

Work in the garden for a few hours at this destination for healing and a place to commune with others and nature before cooling off and cleaning up with a waterfall adventure. Then, enjoy the fruits of your labor with a fresh farm-to-table plant-based meal.

Bring water to drink, a hat and gloves, if you have them. Sun protection and comfortable shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty are also recommended, and be sure to bring a swimsuit and towel for the waterfall. Leave your pets at home.
Email info@rainbowbridgehawaii.com or message the village on Facebook to get directions, the gate code and say you are coming for the garden day. For more information about Rainbow Bridge Hawaiʻi, click here.

“9th Island” extra — Support Nevada Highway Parol in 11th annual Best Looking Cruiser Contest

When to vote: From now until 6 p.m. July 29

Where to vote: Click here

The “9th Island” is asking its Hawaiʻi ʻohana for support by voting to tell the American Association of State Troopers that its top law enforcement vehicles are the best lookers on the mainland.

The Nevada State Police Highway Patrol Division, celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, is participating in this annual contest. Its submission features an iconic photo taken in downtown Las Vegas at Circa Resort and Casino, showcasing the evolution of the patrol’s fleet and symbolizing its storied past and promising future.

The backdrop, emblazoned with “Make History, Leave A Legacy,” also captures the essence of the Nevada Highway Patrol’s mission and values.

Your vote honors the highway patrol’s legacy and helps raise awareness about the crucial role state troopers play in keeping the nation’s highways safe. Winning secures the Nevada Highway Patrol a place in the 2025 American Association of State Troopers Best Looking Cruiser Calendar.