Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Aug. 29-Sept. 4: Canoe races, food drive, fungi, Ladies That Rock and more
Labor Day Weekend is right around the corner.
That means many of you get an extra day of rest and relaxation. An extra day to enjoy time with the family or friends. More time to take in some of the events and activities going on around the island.
And it doesn’t look like there are any hurricanes to get in the way.
Maybe some heavy rain from the remnants of a couple of storms, but nothing like Hone last weekend.
So get out there and go. What’s stopping you?
From the annual Queen Lili‘uokalani Canoe Races, the World’s Largest Long Distance Canoe Race, in Kona to the Ladies That Rock Summer Showcase in Hilo, this 3-day Labor Day holiday weekend has music, dancing, a rodeo, a chance to honor World War II veterans, an opportunity to help those in need and much more.
Here are our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for Aug. 29-Sept. 4.
No. 1 — Queen Lili‘uokalani Canoe Races (Kailua-Kona, Aug. 29-Sept. 3)
When: Various times
Where: All races start at Kailua Pier
The World’s Largest Long Distance Canoe Race returns for its 52nd year this Labor Day Weekend as more than 2,500 paddlers from around the globe, including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, Florida, California, Canada and of course, Hawai‘i, among others, descend on the west side of the Big Island for this annual event named in honor of the last reigning monarch of the islands.
The fun launches with the OC4 races today. The main event is Saturday with the strenuous single-hull canoe races, covering 18 miles between Kailua-Kona and Hōnaunau. The double-hull, OC1, OC2 and SUP races are Sunday, followed up Monday with the Kūpuna Classic, a southward and northward paddle from Kailua-Kona to Keauhou Bay for paddlers 50 and older.
The canoe racing fun also includes a torchlight parade Saturday night and an awards lū‘au Sunday. For more information, including race schedules, visit the event website.
No. 2 — 4th annaul Fill A Cruiser Food Drive (Kailua-Kona, Aug. 30)
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Costco parking lot, 73-5600 Maiua St.
The Hawai‘i Police Department’s Kona Community Policing Section — in partnership with Kona Costco, KAPA Radio personality Tommy Ching and the Food Basket, Hawai‘i Island’s food bank — will have a blue-and-white marked police cruiser stationed in front of the store, where members and the general public are encouraged to donate nonperishable food items.
Donors can place their contributions directly into the police cruiser and take a photo with officers. All collected food and monetary donations will be distributed by the Food Basket to those in need around the Big Island. The food drive has collected more than 9,270 pounds of food and $10,957 in donations during its first 3 years.
All donations stay on Hawai‘i Island and benefit the island community. For more information, contact Kona Community Policing Officer Dwayne Sluss at 808-326-4646, ext. 259, or via email at Dwayne.sluss@hawaiicounty.gov.
No. 3 — Mōlehu Ma ‘Imiloa (Hilo, Aug. 30)
When: 5:30 p.m.
Location: ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center, 600 ‘Imiloa Place
The first event in the new ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center twilight event series invites guests to wine, dine and dive into fungi, featuring the planetarium film “Fungi: Web of Life.”
The evening will also include a wine tasting and pupus with wine and food provided by Lehua Restaurant and a presentation about Hawai‘i fungi by “Mushroom Man” himself Don Hemmes.
Come be immersed in the magical kingdom of fungi during a spore-tacular and engaging evening. Click here to reserve your spot.
No. 4 — Ladies That Rock Summer Showcase (Hilo, Aug. 30)
When: 5:30 p.m.; doors open at 5 p.m.
Location: The Venue, Suites 4-5, 811 Laukapu St.
They saved the best one for last! This will be an incredible showcase of ladies doing their thing — music, comedy, art and food. The ladies rule the night of course, but all are welcome to enjoy the fourth and biggest show of the summer, featuring some of the most talented women on the Big Island.
There will also be raffles, prizes, a photo booth, live painting, desserts and kava. This is a finale you don’t want to miss. Seats are limited. BYOB if you’re 21 or older with a valid ID. Bring cash as each lady gets tipped individually.
Bring your friends and co-workers. Tickets are $15 in advance and can be purchased via PayPal using the email address ophelansean@gmail.com or by calling 808-345-0398. The price at the door is $20.
No. 5 — Bee Dance (Pāhoa, Aug. 30)
When: 6 to 11 p.m.
Location: Hawaiian Sanctuary, 13-3194 Pāhoa-Kalapana Road (mile marker 12 on Highway 130)
It’s time to get out and shake it out. There’s not a better power combo than Leapin’ Lygress and Sarita Sol for bass droppin’ and booty poppin’ pure dance fun. We all deserve to be loved and appreciated for our uniqueness — our drip is a fine nectar.
Venturing across genres, Leapin’ Lygress roams the sonic jungles, hunting for beats, breaks and melodies that resonate with the soul. Sarita Sol is a spicy Latina who weaves her heritage into her sounds and transmissions to make you melt into the warming and delicious frequency of her soul.
Get those bee’s knees on the dance floor for some sound healing therapy with creative frequencies during this weekly dance buzzzzz! For more information, call the Hawaiian Sanctuary at 800-309-8010 or follow it on Facebook and Instagram.
No. 6 — Exploring Within at the Cloud Forest Sanctuary (Kailua-Kona, Aug. 31)
When: 8 a.m.
Location: Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary, 73-1865 Hao St.
Discover the enchantment of the magical cloud forest like never before during this guided immersive journey led by visionary Briana Sophia Torres, the naturalist creator of this unique and transformative experience.
You’ll engage with the sanctuary through dance, sensory exploration and playful activities, all while learning about the forest’s profound beauty and wisdom. This experience is designed to inspire joy, well-being, freedom, belonging, acceptance, community, authentic expression and deep connections to self, others and nature.
You are invited to explore at your own pace and find peace in your inner world. There is no right or wrong way to explore. No experience necessary. Cost starts at $89. Click here for additional information.
No. 7 — 48th annual Parker Ranch Round-Up Club Labor Day Scholarship Rodeo (Waimea, Aug. 31-Sept. 1)
When: Various times
Location: Parker Ranch Arena, 66-1304 Hawai‘i Belt Road
This year actually marks the club’s 50th anniversary because it was unable to host the rodeo for 2 years during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it promises a ton of family fun all to raise funds to provide scholarships for children of Parker Ranch employees.
The weekend kicks off at noon Saturday with rodeo events from team roping, double mugging and Po‘o Wai U to bull riding, wahine barrel racing and wahine breakaway roping. Sunday’s horse auction starts at 9 a.m. and the rodeo bucks back into action at noon.
Events also include the Lei Papale Contest, which this year features a new division for keiki 14 and younger. There’s ‘ono grinds and refreshments, a variety of vendors selling a variety of western merchandise, a petting zoo and more. So saddle up, throw on your boots and cowboy hat! Hope to see you all there.
Tickets are $10 per person in advance or $15 at the gate. Children 12 and younger are free. Advance tickets can be purchased at Pukalani Stables or online. For more information, email to p.r.roundup@gmail.com.
No. 8 — Pink Presents: Songs of the Summer (Hilo, Aug. 31)
When: 9 p.m.; doors open at 8 p.m.
Location: Hilo Town Tavern, 168 Keawe St.
Get ready to heat up your summer nights during this electrifying drag event featuring favorite queens Karizma Mirage, Natalia Rose, Scarlet McQueen and Cherry Mash, serving fierce looks and lip-syncing to the hottest summer anthems!
From “Summer Lovin'” to “Hot in Herre,” these sisters have got all the hits to make you “Shake It Off” and feel “Good as Hell.” Plus, Daddy D-Lite, Akeem The Dream and DJ Boy Taco will spin all the tunes that will make you want to drop it like it’s hot.
Must be 21 or older to attend. Use the QR code or click here for table reservations. Otherwise, tickets are $10 at the door.
No. 9 — Kahuku Agricultural Field System Community Day (Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Sept. 1)
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Kahuku Unit Visitor Contact Station
Discover two pre-contact agricultural field system excavation sites in Kahuku. This guided hike will be led by Janae Garcia with the Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Cultural Resources program.
Reservations are required and limited to the first 25 to register. Email to wendy_scott-vance@nps.gov for more information and to reserve your spot.
The Kahuku Unit entrance is located in Kaʻū near the 70.5-mile marker off Highway 11, about an hour from the park’s main entrance.
No. 10 — World War II Memorial dedication ceremony (Kailua-Kona, Sept. 2)
When: 10 a.m.
Location: West Hawai‘i Veterans Cemetery, 72-3245 Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway
Constructed in three panels, the new memorial offers a walk-in experience that depicts various aspects of World War II, with a special emphasis on the significant role of Hawai‘i in the war effort in terms of combatants and civilian support.
The dedication ceremony also takes place on the 79th anniversary of “Victory Over Japan Day,” when Japan formally surrendered aboard the U.S.S. Missouri, bringing an end to the war.
The ceremony will include playing of World War II-era musical selections by the Hawai‘i County Band; a video display of photos contributed by friends and family members of some of the men and women who served during World War II; keynote speaker former U.S. Congressman Lt. Col. Kaiali‘i “Kai” Kahele, deputy commander of the 201st Air Mobility Operations Squadron, Hawai‘i Air National Guard at Hickam Air Force Base, and former Hawai‘i state senator; and reading of the names of 262 World War II veterans laid to rest at West Hawai‘i Veterans Cemetery.
Those who attend are invited to explore the memorial and enjoy refreshments following the dedication ceremony.
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Want to check for yourself what’s going on around the island?
We admit. We can’t fit everything going on each week in our top 10. So here are websites for some popular Big Island venues that you can peruse to discover other events, activities, shows, festivals or workshops that pique your interest.
- Aloha Theatre, Kealakekua: https://apachawaii.org/
- Blue Dragon Tavern, Kawaihae: https://www.bluedragontavern.com/
- Donkey Mill Art Center, Hōlualoa: https://donkeymillartcenter.org/
- East Hawai‘i Cultural Center, Hilo: https://ehcc.org/
- Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park: https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm
- Hilo Town Market, Hilo: https://hilotownmarket.co/events
- Hilo Town Tavern, Hilo (on Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100041333509786
- Honoka‘a People’s Theatre, Honoka‘a: https://www.honokaapeople.com/
- Kahilu Theatre, Waimea: https://kahilu.org/
- Keauhou Shopping Center, Kailua-Kona: https://keauhoushoppingcenter.com/experience/
- Kona Commons, Kailua-Kona: https://www.konacommons.com/events
- Lava Shack, Pāhoa (on Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/lavashackpahoa/?hl=en
- Lyman Museum, Hilo: https://lymanmuseum.org/
- MyBar Kona, Kailua-Kona: https://www.mybarkona.com/
- Palace Theater, Hilo: https://hilopalace.com/
- University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Performing Arts Center, Hilo: https://artscenter.uhh.hawaii.edu/
- Volcano Art Center, Volcano: https://volcanoartcenter.org/
- Wailoa Center, Hilo: https://www.wailoacenter.com/
- Willy’s Hot Chicken, Kailua-Kona: https://willieshotchicken.com/
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