Top 10 things to do on the Big Island for Sept. 5-12: Yoga on the beach, learn about the deep ocean, catch Thunder from Down Under and more

There are a variety of events packing the calendar for the start of September.

One thrilling show on the docket is the Thunder from Down Under show in Hilo. If you’re feeling nostalgic, Hilo Palace Theater will also have a showing of Jim Henson’s “Labyrinth.”

This weekend, indulge in some tasty food or participate in an annual run to raise money for cancer research. Come support Ocean View’s animal sanctuary by donating kibble or adopting a puppy.

Here are our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for Sept. 5-12:

1 – Yoga on the Beach with Calley O’Neill (Waikōloa, Sept. 5)

When: Every Tuesday and Thursday at 8 a.m.

Location: Lava Lava Beach Club at Anaeho’omalu Beach

Join Calley O’Neill for a 90-minute slow flow moving meditation class, a fusion of yoga qigong, breathwork, and mind clearing. Cost is $20. Text Calley at 808-987-7003 or send her an email at Calley@CalleyONeill.com. Click here for more information.

2 – The 25th Annual He Haliʻan Aloha No Liliʻuokalani Festival (Hilo, Sept. 7)

When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Location: Liliʻuokalani Gardens Park, 189 Lihiwai St.

The festival, which celebrates the Queen’s birthday and pays tribute to the historical significance of Lili‘uokalani Gardens, will include music, hula, arts, crafts, food, demonstrations, children’s games, and cultural activities. In addition, hundreds of dancers will perform a mass hula as floral blossoms are dropped from a helicopter.

The County of Hawaiʻi invites the public to attend this alcohol-free, drug-free and litter-free event coordinated in collaboration with private enterprises, community organizations, and numerous government agencies.

For more information call the Department of Parks & Recreation’s Culture & Education Division at 808-961-8706.

3 – Taste of Hawai‘i Island culinary event and 26th annual Run for Hope (Kona, Sept. 6-8)

When: Sept. 6 at 6 p.m.; Sept. 7 at 7 a.m.

Location: Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, 72-100 Kaupulehu Dr.

The weekend kicks off with the popular The Taste of Hawaii Island culinary event on Friday captures talented chefs from around the Hawaiian Islands in one place for an evening of tasty delights, drinks and island music at the beautiful Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. The silent auction is a popular annual highlight with unique vacation packages and island gifts.

Price in advance for adults is $125, children 5-12 are $45 and children 4 and under are free.

The 26th annual Run for Hope on Saturday morning includes a Keiki Dash, 10k run and 5k run/walk along the beautifully manicured resort landscape. The event concludes with refreshments and raffle prizes at the Hoku Amphitheater. Cost to enter is $50 in advance.

The events benefit cancer research. Click here for more information.

4 – Fuego Latin Orchestra Hawai‘i (Kona, Sept. 6)

When: Every Friday at 6 p.m.

Location: King Kamehameha Beach Hotel, 75-5660 Palani Rd.

Get ready to dance the night away to the infectious rhythms of salsa, cumbia, bachata, merengue and more! Boasting a big dance floor, indoor and outdoor seating, delicious food and drinks, and the AMAZING live music of Big Island’s Hottest Latin Group.

Tickets are $20 and available through eventbrite here.

5 – Community Lā Hana (Pāhoa, Sept. 7)

When: 9 a.m. to noon

Location: Pāhoa High and Intermediate School, 15-3038 Pāhoa Village Rd.

The community is invited to celebrate a day of Mālama ‘Āina. The nonprofit KUPU Hawai‘i will host the event that entails building, planting painting and more. Tools will be provided as well as lunch. Email darien.matlock@kupuhawaii.org to sign up.

6 – Mukashi Mukashi Sale (Hilo, Sept. 7-8)

When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The first hour of shopping on Sept. 7 is reserved for members.

Location: 751 Kanoelehua Ave., Hilo

Get ready to shop till you drop at our Mukashi Mukashi Sale at the Hawai‘i Japanese Center. Find treasured vintage gems – ceramic, glass, and lacquer ware, vases, Japanese dolls, books, kimono, obi, fabric, trinkets and more. Click here for more information.

7 – ROVER Rally: Dog adoption event and family fun day (Ocean View, Sept. 8)

When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Location: The swap meet lot by Mālama Market, 92-8701 Hawaiʻi Belt Rd.

This dog-friendly event, hosted by Pueo Puppy Sanctuary and Oceanview Dogrescue, features dog adoptions, silent auction, dog agility course, face painting, kids games and more. Special guests include Donna Russo who will provide dog training tips and Olivia Ling will be there with her healing salves and tinctures.

Don’t forget to bring a bag of kibble to donate to Pueo Puppy Sanctuary. Click here for more details.

8 – Gary Owen in Kona (Kona, Sept. 9)

When: 7 p.m.

Location: The Kona Elks Lodge Theatre, 75-170 Hualalai Rd.

Gary Owen is one of America’s most beloved comedians comes to for a hysterical night of standup comedy. Doors 6 p.m. and show starts at 7 p.m. The event will also feature Lucas Hirl from the Comedy Store.

Gary has been entertaining American audiences for decades with his side-splitting comedy performing to sold-out audiences in clubs and theatres across the country. Most recently Gary starred in the star-studded feature film “Back on the Strip” with Tiffany Haddish Wesley Snipes J.B. Smoove among others.

Standard tickets cost $40 and VIP tickets cost $55. Click here for more details.

9 – Australia’s Thunder from Down Under Untamed 2024 Tour (Hilo, Sept. 11)

When: 8 p.m. Doors, Box Office and Concessions open at 7 p.m.

Location: Hilo Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.

The BAMP Project presents Australia’s Thunder from Down Under as part of their Untamed 2024 tour, live on the Hilo Palace stage. Grab your girlfriends and buckle up for the ultimate Girls’ Night Outback! it’s an Aussie extravaganza that promises to leave you breathless and wanting more.

You must be 18 or older to attend. Cost is $64.50 for Priority Orchestra or $54.50 for General Admission. All sales are final. Tickets are non-refundable or transferable. Seating is assigned for this performance, seats are selected at the time of transaction.

Click here for more information.

10 – Connecting to the Deep Ocean at Mokupāpapa Discovery Center (Hilo, Sept. 10-11)

When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Location: Mokupāpapa Discovery Center, 76 Kamehameha Ave.

Learn more about our connections with the kai lipo [deep ocean], while our nationʻs only vessel dedicated to ocean exploration – the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer – is in port in Hilo. Meet ocean explorers and learn about the exploration in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.

The free event includes learning how to draw deep-sea animals by local artist Patrick Ching Art and Instruction. Click here for more information.

Plus 1 – Showing of “Labyrinth” (Hilo, Sept. 12)

When: 7 p.m. Doors, Box Office and Concessions open at 6:30 p.m.

Location: Hilo Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.

Come check out this beloved cult classic, directed by Jim Henson, on the large screen. Starring David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly and Toby Froud, the film follows Sarah (Connelly) into the Labryinth after her baby brother was abducted by the Goblin King, played by Bowie.

Tickets are available now. Cost is $10 for general admission and $9 for seniors, students and veterans. Click here for more details.

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/