Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Oct. 3-9: 3rd Aloha Shirt Festival, Shrek The Musical, celebrating Rosh Hashanah, Taste of the Philippines
There’s once again no lack of fun coming up around the Big Island.
The 3rd annual Aloha Shirt Festival, inspired by fashionistas Uncle George Na‘ope and Cyril Lani Pahinui, kicks off Thursday at OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa in Keauhou.
“Shrek The Musical,” the 2024 fall musical at the historic Palace Theater in downtown Hilo, opens for a 3-weekend run on Friday, bringing the animated smash hit to life on the stage and giving audiences the chance to fall in love with the unlikely hero all ogre again.
There’s also two chances to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, this weekend in Hilo. Plus plenty of music, including a bluegrass jam in Kea’au and the Taste of the Philippines returns to Kona.
Check out our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for Oct. 3-9.
No. 1 — 3rd annual Aloha Shirt Festival (Keauhou, Oct. 3-6)
When: Various times
Location: OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa, 78-128 Ehukai St.
The festival, which focuses on Hawai’i’s wearable arts and the local garment industry, is one of the biggest spectacles of the year in Kona. It celebrates the island’s heritage while offering aloha wear exhibits, sales and appraisals with the chance to check out work from contemporary designers alongside vintage treasures and repurposed collections all showcased on the runway.
And throughout the 4-day event, there will be live music and hula, celebrity appearances, a Fashion Fair/Pop-up Marketplace, silent auction, series of traditional workshops and demonstrations, lei competition, industry trainers, speakers and resource providers, food and beverage events, hair and makeup shows, professional photo workshops, an afternoon tea party and even manta watching.
For more information, including a full schedule, click here.
No. 2 — Rosh Hashanah with Rabbi Rachel (Keaukaha, Oct. 4)
When: 3 to 6 p.m.
Location: Onekahakaha Beach Park, 74 Onekahakaha Road
People of all faiths, all beliefs and all ages are invited to join in the joyous celebration and welcome the Jewish New Year 5785 together as one to serve, connect as a community and create memories during this unique Reverse Tashlich event.
The afternoon will include community service with a beach cleanup and everyone engaging with the ʻāina. A prayer and reflection service will follow for those in attendance to set their intentions for the year ahead. The event will conclude with a potluck, cultivating unity and togetherness. Everyone is encouraged to bring a dish to share, but, please, no pork or shellfish.
To register for the beach cleanup, potluck and day of community service and fellowship or donate, click here.
No. 3 — “Shrek The Musical” (Hilo, opens Oct. 4)
When: 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 4-5, 11-12 and 18-19; 2:30 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 6, 12 and 20; doors, box office and concessions open 1 hour prior to each performance
Location: Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.
The animated classic comes to life from the swamp to the historic Palace Theater in the 2024 fall musical production. Audiences are sure to fall in love all ogre again!
Unlikely hero Shrek finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue in the hilarious family friendly stage spectacle based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks smash hit filled with lush orchestrations. And it has all the layers you’d expect from the onion everybody loves.
The fall musical productions are the flagship fundraising events for the Palace, with ticket sales directly supporing the Friends of the Palace Theater in their mission to restore, revitalize and sustain the historic theater.
Tickets are $15 for keiki 12 and younger, $20 general admission and $25 for priority orchestra seating, plus $5 for a reserved seat fee, and can be purchased now online. They are $5 more the day of each show.
No. 4 — “Bring It! Hawai‘i” (Waimea, Oct. 4)
When: Artist signup at 6:30 p.m.; performances begin at 7:30 p.m.
Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road
Dare to be yourself at this all-original open mic in the Mike Luce Studio, highlighting the community, creativity and inspiration of the North Hawai‘i arts scene.
This uncensored open stage for original performance pieces supports and encourages adult writers/creators of performance art in the local community and beyond. Performances should be original pieces only, 5 minutes maximum and nothing illegal. Audiences are asked to be quiet during performances.
No reservations necessary. Cost is $15 at the door.
No. 5 — Bluegrass Jam (Kea‘au, Oct. 5)
When: 4 to 8 p.m.
Location: Eagles Aerie No. 3642, 16-111 ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia St.
If you’ve always wanted to learn to pick along with bluegrass music, this is the jam session for you.
Y’all bring your traditional stringed acoustic instrument and pull up a chair. Listeners are warmly welcomed, too! Just $5 admission; free for keiki 12 and younger and for members of Bluegrass Hawai‘i.
Food and drink, including adult beverages, are available at the club; cash only.
No. 6 — 2nd annual Taste of the Philippines (Kailua-Kona, Oct. 5)
When: 5:30 p.m.
Location: King Kamehameha Kona Beach Resort, 75-5660 Palani Road
Don’t miss this delicious celebration of Filipino food, fashion and festivities while supporting the Fil-Am Hawai‘i Foundation and Kona Visayan Club and observing Filipino American History Month.
This year’s event also features a Filipino Boodle Fight. This extravagant multi-course feast features an array of traditional dishes created by local Filipino chefs that will showcase some of the Philippines’ most spectacular festivals, bringing the colors, sounds and flavors of Filipino culture to Kona.
Funds raised during the event support educational, social and economic advancements for Filipinos in Hawai‘i through scholarships and additional resources. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.
No. 7 — “Legacies & Prodigies” (Waimea, Oct. 6)
When: 2 p.m.
Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road
The Kamuela Philharmonic Masterworks seaason opener promises a dynamic and enriching musical experience for concertgoers.
The afternoon of music features Overture in D major, op. 20, by Juan Crisóstomo Arriaga, a composer often dubbed the “Spanish Mozart”; Ernest Bloch’s Concerto Grosso No. 1, which offers a blend of neoclassical style and modern harmonies, creating a captivating musical dialogue between soloists and orchestra; and Symphony No. 2 in D major, op. 36, by Ludwig van Beethoven, who filled it with vitality, wit and his signature emotional depth, marking a pivotal moment in his early symphonic career.
Tickets start at just $24 and can be purchased online.
No. 8 — Hawai‘i Harmonica Sessions (Pāhoa, Oct. 6)
When: 2 to 6 p.m.
Location: Honeykomb Cafe, 15-2941 Pāhoa Village Road
This clinic, presented by SRO Productions, includes basic harmonica, ukulele, voice and music theory sessions taught by David Nudleman, Sean “Wailin” O’Phelan and Elele Tiana.
Each subject matter will have 45-minute sessions. Those who attend will receive a free harmonica and materials. There also will be a jam session after the clinic. All ages are welcome to attend and no experience is necessary.
Cost is $30 for a single session or $60 for the entire day. Scholarships are also available. For additional information, click here.
No. 9 — High Holy Day Service (Keaukaha, Oct. 6)
When: 4 p.m.
Location: Kawananakoa Gym, 156 Baker Ave., Keaukaha
Come celebrate Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur with Beth Or Congregation of Hilo and be part of an atmosphere of deep spiritual connection and communal solidarity.
Rabbi Sandra Razieli will lead a service of reflection, repentance and renewal with Tashlich, a Jewish ceremony observed on the afternoon of the first day of Rosh Hashanah during which sins are symbollically cast away into a natural body of water, to follow at Richardson Ocean Park. Bring your own bread; apples and honey will be provided.
Everyone is welcome. No one will be turned away, regardless of lack of funds. Suggested donation of $18 per person. Tickets are available online.
No. 10 — Spooky Science Spectacular (Mountain View, Oct. 7)
When: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Koana Cultural Community, 18-1323 Old Volcano Road
Keiki ages 6 to 12 years old are invited for a day of spooky science fun designed for curious minds looking for excitement, discovery and pure fun.
Watch as ordinary ingredients create extraordinary reactions inside your very own spooky lava lamp, which you’ll get to take home. Dive into the science of bubbles and make giant ones during the Bubble Bonanza. Unveil the magical science of gas and pH reactions with chemical magic and fizzy fun. Lunch will also be provided.
Don’t wait. Sign up today. Only 10 keiki can participate. Cost is $60. Click here to register. For more information or questions, call or text 808-202-2889.
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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