Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Nov. 1-6: Still got some energy after Halloween? We hope so; there’s other fun to be had

We would completely understand if you woke up this morning moving like the walking dead.

This year’s slate of Halloween events around the Big Island was more than full. It was bursting at the seams like we’re sure many of those candy sacks keiki went home with last night.

Not to mention all the spirits adults treated themselves to at one — or more — of the monster mashes they attended.

We hope you still have some energy left or can muster more because the island certainly isn’t taking a break.

From the opening reception for the 16th annual installment of a popular multi-media art exhibit celebrating the beloved island we all call home and a couple of events celebrating the Day of the Dead to a dose of cuteness to help Big Island kitties in need and other events in between, there us no lack of entertainment as November begins.

Here are our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for Nov. 1-6.

P.S.: We’ll be back to Thursdays for the top 10 next week. We just wanted to make sure we got you the lowdown on all of the Halloween events first this week.

No. 1 — 16th annual “Hawai‘i Nei” opening reception (Hilo, Nov. 1)

When: 4 to 7 p.m.

Location: Wailoa Center, 200 Piopio St.

This multi-media juried art exhibit features works by artists of all ages celebrating the native flora, fauna and habitats of our beloved Hawai‘i Nei and is hosted by the Three Mountain Alliance, Hawai‘i Island Art Alliance, Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife and Wailoa Center.

Enjoy cold refreshments, keiki activities and live music by Kahele Miura during the opening reception, which is free to attend and open to the public.

Artwork will be displayed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday until Dec. 12. For more information, visit the Wailoa Center website.

No. 2 — MoshPlayLive Presents: Day of the Dead Rock Show (Hilo, Nov. 1)

When: 5:30 to 9 p.m.; doors open at 5 p.m.

Location: Kukuau Studio, 43 Kukuau St.

MoshPlayLive, which provides an insider perspective on music on the Big Island, is happy to showcase some of the amazing bands from the island and invites the community to get out and support live and local music.

This will be an epic rock show that will wake the dead, just in time for an after-Halloween bash and featuring Big Island bands Whatever Heather, Goza, Riptonite and Boom Corps.

It’s only $10 at the door to rock the night away, and all ages are welcome.

No. 3 — Delbert Anderson Quartet live and in concert (Waimea, Nov. 1)

When: 7 p.m.

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

At the forefront of the Native American jazz scene, the quartet’s ensemble sound comes alive through the unique voices of its members. They offer a dynamic, layered sound that reflects the diversity and innovation at the heart of contemporary indigenous music.

Navajo (Diné) jazz trumpeter and composer Anderson is joined by drummer Khalill Brown (Blackfeet/Cherokee), known for his rich fusion of funk and jazz; keyboardist Robert Muller, a classical talent with jazz undertones; and bassist Evan Suiter, whose versatile background spans jazz, country and Latin funk.

Tickets start at just $24. For more information or to purchase tickets in advance, click here.

No. 4 — Seven Suns live and in concert (Hilo, Nov. 1)

When: 8 p.m.; doors open at 7 p.m.

Location: Grand Naniloa Hotel, Crown Room, 93 Banyan Drive

Witness the rise of seven diverse souls from Oceania — artists, producers, engineers, backup musicians and musical directors — that have become a collective that showcases each other’s unique musicality while creating a vibrant fusion, drawing on years of experience and a wide range of musical influence, it now uses to spread love, unity and peace through music that speaks to the heart.

The group will release its debut studio album “Many Feathers” on Nov. 8 after a weeklong interisland tour presented by BAMP Project, which begins with this Hilo concert. The Suns will be joined by special guests Three Plus & Nuff Sedd and opening will be Drew Daniels. All ages are welcome.

Tickets are $35 and can be purchased in advance online. For more information about the group, click here.

No. 5 — Arbor Day Celebration (Waikōloa, Nov. 2)

When: 8 a.m. to noon

Location: Waikōloa Community Market, Waikōloa Plaza, 68-1820 Waikōloa Road

In addition to all the wonderful vendors offering produce, plants, meats, breads, honey and much more, several organizations will be at the November market in celebration of this holiday dedicated to trees and their conservation, giving away trees, plants and seeds.

Among those organizations is the Waikōloa Outdoor Circle will conduct its annual free fruit tree giveaway, as well as give away native wiliwili and a’ali’i trees for the Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative.

Plant Pono, a program of the Big Island Invasive Species Committee, will also have a native plant workshop with hands-on activities and answering questions about the coconut rhinoceros beetle and other invasive species in the area. The local garden group will also have a plant and seed swap.

No. 6 — Hoʻokupu Hula No Kaʻū Cultural Festival (Nāʻālehu, Nov. 2)

When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Location: Ke Ola Puʻuhonua, 95-5642 Māmalahoa Highway

This display of Hawaiian culture will feature Hawaiian crafts, food booths, music, giveaways, cultural practitioners and, of course, hula.

Performances will include Kuʻuipo Kumukahi and Friends, Naoho Kanahele Kanakaʻole, Hālau Nā Pua ʻO Uluhaimālama with Kumu Hula Emery Aceret, Hālau Hula O Leionalani, Kumu Hula Moses Kahoʻokele Crabbe and Halauolaokalani, among others. 

Free to attend. For more information, follow the festival on Facebook.

No. 7 — Mālama ʻĀina Fun Day! (Nāʻālehu, Nov. 2)

When: 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Location: O.K.K. Market, 95-5572 Māmalahoa Highway

This is more than just a zero waste collection event for cardboard and HI-5 items.

Mālama ʻĀina Compostables & Recycle Hawaiʻi invites the Big Island community to bring their cardboard boxes (untaped) and HI-5 cans to be entered int a prize raffle. Resources collected will be reused, repurposed and diverted from the island’s landfill.

While you’re there, stick around to hear from zero waste youth advocates and learn about what Mālama ʻĀina Compostables is all about. Plus, there’s going to be hula, music, games and more. Why wouldn’t you want to stay for some fun?

For more information or questions, email to malamaainacompostables@gmail.com. You can also follow Mālama ʻĀina Compostables on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

No. 8 — Spooktacular! (Pāhoa, Nov. 2)

When: 1 to 5 p.m.

Location: Hawai’i Academy of Arts & Sciences Public Charter School main campus, 15-1397 Post Office Road

Don’t miss this chance to celebrate your loved ones, build community and keep the Halloween fun … undead … alive … OK, we’ll settle with just going! Plus, there will be plenty of opportunities to help raise funds for youth performing arts.

Keiki Land will feature a Dia de los Muertos-style with Puanani, there will be tilapia fishing with Eric Johnson and Hawai’i Academy of Arts & Sciences Outdoor Adventures, Black Box Theater by the Hawai’i Academy of Arts & Sciences Drama Club, carnival games, community food and craft vendors and even traveling circus lessons with Seaview Performing Arts Center for Education.

Live music will be provided throughout the afternoon by HAAStile, Drew Daniels and Maple Flo and Da Goats. The Drama Club is also hosting a haunted trail for those who are brave to journey down from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. for a $5 donation. “Coco,” the 2017 animated movie will be playing in the pavilion, too.

Admission and most activities are free to enjoy. For more information, email to info@hiasc.org or click here.

No. 9 — “Go for Broke” movie screening with director Hiroyuki “Matsugen” Matsumoto (Hilo, Nov. 3)

When: 2:30 p.m.

Location: University of Hawai’i at Hilo, University Classroom Building Room 100, 200 W. Kāwili St.

This is “another history of Japan” that records the testimonies of many Nisei who continue to look at the history of Hawai’i. They saw the Nikkei community in old Hawai‘i, they experienced the truth of war … all their memories are told here and now.

Doors open at 2 p.m. Admission is free; however, those who attend are asked to make a donation to help support the film. The screeeing and event are presented by the University of Hawai’i at Hilo Japanese Studies Program.

For more information, check out the movie’s Facebook page or email to masafumi@hawaii.edu.

No. 10 — Cat Video Fest 2024 (Hilo, Nov. 3)

When: 2:30 and 7 p.m.; doors, box office and concessions open at 6:30 p.m.

Location: Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.

Feast your eyes on a compilation of the latest and best cat videos culled from countless hours of submissions and sourced animations, music videos and classic internet powerhouses to create a joyous communal experience — only available in theaters — for a good cause.

The Palace is partnering with Action 4 Animals Hawai’i, which will receive 10% of all ticket sales to help Big Island cats in need. The organization has fostered and subsequently adopted out nearly 400 kittens and cats since the beginning of this year.

People love cat videos, and they love coming together for a shared experience. This festival is committed to bringing the joy of cat videos to the masses, while doing good for the worldwide community of people working to help cats in need.

Tickets are $10 general admission or $9 for seniors, students and veterans. For more information or to purchase your tickets in advance, click here.

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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/