Top 10 things to do on the Big Island for Nov. 14-20: Holiday craft fairs, Red Kettle Kickoff, 22nd annual ‘Ukulele & Slack Key Guitar Festival and more

Let the Big Island holiday craft fair and market season comence!

Two of the events are slated this weekend — the Holiday Market at The Club in Nāʻālehu and Winter Craft Fair in Keaʻau.

Both promise plenty of local vendors selling arts, crafts and a whole lot more that will be big hits for even the hardest to buy for loved ones — or why not splurge and get something to reward yourself for all your hard work doing that early holiday shopping.

Take some time out from the shopping to give back, too, and stop by the Red Kettle Kickoff at KTA Puʻainakō in Hilo.

Celebrate the start of the important work volunteers do as they ring bells throughout the holiday season, raising money for people in need throughout the community.

It all sounds like a sleigh full of fun, sure, but we also know the holidays can be a season of stress.

Occupational therapist Tanya Penny can help. She will be sharing ways to de-stress and enjoy the holidays more during a workshop this weekend at the Kailua-Kona Public Library.

The entertainment around the Big Island isn’t all about the holidays during the next week though.

Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi’s fall musical hits the stage, the Kahilu Theatre in Waimea is hosting the 22nd annual ‘Ukulele & Slack Key Guitar Festival and more.

Here’s our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for Nov. 14-20.

No. 1 — “Between the Lines” (Keaʻau, Nov. 14-15)

When: 7 p.m.; doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Location: Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi, William Charles Lunalilo Center, 16-714 Volcano Road

Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi’s fall musical, based on the book by Timothy Allen McDonald and best-selling author Jodi Picoult, is an empowering and enchanting new musical for those seeking to find their place in the world.

The story follows 17-year-old Delilah as she navigates fitting in at school and a romance with a prince from another world. An outsider at her new school, Delilah finds solace in her favorite book, but as the lines between reality and fantasy blur, she must make the decision on if she wants to rewrite her own story.

Tickets are $10. Early entry VIP tickets are $20. For information and to purchase tickets, click here.

No. 2 — 22nd annual ‘Ukulele & Slack Key Guitar Festival (Waimea, Nov. 15-16)

When: Various times

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

This 2-day festival not only offers a chance to experience authentic Hawaiian music through performances, stories and discussions with each award-winning musician, it honors Waimea’s deep kī hō‘alu (slack key) and paniolo heritage.

Two full-length concerts, educational workshops and community outreach programs are featured Friday and Saturday, including festival musicians participating with Kahilu’s Education Outreach Program and performing at local schools around the island. The festival concludes Saturday night with the showcase “Ho‘olaule‘a” concert.

More details including workshop topics and registration as well as tickets to Saturday’s finale can be found on the Kahilu Theatre website.

No. 3 — Red Kettle Kickoff (Hilo, Nov. 15)

When: 8 a.m. to noon

Location: KTA Super Stores Puʻainakō, 50 E Puʻainakō St.

The Salvation Army Red Kettle is a tradition known around the world. It’s a campaign that helps millions in need each year. When you give locally, you ensure the people in this community get the help they need.

Come out and celebrate the start of the important work volunteers do as they ring bells throughout the holiday season. The kickoff will launch all of the Big Island red kettles, which will be stationed at six KTA locations, including Puʻainakō, Downtown Hilo, Kona, Keauhou, Waimea and Waikōloa, as well as at Safeway and Walmart in Hilo and Kona, Mālama Market in Honokaʻa, K. Takata Store in Kapaʻau and Ace Hardware in Waimea.

Volunteers will ring bells from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Saturday through Christmas Eve. For more information, click here.

No. 4 — Holiday Market at The Club (Nāʻālehu, Nov. 16)

When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: The Club at Discovery Harbour, 94-1581 Kaulua Circle

Come be jolly, get some of that early holiday shopping out of the way and just have a good time enjoying time with friends, family and community.

Featuring local artisans Amy Lang Jewelry, Feather & Leather, Fused Fragments, Historical Hawaiian Stoneworks, Holiday Wai Wai, Kathleen Mumme’s Art, Kaʻū Kreations, Kennedy’s Creations, Linda Nolte Watercolors, Looking Glass Stained Glass, Luti Fine Arts, Surfy Smiles, Taylor’s Bears and Buddy’s, Tropical Trappings and Yolanda’s Gifts with Aloha.

There also will be a free keiki holidy craft project and live music. You’ll even be entered into a drawing for a basket of handmade gifts from vendors and a $100 gift card for The Club for every $10 spend at each vendor booth.

No. 5 — Winter Craft Fair (Keaʻau, Nov. 16)

When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Location: Puna Hongwanji Mission, 16-492 Old Volcano Road

If you’re looking to get an early start to your holiday shopping and something different than the Big Box stores to peruse, this is the event for you. With a total of 106 vendors, including crafts, small businesses and the Puna Hongwanji Boutique, there wil be a wide variety of gift ideas for your loved ones — or even to spoil yourself.

There also is a full lineup of entertainment planned, including the Keonepoko Elementary Chorus, Na Poʻe Wahine O Ke Akua (Daughters of God), Lila Parong and Lynn Yokoyama Cabatbat, Hālau Na Pua ʻO Uluhaimalama, Daryl Castillo and Puna Taiko.

Raffles, a silent auction plus food trucks, food vendors and ice cake vendors will be offering snacks and drinks galore add to the excitement. The Puna Hongwanji also will have concessions available and Puna Taiko is offering andagi.

Don’t forget to vote for your favorite vendor Christmas stocking either! Entry is free, so don’t miss all the fun.

No. 6 — 18th annual E Mau Ana Ka Hula — A Tribute to Kind David Kalākaua (Keauhou, Nov. 16)

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

Location: OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa, 78-128 ʻEhukai St.

Hosted by Ka Pā Hula Nā Wai Iwi Ola, this free, daylong festival honors the legacy of the Merry Monarch himself King Kalākaua, who revitalized hula and Hawaiian traditions.

Enjoy captivating performances by hālau from Hawaiʻi, Europe and Japan, showcasing ancient (kahiko) and modern (‘auana) hula styles. Browse local arts and crafts and indulge in Hawaiian food.

Click here for more information.

No. 7 — Hilo Ladies Coffee Chat (Hilo, Nov. 16)

When: 10 a.m.

Location: Cafe Boba, 217 Waiānuenue Ave.

Come have a cup of coffee — or two — and chat with other women who live in the Hilo area in a positive environment to meet and talk about whatever is on your mind. The event is open to all women, whether you’ve lived here a week or all your life.

This month, in addition to sharing our names and backgrounds, we will be sharing the answer to “What’s the best decision you’ve ever made in your life?” Going forward, the chat is planned for the third Saturday of every month.

The only cost is the purchase of your own coffee. RSVP on organizer Suzanne Muuser’s post in the Hilo Happenings Facebook group so she can get a head count for the number of ladies coming.

No. 8 — Caregiver Connections (Kailua-Kona, Nov. 16)

When: 10 to 11 a.m.

Location: Kailua-Kona Public Library, 75-138 Hualālai Road

The hustle and bustle of the holidays can be immensley jolly and bright. It can also be very stressful and gloomy with all the gifts you have to buy, parties that need to be planned, food that needs to be cooked, goodies that need baked and the list goes on.

The entire community is invited to this free series of talks by local occupational therapist Tanya Penny, who will share ways to de-stress and enjoy the holidays more. Light refreshments will be served and there will be time for questions.

The series is presented by Hawaiʻi Community Caregiver Network and the Kailua-Kona Public Library.

No. 9 — The Lonely Hearts Beatles and Beyond (Hilo, Nov. 16)

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

Location: Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.

Hawai‘i’s fab-four Jimmy Dillon, Justin Morris, Austin Hutto and Steve Morris bring the energy of John, Paul, George and Ringo to every show they play. The Palace Theater is proud to present this special live concert in celebration of the 60th anniversary of The Beatles coming to America.

Celebrate this historic event with these world-class musicians and Beatles aficionados who play the music of the Beatles and some other tunes they think the Beatles would be playing if they were still together today. The show promises a night of groovy tunes and electric vibes.

Tickets are $35 general admission and $45 priority orchestra seating. To purchase tickets in advance, visit the Palace Theater website.

No. 10 — The Craft of Acting (Hilo, Nov. 20)

When: 6 to 9 p.m.

Location: Mauna Loa School, 172 Kapiʻolani St.

Acting takes skill, and instructor Danny Randerson knows all about how much. He has a master’s degree in acting from the University of Hawaiʻi and starred in several Hilo Education Arts Repertory Theatre productions as well as other theatre, film and television productions in Hawaiʻi and on the mainland.

The workshop will provide beginning actors the tools to craft a richer, more meaningful performance, connecting them with the fundamentals of the craft while building their confidence and leveling up their skills.

Space is limited, but if there is enough interest more workshops or a series could be added in the future. The cost to attend is $30. The workshop is intended for actors age 18 and older, but consideration will be given to those 16 and older with parental consent. To register, click here.

* * * * * * * * * *

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/