Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Jan. 16-22: KWXX Hoʻolauleʻa, volcano comedy, ‘Aloha Spirit Rising,’ Keiki Fun Run/Walk and more

If ever there was a week when “variety” best fit the top 10 things happening around the Big Island, this would be it.

It starts right off the bat with a sweet, lucious music tonight during an electronic/organic hybrid light show that’s sure to get your booty shaking during an interstellar dance party headlined by Kascadence at Hilo’s Kukuau Studio.

Then, take a spiritual journey with “Aloha Spirit Rising” on Friday night at the historic Palace Theater in Hilo through the lens of a documentary about the the lives of a free-spirited community living off-the-grid in Puna.

Kids ages 5 to 17 years old and their ʻohana are invited to “HI-PAL” around with officers of the Kona Community Policing Section early Saturday morning during the first Keiki Fun Run/Walk in Kailua-Kona.

If you’re on the Hilo side that day and Sunday, feed your need for speed and hear the roar of muscle cars during the Hawaiʻi Drag Racing League New Year Extravaganza at Hilo Drag Strip.

Later Saturday morning at the Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, get the answer to the burning question: What does happen when a comedian walks into a volcano?

Scientist-turned-comedian Ben Miller, who was the 2023 artist-in-residence at the national park, returns to give an hourlong performance of volcano jokes.

There’s even another chance to get your groove on this weekend — with about 25,000 other people — as Hilo’s largest music festival returns with the 28th KWXX Hoʻolauleʻa on Saturday.

Four stages will feature 20-plus live bands, including some of the biggest names in island and Hawaiian music. Plus, it’s all free to watch and listen!

Here’s our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for Jan. 16-22.

No. 1 — TRANCEFUSION: An Interstellar Dance Party (Hilo, Jan. 16)

When: 6 to 9 p.m.

Location: Kukuau Studio, 43-D Kukuau St.

International, mainland and local musicians are coming together for an amazing LED light show to spread love, joy and global community through the universal language of sweet, luscious music!

This is a unique electronic/organic hybrid experience that’s sure to have your booty shaking that you must not miss. Nothing matches the energy of live muscians, especially when Kascadence is in the house, with special guests including Will Magid with a live looping set, renowned drummer Paul Oliphant and the Big Island’s own Jahred Namaste.

All ages are welcome. Only $10 at the door.

For more info: Visit the Kascadence website.

No. 2 — “Aloha Spirit Rising” (Hilo, Jan. 17)

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

Location: Hilo Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.

This documentary directed by independent filmmaker Christian Filippella takes audiences on a spiritual journey through the lens of watching the lives of free-spirited members of a community living off-the-grid in the secluded Hawaiian jungle to achieve human liberation via the elevation of collective consciousness.

Filippella said after being in Hawai‘i several times, he was compelled to explore more. That led him to Puna on the Big Island. The film is not rated and 86 minutes long. Tickets are $10 general admission or $9 for seniors, students and veterans.

For more info or to purchase tickets in advance: Visit the Palace Theater website.

No. 3 — Keiki Fun Run/Walk (Kailau-Kona, Jan. 18)

When: 7:30 a.m.; registration begins 7 a.m.

Location: West Hawaiʻi Civic Center Gazebo, 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Highway

Keiki and their ʻohana looking to have some fun while building positive connections, community and teamwork and just having a good run are invited and encouraged to join the Hawai‘i Police Department Kona Community Policing Section, in collaboration with the Hawai‘i Island Police Activities League, or HI-PAL, for this event Saturday morning.

There are three age groups and events to compete in, including the 200-yard dash course for ages 5-8, where family are welcome to accompany their keiki; ages 9-12 half-mile course; and 1-mile course for ages 13-17. Refreshments and snacks will be provided after the races, with each participant receiving a medal.

For more info: Contact Kona Community Policing Officer Wyattlane Nahale at 808-326-4646, ext. 258, or via email at wyattlane.nahale@hawaiicounty.gov.

No. 4 — Hawaiʻi Drag Racing League New Year Extravaganza (Hilo, Jan. 18-19)

When: Gates open 7:30 a.m. both days

Location: Hilo Drag Strip, 2295 Ho’olaulima Road

Ring in 2025 with a bonanza of burning rubber and revel in revved up engines during this showcase of speed and rip-roaring races.

Programs include bracket racing, junior dragster class racing, motorcycle class racing, mini bikes/moped class racing and test sessions. All entries welcome. Racer-friendly races. This is a drug and alcohol free event.

Entry fee is just $10. Keiki 10 and younger are free.

For more info: Contact Keith Aguiar Sr. at 808-960-1095. Follow the Hawaiʻi Drag Racing League on Facebook and Instagram.

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Volcano Awareness Month spotlight

No. 5 — Explore the Kaʻū Desert Trail on Foot (Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Jan. 18)

When: 10 a.m. to about noon

Location: Meet at the Kaʻū Desert Trailhead on Highway 11

Traverse Mauna Loa volcano’s Keamoku ʻaʻā lava flow and find the footprints in Kīlauea volcano’s 1790 explosive ash deposit during this fairly easy 2-mile guided hike to the Footprints shelter. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Geology Department faculty and geologist Cheryl Gansecki will talk about the geologic features along the trail in this unique region where Mauna Loa and Kīlauea meet.

Adventurous hikers can continue on for another moderate 2 miles roundtrip to Maunaiki and explore vents and lava flows of the 1919-20 eruption.

Wear sturdy, closed-toe walking shoes. Bring protective gear for sun and rain bring as well as drinking water and a snack.

For more info: Call Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park at 808-985-6011.

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No. 6 — What Happens When a Comedian Walks into a Volcano? (Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Jan. 18)

When: 11 a.m.

Location: Kahuku Visitor Contact Station, turn in near the 70.5-mile marker on Highway 11 in Kaʻū, about an hour from the park’s main entrance

Stand-up comedian Ben Miller was the 2023 artist in residence at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Now, he returns to Hawaiʻi after 2 years of developing material from his residency and turning it into an hourlong performance of volcano jokes.

Miller, who also has a degree in materials science and engineering from Columbia University, shines a humorous light on volcanology, entomology, Hawaiian history, cats, cookies and more.

For more info: Call Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park at 808-985-6011.

No. 7 — 28th KWXX Hoʻolauleʻa (Hilo, Jan. 18)

When: 4:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Location: Downtown Hilo

Hilo’s largest music festival — and the biggest music festival on Hawaiʻi Island — returns with an amazing lineup of many of Hawaiʻi’s favorite bands, musicians and special guests. More than 35 food and craft booths will be available, too.

It’s all free to attend featuring 4 stages with 20-plus bands, including some of the biggest names in island and Hawaiian music. Positive Motion, Anuhea, Through the Roots, Ekolu, Larry Dupio, The Kalapana ʻAwa Band, Sudden Rush, Kanaka Fyah and more. You don’t want to miss this giant block party in downtown Hilo that draws an estimated 25,000 people.

There’s even free parking and shuttle service from Aupuni Center and the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium courtesy of Robert’s Hawaiʻi. This is a drug and alcohol free event.

For more info: Call KWXX in Hilo at 808-935-5461.

No. 8 — Premiere screening of Kahilu TV original docuseries “Nā Pua Pasifika” Episode 2: “Uhi” (Waimea, Jan. 19)

When: 2 p.m.

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

Uhi, or true yam, was a traditional canoe plant vital to Polynesian voyaging and subsistence farming. Prized for its nutrition, versatility and long storage life, uhi was a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture in Hawai‘i.

Arrive early to sample uhi dishes and learn tips for growing and preparing the plant. There also will be a Q&A session with the episode’s cast and drew following the screening.

Join the Kahilu Theatre for an afternoon of inspiration, discovery and community.

For more info or to reserve your spot: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website.

No. 9 — Fee-Free Day for Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Jan. 20)

When: All day

Location: All park facilities

All fee-charging national parks throughout the United States, including Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, will waive entrance fees in honor of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

This is the first of 6 fee-free days in 2025 for national parks. Find them on the National Park Service website.

For more info: Call Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park at 808-985-6011.

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Volcano Awareness Month spotlight

No. 10 — Visit the Whitney Vault at Volcano House (Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Jan. 21)

When: 10 a.m.

Location: Ticketholders should meet at Volcano House hotel caldera overlook

The Whitney Seismological Laboratory was established in 1912, the year Thomas Jaggar founded the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Constructed as the basement of the original observatory building, the Whitney Vault is the only remnant of the original observatory.

Join Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geophysicists Ingrid Johanson and Ashton Flinders as they describe the history of volcano monitoring, showcasing old and new technologies in the Whitney Vault, located beneath the ground near the present day Volcano House hotel.

Note: This program is limited to 20 participants. Tickets will be available at 9 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis the day of at Kīlauea Visitor Center.

For more info: Call Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park at 808-985-6011.

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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/