Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Feb. 1-6: Cherry blossoms, Year of the Snake, ‘Ohana stargazing and more

We made it to the weekend, Big Island, and the winter storm that blew through the state at the end of the week fortunately didn’t blow away or wash out any of the multitude of events happening around the island.

“HEADS UP!” exclaimed a post Friday afternoon on the Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival Facebook page. “Just want to confirm THE FESTIVAL IS A GO for tomorrow! Forecasters say the weather will improve and it’s a green light for all the fun.”

It’s still a good idea to bring a jacket though if you plan to make your way to Waimea for the festival yet this afternoon, just to be prepared for changing weather conditions in case.

I will be worth it, for sure, with a full lineup of activities and performances highlighting the Japanese culture and celebrating the beautiful blossoms blooming on the cherry trees in Church Row Park.

You also have a few opportunities yet this weekend to help welcome the Year of the Snake.

The Saam Fu Chinese Cultural Arts lion dance team returned to Hilo this year to dance at several Lunar/Chinese New Year events around Hilo that continue today and Sunday. The Kings’ Shops in Waikōloa are also celebrating the New Year today.

Plus, don’t miss out on the start of this year’s Journey Through the Universe on the Big Island tonight as Maunakea Observatories and several other sponsors, including Friends of Lili‘uokalani Gardens, host a fun evening of stargazing and storytelling with family, friends and astronomers at the gardens on Banyan Drive in Hilo.

Here’s our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for Feb. 1-6.

No. 1 — 32nd Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival (Waimea, Feb. 1)

When: Until 3 p.m.

Location: Multiple venues

It’s time to once again think pink and celebrate Japanese culture under the beautiful blossoms in Church Row Park in Waimea. The 2025 festival features another full lineup of multi-cultural activities and performances at multiple venues throughout town coupled with the blooming cherry trees in the historic Kohala community.

This year’s festival honors the late Ruth Dick, a Waimea resident who was a longtime festival participant as an active member of Waimea Bon-yu Kai Bonsai Club. She exhibited her plants to the delight of festivalgoers each year while offering expert bonsai care demonstrations. She also served as a volunteer plant doctor during the festival.

In addition to bonsai activities, there will be hands-on mochi pounding, sake tasting, bon dancing, traditional tea ceremonies, food demonstrations by local chefs, plenty of “broke da’ mouth” food to eat, too, and loads of craft vendors, not to mention all the performances at different venues. And it’s all free to attend!

For more info: Call 808-961-8706 or find updates on Facebook.

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Welcoming the Year of the Snake: Lunar/Chinese New Year events

No. 2 — Lion Dance performances for Chinese New Year 2025 (Hilo, Feb. 1-2)

When: Various times

Location: Various locations

Kung Hei Fat Choi! The Saam Fu Chinese Cultural Arts lion dance team — as it has since 2018 — will once again travel from Honolulu to Hilo and help ring in the Chinese New Year in celebration of the Year of the Snake. The team has several events planned from this weekend at various venues.

Lion dances will be performed at Prince Kūhiō Plaza until 2 p.m. and then at Waiākea Center at 4 p.m. Saturday. The team rounds out the celebrations at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Hilo Farmers Market.

The lion dance team is honored and grateful to be invited to share this beloved tradition and hopes to see everyone there.

For more info: Visit the Saam Fu Chinese Cultural Arts website.

No. 3 — Celebrate Chinese New Year at Kings’ Shops (Waikōloa, Feb. 1)

When: 3:30 p.m.

Location: Kings’ Shops, 250 Waikōloa Beach Drive

Celebrate the traditions of Chinese New Year with an afternoon of family-friendly fun, cultural performances and exciting giveaways. This event promises to welcome the Year of the Snake in style. It’s free and open to the public, so get their early to enjoy all of the activities.

The event’s highlight will be a traditional lion dance blessing by the renowned Yau Gong Lion Dance troupe. There’s even a keiki costume contest for the kids to show off their festive attire and win prizes. The first 250 attendees also have the chance to win exciting prizes by receiving exclusive scratch-off fortune cards. RSVP to secure your card.

For more info: Visit the Kings’ Shops website or follow @KingsShopsHI and @KingsShopsHawaii on social media.

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No. 4 — Chili Dinner and Bingo (Nānāwale Estates, Feb. 1)

When: 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Location: Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3830, 15-775 Maluhia Road

Come talk story, play some bingo, enjoy some ono grindz and support Big Island veterans all at the same time. Everyone is welcome for this delicious dinner at the VFW post. You’ll get two free bingo cards with your chili.

The event is sponsored by the VFW Post 3830 Auxiliary. A donation of $10 per person is kindly requested. Just follow the blue “VFW” signs once you turn into Nānāwale Estates to find your way to the fun.

For more info: Visit the VFW Post 3830 website or call 808-965-7032.

No. 5 — ‘Ohana Stargazing (Hilo, Feb. 1)

When: 6 to 9 p.m.

Location: Lili‘uokalani Gardens, 49 Banyan Drive

Maunakea Observatories is excited to kick off the 21st year of Journey Through the Universe with an evening of stargazing with the Friends of Lili‘uokalani Gardens and ʻOhana Kilo Hōkū.

Bring your family and friends to enjoy a night of out-of-this-world fun that will incude speakers, Hawaiian star stories, keiki activities and, of course, looking at the stars — with astronomers. The event is free and for all ages.

For more info: Follow Friends of Lili’uokalani Gardens on Facebook.

No. 6 — Irie Vibez Night: Bob Marley Tribute Edition (Hilo, Feb. 1)

When: 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Location: Hilo Town Tavern, 168 Keawe St.

Negus Love Sounds presents this reggae dancehall party that will take over Hilo Town Tavern with a special tribute to the legendary Bob Marley. It might only be the first day of February, but get ready for the hottest night of the month with DJ Empress Neriah and help celebrate special guest DJ Uplifter’s birthday, too.

You don’t want to sit out on a night of positive vibes and great music! It’s only a $7 cover, and you must be 21 or older to attend.

For more info: Follow DJ Empress Neriah on Instagram.

No. 7 — Lavalinks Open House (Kopua Farm Lots, Feb. 2)

When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: Lavalinks Recreation Club, 11-3363 Apele Road

Come check out what this recreation club and its friendly, welcoming community have to offer. Bring the whole family for the fun.

It’s free for one day to try some golf on the club’s 9-hole golf course, test your skills on an 18-hole disc golf course or take on your ‘ohana or friends for some friendly paintball competition. There’s even airsoft availability.

There also will be clinics available for those who have never played, live music and vendors, plus leashed dogs are welcome. Monthly memberships to this one-of-a-kind Big Island property and recreation club will be offered at a discount.

For more info: Visit the Lavalinks Recreation Club website or email to info@lavalinks.club.

No. 8 — Aoi Trio live (Waimea, Feb. 2)

When: 2 p.m.

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

One of only 5 piano trios in history to have won first prize at the ARD International Music Competition, the largest classical music competition in Germany, this trio won the prestigious award in 2018 as a breathtaking start to their international career.

Based in Germany, the trio is highly regarded for pioneering the world of the classic piano trio repertoire while championing rarely performed music by Japanese composers. “Aoi” refers to the initials of the family names for each member, but the Germany-based trio — regarded as pioneers in the world of classical piano while championing rarely performed music by Japanese composers — also is named after a flower in Japan that symbolizes aspiration and fruitfulness.

Tickets start at just $24. Don’t miss this special, one-of-a-kind experience.

For more info or to purchase tickets: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website.

No. 9 — “We Tell Our Stories: Filipino Voices in Hawai‘i” (Hilo, Feb. 3-4)

When: 7 p.m. Monday; 3 p.m. Tuesday

Location: Lyman Museum, 276 Haili St.

Come hear stories about growing up, living, immigrating, adapting and more in Hawai‘i from the Filipinos who experienced it firsthand during this latest installment of the Lyman Museum’s Patricia E. Saigo Public Program Series.

The Filipino Association of University Women conducted free writing workshops from June through August last year on O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i Island to encourage and document original, first-person histories that contribute to an enhanced understanding of the Filipino experience in the islands and its impact on the history and culture of the state. This prpgram — offered free to the community — is part of a series of public forums where workshop participants share excerpts from their memoirs.

Whether or not this is part of your family’s personal history experience, you are bound to recognize — and definitely learn — something meaningful from listening to these stories!

For more info: Visit the Lyman Museum website or call 808-935-5021.

No. 10 — “The Substance” (Hilo, Feb. 6)

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

Location: Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.

This drama/dark comedy/horror stars Demi Moore, Margaret Quallery and Dennis Quaid and rated R. The movie tells the story of a fading celebrity who takes a black market drug: a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself.

It won Best Screenplay at the Cannes Film Festival last year and was rated 89% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, which says the critics consensus of the film is “audaciously gross, wickedly clever and possibly Demi Moore’s finest hour. ‘The Substance’ is a gasp-inducing feat from writer-director Coralie Faregeat.”

Tickets are $10 general admission or $9 for seniors, students and veterans.

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

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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/