Top 10 things to do on Big Island for April 4-10 and beyond: Mana Music Quartet, Mark Yamanaka, Big Island Chocolate Fesitval, Laupāhoehoe Music Festival and more
There’s once again some great events and activities happening around the Big Island during the upcoming week — and even further out.
Residents of Puna have a chance to get to know their community police officers better during a Coffee with a Cop event Saturday in Hawaiian Shores. Three Mountain Alliance Coordinator Corie Yanger will be talking at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park about what the organization is doing and how you can help.
Kukuau Studio in Hilo is hosting a special open mic night to celebrate turning 10 years old. Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winners Mark Yamanaka and Mana Music Quartet are each performing at separate engagements in Kainaliu and Waimea, respectively.
Looking ahead to the week after, we noticed there are a few events already selling tickets or accepting registrations, so we wanted to make sure everyone had a heads up to make sure they didn’t miss out on any opportunities to attend.
There’s the Big Island Chocolate Festival hosted at Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa that will celebrate everything chocolate once again this year. It’s sure to be another sweet — and savory — treat for anyone who attends.
The Laupāhoehoe Music Festival is also right around the corner, promising a family-friendly day filled with community, Hawaiian culture, music, crafts, game booths and more that directly supports students at Laupāhoehoe Community Public Charter School.
And that’s just some of what’s happening.
Here’s our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for April 4-10 — and beyond.
No. 1 — Coffee with a Cop (Hawaiian Shores, April 5)
When: 9 to 11 a.m.
Location: Hawaiian Shores Community Center, 15-859 Kahakai Drive
Puna residents are invited to come have a cup of coffee with members of the Hawaiʻi Police Department Puna Community Policing Section during this informal event to talk story. Topics of conversation can range from sharing personal stories to discussing neighborhood issues and concerns.
More info: Contact the Puna Community Policing Section at 808-965-2716
No. 2 — Kahuku Coffee Talk: Three Mountain Alliance (Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, April 5)
When: 9:30 to 11 a.m.
Location: Kahuku Visitor Contact Station, turn into the Kahuku Unit near the 70.5-mile marker on Highway 11 Kaʻū, about an hour south of the park’s main entrance
Three Mountain Alliance is a watershed partnership formed to mālama (protect) more than 1 million acres across Mauna Loa, Kīlauea and Hualālai volcanoes and the Big Island’s precious native ecosystem resources. Join Three Mountain Alliance Coordinator Corie Yanger to find out what the organization is doing and how you can help. Free.
More info: Call 808-929-8075.
No. 3 — Kukuau Studio 10th Year Anniversary Open Mic (Hilo, April 5)
When: 6 to 9 p.m.
Location: Kukuau Studio, 43-D Kukuau St.
Can you believe it? Kukuau Studio — home of Monday Night Jazz Jam — is 10 years old! What a wild ride it’s been, too. So it’s celebrating its first decade with a good old-fashioned open mic night hosted by none other than the amazing Ruby Flambé. Everyone is invited to come help mark this special milestone. Free and open to all ages; donations are greatly appreciated.
More info: Visit the Kukuau Studio website or click here.
No. 4 — An Unforgettable Evening with Mark Yamanaka (Kainaliu, April 5)
When: 7 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m.
Location: Aloha Theatre, 79-7384 Hawai‘i Belt Road
The Kona Hospital Foundation invites the community to an evening of music and philanthropy featuring renowned Hawaiian musician and 10-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner Mark Yamanaka, with proceeds dedicated to enhancing health care services at Kona Community Hospital. Yamanaka is celebrated for his soulful voice and heartfelt compositions that resonate with audiences throughout the islands. Tickets start at $65.
More info and to purchase tickets: Visit the Kona Hospital Foundation website.
No. 5 — Mana Music Quartet (Waimea, April 6)
When: 2 p.m.
Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road
Don’t miss a moving afternoon of music and history with this Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning string ensemble paying tribute to the music of Queen Liliʻuokalani, Hawai‘i’s last reigning monarch, whose compositions reflect the deep cultural and historical roots of the islands. Bridging Hawaiian heritage and classical music tradition, the quartet will perform original arrangements from their acclaimed debut album and more. Tickets start at just $16.
More info and to purchase tickets: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website.
No. 6 — 12th Big Island Chocolate Festival (Waikōloa, April 10-12)
When: Various times
Location: Hosted at Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, 69-275 Waikōloa Beach Drive
This 3-day celebration of everything chocolate includes a guided plantation and tasting tour at Kona’s Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory, visit to a producing cacao orchard in Keauhou and several educational and culinary demonstrations and workshops. It all culminates with the “Cirque de Chocolate-A Whimsical World of Chocolate Wonders” gala, offering walkabout booths for savory and sweet chocolate-inspired creations along with circus-themed shenanigans.
More info and to purchase tickets or register for events: Visit the Big Island Chocolate Festival website.
No. 7 — “Flora-n-Fauna: 500 Years of Songs about Nature” (Hilo and Honomū, April 11-13)
When: Various times
Location: Various locations
Big Island Singers is back with a fresh spring series of concerts featuring music spanning several centuries of choral music, from the Renaissance to modern times, all about nature from composers such as Josquin des Prez and Thomas Morley to Morten Lauridsen, Eric Whitacre and John Rutter. Performances are slated for 7 p.m. April 11 at Episcopal Church of the Holy Apostles in Hilo, 4 p.m. April 12 at First United Protestant Church of Hilo and 4 p.m. April 13 at Hilo Cost United Church of Christ in Honomū. All concerts are free; donations welcome.
More info: Email to bigislandsingers@gmail.com, visit the Big Island Singers website and follow the group on Facebook and Instagram.
No. 8 — Laupāhoehoe Music Festival (Laupāhoehoe, April 12)
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Laupāhoehoe Point Beach Park, 36-1043 Laupāhoehoe Point Road
If you’re looking for a day filled with community, Hawaiian culture, music, crafts, game booths and more, make your way to this annual festival that directly supports resource and elective programs at Laupāhoehoe Community Public Charter School. Featuring Kanakapila, Kainani Kahaunaele, Stephen Hendersen, Hālau Hula Kauluola, Kingside 808, The Larry Gomera Band and Todd with The Crooked Hat and Laupāhoehoe Community Public Charter School students, there will once again be plenty to do during this family-friendly event while enjoying the music. Local artists also will be vending art, jewelry, shirts and more. Advance tickets are $15. Cost at the gate is $20. Keiki 10 years old and younger are free. This is an alcohol and drug free event. No coolers.
More info and to purchase tickets: Visit the Laupāhoehoe Music Festival website.
No. 9 — Painting workshop with Zuni Pueblo artist Lakin Epaloose (Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, April 19)
When: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Kahuku Visitor Contact Station, turn into the Kahuku Unit near the 70.5-mile marker on Highway 11 Kaʻū, about an hour south of the park’s main entrance
Painter and cultural bearer Lakin Epaloose of the Zuni Tribe is April’s artist in residence at the national park. Lakin works at Grand Canyon National Park in the cultural demonstration program. A hands-on painting demonstration will follow his presentation. Watercolor supplies will be provided. Free; however, reservations are required. Limited to 20 people.
More info and to register: Email to wendy_scott-vance@nps.gov.
No. 10 — Watercolor ‘N Sip (Kea‘au, April 19)
When: 10 a.m. to noon
Location: Big Island Meadery, 16-314 Shipman Road
Join artist Garry Palm for a fun watercolors class. All skill levels welcome. All materials provided. Price includes a flight of mead and 5-ounce pour of your favorite. Cost is $65 per person. The subject matter for Palm’s class is the beloved ʻiʻiwi and lehua blossoms scene. It’s part of a series aimed at raising awareness about native species and pollinators. Don’t wait. Register today.
More info and to register: Visit the Big Island Meadery website.
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Check for yourself what’s going on around the Big 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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