Top 10 things to do on Big Island for May 9-15: Pō & the 4Fathers, ‘The Life of Prince Jonah Kūhiō,’ Hilo Chocolate Festival and more

It’s time to celebrate the most maternal figures in our lives this weekend with Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 11, and we acknowledge there are plenty of Mom-specific events happening around the Big Island to celebrate her.

No matter what you do with Mom, Grandma, Sis, Aunty or the other special mothers in your life to show them how much you appreciate them, we’re sure they will enjoy the gesture.

So think about trying out something different this year by giving them a new experience.

How about treating them to the Polynesian rhythms and indigenous sounds of music that moved generations including reggae, soul, blues, funk and hip hop by Pō & the 4Fathers live at the historic Palace Theater in downtown Hilo?

Take her to witness history through the eyes of those who lived it during Hilo Community Players production of “Ke Kauā o Ka Lāhui: The Life of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole Piʻikoi” at Keawe Theater in downtown Hilo, a historical drama that traces and brings to life one of Hawai’i’s most significant aliʻi and political figures.

Get the whole family involved and have fun learning about what goes into making chocolate from bean to bar while supporting farms and chocolate makers on the Big Island during the 2025 Hilo Chocolate Festival.

The event, presented by the East Hawaiʻi Cacao Association, is definitely a sweet treat perfect for any mom.

Those are just a few of the options available that could turn out to be the best gift Mother’s Day gift you’ve ever given.

Don’t fret, though. Keep an eye out Friday for our list of events just for Mom’s Day coming up this weekend.

Until then, here is our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for May 9-15.

P.S.: We are giving you a “plus one” again this week, too, just because it was too ‘ono to leave out. Be sure to check it out.

No. 1 — Bee Dance: Swahé + Bunnyfeet (Pāhoa, May 9)

When: 6 to 10:30 p.m.

Location: Hawaiian Sanctuary Retreat Center, 13-3194 Pāhoa-Kalapana Road

Swahé has played at festivals and ecstatic dances around the world, bringing the Kundalini awakening tribal bass inspired by the Latin, Middle Eastern and indigenous music in his blood. He has been a touring Yoga teacher, Kirtan leader and DJ for 15 years, and is the creator of Gaia Dance Temple in Lago Atitlan, The Golden Temple – Atitlan and Embodiment Ecstatic Dance Festival. DJ Bunnyfeet hops between dimensions with a basket full of basslines dipped in ancestral wells. Blending afrobeat fire, world bass thunder and untamed grooves, this DJ will make you hop and move. There also will be sound healing by Creative Frequencies and an elixir bar. Cost is $20 at the door cash, Venmo or Paypal. Free entry if you stay at the retreat center.

More info: Call 800-309-8010.

No. 2 — Playing in Traffik live (Puna, May 9 and 10)

When: 6:30 p.m. to pau Friday; 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday

Location: Koa’s Lounge, 15-2929 Pāhoa Village Road, Pāhoa, on Friday; Eagles Aerie, 16-111 ʻŌpūkahaʻia St., Keaʻau, on Saturday

Don’t miss this chance to get a double shot of this Big Island 1990s, 2000s, punk/alternative band playing all of your favorites this weekend in Puna. They’re ready to shake the house whenever and wherever. Like all other bands, its members have diverse interests and backgrounds. Take a glimpse into their backstory and what makes them come alive before seeing them rock out live by checking out the MoshPlayLive YouTube piece about the band.

More info: Check out the band’s Facebook page.

No. 3 — Pō & the 4Fathers live (Hilo, May 9)

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

Location: Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.

This 8-piece band is deeply rooted in Hawaiian language and culture, Polynesian rhythms and indigenous sounds, as well as music that moved generations including reggae, soul, blues, funk and hip hop. They write songs of joy, hardship, pain and triumph, learned from shared experiences from the time of Pō to present and into the future. Opening the show will be Hiloʻs Manō Aliʻi, playing Hawaiian soulful roots reggae with aloha ‘āina lyrics. Tickets start at $30 general admission in advance. Prices are $5 more the day of the show.

More info/purchase tickets: Visit the Palace Theater website.

No. 4 — “Ke Kauā o Ka Lāhui: The Life of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole Piʻikoi” (Hilo, May 9-11)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2:30 p.m. Sunday

Location: Keawe Theater, 280 Keawe St.

Hilo Community Players proudly presents this compelling historical drama tracing the life of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole Piʻikoi, an original production that brings to life one of Hawaiʻi’s most significant aliʻi and political figures. Spanning the years 1871 to 1922, the show explores Kūhiō’s childhood in a royal household, his resistance to the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, his time in prison and his eventual service as a delegate to U.S. Congress. Come witness history through the eyes of those who lived it. Seating is limited, so advanced reservations are recommended. General admission is $20. Prices are $5 more at the door. Concessions will be available, and proceeds support Hilo Community Players programming.

More info/purchase tickets: Visit the Hilo Community Players website.

No. 5 — 2025 Hilo Chocolate Festival (Hilo, May 10)

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

Location: Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, 71 Banyan Drive

Featuring cacao grown and chocolate made only on the Big Island, this festival presented by the East Hawaiʻi Cacao Association is a chance to meet the farmers and chocolate makers who did all the work. You can tour their farms, vote for your favorite chocolates for the chance to win more than $300 of Hawaiʻi chocolate, plant a cacao tree, bid on your favorite items in a silent auction and, yes, sample the island’s best locally-made chocolate. So come out, bring the whole family and have fun learning about what goes into making chocolate from bean to bar.

More info: Contact East Hawaiʻi Cacao Association at 808-640-1283 or via email at easthawaiicacao@gmail.com.

No. 6 — Hana Hou Kahuku Coffee Talk: Kahuku Pit Crater and its Ancient Forest (Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, May 10)

When: 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Location: Kahuku Visitor Contact Station (turn into Kahuku, near the 70.5-mile marker on Highway 11 in Kaʻū)

By popular demand, park safety officer and former ecologist David Benitez returns to share his experiences in this natural Hawaiian plant sanctuary. Benitez led the team that rappelled down its 150-foot vertical walls into the crater to inventory and collect plants during his time as park ecologist. Learn about the plant life in the crater, how these collections are used to restore rare plants in the park plus the planning, training and gear required for these missions.

More info: Call 808-738-4000 or email to havo_information@nps.gov.

No. 7 — The Kona Beekeeping Legacy Project Exhibition (Kealakekua, May 10)

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

Location: Kona Historical Society, 81-6551 Māmalahoa Highway

This exhibit celebrating Kona’s beekeeping history produced by Leandra Rouse and Kona Historical Society is a vibrant multimedia initiative that documents and celebrates the vital beekeeping industry on Hawaiʻi Island, highlighting Kona’s essential role in the global beekeeping industry through a captivating combination of a mini-documentary, a museum exhibit and a keiki field trip program. Its mission is to preserve Kona’s diverse agricultural heritage while inspiring future generations of beekeepers and sustainable farmers. The exhibit runs through July 31 and is free to view.

More info: Visit the Kona Beekeeping Legacy Project website.

No. 8 — Emotion in Motion (Waimea, May 10)

When: 5 p.m.

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

Join Kona Dance and Performing Arts for its ninth annual dance concert, featuring staff and students, who have worked hard to create a beautiful performance that digs deep into the human experience and emotions people experience every day. This concert is a reminder that everyone is feeling something different, all the time. It’s also hoped audience members and performers feel connected to each other and everyone they interact with throughout the day.

More info/purchase tickets: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website.

No. 9 — Island Magic Mike live (Hilo, May 10)

When: 5:45 to 9:15 p.m.

Location: Grand Naniloa Crown Room, 93 Banyan Drive

This will be an unforgettable night with a rising Hawaiʻi star — a popular TikTok creator known for his unique blend of Hawaiian culture and comedy — with more than 179,000 followers and 3.5 million likes. His content features local humor, island life and engaging performances, frequently highlighting Hawaiian settings and incorporating elements of local dialects and traditions. Opening the night is local comedy favorite Heston and visiting celebrity comedian James Mane. So don your favorite Hawaiian shirt and bring your laughter for a night where island humor reigns supreme. General admission is $40.

More info/purchase tickets: Visit the Good Times Hawaiʻi website.

No. 10 — Manō Aliʻi live (Hilo, May 10)

When: 6:30 p.m.

Location: Kava Republic, 301 Keawe St.

Join this local reggae roots artist for his blend of Hawaiian-style reggae and some covers you’ll definitely recognize. Plus, fresh kava and community are a great match for Manō’s soothing sounds, so it’s guaranteed to be a great night. No cover charge. Open to all.

More info: Call 808-751-2795.

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Plus One

We couldn’t help ourselves. This event was just too tasty sounding not to include this week, so we’re bringing you another “plus one” to the top 10.

Intro to Homestyle Miso with Pigeon Peas Workshop (Mountain View, May 10)

When: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Location: Mountain View Elementary School, 18-1235 Volcano Road

Explore the intricacies of making homestyle miso and experiment with the local ingredient of pigeon peas. Come early, between 10 and 11 a.m., to mālama the māla and learn more about growing pigeon peas. You can also collect some to plant in your own garden. There will be a potluck lunch, so bring an item to share (you’ll get bonus points if it’s your favorite way to eat miso or pigeon peas). The workshop is free; however, donations are optional. Hosted by Oasis Collective.

More info/to register: Email to kinshitaikeshet@gmail.com.

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Check for yourself to see what’s happening 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/