OK, Big Island. We know it’s graduation season, so a lot of you will soon be busy celebrating the success of a newly minted high school grad or fresh college degree holder in the family with every ouce of pomp and circumstance you can muster.
It’s definitely that kind of moment. (Cue the fireworks!)
So how about treating your grad to a new experience or special event as part of your gift to them in honor of them reaching a major milestone.
Give them a memorable evening of live music, hula and storytelling with revered and beloved kumu hula, singer, songwriter and entertainer Robert Cazimero in Waimea at Kahilu Theatre.
Take the Kahuku Kōnane Challenge together at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park’s Kahuku Unit in Kaʻū and learn how to play the traditional Hawaiian game, plus have the chance to win a prize if crowned challenge victor.
You can also celebrate with a buzz participating in World Bee Day activities — including free honey tasings and local honey vendors with products to peruse and purchase — the whole family will enjoy at Hilo’s Mokupāpapa Discovery Center.
And if you want to dress up in your most dapper attire and support men’s health and prostate cancer research, riding through Kona town on your motorcyle while you commemorate your grad’s special day, register for The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride 2025.
There’s more options to consider, but whatever you do, we are sure it will be appreciated by the graduate you are honoring.
Here are our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for May 16-22.
* * * * * * * * *
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Mokupāpapa Discovery Center, 76 Kamehameha Ave.
Free honey tasting, local honey products, nonprofit organization and vendor booths, beekeeper training and talks, bee painting with Patrick Ching, shadow puppets with Kozmo Mimizi, mead making and a mead after-party, free raffle and family-friendly crafts. The fun will be buzzing the entire day.
More info: Email to worldbeedayhawaii@gmail.com or text 808-936-6019.
* * * * * * * * *
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: YWCA of Hawaiʻi Island, 145 Ululani St.
Come enjoy and support local food and craft vendors, music and more during this market hosted the third Saturday of each month. If you love checking out local craft artists and food vendors, be sure to follow the market to stay updated.
More info: Contact Ariel at 808-896-3721 and follow the market on Instagram.
* * * * * * * * *
When: Noon to 2 p.m.
Location: East Hawaiʻi Cultural Center Annex, 141 Kalākaua St.
This class aims to cultivate a safe studio space and explores queer dialogue and self-expression through paint. No prior painting experience necessary. This session will focus on watercolor painting. All supplies provided. Priority given to those who identify as LGBTQIA+ and allies. Drop-in enrollment is $20 per class. Cash or PayPal accepted at the door. Arrive early on your first day to complete registration paperwork. For ages 18 and older.
More info: Visit the East Hawaiʻi Cultural Center website.
* * * * * * * * *
When: Noon to 5 p.m.
Location: Suite 612, Prince Kūhiō Plaza, 111 E. Pūʻainakō St.
Let’s give a huge Big Island welcome to three awesome local artist/creators: Napua Ahina, Drew Gutierrez and Jason Russell Monroe. They will be appearing at the Big Island’s only true full-service comic book store with 40 years in the comic book business. Come out and show your aloha to these talented friends of the store and amazing creators.
More info: Call Enjoy Comics at 808-494-8047 or enjoycomicshilo@gmail.com.
* * * * * * * * *
When: 7 p.m.
Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road
Hawaiʻi’s revered and beloved kumu hula, singer, songwriter and entertainer continues his 39-year tradition of bringing a memorable evening of music, hula and storytelling to the Kahilu stage. His charismatic stage presence evokes many emotions for audience members of all ages as he shows his unparalleled ability to connect with the spectators and invite them on the journey of his life’s story. Tickets start at $40.
More info/tickets: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website.
* * * * * * * * *
When: 8 a.m.
Location: Liliʻuokalani Gardens, 49 Banyan Drive
Come each Sunday for a physician-led health talk and community walk around the beautiful gardens with Hilo Bay, Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea and Hilo Town as their backdrop. It’s free and everyone is welcome. There is no need to pre-register. You can walk fast or slow, alone or with friends — it’s up to you.
More info: Click here.
* * * * * * * * *
When: 9 a.m.
Location: Must register to view local ride details
Ready your engines and prepare your dapper attire for the return of this worldwide phenomenon like no other. Join hundreds of thousands of dapper gentlefolk in the world’s most stylish on-road motorcycling charity event as they ride in more than 1,000 cities to raise funds and awareness for men’s health and prostate cancer research on behalf of Movember. All riders must be registered.
More info/registration: Visit the The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride website.
* * * * * * * * *
When: Noon
Location: Kahuku Visitor Contact Station (turn into Kahuku near the 70.5-mile marker on Highway 11), Kaʻū
Kōnane is a traditional Hawaiian game that’s fun to play, with or without experience. The challenge is a chance to learn the history of the game and how to play. Players will compete in elimination rounds until there is a winner, with the victor claiming a kōnane board from Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association. Reservations required.
More info/registration: Email to wendy_scott-vance@nps.gov.
* * * * * * * * *
When: 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Location: Hawaiian Beaches Park, 15-2727 Manini St.
This is a new community class offered by the Hydroponic Hut Educational Team, separate from the Puna Movable Feast classes. If you are serious about growing hyrdoponic vegetables for yourself, for your family and/or for you community, this is the class for you. Registration is required.
More info/registration: Call Alana at 808-965-2703.
* * * * * * * * *
When: 7 p.m.; doors, box office and concessions open at 6:30 p.m.
Location: Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.
Starring Johnny Depp, Ricki Lake, Iggy Pop and Mink Stole, a bad boy with a heart of gold wins the love of a good girl, whose boyfriend sets out for revenge in 1950s Baltimore. This is the first movie in a new retrospective film series from iconic cult filmmaker John Waters, a remarkable advocate for equal rights and important figure in pop culture. Tickets are $10 general admission, $9 for seniors, students and veterans.
More info/advance tickets: Visit the Palace Theater website.
* * * * * * * * *
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.
