Top 10 things to do on Big Island for June 13-19: Waikōloa Music Festival, Drinks for Dad, Cannabis Awards Show & more

It’s Father’s Day on Sunday, and you can celebrate with others at the Keauhou Farmers Market’s Free Drinks for Dad give-away in Kailua-Kona. It’s BYOC: Bring Your Own Cup.

On the other side of the island in Hilo, as part of the Moananui Ocean Festival, there’s a Father’s Day Paddle Battle Relay Race.

You also can take dad to the Waikōloa Music and Cultural Festival.

Check out these events and more in the Big Island’s Top 10 list for the upcoming week.

No. 1 — Waikōloa Music and Cultural Festival Kickoff (Waikōloa, June 14 and June 15)

When: Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday 

Location:  Queen’s Marketplace at 69-201 Waikōloa Beach Dr.  

Free entertainment and fun for the whole ʻohana before the main event at the Waikōloa Bowl.
Saturday will feature:
Performances by Ryan Hiraoka (12p.m. – 1:30 p.m.) and Sean Na’auao (2 p.m. to 3 p.m. ), lei making with Ainahua Florals, special offers and sidewalk sales from participating merchants.

Sunday will feature:
Performances by John Keawe (10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.), Maka Gallinger (12 p.m.-1:30 p.m.), and Kala’e Parish(2 p.m. to 3 p.m.), face painting with Aunty Cynthia and keiki lawn games, artisan market and special offers and sidewalk sales from participating merchants.

More info: Visit the Waikōloa Queen’s Marketplace website.

No. 2 — Waikōloa Music and Cultural Festival (Waikōloa, June 14 and June 15)

When: 3 to 9 p.m., doors open at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Location:  Waikōloa Bowl and Queen’s Garden at 150 Waikōloa Beach Dr.  

Celebrate two-days of live Hawaiian and Island music, ono food and cultural experiences with over 30 artists and a vibrant marketplace. At the heart of the Waikoloa Music and Cultural Festival is a deep love for Hawaiʻi and its music, its people, and its traditions. Celebrate and uplift the island community with two-days of live Hawaiian and Island music, food and cultural experiences with over 30 artists and a vibrant marketplace.

Through this festival, we honor our kūpuna, support Indigenous artists, and create a space where people of all generations can come together, share in the aloha spirit, and make lasting memories.

More info: Visit the Waikōloa Music and Cultural Festival website.

No. 3 — Hilo’s Surf & Skate Swap (Hilo, June 14)

When: 8 a.m. to noon 

Location: Hilo Town Market at 69 Waianuenue Ave

Looking for a new surfboard for the summer season? Got too many skate decks that you know you’ll never actually use? Come to this free event to sell and trade your nicely used gear with other members of the community. Community members will bring surfing and skating gear to sell, trade or swap with others. Itʻs a great way to get something you’ve always wanted, or to just meet people in the community.

The person who buys the gear is responsible for all sales, trades, and collecting payments. If you have sold or traded all your items, you are welcome to leave at any time. Please only bring gear in good condition that can be used out the door, or needs minimal repair. Items allowed include: surfboards; foil boards; stand-up paddleboards, paddles, boogie boards, hand planes, swim fins, wetsuits, boots, leashes, board bags, complete skateboards, skate decks, trucks, wheels and skate accessories.

More info: Contact Bad Influence Surf or Oasis Skateboards.

No. 4 — Free Drinks for Dads (Keauhou, June 14)

When: 9 a.m. to noon, or until they run out

Location: Keauhou Farmers Market 78-6831 Aliʻi Dr. Kailua-Kona  

The first 100 dads can get a free drink voucher (worth up to $7)  at the market. Bring your own cup, if possible. The event is in celebration of Makuakāne (Father’s Day). Bring your ohana to the market and enjoy the morning together with amazing bakers, farmers, makers, fisherman, and even live music. 

More info: Visit the Keauhou Farmers Market website. 

No. 5 — Hula Kahiko Performance: Hālau O Kou Lima Nani E (Volcano, June 14)

When: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Location: Kaʻauea Kahua Hula 1 Crater Rim Drive Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Situated on Kīlauea within the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, the Volcano Art Center promotes and perpetuates arts and culture. Every second Saturday, the Kukulu Ola Program offers a free, live hula performance presented authentically in an outdoor setting, rain or shine.

Hula Hālau O Kou Lima Nani E (School of Loving Hula Hands) is based in Keaukaha with students 4-years old to kūpuna. The hālau has been thriving for 39 years and has competed in Merrie Monarch Festival with students learning hula kahiko and hula ʻauana. 

More info: Visit the Volcano Art Center website or call 808-967-7565.

​​No. 6 — Moananui Ocean Festival 35th Annual Poke Contest and Father’s Day Paddle Battle Relay Race (Hilo, June 14 and June 15)

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. mākeke and hoʻolaulea, 4 to 8 p.m. poke contest on Saturday,
9 a.m. relay races begin, 7:30 a.m. check-in on Sunday

Location: Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo at 93 Banyan Dr. on Saturday, Hilo Bayfront on Sunday

The 79th Annual Aloha Festivals Island of Hawaiʻi proudly celebrates the richness of Hawaiian culture, language, arts, and traditional practices. Rooted in centuries of ancestral knowledge, the festivals are dedicated to preserving and sharing Hawaiʻi’s living traditions by honoring historical protocols and providing space to teach, celebrate, and uplift Native Hawaiian customs. 

Over the summer months, the Moananui Ocean Festival celebrates the ocean that nourishes Hawaiʻi’s bodies and souls. All events offer an authentic cultural experience—inviting all to engage with Hawaiʻi’s traditions while also educating and reconnecting local communities with the origins and continued importance of these practices. 

More info: Visit the Aloha Festivals Island of Hawaiʻi website.

No. 7 — Hawaiʻi Cannabis Awards Show (Hilo, June 14)

When: 6 p.m.; doors, box office and concessions open at 5 p.m.

Location: Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.

A unique, visual journey into cannabis history will honor Hawaiʻi’s rich legacy, and bright future as well as the people who made it possible. nor Hawaiʻi’s rich Cannabis legacy and the people who made it possible. Tickets are $25 general admission. Nominate cannabis heroes on the Hawaiʻi Cannabis Awards website.

More info/tickets: Visit the Palace Theater website.

No. 8 — Honomu Henjoji Mission Bon Dance (Honomu, June 14)

When: 5 p.m. Hatsubon and Obon service
7 p.m. Bon Dance 

Location: 28-1668 Old Mamalahoa Highway in Honomu

The Honomu Henjoji Mission, also known as Odaishisan, will host a bon dance, which is the Japanese Buddhist tradition that honors and remembers deceased ancestors. The spirits of ancestors are believed to return during this time, and the Bon Dance is a way to welcome and celebrate them. 

No. 9 — O-Bon Fest 2025 (Kona, June 15)

When: 2 to 7 p.m. 

Location: Makaeo County Pavilion at 75-5500 Kuakini Highway Kailua-Kona

Kona Hongwanji and Daifukuji Soto Mission are hosting a free community bon dance on Father’s Day. Food trucks and vendors will be open and available at 2 p.m. Taiko, music and bon dancing begins at 4 p.m. and will be fun for the whole family.

No. 10 — Collab Dab: Mask Painting for Hilo Pride (Keaʻau, June 16)

When: 4 to 8 p.m.

Location: 15-1963 4th Avenue, Keaʻau

Kipaipai Studios, Abled Hawai‘i Artists, and Full Life are hosting a “Collab Dab” session dedicated to painting vibrant, expressive masks for the Hilo Pride Parade walking unit. The “Spectrum of Inclusion” project highlights how the LGBTQIA+ and disabled communities have often masked their true selves to navigate society. 

Now theyʻre reclaiming that mask – boldly and beautifully. Supplies provided include: masks, paints, beads, and plenty of sparkle. No art experience needed – just bring your authentic self and your pride.

More info: Visit the event page.

We admit that 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/