Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Aug. 15-21: A Hawaiian cultural festival, beach cleanup, theatre open house, Disco Dance Party and more

Well, Big Island. It’s the middle of August.

Keiki are back in school, the dog days of summer are hard to miss as you wipe away those beads — or waterfall — of sweat from your forehead and you can almost smell the grills lighting up and the first burgers, brats and other tasty treats touching down on the grates for tailgating with football season just around the corner.

Despite the heat, this part of the year is also a good time to get out and go before everyone’s schedules overflow with work, school activities, sports and — yes, it’s only just a few months away now — the holiday season.

So don’t miss the full slate of activities and events happening during the next several days around the Big Island.

There’s even a few chances to get in on, what we’re sure many of you would agree with, some much appreciated air conditioning.

That includes Kahilu Theatre’s Open House & Season Launch this weekend in Waimea, where you can purchase tickets to shows and events while discovering what the new season has in store as well as enjoy live performances by local artists and behind-the-scenes fun.

Plus, it’s never a bad day when you can connect and mingle with neighbors and community groups, especially if it’s free to attend and appropriate for all ages.

There are, of course, options if you don’t mind the heat, too.

Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site in Kawaihae has a full weekend planned in celebration of the Hawaiian culture as it marks 53 years of being a part of the National Park Service.

Two days of cultural demonstrations showcasing traditional Hawaiian arts and crafts plus live Hawaiian music, informational booths and more are all on the agenda for those who come out to wish the national historic site a happy birthday.

You can even double down on the sweltering August temperatures and get in some real sweat equity this weekend by volunteering to help clean up the beach along Hilo Bayfront with the team from Hilo Ocean Adventures.

And why not end a steamy Saturday by stepping into the groove and partying like it’s the 1970s during a Disco Dance Party?

The Airhouse will be thumping with epic disco jams spun by three DJs throughout the night plus ambient overhead aerial gogo dancers courtesy of Aerial Arts Hawai‘i collective.

It might not be the perfect way to cool off, but you’ll definitely increase your cool factor.

Chill out at those or any of the other aweseome events in the top 10 things to do on the Big Island for Aug. 15-21.

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NO. 1 — Flo (Pāhoa, Aug. 15)

When: 8 p.m.

Location: Koa’s Lounge, 15-2929 Pāhoa Village Road

Get ready for a bar takeover. Koa’s Lounge is bringing in extra sound and lighting for this one. DJs zztop$h3llff, Bass Phisher, Chris V and Enobi will help you get your wobble on, bringing the fun bouncy 140 dubstep with tribal tones and hip hop flava. Must be 21 years old or older to attend. Cost is $5 at the door.

More info: Call Koa’s Lounge at 808-965-6644 and follow the bar on Instagram.

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NO. 2 — 53rd Anniversary Establishment Day Hawaiian Cultural Festival (Kawaihae, Aug. 16-17)

When: 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 16; 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 17

Location: Pu‘ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site, 62-3601 Kawaihae Road

Pu‘ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site turns 53 this year, and it’s celebrating with the “Ho‘okū‘ikahi” Hawaiian Cultural Festival. Events kick off Saturday with a ho‘okupu ceremony followed by various informational booths and demonstrations showcasing traditional Hawaiian arts and crafts. There also will be live Hawaiian music and much more. A traditional Hawaiian mele and pule get festivities started Sunday. Because of significant flooding and damage in May 2024 in Kawaihae, information booths and various demonstrations will be at Spencer Beach Park at ‘Ōhai‘ula. The festival is free to attend.

More info: Call 808-882-7218, ext. 1101, or visit the Pu‘ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site website.

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NO. 3 — Beach Cleanup (Hilo, Aug. 16)

When: 9 a.m. to noon

Location: Hilo Bayfront

Join Hilo Ocean Adventures for the return of a morning of community stewardship. It’s been a while, and the team is excited to gather again to clean up Hilo’s beaches. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the shop, located at 1717 Kamehameha Ave., in Hilo. Come help protect the ocean we all love.

More info/RSVP: Click here.

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NO. 4 — Basic Kratky Hydroponics + More (ʻĀinaloa, Aug. 16)

When: 3 to 6 p.m.

Location: Hydroponic Hut, 16-2154 Rainbow Drive

Whether you’re looking to grow food for yourself, your family or your community, this immersive, hands-on experience at a working farm provides the tools and knowledge to get started. This is an opportunity to connect with like-minded people passionate about sustainable living. Classes fill up quickly, so secure your spot today. Cost is $100 per participant; there also is an optional Hydroponic Hut growing kit available for $50. Pre-order your growing kit through the merchandise section on the Hydroponic Hut website.

More info/register: Visit the Hydroponic Hut website. You can also register in person at Rozetts Nursery, located at the corner of 28th Avenue and Kāloli Drive, in Hawaiian Paradise Park.

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NO. 5 — Drew Daniels live (Hilo, Aug. 16)

When: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Location: Kava Republic, 301 Keawe St.

Drew is bringing his signature sound, which he describes as poetic punk folk reggae soul, to the Kava Republic stage. Don’t miss this fun night out with some great vibes and even better music, so come out and show this unique and masterful musician some love.

More info: Call Kava Republic at 808-751-2795.

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NO. 6 — Improv Comedy Night (Hilo, Aug. 16)

When: 7 p.m.; doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Location: The Keawe Theater, 280 Keawe St.

This adult show promises an evening that will inspire joyful, deep belly laughs, brought to the masses by a talented cast; not pictured here because of what presenters Hilo Community Players and Big Island Comedy Theater call witness protection protocols. Plus, you can’t beat great concessions and some refreshing air conditioning. Laughter is self care, so give yourself a dose. Tickets are just $10.

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

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NO. 7 — Disco Dance Party (Hilo, Aug. 16)

When: 9 p.m. to midnight

Location: The Airhouse, 108 Kalākaua St.

Step into the groove and dance the night away with tunes coming in hot from DJs Superbabe, Sapience and NTU. There will be epic jams plus ambient overhead aerial gogo from the Aerial Arts Hawai‘i collective. Must be 21 years old or older to attend. Tickets are $15 and $5 more at the door.

More info/tickets: Visit the Aerial Arts Hawai‘i website.

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NO. 8 — Car Wash Fundraiser (Kea‘au, Aug. 17)

When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Location: Next to Kea‘au Post Office, 16-578 Old Volcano Road

Help the Women’s Ministry of Seventh Day Adventist Church raise funds to support an upcoming youth mission trip to the Philippines in 2027. Everyone is invited to come get their vehicles spick-and-span; the group is happy to wash and clean your wheels. Plus, you get to help with the costs of the mission trip, which will include building schools, providing dental care and more to the communities they will serve.

More info/donate: Click here.

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NO. 9 — Kahilu Theatre Open House & Season Launch (Waimea, Aug. 17)

When: Noon to 4 p.m.

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

Whether you’re a long-time patron or discovering the theatre for the first time, come celebrate the launch of Kahilu’s new season during a festive free, all-ages community event full of behind-the-scenes fun. You’ll have the opportunity to buy tickets for upcoming shows and events, enjoy live performances and sneak peeks from local artists, meet and mingle with community groups and discover what’s ahead in the exciting new season. No RSVP required — just come and be part of the fun.

More info: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website.

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NO. 10 — “Materialists” (Hilo, Aug. 21)

When: 7 p.m.; doors, box office and concessions open 30 minutes prior to showing

Location: Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.

Directed by Celine Song and starring Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal, this romantic comedy tells the story of a matchmaker whose lucrative business gets complicated when she falls into a toxic love triangle that threatens her clients. Rated R. Tickets are $10 general admission, $9 for seniors, students and veterans. There also are showings at 2:30 and 7 p.m. Aug. 24.

More info/tickets: Visit the Palace Theater website.

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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.

• Willy’s Hot Chicken, Kailua-Kona: https://willieshotchicken.com/
• 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/