Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Aug. 22-28: Godzilla takes on the Palace, floating lantern ceremony nears, new paniolo TV series seeks supporters, plus more

This week’s got it all, Big Island.

A radioactive reptile on the rampage brings his diverse character to the silverscreen in Hilo. An emotional evening event will fill waters in West Hawai‘i with a soft glow to remember loved ones who passed.

And an epic paniolo-style BBQ and music festival in Waimea will satisfy your taste-buds and pique your curiosity about a new cultural TV series in production.

Godzilla — the legendary monster monarch himself — invades the historic Palace Theater in downtown Hilo this week for the first of several films in a special series that highlights his havoc while showing off the often deeper designs defined by his destruction.

The first film in the series is “Gojira” from 1954. Others will follow each week through Sept. 10.

A more emotional event is planned later this weekend on the waters of Pauoa Bay at Coconut Grove on the Fairmont Orchid resort property along the Kohala Coast.

The evening will be illuminated by the soft glow from hundreds of lanterns released into the bay, floating out to light the encroaching darkness in a memorial to loved ones of participating Big Island residents and visitors — gathering as a community during this deeply moving tradition hosted by North Hawai‘i Hospice.

Toward the end of next week, Waimea invites the island community to celebrate paniolo-style with an epic one-night BBQ and music festival in support of a new cultural TV series set in the Hawaiian highlands that highlights legacy, land, love and the Hawaiian cowboy way of life.

It will be an event filled with fun, cowboy games, live music performed by nearly 30 musicians and paniolo storytelling — all under the stars above the Kohala community — during which you will experience the traditions that inspire the new series called “Mālama Kō Aloha.”

Help spread the paniolo story to the rest of the world.

Here’s our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for Aug. 22-28.

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NO. 1 — August F.O.L.K. Book Sale (Kailua-Kona, Aug. 22-23)

When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to noon Saturday

Location: Kailua-Kona Public Library, 75-138 Hualālai Rd

Friends of the Libraries, Kona will have a large selection of Sci-Fi books this month, plus for preschool and kindergarten teachers, the group recently received a large donation of super big, giant children’s books perfect for classroom story time. There also will be Hawaiiana, fiction, non-fiction, children’s and special collectible books available. Most books are ONLY $2, too. All proceeds support the Kailua-Kona and Kealakekua public libraries.

More info: Email Friends of the Libraries, Kona at folk@folkhawaii.com or visit the F.O.L.K. website.

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NO.  2 — Coffee Notes Grand Opening (Hilo, Aug. 22-23)

When: Starting at 5:30 p.m. Friday; starting at 7 a.m. Saturday

Location: 116 Keawe St.

Your cozy corner for coffee, treats and community is making it official and you’re invited to the celebration during 2 days of festivities and specials. Ethiopian food, karaoke and an after-hours dance party highlight the first night. Come back the next day to get a free drip coffee until 11 a.m. — especially if you might have had a little too much fun the night before — and enjoy even more fun including raffles and live music by Gomesy and other special guests.

More info: Visit the Coffee Notes website and follow the shop on social media @coffeenoteshilo.

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NO. 3 — Godzilla vs. the Palace (Hilo, beginning Aug. 22)

When: 7 p.m. Friday and Aug. 28, Sept. 3 and Sept. 10; 2:30 p.m. Sept. 7 (doors, box office and concessions open about 30 minutes prior to show

Location: Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.

This special film series celebrates the ever-evolving legacy of the silverscreen’s King of the Monsters himself, Godzilla. The rampaging radioactive reptile has crashed his way through cityscapes, battled monsters from other galaxies, stomped into the hearts of cinema fans around the globe, illustrated deep metaphors about the importance of respecting nature, offered dire warnings against humanity’s darker, destructive impulses and taken home academy awards! The Palace proudly celebrates the diversity of the character throughout the decades. The first film in the series is 1954’s “Gojira.” Tickets are just $10 or $9 for seniors, students and veterans.

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

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NO. 4 — North Hawai‘i Hospice Floating Lantern Ceremony (Kohala Coast, Aug. 24)

When: 5 to 7 p.m.

Location: Fairmont Orchid’s Coconut Grove, North Kāniku Drive

The sight of lanterns floating across the bay is profoundly moving — each one a symbol of remembrance, reflection and hope. Gathering together as a community to participate in this annual ceremony is always a deeply special and moving experience as it’s become a tradition for hundreds of Big Island residents and visitors to memorialize loved ones who are no longer with us. An evening of live music, hula performances, taiko drummers and Hawaiian chanting all culminates in the sunset release of glowing lanterns into Pauoa Bay. Admission is free. Floating lanterns will be available at the event for a suggested donation of $25; however, it’s encouraged to reserve them in advance.

More info/reserve lanterns: Visit the North Hawai‘i Hospice website.

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NO. 5 — Summer Festival Vendor and Craft Fair (Kea‘au, Aug. 23)

When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Location: Puna Hongwanji Mission, 16-492 Old Volcano Road

Presented by Puna Taiko and Go-To Events, this is an opportunity to support small business in East Hawai‘i and beyond and the perfect chance to get some of that holiday shopping out of the way early. In fact, the event promises a full day of food, crafts and shopping, with nearly 80 vendors participating. There will definitely be enough fun for everyone.

More info: Contact Puna Taiko at 808-938-9835.

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NO. 6 — Paletas in the Park (Hilo, Aug. 23)

When: 10 a.m. to noon

Location: Ali‘i Ice, 21 Banyan Drive

Come, relax and chill out with AARP Hawai‘i during this member and veterans appreciation event. Beat the scorching heat of August with a delicious frozen treat by dropping by the AARP tent to get a complimentary fresh fruit paleta or small ice cream. There is no formal program — talk story with AARP Hawai‘i volunteers, enjoy nearby Lili‘uokalani Gardens or just take a break. You can enjoy your sweet frozen treat however you like.

More info/reservations: Visit the AARP Hawai‘i website.

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NO. 7 — Hilo Bay Pottery Grand Opening (Hilo, Aug. 23)

When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Location: No. 103, 29 Shipman St.

Hilo Bay Pottery invites the Big Island to come celebrate its grand opening. See what the studio has to offer, plus there are several fun activities and specials planned including a Paint Your Own Pottery Workshop for just $25/piece, pottery pop-up shop to find ceramics made specifically by Hilo Bay Pottery members, studio tours and more. Space is limited, so let the studio know you’re coming at the website below.

More info/RSVP: Visit the Hilo Bay Pottery website.

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NO. 8 — Good Times with Kaleo & Heston (Hilo, Aug. 23)

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

Location: Hilo Town Market, 69 Waiānuenue Ave.

Get ready, Hilo! One of your favorite braddahs is back, and this time he brought a friend to play. Kaleo Pilanca with our own Heston Kaʻaihue will treat audience members to an unforgettable evening of side-splitting comedy and more, live in downtown. It’s a BYOB and BYOP (bring your own pupus) affair, so be sure to come ready to sip, snack and laugh all night long. This is one comedy show you’ll be talking about for weeks.

More info/tickets: Visit PromoTix.

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NO. 9 — Poetry Night Returns (Hilo, Aug. 26)

When: 6 to 9 p.m.

Location: Kava Republic, 301 Keawe St.

Roses are red. Kava leaves are green. Poetry night is back. Check out the vibe if you haven’t been! Come participate, listen or just hang out with some calming locally grown, fresh kava — or another drink of your choice — and make a connection. It’s sure to be another awesome poetry slam with Hilo’s incredible creatives.

More info: Follow Kava Republic on Facebook and Instagram @kava.republic.

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NO. 10 — Ka Mea Kanu ʻAi Music Festival and BBQ (Waimea, Aug. 28)

When: 4 to 9 p.m.

Location: Pukalani Stables, 67-139 Pukalani Rd

What do you get when you combine a new epic cultural TV series about Hawaiian cowboys, paniolo-style BBQ, award-winning slack key music, hula and the highlands of Hawai’i Island? We don’t have to tell you. Find out for yourself. Don’t miss this amazing night of fun, cowboy games and more, including live music performed by nearly 30 musicians, plus paniolo storytelling and a vendor market, all under the stars above Waimea while you experience the traditions that inspire the new TV series “Mālama Kō Aloha.” The show celebrates land, love and Hawaiian legacy; it’s a modern Western set in the islands, where land is legacy — and love comes at a cost. Tickets start at $50.

More info/tickets: Visit the “Mālama Kō Aloha” 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/