Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Sept. 5-11: Queen Liliʻuokalani Festival, Big Island Walk & Roll to Cure ALS, World Manta Day Festival and more

Hey, Big Island. Looking for something to do this weekend? We once again have you covered.

Head to Hilo’s Liliʻuokalani Gardens on Saturday for the He Haliʻa Aloha No Liliʻuokalani Festival: 26th annual Queen Liliʻuokalani Festival.

Wish Queen Liliʻuokalani — who was born in September 1838 and was the last monarch to reign over the Hawaiian Kingdom — a happy birthday and pay tribute to the historical significance of the gardens with music, hula, arts, crafts, food, demonstrations, children’s games and cultural activities.

Help drive the discovery of prevention strategies, treatments and cures for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), commonly called Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Your support provides crtical funds for care, public initiatives and research, all while you walk or roll Saturday at Wailoa River State Recreation Area in Hilo during the annual family-friendly and accessible Big Island Walk & Roll to Cure ALS and enjoy entertainment, food, prizes and giveaways, plus activities for all ages.

Make the trip Saturday afternoon to Keauhou’s OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa for World Manta Day Festival, a free, family-friendly event dedicated to ocean education and manta ray conservation.

Those who attend will enjoy hands-on exhibits, expert talks and interactive displays from local and national marine organizations, connecting with Hawai‘i’s marine life.

That’s just a few of the variety of events and activities happening around the Big Island. Check out our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for Sept. 5-11 to find more.

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NO. 1 — Gamelan of the Molten Blossom (Hilo, Sept. 5)

When: 5 p.m.

Location: East Hawaiʻi Cultural Center, 141 Kalākaua St.

Molten Blossom, the cultural center’s community Javanese gamelan group, will perform in the Bob Brown Gamelan Studio, featuring several Semarang-style pieces — light, catchy music — and a bake sale. The performance is free, but donations are welcome. Proceeds support the group’s study tour to Ekalaya, an Indonesian arts center in Central Java, in October.

More info: Visit the East Hawai‘i Cultural Center website.

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NO. 2 — Pau Hana in Kalapana returns (Kalapana, Sept. 5)

When: Gates open at 5 p.m.; music starts at 6 p.m.

Location: Uncle Robert’s Awa Bar and Farmers Market, 12-5038 Kalapana-Kapoho Road

World-renowned master drummer Gabriel “Fara” Tolno from Guinea brings his incredible Afro-Euphoric band “Fanye,” plus Puna’s most energetic jam band “PunaKat.” Cover of $10 helps keep the event alive, and tipping the bands is greatly encouraged. All ages welcome.

More info: Call Uncle Robert’s at 808-987-7247.

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NO. 3 — First Saturdays, Art in Waimea: Artisans Hui Art Show (Waimea, Sept. 6)

When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: Kamuela Hardwoods, 67-1140 Lindsey Road

Local artists showcase their wares and creations during this event brought to you by Kamuela Hardwoods. Peruse wood engravings and carvings, paniolo paintings, dew prints, alpaca products, exotic local hardwoods, furniture, jewelry and more. It’s a great opportunity to find a unique gift for that hard-to-buy-for person or a special someone and check them off your shopping list for the upcoming holidays. Or find something perfect for yourself to take home.

More info: Call 808-430-1120.

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NO. 4 — He Haliʻa Aloha No Liliʻuokalani Festival: 26th annual Queen Liliʻuokalani Festival (Hilo, Sept. 6)

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

Location: Liliʻuokalani Gardens, 189 Lihiwai St.

Queen Lili‘uokalani was the only queen regnant and last sovereign monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom. The festival celebrates her birthday — Sept. 2, 1838 — and pays tribute to the historical significance of Lili‘uokalani Gardens with music, hula, arts, crafts, food, demonstrations, children’s games and cultural activities. Overflow public parking will be available at the Aunty Sally Kaleohano’s Lūʻau Hale parking lot, with free shuttle service to the festival. The Grand Naniloa Resort will also have live entertainment at the Hula Lounge Lobby Bar and Ka Lihikai Restaurant.

More info: Call Hawaiʻi County Parks and Recreation Culture and Education Division at 808-961-8706.

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NO. 5 — Big Island Walk & Roll to Cure ALS (Hilo, Sept. 6)

When: 10 a.m.; check in begins at 9 a.m.

Location: Wailoa River State Recreation Area, 799 Piʻilani St.

Annual family-friendly and accessible event raises funds to support the mission of the ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) Network. Partner with the community to drive discovery of prevention strategies, treatments and cures for ALS, commonly called Lou Gehrig’s disease. This community event is designed to appeal to every level of walker, roller and supporter, with wheelchair-accessible routes, entertainment, food, prizes and giveaways, plus activities for all ages. Your support provides critical funding for essential care services, important public policy initiatives and cutting-edge research.

More info/register: Visit the Big Island Walk & Roll to Cure ALS website.

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NO. 6 — Where Aloha Meets Chrome: HI-PAL Youth Car Show (Waikōloa, Sept. 6)

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; check in begins at 9 a.m.

Location: Waikoloa Plaza, 68-1820 Waikōloa Road

Calling all youth car enthusiasts. Hawaiʻi Isle Police Activites League and DARE Hawai’i invite keiki to enter their ride for this free event. Open to the public. Prizes awarded. Entrants must be 17 years old or younger. Limited to the first 50 registered vehicles.

More info/register: Follow @dare_hawaii on Instagram and scan the QR code in the car show post. Email to edward.lewis@hawaiicounty.gov for additional details.

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NO. 7 — World Manta Day Festival (Keauhou, Sept. 6)

When: Noon to 6 p.m.

Location: OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa, 78-128 ʻEhukai St.

This free, family-friendly event is dedicated to ocean education and manta ray conservation. Enjoy hands-on exhibits, expert talks and interactive displays from local and national marine organizations at the resort’s manta-viewing deck overlooking Keauhou Bay. It all combines for an inspiring way to connect with Hawai‘i’s marine life.

More info: Visit the OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa website.

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NO. 8 — Brother Noland & the Island Incredibles (Waimea, Sept. 6)

When: 7 p.m.

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

Don’t miss the 2025-26 season opener — an electrifying new chapter from one of Hawai‘i’s most iconic musical visionaries. This legendary ensemble brings together epic artists and rising stars in a genre-defying concert that bridges generations and styles. This all-star lineup includes: Brother Noland, David Garibaldi, Michael Ruff and Gaylord Holomalia, Kata Maduli, Tavana and Fred Schreuders as well as vocalists Olivia Ruff and Lila Chris, delivering “alter-native” rhythms, funky grooves and soul-stirring performances rooted in Hawaiian music and infused with global sounds. Tickets start at $40.

More info/tickets: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website.

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NO. 9 — The Swamp Meets the Desert (Hawaiian Beaches, Sept. 6)

When: 7 to 9 p.m.

Location: The Stables, 15-859 Kahakai Boulevard

Up-and-comers Phrogs and Kaktis are partnering for this one-of-a-kind show featuring the next generation of the metal scene. All ages welcome. Come croak and mash during this unique experience — one you won’t soon forget.

More info: Contact organizer Band Haven via its website.

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NO. 10 — Hawaiʻi Radio Hour: Sharing Moʻolelo (Waimea, Sept. 11)

When: 7 p.m.

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

A vibrant live storytelling series featuring community voices sharing personal stories, ‘ike kūpuna and reflections grounded in Hawai‘i’s oral tradition. Hosted by Naka Nathaniel, Kolby Akamu Moser and Mileka Lincoln, Hawai‘i Radio Hour takes listeners on thoughtful journeys through place, culture and creativity. Listen as the fabric of the Big Island’s identity is weaved together — honoring the past, sharing the present and shaping the future — one story at a time. Tickets start at just $16.

More info: Visit the Kahilu Theatre 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/