Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Jan. 9-15: Science comedy, speakeasy dinner show, art stroll, ‘Wiliwili LOVE’ and more

There is an eclectic emulsion of events coming next week around the Big Island, each promising an exciting escape from the everyday bustle.

Head back to the 1920s for a special speakeasy show for all the cool cats, complete with dinner service and live music. Find out what happens when a comedian walks into a volcano with a 1-hour stand-up event that is sure to have audiences erupting with laughter.

Take a stroll down Banyan Drive for a fun-filled day of art exhibits, live entertainment and plethora of demonstrations, including origami and lauhala weaving, plus more all to benefit Liliʻuokalani Gardens. You can also show your “Wiliwili LOVE” during the 15th annual Wiliwili Love Fest, celebrating a shared affection for the rare, resilient and iconic tree.

Check out our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for Jan. 9-15.

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No. 1 — Volcano: A Science Comedy Show (Hilo, Kailua-Kona; Jan. 9 and 10)

When: 7 p.m. Jan. 9 in Hilo, doors open at 6 p.m.; 7 p.m. Jan. 10 in Kona

Location: Palace Theater, 38 Haili St., Hilo; Kona Elks Lodge, 75-170 Hualālai Road, Kailua-Kona

What happens when a comedian walks into a volcano? Find out this weekend with intelligent and funny New York City-based stand-up comedian Ben Miller, who returns to the Big Island for a 1-hour show that is sure to have audiences erupting with laughter. Miller was artist-in-residence in 2023 at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park — the first stand-up comedian ever selected for the program. He explores volcanology, entomology, Hawaiian history, cats, cookies and more. Suitable for adults only.

More info/tickets: Visit the Palace Theater website for the Hilo show. Visit Eventbrite for the Kailua-Kona show.

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No. 2 — Club Kahilu Dance Night (Waimea, Jan. 9)

When: 7 p.m.

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

Feel the beat and move your soul with Fara Tolno, master percussionist and internationally acclaimed musician, as he offers powerful rhythms of West African drumming. Fara delivers an exhilarating live performance full of energy, improvisation and infectious groove, blending traditional instruments with contemporary flair to create a vibrant soundscape that invites everyone to dance, connect and celebrate. His music speaks across cultures — deeply rooted, rhythmically complex and absolutely joyful.

More info/tickets: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website.

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No. 3 — ‘Ōhi‘a Lehua Hike (Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Jan. 10)

When: 9:30 a.m.

Location: Meet at Kahuku Visitor Contact Station (turn into Kahuku near the 70.5-mile marker on Highway 11 in Kaʻū)

Learn about the vital role of ‘ōhi‘a lehua in native forests, the many forms of the ‘ōhi‘a tree and the threat of rapid ‘ōhi‘a death during this ranger-guided hike. Visitors will be able to identify the many differences of the most prominent native tree in Kahuku during this program, which is an easy, 1-mile, 1-hour walk.

More info: Check the Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park calendar.

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No. 4 — Coffee Notes events (Hilo, Jan. 10-11 and 14)

When: Various times

Location: Coffee Notes, 116 Keawe St.

Come enjoy Dagan Bernstein playing Waimea-inspired Hawai’i folk music from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and come back from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday for the shop’s weekly Jazz Brunch featuring Joey Carroll on double bass and Matt Spencer on guitar. Then, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, don your best flapper or cool daddy-o costume and attend a special 1920s jazz night and costume party at 7 p.m. Wednesday with live music featuring The Speakeasy Four, special dinner service and dessert. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and there is a $10 cover. There also will be a costume contest for the coolest of cool cats.

More info: Call Coffee Notes at 808-767-8887.

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No. 5 — 6th Banyan Drive Art Stroll (Hilo, Jan. 10)

When: Noon to 6 p.m.

Location: Liliʻuokalani Gardens, 49 Banyan Drive

Don’t miss another fun-filled day to benefit the gardens. Two art exhibits and a plethora of demonstrations will fill Waiākea Peninsula, from gyotaku at Suisan Fish Market to an art exhibit, silent auction and live entertainment at The Naniloa, with demonstrations including origami and lauhala weaving at several locations in between. There also will be door prizes at Banyan Gallery, and a lobby painting experience with Patrick Ching at Hilo Hawaiian.

More info: Visit the Friends of Liliʻuokalani Gardens website.

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No. 6 — Lopaka Roots Birthday Bash (Hilo, Jan. 12)

When: 6 to 9 p.m.

Location: The Rainbow Room, 110 Keawe St.

Come celebrate Kailua-Kona’s own reggae singer/songwriter Lopaka Rootz’s birthday with live music, food and drinks. His music is a unique style of positive upbeat reggae with a message of gratitude and positivity. The show will also feature special guest Drew Daniels. Suggested donation of $10 at the door.

More info: Contact The Booch Bar at 808-498-4779 or visit The Booch Bar website. Click here for additional information about Lopaka Rootz.

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No. 7 — First Tee – Hawaiʻi Youth Golf and Development Programs (Volcano, beginning Jan. 13-14)

When: 4 to 5:15 p.m. both days

Location: Volcano Golf Course, 99-1621 Piʻimauna Drive

Registration is open for First Tee – Hawaiʻi’s first programming opportunities of 2026. The organization helps kids and teens build strength of character through golf. Trained coaches deliver programs to keiki age 7 to 17 years old, helping build their inner strength, self-confidence and resilience. Using golf as the platform, participants learn critical life skills to grow socially, emotionally and academically.

More info/registration: Visit the First Tee – Hawaiʻi website.

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No. 8 — 15th annual Wiliwili Love Fest (Waikōloa, Jan. 14)

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

Location: Waikōloa Dry Forest Preserve, off Quarry Road (look for signs for Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative)
Fall in love with Hawaiʻi’s native forests. This year’s festival theme is “Wiliwili LOVE,” celebrating a shared affection for the rare, resilient and iconic wiliwili tree. Festival-goers will enjoy a full day of activities, including exploring the region’s unique lowland dry forest on guided hikes, participating in hands-on workshops and visiting educational booths hosted by local conservation and cultural organizations. There also will be a native plant giveaway, nursery tours, presentations, live music, food trucks and family-friendly activities.

More info: Visit the Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative website or email to wdfi@waikoloadryforest.org.

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No. 9 — Valencia Baryton Project (Hilo, Jan. 14)

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

Location: University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Performing Arts Center, 200 W. Kāwili St.

The baryton — a cross between the viol da gamba and lirone — was the pinnacle of aristocratic instruments in the 1700s. The Valencia Baryton Project was formed with the vision of performing the classical and modern music written for it. The instrument with its 10 resonating and plucked strings gives the traditional string trio an entirely new dimension. Classic FM called the show “purity, articulation, dynamics, enthusiasm: it leaves nothing to be desired.”

More info/tickets: Visit the Hawaiʻi Concert Society website or email to info@hawaiiconcertsociety.org. Tickets also can be purchased at The Most Irresistible Shop and Basically Books; any remaining tickets will be available at the door.

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No. 10 — Candlelight: A Classic Rock Tribute with Blue Violin (Hilo, Jan. 15)

When: 7 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m.

Location: Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.

Step into a realm where intense candlelight burns and rock’s greatest anthems are reborn through the raw power of the violin. The Palace stage will glow during an unforgettable, unique one-night-only concert featuring live violin loops colliding with smoke, light and epic arrangements for a genre-bending rock tribute. Blue Violin shatters musical boundaries, transforming familiar hits — such as “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC, “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd, “Devil Went Down to Georgia” by The Charlie Daniels Band, “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin and more — into something fierce, beautiful and entirely new. The show is suitable for all ages.

More info/tickets: Visit the Palace Theater website. Note: Priority orchestra tickets not only include premium seating, but also a pre-show event with Blue Violin, photos on the candlelit stage, signed concert poster, Blue Violin CD and digital access bundle.

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Check for yourself what’s happening around the Big Island

We admit. As hard as we try every week, we still likely didn’t find every event happening around the Big Island. Plus, we can’t fit everything going on each week in our entertainment roundup. 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/