Top 10 things to do on Big Island for March 6-12: Hilo Steel Guitar Festival, Abled Hawaiʻi Artists exhibit, Ola Ka ʻĪ Kona and more

Music is in the air this week as several venues around the island are hosting concerts, live bands and even dance shows featuring a variety of tunes in several different styles.

Hilo Steel Guitar Festival makes its debut this weekend at Prince Kūhiō Plaza, inviting community members to a celebration of the Hawaiian steel guitar with legendary steel guitarists from throughout Hawai‘i and mainland United States paired with enrichment and learning opportunities.

Bluesman Danny “Boy” Taylor, son of legend Terry “The Mole” Taylor from Canned Heat, headlines Live at Pāhoa Lava Zone Night Market with his band Fly-By-Nights. Plus, Hilo Community Chorus presents its “Spring is in the Air” Fundraiser Variety Show with members performing solos, ensembles, poetry, covers, originals and full-chorus numbers.

Several other events also will tweak your ears with harmonic delight, but if you’re looking for something else, check out the 4th annual Abled Hawaiʻi Artists Collaborative Exhibition, which opens this Friday in Hilo.

Come meet the artists, talk story and experience the powerful art created by these awesome artists, reflecting connection, complexity, interdependence and beauty of creative exchange through the theme of “Entanglement.”

There’s also Ola Ka ʻĪ Kona, inviting everyone to Keauhou Shopping Center for a celebration of Hawaiian language and community through hands-on activities, oli, mele, hula, storytelling and competitions in Hawaiian language speech and art, plus more.

You’re sure to be uplifted by the tunes, art and community no matter which event you choose.

Here’s our top 10 things to do for March 6-12.

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No. 1 — 4th annual Abled Hawaiʻi Artists Collaborative Exhibition opening (Hilo, March 6)

When: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Location: One Gallery, 186 Kamehameha Ave.

Come meet the artists, talk story and experience the powerful art created during this year’s collaborative gathering. Light pupu and beverages will be provided. This year’s theme is “Entanglement,” reflecting connection, complexity, interdependence and beauty of creative exchange. All artwork will be available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting artists and Abled Hawaiʻi Artists Collaborative.

More info: Email to ahaarts808@gmail.com.

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No. 2 — Black Grace: Paradise Rumour (Waimea, March 6)

When: 7 p.m.

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

Experience the power, passion and artistry of one of New Zealand’s most celebrated contemporary dance companies, known for its bold fusion of Samoan and Māori cultural traditions with modern dance, athleticism and storytelling. Performances explore universal themes of identity, community, resilience and the human spirit. Don’t miss this fabulous evening of movement, music and meaning.

More info/tickets: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website.

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No. 3 — “The Lion in Winter” (Hilo, March 6-15)

When: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; doors open 30 minutes before showtime

Location: The Keawe Theater, 280 Keawe St.

Sibling rivalry, adultery and dungeons — it doesn’t get more delicious than this wickedly funny and fiercely dramatic play that unfolds during Christmas 1183 as a royal family gathers, and plots, to determine who will inherit the crown. Loyalties shift, alliances crumble and sharp-tongued wit flies in this gripping battle of love, power and ambition. Tickets available now; $5 more at the door.

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

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No. 4 — Ola Ka ʻĪ Kona: A Celebration of Hawaiian Language and Community (Keauhou, March 7)

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

Location: Keauhou Shopping Center, 78-6831 Ali‘i Drive

Experience ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi through activities for all ages. Engage with the Hawaiian language through hands-on activities, oli, mele, hula, storytelling and competitions in Hawaiian language speech and art that will also include a variety of interactive experiences such as Kahua Aʻo, a pop-up keiki learning center; information booths; and more. Free and open to the public.

More info: Visit the Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi website.

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No. 5 — Work Party (Mountain View, March 7)

When: 10 a.m.

Location: FPG Plant & Animal Sanctuary, 18-3746 S. Kopua Road

FPG invites the community to help prepare its property as it moves operations to Hawaiian Acres. Equipment to help out will be provided, along with snacks and lunch. The sanctuary needs help moving furniture, taking down curtains, clearing out trash, lighting landscaping and more. Established in 2017, FPG — or Fellowship for Perpetual Growth — is the Big Island’s first vegan animal sanctuary.

More info: Visit the FPG Plant & Animal Sanctuary website.

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No. 6 — Hilo Steel Guitar Festival (Hilo, March 7)

When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Location: Prince Kūhiō Plaza, 111 E. Pūʻainakō St.

Community members are invited to this free event presented by Hawaiʻi Institute for Music Enrichment and Learning Experiences. The festival brings together legendary steel guitarists for a celebration of the Hawaiian steel guitar, provides opportunities to join steel guitarists from other parts of Hawai‘i and mainland United States to share their talents and more.

More info: Visit the Hilo Steel Guitar Festival website.

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No. 7 — Live at Pāhoa Lava Zone Night Market (Pāhoa, March 7)

When: 6 to 9 p.m.

Location: Pāhoa Lava Zone Night Market, 15-2942 Pāhoa Village Road

Come enjoy some ono grinds and excellent blues. Featuring Bluesman Danny “Boy” Taylor, son of legend Terry “The Mole” Taylor from Canned Heat, with his band Fly-By-Nights. Opening will be D.C. Lewis and Co., led by singer/songwriter/guitarist Demian Lewis, a longtime member of Maryland blues legends The Hard-Swimmin’ Fish. Craft and food vendors will be available, plus a beer garden with full bar.

More info: Contact Pāhoa Lava Zone Museum at 808-937-4146 or via email at pahoalavazonemuseum@gmail.com.

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No. 8 — Jazz Mele (Hilo, March 7)

When: 7 to 10 p.m.

Location: Paradise Warehouse, 34 Wiwoʻole St.

All are welcome to shake a leg on the large dance floor while enjoying vintage jazz standards, swing, blues and Latin grooves. Featuring Lou Ann Gurney on vocals, Ashley Harding on saxophone, Alex Czerny on piano, Mark Panek on bass and Joh Robinson on drums. Plus, drinks and snacks will be available by donation.

More info: Email to paradisewarehousehilo@gmail.com.

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No. 9 — Honoka‘a Jazz Band (Waimea, March 8)

When: 2 p.m.

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

This award-winning student ensemble founded in 1988 by Gary Washburn is one of only 26 programs ever nationwide to be named a GRAMMY Signature School. With multiple CD releases and a Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award nomination, the ensemble brings a dynamic mix of big band jazz, swing and blues to the stage.

More info/tickets: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website.

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No. 10 — “Spring is in the Air” Fundraiser Variety Show (Hilo, March 8)

When: 2 to 5 p.m.

Location: Aunty Sally’s Lūʻau Hale, 799 Pi’ilani St.

Hilo Community Chorus will once again present a member-created variety show, during which members will perform solos, ensembles, poetry, covers, originals and full-chorus numbers for a crowd who can visit the buffet tables while they listen and relax. Single chairs and ‘ohana tables available. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind show.

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

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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/