Top 10 things to do on Big Island for April 24-30: Beekeepers, Denim Day, growing together, S. Tokunaga anniversary, native plants and more

This week’s top 10 has everything from an ongoing exhibit featuring the legacy of Hawaiʻi beekeepers to raising awareness about sexual assault and how to prevent it.

Hawaiʻi Beekeeper Legacy Project Exhibition runs through May 30 at Anna Ranch Heritage Center in Waimea, celebrating Hawaiʻi’s beekeeping history — from humble hives to global impact — and featuring an original documentary, photographs and more.

Join the community at Island of Hawaiʻi YMCA in Hilo to stop the violence on Denim Day 2026. It’s a day of awareness dedicated to the prevention of sex assault, so throw on your favorite pair of jeans and help stop rape and all forms of sexual violence.

Hawaiʻi County Office of Aging invites the community to grow together during a special intergenerational event that features a speaker talking about the farm-to-table movement, plant giveaway and more. It’s free to attend, but registration is necessary.

S. Tokunaga Store in Hilo — the No. 1 center on the Big Island for fishing supplies — invites the community to celebrate its 106th anniversary, including an in-store sale.

And bring the entire family to celebrate Native Hawaiian Plant Month at Keauhou Bay. You can learn about native plants around the home, connections between voyaging, native plants and canoe crops and more, along with fun hands-on and take-home activities and demonstrations.

While it’s not listed in this week’s top 10, we wanted to make sure everyone remembers the 13th Big Island Chocolate Festival continues this weekend, too, with the student chocolate competition, new Chocolate Farmers Market and farm and processing seminars Friday and culinary demonstrations plus the fundraising gala and silent auction Saturday.

Check out our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for April 24-30 right now!

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No. 1 — Hawaiʻi Beekeeper Legacy Project Exhibition (Waimea, through May 30)

When: During regular hours

Location: Anna Ranch Heritage Center, 65-1480 Kawaihae Road

From humble hives to global impact. This multi-media exhibit features an original documentary, photographs and artifacts celebrating Hawaiʻi’s beekeeping history. This is a must see, not just because it shares this part of the island’s heritage but also in hopes of protecting bees and beekeepers on the Big Island.

More info: Click here.

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No. 2 — Grow Together (Hilo, April 24)

When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: Hawaiʻi County Office of Aging, Training Room, Suite 101, 1055 Kinoʻole St.

This free intergenerational event features a speaker from Center For Getting Things Started talking about the farm-to-table movement, plant giveaway and nutritional discussion. Performances by Hilo Intermediate School students, recipe sharing and more. Event is free to attend; however, registration is required.

More info/register: Contact Hawai’i County Office of Aging at 808-961-8600.

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No. 3 — S. Tokunaga Store Anniversary Celebration (Hilo, April 25)

When: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: S. Tokunaga Store, 619 Manono St.

This pillar of the Hilo business sector and expert outdoorsman outfitter is celebrating its 106th anniversary celebration. The store offers a full range of fishing, diving, hunting and firearm gear. Opened in 1920 by Sumie Tokunaga, it has become the No. 1 center on the Big Island for fishing supplies. The anniversary celebration will also include an in-store sale.

More info: Visit the S. Tokunaga Store website and follow the store on Facebook and Instagram.

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No. 4 — Ola Keauhou (Keauhou, April 25)

When: 9 a.m. to noon

Location: Kaʻiliʻilinehe Park, 78-7127 Kaleiopapa St.

Celebrate Native Hawaiian Plant Month at Keauhou Bay. Bring the entire ʻohana and learn about native plants around the home; connections between voyaging, native plants and canoe crops; limu restoration; and lauhala weaving. Enjoy hands-on and take-home activities and demonstrations. Bring your own shirt or clothing for a free heat pressing iron-ons. Plant giveaways, too.

More info: Follow Kupa ʻĀina O Keauhou on Instagram.

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No. 5 — One Day Art Workshop (Waimea, April 25)

When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: Kamuela Hardwoods, 67-1140 Lindsey Road

Community members are invited to this free art event to create and learn with local artists. Those who attend can learn and practice clay sculpting, watercolor painting, nature crafts and get an interactive net tying demonstration. Sponsored by Kamuela Center for the Arts, Waimea Arts Council and Kamuela Hardwoods.

More info: Contact Kamuela Hardwoods at 808-657-4797.

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No. 6 — Children’s Day (Keaʻau, April 25)

When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: Puna Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, 16-492 Old Volcano Road

This event is open to all keiki and all keiki at heart. Puna-based community group Mālama Hāloa Hui Kuʻi Kalo is attending the event, plus those who attend can learn in a hands-on activity open to all who want to learn how to make their own paʻi aʻi, or pounded steamed taro. More events will be included, too, so don’t miss this day full of fun, culture and community.

More info: Contact Puna Hongwanji at 808-966-9981.

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No. 7 — Small World Preschool 45th Anniversary Celebration (Waimea, April 25)

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

Location: Waimea Park and Community Center, 65-1260 Kawaihae Road

Come join the celebration of this massive milestone. Bring the whole family for a fun-filled day with an amazing lineup of activities planned for everyone to enjoy, including live entertainment, bounce houses, train rides, face painting and delicious food trucks. Tell your friends, family and everyone else. The school can’t wait to celebrate with everyone.

More info: Contact Small World Preschool at 808-885-4388.

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No. 8 — 10th annual Frank Zappa Tribute Concert (Hilo, April 25)

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

Location: Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.

Hilo Jazz Orchestra (Zappa All-stars) once again take the stage to celebrate the music of this pioneer of postmodern music, cultural icon, American composer and guitarist known for his unique and experimental style. The show will also feature special guest HAASTILE. Proceeds benefit the Hilo Jazz Orchestra’s trip to perform a Germany’s ZAPPANALE 35! All tickets are $5 more the day of the show.

More info/tickets: Visit the Palace Theater website.

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No. 9 — Circa: “Humans 2.0” (Waimea, April 26)

When: 4 p.m.

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

A symphony of acrobatics, sound and light — this is next-level circus. Ten bodies appear in a flash of light. They move in harmony for a fleeting moment and then descend into a sinuous trance. Physical limits are pushed to their extreme. This tightly woven choreography of bodies, pulsing with music and revealed in dramatic lighting, is intimate, primal and deeply engaged with the challenge of being human.

More info/tickets: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website.
Vimeo link: https://vimeo.com/878511359?fl=pl&fe=sh

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No. 10 — Denim Day (Hilo, April 29)

When: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Location: Island of Hawaiʻi YMCA, Multi-Purpose Room, 300 W. Lanikāula St.

Save the date to join the community and stop the violence. Help raise awareness about sexual assault and how to prevent it. This will be a day of awareness dedicated to the prevention of sex assault. Throw on your favorite pair of jeans and commit to help stop rape and all forms of sexual violence.

More info: Call 808-935-3721.

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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 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/
• Waimea Arts Council, Waimea, https://www.waimeaartscouncil.org