Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Oct. 16-22: Niʻaulani Forest Fair, Haloholoween Fall Fest and Pumpkin Patch, A Taste of Hilo and more
The Big Island comes through once again with activities and events during the upcoming week that will satisfy all of your treat requests plus some you might not even know you're craving until you see them.
Want to treat your taste buds with culinary creations by local chefs, restaurants and beverage purveyors?
Maybe treat all of your senses while exploring a unique rain forest during a day filled with nature, culture and family fun?
How about treating the entire ‘ohana, especially the keiki, to an unforgettable experience by popping in at a pumpkin patch, taking a hayride, seeing some tricks during a magic show and a lot more?
The Big Island comes through once again with activities and events during the upcoming week that satisfy all those treat requests plus some you might not even know you’re craving until you see them.
Like burning rubber at Hilo Dragstrip or hijinks of a “certified lunatic and master of the impossible.”
We won’t keep you in suspense any longer.
Check out this week’s top 10 things to do on the Big Island now!
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No. 1 — Oktober Fest (Hilo, Oct. 17-18)
When: Gates open 8 a.m. both days
Location: Hilo Dragstrip, 2295 Hoʻolaulima Road
Weather stopped rubber from hitting the track for Big Island Auto Club’s last Volkswars Bracket and Japan vs. Germany event, so the club is running it back this month while keeping the excitement going with the Fast Class, featuring the Quickest 16 cars. Don’t miss all of the fast and furious fun.
More info: Follow Big Island Auto Club on Facebook and Instagram.
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No. 2 — Rummage Sale (Kea‘au, Oct. 17)
When: 8 a.m. to noon
Location: Puna Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, 16-492 Volcano Road
You’ll find a plethora of items up for grabs, from clothing, purses, shoes, local cookbooks, kitchenware, linens, blankets, crafts, furniture and much more. Puna Hongwanji Boutique and concessions also will be available, and there will be a holding area for purchases so you can keep searching for even more.
More info: Call the temple at 808-966-9981 or email to mpunahongwanji@twc.com.
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No. 3 — Artist in Residence Dawn Waters Baker Returns! (Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Oct. 17)
When: 9:30 to 11 a.m.
Location: Kahuku Unit Visitor Contact Station (turn into Kahuku near the 70.5-mile marker on Highway 11 in Kaʻū)
Learn how the October artist in residence creates her luminous landscape oil paintings through slow, layered glazes and time in the field. Her practice of wonder, walking, observing and journaling results in paintings that are felt as much as they are seen.
More info: Visit the Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park website.
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No. 4 — Niʻaulani Forest Fair (Volcano, Oct. 17)
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus, 19-4074 Old Volcano Road
Celebrate Hawaiʻi’s unique rain forest, its plants and native birds during a day filled with nature, culture and family fun. Explore the restored old-growth forest and enjoy hula, educational displays, food vendors, workshops, keiki face painting, guided forest tours and the always popular native plant sale.
More info: Call 808-967-8222, email to info@volcanoartcenter.org or visit the Volcano Art Center website.
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No. 5 — 6th annual Haloholoween Fall Fest and Pumpkin Patch (Panaʻewa, Oct. 17-18)
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Panaʻewa Equestrian Center, 800 Stainback Highway
This year’s festival features 40 food and craft vendors from the Big Island and beyond. Festivalgoers also can once again pick out Hawai‘i-grown pumpkins. Attractions include a hayride, bounce castle, slide, pony rides, magic show, keiki game area and much more, plus raise funds for nonprofit Vibrant Hawai‘i.
More info/tickets/full schedule: Visit the Holoholoween website.
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No. 6 — “Precious Garlands” performances (Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Oct. 17)
When: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location: Kahuku Unit Visitor Contact Station (turn into Kahuku near the 70.5-mile marker on Highway 11 in Kaʻū)
Two one-act plays share Hawaiian history. “The Vespers at Hānaiakamālama” is a moving visit with Queen Emma (wife of Kamehameha IV), a remarkable woman who worked fervently to better the lives of the Hawaiian people. “Hoʻokiaʻi Liliʻuoklani” is filled with the sounds and cries of mourning, taking place at the funeral of Queen Liliʻuokalani — the last queen of Hawaiʻi.
More info: Visit the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park website.
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No. 7 — 28th annual A Taste of Hilo (Hilo, Oct. 18)
When: Fuji experience at noon; general admission 1 to 3 p.m.
Location: Sangha Hall, 424 Kīlauea Ave.
Local chefs, restaurants and beverage purveyors will again come together to raise funds for community organizations. This year’s event begins with the Fuji Experience, an intimate culinary showcase, before the main event featuring 15 food vendors and nine beverage purveyors. The event’s popular online silent auction also runs through Oct. 18.
More info/tickets/silent auction: Visit the A Taste of Hilo website.
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No. 8 — Makana in Concert (Waimea, Oct. 18)
When: 2 p.m.
Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road
This internationally acclaimed slack key guitarist, singer and composer redefined one of Hawaiʻi’s most treasured musical traditions, honoring the roots of kī hō‘alu while fearlessly expanding its possibilities with breathtaking artistry and originality to deliver technically stunning music deeply connected to the spirit and struggles of Hawaiʻi.
More info/tickets: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website.
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No. 9 — Tomáš Kubínek: Certified Lunatic and Master of the Impossible (Waimea, Oct. 17)
When: 7 p.m.
Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road
Don’t miss this internationally acclaimed comic, vaudevillian and theatrical innovator known as the “Certified Lunatic and Master of the Impossible,” who combines comedy, physical theater, magic, mime, music and audience interaction into a uniquely unforgettable experience. Recommended for ages 12 and older.
More info/tickets: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website.
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No. 10 — Tasty Tuesday (Keauhou, Oct. 20)
When: 4 to 8 p.m.
Location: Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa, 78-128 ʻEhukai St.
Come delight your taste buds during this weekly event featuring a unique mix of local food and artisan vendors on the beautiful kukui lawn at the Outrigger. Some seating will be available, but is limited, so you’re encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the evening — and food.
More info: Follow Tasty Tuesday Kona on Facebook.
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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 in our entertainment roundup. So here are websites for some popular Big Island venues that you can peruse to discover even more events, activities, shows, festivals or workshops.
- 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
- Hale Kanikapila (formerly Hilo Town Tavern), Hilo: https://halekanikapila.com/
- 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: 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
- Willy’s Hot Chicken, Kailua-Kona: https://willieshotchicken.com/
