Top 10 things to do on Big Island for July 18-24: Party like a Honokaʻa Dragon, hang with the Ladies That Rock, do some early holiday shopping, celebrate Hawaiian culture and more

There is no lack of variety in the upcoming events happening around the Big Island.

Party with the Honoka’a Dragons this Friday during a block party in celebration of the Honoka’a High School’s 135th anniversary.

If you can’t make it up the coast that night, hang with the Ladies That Rock at The Venue in downtown Hilo for some music, comedy and more brought to you courtesy of some of the best woman acts around.

On Saturday, head to the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park for the 40th Cultural Festival for a fun-filled, family-friendly event filled with performances and activities that celebrate and exemplify the virtues, arts and skills of the ‘ohana and Hawaiian culture.

You can also do some early holiday shopping in Hilo during the Joann “Goose” Williams 31st annual Christmas in July — Art, Gift, Jewelry & Craft Fair in Kailua-Kona. Vendors from throughout the islands will be at this festive affair featuring exclusive items and a fantastic selection of great gift ideas.

And if none of those tickle your fancy, there’s an 8-hour expedition to the deep waters off the Kona Coast to observe seabirds, marine mammals and other marine animals; the La ʻOhana o Pohoiki Festival in Pohoiki; “Little Women: The Broadway Musical” and plenty more.

Here are our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for July 17-24.

No. 1 — Honokaʻa High School 135th Celebration Block Party (Honokaʻa, July 19)

When: 5 to 10 p.m.

Location: Honokaʻa High and Intermediate School, 45-527 Pakalana St.

Want to be a Dragon for at least a few hours? Then come celebrate more than 100 years of longevity at Honokaʻa High School with its alumni on campus and at the football field.

This block party for the ages will feature amazing live bands jamming on two stages, line dancing, martial arts demonstrations, waterslides and bouncies, craft vendors, street dancing, balloon sculptures, a Memory Lane Slide Show, a magic show, face painting, food trucks and much more.

Be sure to bring your friends and family to this great community event. For more information, contact Dominic at 808-895-1711 or via email at yagong1977@aol.com.

No. 2 — Ladies That Rock (Hilo, July 19)

When: 6 to 10 p.m.

Location: The Venue, Suite No. 5, 811 Laukapu St.

Bring your friends for a night of rockin’ ladies! Two bands, 3 solo artists, improv comedy and an open mic to boot. Come out and show your support for some incredibly talented women. Must be 21 or older; bring your own drink with ID.

You can grab a bite to eat nearby or order in. Any ladies interested can even sign up for 2 songs or 10 minutes of open mic time. There also will be prizes, raffles, a silent auction and a few surprises. Be sure to bring some cash to tip each of the acts, too. This is the third show before the huge Aug. 30 Ladies that Rock Showcase.

Tickets for this show are available in advance for $10 and can be purchased through PayPal using email Ophelansean@gmail.com. You will receive a message that payment was received and your name will be added to the list. Otherwise, cost is $15 at the door. For more information or questions, contact event organizer Sean O’Phelan at 808-345-0398.

No. 3 — Pelagic Kona Wildlife (Honokōhau, July 20)

When: 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Location: Depart from Honokōhau Small Boat Harbor, 74-380 Kealakehe Parkway

Join fellow birdwatchers and nature/wildlife/ocean enthusiasts from Hawaiʻi Birdwatching for this 8-hour expedition to the deep waters offshore of the Big Island’s Kona Coast. Beginners, those with experience and photographers are encouraged to attend.

The primary objective is to observe seabirds such as shearwaters, petrels, storm petrels, boobies, terns, noddies and phalaropes; marine mammals including whales and dolphins; and other marine wildlife such as sea turtles, sharks and other fish.

Cost is $200 per person. The trip will be led by Patrick Hart with the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and Lance Tanino. For additional details or to register, contact Tanino at lance.tanino@gmail.com.

No. 4 — Joann “Goose” Williams 31st annual Christmas in July — Art, Gift, Jewelry & Craft Fair (Kailua-Kona, July 20)

When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Location: Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, 75-5660 Palani Road

Vendors from throughout Hawaiʻi invite you to get your holiday shopping done early at this fun festive affair featuring exclusive items and a fantastic selection of great gift ideas such as jams and jellies, ornaments, a great assortment of handmade jewelry, koa and other wood items, cards, paintings, clothing, lotions and oils, photography, fused glass items, pearls, angels, Hawaiian seed lei and items, personal care products, art, ono baked goods, flowers, lauhala items, Santa’s ceramics and much, much more.

Admission is free and vendors will give away donated prizes throughout the day. Plan a full day of shopping, with music and excitement for the entire family.

Don’t miss this opportunity to check out all the unique items the vendors have to offer in promotion of island artists, craftspeople and nonprofit organizations. Come “buy” and show your support. For more information, contact Joann at dagoose@hawaii.rr.com.

No. 5 — 40th Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Hawaiian Cultural Festival (Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, July 20)

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

Location: Kahuku Unit, mauka (mountainside) of Highway 11 near mile marker 70.5, south of the park’s main entrance

The theme of this year’s fun-filled, family-friendly and drug- and alcohol-free festival is “E Ho‘omau i ka Poʻohala,” which is exemplified by the many performances and activities that carry on the virtues, arts and skills of the ‘ohana.

Sway and sing along to Hawaiian and island-inspired music by well-known performers such as Kenneth Makuakāne, the Pandanus Club and Keaīwa. Enjoy hula arts performed by Kaleilaniakealiʻi and LoriLei’s Hula Studio.

Test your skills at nā pāʻani (Hawaiian games), makau (Hawaiian fishhook making) and weaving with lau niu (coconut palm leaves) and lau hala (pandanus leaves). Learn to make lei lāʻī (tī leaf lei) and kāhili (feather standards), and how lāʻāu lapaʻau (Hawaiian medicinal plants) can improve one’s health. Don’t forget to make your mark with ‘ohe kāpala – bamboo stamping!

There also will be a display about paniolo history along with the latest information about rapid ‘Ōhiʻa death, honuʻea (Hawaiian hawksbill turtle) and efforts to save native forest birds from deadly mosquito-borne illnesses.

The festival is free to attend. Food, treats and refreshments will be available for purchase from several vendors or you can pack a picnic. A free shuttle between the festival grounds and the parking area on the former airstrip also will be provided. Bring water, a rain jacket and a ground mat or chair, and don’t forget your sunscreen. A hat is also recommended.

No. 6 — Lā ʻOhana o Pohoiki Festival (Pohoiki, July 20)

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: Isaac Hale Beach Park, 13-101 Kalapana-Kapoho Road

This gathering of the generational ʻohana of Pohoiki and all ʻohana is a day of community, family and fun. It’s a time to bring the community together to learn from one another and celebrate.

Through a diverse range of workshops, performances and exhibitors, the festival provides an opportunity for everyone to foster a deeper connection to Hawaiian culture and preserve traditions for future generations.

There also will be live music, food vendors, craft vendors, informational booths and much more.

The event is sponsored and organized by Na Maka Haloa O Waipio, Hua ʻĀina, Hawai’i County, Kamehameha Schools and Kukulu Kumuhana O Puna. The festival is free and open to the public. For more information, email event coordinators at namakaloa@gmail.com, tiaola1986@gmail.com or leikaimu@gmail.com.

No. 7 — “Little Women: The Broadway Musical” (Waimea, July 20-21)

When: 3 p.m.

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

Hawai’i Performing Arts Festival proudly presents this captivating production as its 20th anniversary summer season finale. The show promises to enchant audiences of all ages with the timeless tale, based on Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel, brought to life.

Audiences will be treated to moving and heartwarming performances, featuring a talented cast. The captivating story guarantees a theatrical experience filled with laughter, tears and a lifting of the spirit with a powerful score and soaring orchestrations that exude the sounds of personal discovery, heartache and hope.

Don’t miss your last chance to be part of “A Season of Celebration.” Tickets start at $35 and can be purchased in advance at the Kahilu Theatre website.

No. 8 — Celebrate the Voices of Hawaiian Māhū (Hilo, July 20)

When: 4 p.m.

Location: Kahua ‘Elua theater, East Hawaiʻi Cultural Center, 141 Kalākaua St.

This special event, in conjunction with the exhibit “He Ehu, He Pōhaku” (“Of Mist and Stoneexplores”), explores how māhū contribute to Hawaiian mindfulness told by Hawaiian māhū themselves, with performances and a panel discussion.

The theater will resound with a classical music performance by Kanaka ‘Ōiwi and Julliard-trained pianist Laritza “Lala” La Bouche. Hula from Hilo’s kumu hula Kapuaokalani Ka‘au‘a and Hula Hālau Unokeahi will follow. Kumu hula Manaiakalani Kalua and Ryan McCormack will grace the event with oli, and the audience will also be gifted with a mele by Leimana Abenes.

The exhibit, which runs until July 26 in the center’s gallery, features māhū advocates, artists, scholars and cultural leaders. Both the celebration and exhibit aim to increase participation in justice, equality, reciprocity and transformation for Hawaiians and their communities.

For more information, visit East Hawaiʻi Cultural Center online, call 808-961-5711 or visit the cultural center in downtown Hilo.

No. 9 — Kenichi Maehara: Pele’s Photographer (Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, July 23)

When: 7 p.m.

Location: Auditorium, Kīlauea Visitor Center, 1 Crater Rim Drive

Kenichi Maehara was an early 20th-century photographer who built and operated a studio in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Maehara came to Hawai‘i in 1896 from Hiroshima, Japan, and throughout his 30-year career, he grew to become a renowned and respected local businessman, whose photos of volcanic eruptions were published worldwide.

Park ranger Anekelea Hubner shares the life story and eruption photography of Maehara, whose work invites us to reflect on the powerful and destructive forces that are present in nature and society.

This event is part of the park’s ongoing After Dark in the Park series. Free to attend, but park entrance fees apply.

No. 10 — Waikōloa Family Golf Days (Waikōloa, daily)

When: Tee times start at 3:30 p.m.

Location: Kings’ Course, 600 Waikōloa Beach Drives

Get out of the house and onto the golf course to enjoy 9 holes on the links with your family any day of the week.

Juniors ages 6 to 17 years old are $25, adults are $50, adult club rentals are $25 and junior Nike club rentals are complimentary. Fees include a shared cart, 4 bottles of water and unlimited use of the practice facilities on the day of play, but exclude state tax.

Of course, the lifetime golf memories are priceless. Promotion is offered based on availability. For more information, call 808-886-7888 or click here.