Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Aug. 22-28: The regular stuff, you know, art, surfing and food; but also drag cars, Pokémon Day and sharing hapé, too
Art, surfing, food and drag cars. Wait. Drag cars?
Yep. We didn’t stutter. Drag cars are part of the lineup of upcoming events and activities around the Big Island.
It will be a Cracklefest at Kama‘āina Motors in Hilo during the 2024 Labor Day Drags Car Show hosted by Big Island Auto Club. Every hour during the event, drivers will start their engines and roar to rumble Hilo.
There’s also volunteer opportunities, live music, a floating lantern event and a music circle event where you can snuff hapé, an ancient herbal medicine you take through your nose.
Hold up. Really. Now we’re pulling your leg, right?
Nope. That one’s for real, too.
Txaná Ikakuru and Batany of the Amazonian Huni Kuin tribe of South America are coming back to the Big Island and sharing hapé — a plant medicine consisting of mapacho (tobacco), ashes of various indigenous trees, seeds, flowers and herbs made into a snuff — with anyone called to receive it.
Originating from the native tribes of the Amazon, it is used to ground the body, dispel mind chatter, anxiety and dense energies.
Afterward, they will share traditional and lively music. You’ll have a chance to share in their ancient culture, music and prayers with an indigenous master from an unbroken lineage.
There’s even Pokémon Day.
See. Living in the middle of the Pacific Ocean is definitely not boring.
Here is our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for Aug. 22-28:
No. 1 — Big Island Art Fair (Waimea, Aug. 22-24)
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 22-23; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 24
Location: Kahilu Town Hall, 1198 Lindsey Road
Update on Aug. 22, 2024: This month’s Big Island Art Fair has been canceled after several artists dropped out because of weather concerns with Tropical Storm Hone expected this weekend. The decision to cancel was out of an abundance of caution. The next fair will be in October.
Featuring artists from around the Big Island, this art exhibition focuses on those more central to the diverse Kohala, Waimea and Hāmākua Coast areas that are home to home to beautiful destinations such as Hawi, Pololū and Waipi‘o Valleys, ‘Akaka Falls, Waimea and more.
You’ll find a broad and eclectic set of participating artists, but still something that appeals to your artistic sense. It’s a fun, family-friendly fine art event that includes demonstrations, contests and prizes. Demonstrations will include seed bead weaving, wood/gourd burning, slate carving and linocut printing. You can also make a free art project yourself from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
The winner of the “Portraits of the Human Experience” contest will be announced at 3 p.m. Saturday. Prize is $250. Food vendor Mochinga will also be on site Thursday and Friday offering authentic Greek cooking.
The fair is free to attend. For more information, visit the Big Island Art Fair website or email contact@bigislandartfair.com.
No. 2 — 6th annual Aunty Joy Keahi Mills Memorial Surf Day (Kailua-Kona, Aug. 24)
When: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Kahalu‘u Beach Park, 78-6702 Ali‘i Drive
This annual free community outreach event enables people with disabilities to access the beach and surf safely. These Surf Day events provide a fully immersive experience for the entire family, offering ocean and land activities.
Hosted by nonprofit Surf For Special Needs, the event is made possible by amazing professional volunteers from the community, Hawai‘i County Ocean Safety Bureau, Hawai‘i County Fire Department and Hawai‘i Department of Education along with professional surf instructors, small business community leaders and various nonprofits.
While it is free to participate, registration is required as surf slots are limited. You can register and find more details online.
No. 3 — Volunteer Day at Lili‘uokalani Gardens (Hilo, Aug. 24)
When: 8 a.m. to noon
Location: 49 Banyan Drive
The big bamboo patch needs thinning. The pond needs stone wall rocks lifted out for repairs. The Lions Legacy Project needs weeding. The Friends of Lili‘uokalani Gardens is inviting volunteer groups and the community to lend a hand to address these needs and it’s your chance to help.
Wear closed-toe shoes and bring your gloves. For the bamboo, eye protection is recommended. Anyone allergic to freshly cut grass should avoid the bamboo project and participate elsewhere. Bamboo poles will be stockpiled next to the sidewalk along Banyan Drive. If you need bamboo for a home project, bring your own saw and ropes to secure the poles to your vehicle.
For more information or to find out how you can get more involved, contact the Friends of Lili‘uokalani Gardens at 808-895-8130 or via email at folghilo@gmail.com.
No. 4 — 2024 Labor Day Drags Car Show (Hilo, Aug. 24)
When: 3 to 8 p.m.
Location: Kama‘āina Motors, 400 E. Kāwili St.
In honor of its 50th anniversary, Big Island Auto Club is super excited to host its this annual event filled with badass cars, music and food. Every hour, drivers will also start their engines to rumble Hilo. The club is calling it Cracklefest!
Not only is the show meant to advertise the club’s largest race of the year, the annual Labor Day Race, this year slated for Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, it hopes the community will see how amazing the racers are since not much is known about them and the club because of where the race track is located.
So come check out the show, see the cars and hear them roar. Follow the club on Facebook and Instagram for updates and more information.
No. 5 — Justin Kawika Young live in concert (Hilo, Aug. 24)
When: 7 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m.
Location: Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.
From hometown boy to world traveling musician, Justin Kawika Young was born and raised in Hawai‘i. He accumulated 11 No. 1 hits on Hawai‘i radio before moving to Los Angeles, where he quickly connected with other singer/songwriters and eventually joined Colbie Caillat’s band.
He toured with Her as acoustic guitarist and background vocalist, also co-writing two songs on her “All Of You” album. The pair and two other friends formed the band Gone West in 2019 and went on to produce a top 25 country radio single with “What Could Have Been” and have accumulated 30 million Spotify streams. In 2022, Young joined Brett Young’s band and traveled around the globe for 2 years.
He’s now on a new path, part of Seven Suns, a band of Hawai‘i’s top musicians — and his close friends. It’s a collective where every member is a cherished individual and musical virtuosos. Their individual uniqueness melds into a harmonious whole.
Tickets for this show are $35 general admission or $45 priority orchestra seating; both increase by $5 the day of the show. You can purchase yours by calling 808-934-7010 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday or by visiting the Palace Theater website.
No. 6 — August Pokémon Day (Hilo, Aug. 25)
When: 1 p.m.
Location: Gam3Escape, 305 Wailuku Drive
Does your child love Pokémon? What better way to help him or her catch them all then to come check out the wonderful and fantastical world of the Pokémon trading card game.
This is a learn-how-to-play, family-friendly event that will include other fun Pokémon related events. Great for students and children and moms and dads, too. Students younger than 13 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Each participant will receive a starter deck, booster pack and a promo pack.
The fan-favorite Pokémon Bingo returns. Prizes will include single cards, booster packs, promo packs and other items.
The cost to enter the learn-to-play and Pokémon Bingo portion of the event is $10. It is $6 to enter the tournament. For more information about the event, contact Gam3Escape at 808-498-4095 or via email at g3ecustomerservice@gmail.com.
No. 7 — Floating Lantern Festival (Kohala Coast, Aug. 25)
When: 5 to 7 p.m.
Location: Coconut Grove, Fairmont Orchid, 1 N. Kaniku Drive
North Hawai‘i Hospice invites the public to this event meant to honor and remember loved ones who are no longer with us.
Lanterns are commonly used around the world in ceremonies to inspire remembrance, hope and good fortune. The festival will include sharing of lantern decorating, live music, hula, taiko drummers, Hawaiian chanting and a sunset lantern release into Pauoa Bay.
The festival is free to attend and open to all ages. Floating lanterns for inscribing messages and decorating will be provided for a suggested donation of $25. Lantern quantities are limited. You can reserve yours in advance by clicking here.
No. 8 — Sneak preview of “Chaperone” (Hilo, Aug. 25)
When: 7 p.m.; doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Location: Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.
This Hawai‘i-made film was shot in various downtown Hilo locations, including the historic Palace Theater, and won the Grand Jury Award for Breakouts at the Slamdance Film Festival and Best Narrative Feature at the inaugural Vermont Folklore & Film Festivals.
Written and directed by Zoë Eisenberg, the exclusive screening is part of the Hawai‘i International Film Festival and offers a rare opportunity for HIlo residents to see the film before its official Hawai‘i premier in October during the film festival on O‘ahu.
The film follows the life of 29-year-old Misha Miyamoto, who lives a simple, content life in the house left to her by her grandmother. Despite her satisfaction, Misha faces disappointment from those around her because of her lack of ambition. When an earnest 18-year-old mistakes her for a fellow student, Misha finds solace in his lack of expectations, leading to a relationship that fuels her reckless behavior.
There will be a post-screening Q&A with Eisenberg and her team. Tickets are $10 general admission and $9 for seniors, students and veterans. Click here for more information and to purchase your tickets in advance.
No. 9 — Huni Kuin Hapé and Music Circle (‘Opihikao/Leilani, Aug. 28)
When: 7 p.m.
Location: Click here to contact the host for location and additional information
Txaná Ikakuru and Batany of the Amazonian Huni Kuin tribe, an indigenous people of Brazil and Peru, return to Big Island and are hosting this special event at a private location in Puna, opening by serving hapé to those called to receive it. Afterward, they will share traditional and lively music.
Hapé is a plant medicine consisting of mapacho (tobacco), ashes of various indigenous trees, seeds, flowers and herbs made into a snuff and administered through the nose. Originating from the native tribes of the Amazon, it is used to ground the body, dispel mind chatter, anxiety and dense energies.
There will also be a shamanic market during the event, with colorful Huni Kuin jewelry and cloth, hapé and everything related available for purchase.
This is an opportunity to receive the ancient culture, music and prayers from an indigenous master coming from an unbroken lineage who is traveling the world to spread the Huni Kuin wisdom, power and loving presence. A cash donation of $30 to $50 on a sliding scale is suggested.
No. 10 — 2nd annual Culinary Classic (Kohala Coast, Aug. 28-Sep. 2)
When: Various times
Location: Mauna Lani, 68-1400 Mauna Lani Drive
Why not spend your Labor Day Weekend having 10 different dining experiences, ranging from intimate omakase-style dinners and chef demos to wine tastings and mixology classes?
A kick-off lū‘au on the first night of this foodie fest will spotlight Big Island chefs Allen Hess and Brian Hirata, live entertainment and a silent auction benefiting Mauna Lani’s community partners at Māla‘ai: The Culinary Garden of Waimea Middle School.
Chefs on the Beach will take over Mauna Lani’s oceanfront and lawn the second night with festival-style tastings and passed appetizers from celebrity chefs Andrew Zimmern, Lee Anne Wong and Robynne Maii, Blue Ribbon Sushi and more, with live music.
Saturday’s main event will be a multicourse tasting at the resort’s CanoeHouse restaurant, featuring chefs Nancy Silverton, Jose Garces, Jonathan Waxman and more.
For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.
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Want to check for yourself what’s going on around the island?
We admit. We can’t fit everything going on each week in our top 10. 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.
- 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/
- Willy’s Hot Chicken, Kailua-Kona: https://willieshotchicken.com/
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