Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Feb. 27-March 5: International Night, Black Uhuru, Andy Bumatai and Augie T and more

This weekend is so packed with events and activities — all on Friday and Saturday — there wasn’t room in the top 10 for anything else!

There’s the 51st annual International Night at University of Hawai‘i at Hilo this Friday, featuring performances from around the globe that showcase the unique cultures of Hawai‘i, the Philippines, Palau, the Marshall Islands, Kosrae and Pohnpei islands plus more.

Thelma Parker Memorial Public Library in Waimea invites the community to celebrate Engineers Week with the NASA@ My Library Engineering Bash on Saturday morning that promises mind-bending and inspiring activities, displays and demonstrations including drones, hovercraft, 3-D printing and more.

If you’re into puzzles, join Hawai‘i Puzzle Club on Saturday afternoon at Big Island Meadery in Kea‘au for a casual puzzling and puzzle swap get-together and enjoy some mead, too.

You have your pick Saturday night between feeling the vibration and living the rhythm during a live concert with icons of reggae Black Uhuru at Honoka‘a People’s Theatre or endless laughs with Hawai‘i comedy legends Andy Bumatai and Augie T bringing their sharp wit and laugh-out-loud storytelling to the Kahilu Theatre stage in Waimea.

We’re sure you’ll have a great time at whichever events and activities you attend.

Read on to find out more about the above events plus more of what’s happening this weekend.

Here are our top 10 things to do for Feb. 27-March 5.

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No. 1 — Valhalla (Kailua-Kona, Feb. 27)

When: 6 and 8:30 p.m.

Location: Kona Elks Lodge, 75-170 Hualālai Road

Get ready to rock out during this celebration of the legendary Led Zeppelin in two killer shows. Come feel the thunder and magic of the greatest rock band, and return to a time and place when peace and love flowed freely. Also featuring special guest David Lawrence.

More info/tickets: Click here for the 6 p.m. show or here for the 8:30 p.m. show.

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No. 2 — 51st annual International Night (Hilo, Feb. 27)

When: 7 p.m.

Location: University of Hawai‘i at HIlo Performing Arts Center, 200 W. Kāwili St.

University of Hawai‘i at Hilo International Student Association invites the community for a night of performances featuring crowd favorites such as Tupulaga O Samoa Mo a Taeao representing Samoa and Taishoji Taiko representing Japan. Other performances will showcase the unique cultures of Hawai‘i, the Philippines, Palau, the Marshall Islands and Kosrae and Pohnpei islands in Micronesia.

More info/tickets: Click here or call University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Performing Arts Center box office at 808-932-7490.

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No. 3 — Second annual HI-PAL Keiki Fun Run/Walk (Kailua-Kona, Feb. 28)

When: 8 to 9:30 a.m.; check in starts at 7:30 a.m.

Location: Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area, 75-5560 Kuakini Highway

This family-friendly event encourages keiki to stay active while enjoying the outdoors with friends, family and the community. There is a 200-yard dash for children ages 5 to 8 years old, a half-mile course for ages 9 to 12 years old and a 1-mile course for ages 13 to 17 years old. Refreshments and snacks will be provided following the races. Fill out the event waiver online in advance.

More info: Contact Hawai‘i Police Department Kona Community Policing Section at 808-326-4646, ext. 258.

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No. 4 — Guided Hike of Palm Trail (Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Feb. 28)

When: 9:30 a.m.

Location: Kahuku Unit (meet at Kahuku Visitor Contact Station)

This 2.6-mile loop trail along an old ranch road leads to amazing volcanic features from the 1868 Mauna Loa eruption. Discover relics from the ranching era and learn about hulihia (catastrophic change) and kūlia (restoration), two natural eruptive processes. Enjoy panoramic views of Kahuku and the Ka‘ū coastline on this moderately difficult 90-minute trek.

More info: Visit the Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park calendar.

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No. 5 — NASA@ My Library Engineering Bash (Waimea, Feb. 28)

When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: Thelma Parker Memorial Public Library, 67-1209 Māmalahoa Highway

Celebrate Engineers Week 2026 with this free family-friendly event. Meet some of the island’s most talented students, professional engineers and community experts to discover the amazing world of engineering. Bring all your engineering questions and enjoy mind-bending and inspiring activities, displays and demonstrations, including drones, hovercraft, 3-D printing and more. All are invited.

More info: Visit the Thelma Parker Memorial Public Library website or call 808-887-6067.

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No. 6 — Kona’s second annual Book Fair (Kailua-Kona, Feb. 28)

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

Location: Tony Honda Kona, 75-5608 Kuakini Highway

This free community day features a book drive and much more. Live entertainment by Kenny T, Binti Bailey and others; keiki activities; face painting; a little free library; lemonade, cotton candy and some other goodies; food and craft vendors; plus authors in attendance and other resources. Give a book, get a book during this event geared toward promoting literacy.

More info: Contact Tony Honda Kona at 808-930-2224.

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No. 7 — Casual Puzzling and Puzzle Swap (Kea‘au, Feb. 28)

When: 1 to 3 p.m.

Location: Big Island Meadery, 16-313 Shipman Road

Join other puzzlers for casual puzzling, puzzle swapping and some mead! Choose one of the collective’s puzzles or bring one of your own. Bring a puzzle or two — or 3 or 4 — to swap if can, too. Puzzles should be in good condition with no pieces missing, or labeled otherwise. Puzzlers are also are encouraged to bag pieces so none go missing.

More info: Connect with Hawai‘i Puzzle Club on Facebook and Instagram.

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No. 8 — Mayari & Ka‘imi (Kainaliu, Feb. 28)

When: 6 to 8 p.m.

Location: The Theatery, 79-7384 Hawai’i Belt Road

Enjoy a relaxing evening of soulful acoustic duets while you check out one of South Kona’s newest food and beverage experiences from a world-class chef with a neighborhood feel. New American fare, prepared in French Style, dominated by Hawaiian ingredients and a theatrical flare. Great music and great food make for a great night out!

More info: Contact The Theatery at 808-289-5127.

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No. 9 — Black Uhuru live in concert (Honoka‘a, Feb. 28)

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

Location: Honoka‘a People’s Theatre, 45-3574 Māmane St.

These Grammy Award-winning reggae legends bring their powerful roots sound for one unforgettable night. Experience deep basslines, conscious lyrics and timeless energy from these icons of reggae. Feel the vibration. Live the rhythm. Don’t miss this night of reggae history. All ages welcome.

More info/tickets: Visit the Honoka‘a People’s Theatre website.

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No. 10 — Andy Bumatai & Augie T Comedy Night (Waimea, Feb. 28)

When: 7 p.m.

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

Two legends. One stage. Endless laughs. These icons of Hawai‘i comedy come together for a night of sharp wit, local humor and laugh-out-loud storytelling. With decades of experience in stand-up, television, radio and film, these masters know exactly how to turn everyday island life into unforgettable comedy. This is a comedy night not to be missed.

More info/tickets: Visit the Kahilu Theatre 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/