Top 10 things to do on Big Island for May 29-June 4: Punk rock, Hawaiian music fest, keiki camps, “WHAAM!” and more

Hey, Big Island. We know the summer is all about maximizing time with the family before the next school year starts and everyone having as much fun as possible.

So in the interest of brevity, we’ve shortened up our top 10 listings and made sure you websites, email addresses and/or phone numbers are available to buy tickets or register, when necessary, giving you all the power to check out events, activities, festivals and more that pique your interest the most.

This week, you’ve got a great variety to choose from around the Big Island, as usual, whether it’s rocking out on Punk Rock Night in Waimea, chillin’ out with some great Hawaiian music and more during the Hilo Hawaiian Music Festival, attending the pop art-inspired “WHAAM! at Wainaku” in Hilo or finding a great summer camp for the keiki, including building their own Game Boy or learning the ins and outs of musical theater.

Check out our top 10 things to do for May 29 through June 4!

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No. 1 — Freedom Dance for Global Peace: A Dancing Council (Ocean View, May 29)

When: 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Location: Ocean View Community Center, 92-8924 Leilani Circle

Deepen your dance practice in a 5Rhythms-influenced way for those who use dance as an embodied meditation, and explore individual and group process as part of the Dancing Council. Bring a friend! Substance-free, no-talking dance. No phones. No pictures. No video. Suggested exchange $25 to $35.

More info: Email to ksender@gmail.com or click here.

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No. 2 — Punk Rock Night (Waimea, May 29)

When: 7 p.m.

Location: Uila Records, 65-1227 Opelo Road

Start the summer off with a bang as Big Island bands El Sancho from Waikoloa and Hilo-based Kill the Horse step up the energy and rock out during a night brimming with punk vibes. All ages welcome; $10 cover at the door. Full bar available for those 21 years old and older.

More info: Visit the Uila Records website.

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No. 3 — Arise Concert Series (Kailua-Kona, May 29)

When: 7 to 9 p.m.

Location: Arise Kona Bakery & Cafe, 74-5555 Kaiwi St., F 2-3

Free talent showcase featuring Hawaiian music, reggae, R&B, rock, hip-hop, spoken word and even dance. Plus, free coffee, too! Don’t miss this evening of music, community and great vibes.

More info: Follow the Arise Concert Series on Instagram @ariseconcertseries.

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No. 4 — Stewardship at the Summit Rain Forest Restoration (Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, May 30)

When: Meet at 8:45 a.m.

Location: Kīlauea Visitor Center parking lot, 99-150 Crater Rim Drive

Volunteer to help remove invasive, non-native plants at the national park. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Bring a hat, rain gear, day pack, snacks and water. Gloves and tools are provided. Keiki younger than 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.  

More info: Visit the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park website.

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No. 5 — Two-Lined Spittlebug: A Threat to Hawaiʻi Pastures (Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, May 30)

When: 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Location: Kahuku Visitor Contact Station, Kahuku Unit (turn into Kahuku near the 70.5-mile marker on Highway 11 in Kaʻū)

Hawaiʻi Range and Livestock Management Specialist Mark Thorne will discuss this invasive species, which is a major threat to the local pasture-based livestock industry and was recently discovered in Kaʻū.

More info: Visit the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park website.

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No. 6 — Hilo Hawaiian Music Festival (Hilo, May 30)

When: Noon; doors open at 11 a.m.

Location: Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.

Some of Hawai‘i’s most talented musicians come together for a day of live performances, community and aloha. The life of Ben Kaili, beloved slack key guitarist and one of the festival’s founders, also will be honored.

More info/tickets: Visit the Palace Theater website.

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No. 7 — “WHAAM! at Wainaku” (Hilo, May 30)

When: 5 p.m. VIP entry; 6 p.m. general admission

Location: Ola ‘Ōkolehao Distillery, Wainaku Executive Center, 26-238 Hawai‘i Belt Road

A pop art-inspired curated one-night-only “party with a purpose” with elevated bites, interactive art and live music, raising funds and awareness for Hawai‘i Island Art Alliance’s mission of strengthening the island’s arts ecosystem. Guests are encouraged to dress in celebration of the pop art era. Limited tickets available.

More info/tickets: Visit the Hawai‘i Island Art Alliance website.

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No. 8 — The POPS! (Waimea, May 31)

When: 2 p.m.

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

Kamuela Philharmonic presents a riveting and entertaining mix of popular, poignant and patriotic American music — encapsulating many aspects of the American story — to celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday.

More info: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website.

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No. 9 — Build Your Own Game Boy (Yes. Really.) (Waikōloa, June 1-5)

When: 9 a.m. each day

Location: Hawai‘i Keiki Museum, 69-250 Waikōloa Beach Drive, K104

Learn fundamentals of electronics, solder real components onto your own board, program your own game, design and 3-D print your own buttons and assemble everything into a working handheld game console. No experience necessary — just curiosity. For keiki ages 8 to 15 years old. Spots limited.

More info/registration: Visit the Hawai‘i Keiki Museum website.

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No. 10 — Summer Camps at Kahilu Theatre (Waimea, beginning June 1)

When: Various times and days depending on camp

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

Three summer camps for up-and-coming keiki Thespians: Aerials & Adventures Camp, for kids 8 to 18 years old to defy gravity and climb to new heights; Rising Stars Performing Arts Camp, for children ages 8 to 11 years old to build confidence in musical theater through singing, dancing and performance; and Backstate Boot Camp, for children 12 to 18 years old who want to get their hands on the more technical, behind-the-scenes parts of making the magic of a production happen.

More info/registration: 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 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.

• 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/