Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Aug. 7-13: Bake your own baumstriezel, 808 Day, Brain Health Scavenger Hunt, ‘Chegamos’ and more

The unique variety of events happening during the next week around the Big Island features an array of culture, music, history, health, art and more.

Bake your own crispy, sweet, spiral dessert that is the granddaddy of baumkuchen over an open campfire during a baking adventure in the rain forest Friday at Baumkuchenfarm in Pāpaʻikou.

Visit interactive stations hosted by AARP and community partners to learn about science-based strategies to keep your mind healthy as you age during a special event Saturday at Prince Kūhiō Plaza in Hilo, which includes a Brain Health Scavenger Hunt and chance to win prizes.

Waiānuenue Avenue will be closed off Saturday in Downtown Hilo for a good old-fashioned block party at Hilo Town Market in celebration of 808 Day. There’s a stacked musical lineup, plus live painting, lei making, screen printing, art installations and other interactive activations, plus food and beverages for sale.

Get transported back in time Monday and Tuesday at Lyman Museum in Hilo during live performances based on true reminiscences of some of the nearly 16,000 Portuguese families who took the long journey to Hawai’i between 1878 and 1911, immigrating in hope of finding a new life.

There’s even drag racing in Hilo and the first Kona Guitar and ‘Ukulele Swap Meet in Keauhou.

But that’s not all, so be sure to check out our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for Aug. 7-13 now!

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No. 1 — Hands-on Baking: Bake Your Own Baumstriezel (Pāpaʻikou, Aug. 7)

When: Noon to 1:30 p.m.

Location: Baumkuchenfarm, 27-714 Kaʻieʻie Road

Bake this legendary dessert and granddaddy of baumkuchen over an open campfire during this cultural baking adventure in the rain forest. Roll the dough, sugar it, roast it over the flame and watch it caramelize into a crispy, sweet spiral of perfection. This is not a demonstration. You bake it yourself.

More info/registration: Visit the Baumkuchenfarm website.

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No. 2 — “Formations” and “Dinnshenchas: The Language of Place” (Waimea, through Sept. 13)

When: Noon to 4 p.m. Thursdays, 3 to 5 p.m. Fridays

Location: Suli T. Go Gallery, Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

These exhibitions explore geologic formations through different lenses. One explores the relationship between language and place through photos, drawings and video, while the other highlights the careful observations of the artist through ceramics, wall and spatial installations as well as mixed media.

More info: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website.

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No. 3 — Echoes of the Valley (Waikōloa, Aug. 7)

When: 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Location: The Beauty Barn, 1832 Hawaiʻi Living Co., Waikōloa Stables, 68-1936 Waikōloa Road

Relax, reset and reconnect through soothing therapeutic soundscapes inspired by wild horses of Waipiʻo Valley. Allow the grounding vibrations of crystal singing bowls, gongs and chimes to restore your nervous system amidst the twilight atmosphere of the Stables.

More info/reservations: Click here.

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No. 4 — Brain Health Scavenger Hunt (Hilo, Aug. 8)

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

Location: Prince Kūhiō Plaza, 111 E. Pūʻainakō St.

Visit interactive stations hosted by AARP and community partners, and stop at each to learn about science-based strategies to keep your mind healthy as you age. Scavenger hunt participants can win one of three $50 gift cards. Online entrance is also available, with a chance to win a $100 Safeway gift card.
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More info/enter online: Visit the AARP website.

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No. 5 — Kona Guitar and ‘Ukulele Swap Meet (Keauhou, Aug. 8)

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

Location: Keauhou Shopping Center stage/courtyard area, 78-6831 Ali‘i Drive

The Big Island music-loving community is invited to buy, sell and trade guitars and ‘ukulele during this free event. Product demonstrations, a kanikapila style jam and an opportunity to meet staff from local music stores also will be part of the fun, along with additional music-related vendors.

More info: Click here.

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No. 6 — Taiko (Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Aug. 8)

When: 11 a.m.

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

Learn about the posture and movement associated with a taiko performance, different types of drums, sticks used to strike the drum, traditional clothing and different rhythms and strikes. You might even get a chance to try taiko yourself.

More info: Contact Park Information at 808-985-6011.

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No. 7 — Build Your Food Business (Hāwī, Aug. 8)

When: 1 to 3 p.m.

Location: Touching the Earth Farm Kitchen, 55-567 Lincoln Ave.

Learn the financial basics for funding your food business. Understanding the financial side of operating a food business can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Learn what it actaully takes to build a sustainable food business in Hawai’i during this hands-on session. Free and open to the community.

More info/registration: Click here.

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No. 8 — 808 Day Block Party (Hilo, Aug. 8)

When: 4 to 10 p.m.

Location: Hilo Town Market, 69 Waiānuenue Avenue

Waiānuenue Avenue will be closed off for this good old-fashioned block party, featuring a stacked musical lineup, plus live painting, lei making, screen printing, art installations and other interactive activations. There also will be food and beverages for sale.

More info/tickets: Visit the 808 Day website.

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No. 9 — Hot August Days (Hilo, Aug. 8-9)

When: Gates open 8 a.m. both days

Location: Hilo Dragstrip, 2295 Hoʻolaulima Road

Big Island Auto Club invites everyone to 2 days of drag racing fun featuring the Volks-War bracket Saturday and Japan vs. Germany on Sunday. Other programs include junior dragsters, bikes/motorcycles, time trials and a VW care display. Keiki 12 years old and younger are free.

More info: Follow Big Island Auto Club on Facebook and Instagram.

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No. 10 — “Chegamos: We Arrived” (Hilo, Aug. 10-11)

When: 7 p.m. Monday; 3 p.m. Tuesday

Location: Lyman Museum, 276 Haili St.

Nearly 16,000 Portuguese immigrants in 24 different ships arrived between 1878 and 1911 to work the sugarcane fields in Hawai‘i. This presentation carries audiences back in time through true reminiscences of Portuguese families who undertook the long journey in hope of finding a new life.

More info: Visit the Lyman Museum 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/