Entertainment
Southwest Airlines boosts ‘Ohana Rewards loyalty program with new benefits for members
Opportunity for loyalty program members to fly four one-way interisland flights and earn 1 one-way interisland flight brings more perks, more convenience, stronger interisland connections.
Top 10 things to do on Big Island for May 1-7: Lei Day, AstroDay, Mother’s Day Orchid Show and more
This upcoming weekend promises 3 days packed full of so much fun for the entire ‘ohana, we had to slightly increase the top 10 to a top 11 things to do — with activities, events and festivals planned spanning from the earth under your feet to outer space.
Organizers of Kona 4th of July parade soliciting entires to celebrate America 250
“Whether you walk, dance, roll, ride, strum or march — we want you in the parade,” said organizers of the 2026 Kailua Village Independence Day Parade who are soliciting entries.
Mother’s Day orchid show in Kona features local growers, vendors
Celebrate Mother’s Day early at the Kona Orchid Society’s annual Orchid Show on May 2 at Makaeʻo Pavilion, where you can explore a stunning array of vibrant, blooming orchids.
Mānoa campus of University of Hawaiʻi earns recognition nationally for beauty
“This recognition reflects what our students, faculty and community experience every day at [University of Hawaiʻi at] Mānoa: a campus where natural beauty, culture and academic excellence come together in a unique way,” said University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis Syrmos.
‘Ho‘ā Wailoa: A Tribute to Pi‘opi‘o’ transforms Wailoa Art Center into living cultural space
Keiki, ‘ohana and the broader community are encouraged to listen deeply, create meaningfully and reflect collectively on their relationship to ʻāina through a series of intergenerational experiences at the Hilo art center.
Top 10 things to do on Big Island for April 24-30: Beekeepers, Denim Day, growing together, S. Tokunaga anniversary, native plants and more
This week’s top 10 has everything from an ongoing exhibit featuring the legacy of Hawaiʻi beekeepers to raising awareness about sexual assault and how to prevent it; check out this week’s listings right now!
Work to replace lava tube bridge to begin at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Most of Nāhuku Lava Tube will remain open during construction; entrance and exit will move to the east end only until the project is completed by the end of June.
New online events calendar helps travelers discover what’s happening throughout state
Hawaii.com feature organizes events by island, helping visitors discover festivals, cultural experiences and local happenings and bringing real-time events and experiences directly into the trip-planning process.
New podcast spotlights Hawaiʻi Island ʻōpio choosing to build future at home
Vibrant Hawaiʻi is introducing the podcast this year with renewed intention — to challenge the long-standing narrative that Hawaiʻi’s most promising ʻōpio must leave the island to succeed.
2026 Big Island Chocolate Festival debuts free Chocolate Farmers Market, promises sweet shindig
The new event showcases local cacao growers and chocolate makers; 3-day festival also includes educational activities, farm tour, college student chocolate competition, grand gala and much more.
Top 10 things to do on Big Island for April 17-23: Freaky Tiki, Uncle Charlie, Maisey Rika, HI-CAL DEAD, kickball, Earth Day cleanup and more
It’s another week with plenty to do around the Big Island, but if you’re a music enthusiast — or just like to listen to great tunes — several venues have events planned that are pitch perfect for you; check out this week’s top 10 things to do on the Big Island now!
Art exhibit explores Mauna Loa as more than a geological structure
“36 Views of Mauna Loa” uses a diverse range of art mediums to explore the volcano and will be on display at the East Hawaiʻi Cultural Center until Friday, June 12.
Polynesian Voyaging Society honors 50th anniversary of Hōkūleʻa’s maiden voyage
A series of storytelling, educational initiatives, musical performances and fundraising efforts throughout this year will reflect on the legacy of the voyage and its enduring impact.
Big Island’s Rhoda Magbitang tests her creativity on national TV’s ‘Top Chef’
The executive chef at the Mauna Lani resort’s CanoeHouse is taking on one of the biggest creative challenges of her career as she competes with other high-level chefs in Season 23 of the popular national television show.
Big Island state Rep. Jeanné Kapela co-hosts this year’s 17th annual Art at the Capitol
The free, family-friendly event is open to the public and celebrates local art, performances and culture; this year’s theme is “Urban Canvases; Culture in Motion.”
PHOTO GALLERY: Sights and pageantry of 63rd annual Merrie Monarch Royal Parade
SunRa Adziyaomamawu, a senior at Connections Public Charter School in Hilo, photographs the sights and pageantry of the parade that marched through downtown Hilo on Saturday morning, April 11, 2026.
Kings’ Shops culinary event raises thousands for Waikōloa conservation initiative
A culinary fundraiser on Hawaiʻi Island raised about $20,000 to benefit the Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative.
From humble slices or cuts to global culinary sensation, don’t miss ‘The Story of Poke’
No matter which way you make it — with Hawaiian salt, shoyu, mayonnaise or whatever, even if it’s not with tuna — the classic raw fish dish is spreading Hawaiian culture and aloha around the world; learn more in a 30-minute documentary debuting Sunday, April 12, on Spectrum OC16 Channel 16.
‘It’s a revival’: Merrie Monarch group contest begins with beloved hula kahiko night
Edith Kanakaʻole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo was packed as 29 groups of kāne (men) and wāhine (women) from 19 hula hālau performed hula kahiko to share the moʻolelo of Hawaiʻi with all in attendance.


