Entertainment

Hawai’i’s movie and television industry is resurging in 2026, with three major productions filming in the Aloha State.

Music is in the air this week as several venues around the island are hosting concerts, live bands and even dance shows featuring a variety of tunes in several different styles; but that’s not all — check out this week’s top 10 now!

Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy student Samantha Fortney, who grew up in Hilo, is turning her senior capstone project into meaningful action, inspired by a desire to serve her community.

Those who attend will learn about Kahaluʻu as ʻāina lei aliʻi, the lands that adorn the chiefs, and what made Kahaluʻu so special for generations; participants also will engage in kilo, or intentional observation along the shoreline or in the water and moʻolelo, or oral history, of Kahalu‘u will be shared and a mo’olelo of the day will be collectively created.

Junior golfers throughout Hawai‘i are invited to tee up and join a competitive and educational tournament schedule designed to develop skills on and off the course; the 2026 Spring season opens March 14-15 at Wailuā Golf Course on Kaua‘i, with a tournament for juniors ages 14 years old and younger.

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo doctorate candidate Nicholas ‘Kealiʻi’ Lum uses social media to unpack poetic soul of Hawaiian music, uncovering unique phrases that make songs distinct.

Waimea on the Big Island plays host tonight for an experience that hasn’t been part of the live music scene for more than 100 years performed by the master of leo kiʻe kiʻe — Hawaiian falsetto — and a string ensemble.

Hundreds of community members come together in downtown Hilo for a day to celebrate niu — the coconut — as a symbol of life, resilience and cultural continuity.

The family-friendly fundraiser April 18 at Walter Victor Baseball Complex in Hilo is dedicated to strengthening families and preventing child abuse and neglect in Hawai‘i.

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! Check them out now; we’re sure you’ll have a great time at whichever events and activities you attend.

Recently released new mele Hawaiʻi featuring duet between award-winning Hawaiʻi musician and University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Hawaiian language graduate student Nicholas Kealiʻi Lum and Japan-born musician and trained ʻōlapa hula Tom Noʻeau offers compelling example of how Hawaiian language is taking root far beyond the islands.

Big Island community invited and encouraged to attend a special one-of-a-kind evening showcasing incredible talents of ʻOhana Waʻa Laulima canoe club members and supporters to benefit the nonprofit that provides opportunities for people with special needs and the programs that uplift them.

A birthday bash from 2 to 6 p.m. today will feature hands-on activities, anniversary treats, giveaways and full access to exhibits and the planetarium all for free; the celebration also kicks off a year of monthly anniversary programming throughout 2026.

United States ProMiniGolf Association for the first time is bringing its annual U.S. Open to Hawai‘i, with the 28th contest hitting the greens at Kaua‘i Mini Golf & Botanical Gardens in Anaina Hou Community Park in Kīlauea; you can even be part of the historic fun by heading to the Garden Isle to participate in the U.S. Open of Mini Golf Pro/Am Tournament.

Those interested in participating have until Feb. 25 to register.

And that’s just a quick sample of the wide and, shall we say, unique variety of events and activities happening around the Big Island. Cure that ‘cabin fever’ and get out of the house to discover what we’re talking about.

The study reveals the origin and evolution of turbulence in the corona, a process long linked to coronal heating and the acceleration of the solar wind.

Free, full-day communitywide cultural and educational gathering centered on the coconut — often referred to as the ‘tree of life’ — slated for Sunday (Feb. 22) at Palace Theater

These popular events are intentionally informal — with no agenda — and conversation topics can range from sharing personal stories to discussing neighborhood issues.

The cultural performance group will host a series of public shows, including lion dances, throughout the community as part of Chinese New Year festivities.