February 5 - 11 Aloha Music Camp
Keauhou Beach Resort -
Kailua-Kona www.alohamusiccamp.com -
Spend an entire week experiencing Hawaiian music, dance and culture first hand. Keola Beamer and the Beamer ohana bring together some of Hawaii's finest musicians and performing artists as your instructors for daily classes. Whether you are just starting out or have advanced skills, this is the place for you. Workshops in slack key guitar, hula, ukulele, steel guitar, storytelling and kukakuka, evening concerts, lei making, chants and more to come. com
Aloha Music Camp
1-650-733-4643.
February 8 - July 21- Kilauea Hula Performance
See traditional hula and chant performed outdoors on the hula platform overlooking Kilauea Crater, featuring Halau Na Pua Haaheo O Kona at 10:30 a.m.; Hawaiian cultural demonstrations at Volcano Art Center Gallery, 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Free; park entrance fees apply. Information
(808) 967-8222
Volcano Art Center Gallery,
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
www.volcanoartcenter.org.
February 18 - Laupahoehoe Music Festival
Laupahoehoe Beach Park, Hwy. 19, Hamakua Coast -
Rising stars, veteran masters and top local bands come together for a day of nonstop music and hula, island style. Food vendors will offer a wide variety of tastes; local craft vendors will also be on site. Money raised goes for civic projects and scholarships. Fee. Information
(808) 938-3688
Laupahoehoe Beach Park, Hwy. 19, Hamakua Coast -
Laupahoehoe
laupahoehoemusic@hotmail.com
April 8 - 14 Merrie Monarch Festival - Hilo
King Kalakaua
Hawaii's most venerable hula celebration and competition with week-long fe stivities including exhibitions, musical entertainment, arts and crafts fairs and the Miss Aloha Hula Competition, kahiko (ancient) and auana (modern) hula competitions. Except for the hula competition, events are free. Information:
(808) 935-9168,
Edith Kanakaole Stadium
350 Kalanikoa Street,
Hilo, HI 96720 www.merriemonarch.com
April 21 - Earth and Ocean Festival at Keauhou
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Keauhou Beach Resort - FREE to the public. Presented by Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce and University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program.
The Earth and Ocean Festival is designed to showcase and emphasize the unique treasures of Hawaii Island via booths and educational activities on coral reef and ocean stewardship, traditional Hawaiian cultural practices, products and foods made in Hawaii, education on conservation practices in Hawaii, film and slide presentations, and features Hawaiian entertainment, including Darlene Ahuna, one of Hawaii's foremost female vocalists. She is a multiple Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner, including "Female Vocalist of the Year." More info at http://www.kona-kohala.com
May 26 - The Art and Traditions of Hula Kilauea
10:30AM – 1:30 PM - This program features an outdoor Hula Kahiko Informance with kumu Leilehua Yuen and Manu Josiah. A 50-minute narrated demonstration of the preparation, protocol and offering of traditional hula and chant at the hula platform in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This presentation takes place rain or shine at the hula platform located near VAC Gallery. Audience are encouraged to bring sitting mat and sun/rain gear. On the same day, there is a hands-on cultural demonstration from 9:30AM to 1:30PM on the gallery porch. All events are free (donations welcome); park entrance fees apply. Information
(808) 967-8222
Volcano Art Center Gallery,
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
May 24 - Big Island Film Festival
An international film festival which celebrates narrative filmmakers and narrative films. With three movie venues, food and beverage events, workshops, celebrities, and Hawaiian music and culture, it's rapidly gaining an international reputation. Some events free. Information
(808) 883-0394
Fairmont Orchid Hotel, 1 North Kaniku Drive, Kohala Coast
www.bigislandfilmfestival.com
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