Lots of energy on the island right now as we are in an eruption cycle with Kilauea, the Humpback whales are arriving en masse, and a late surge of visitors has arrived to see both lava and cetaceans while escaping the polar vortex on the mainland!
This month brings some fun annual Festivals, like the Cherry Blossom Festival in Waimea. Another annual event is the 3rd Annual Run for the Reef 5k on February 15th that I created to raise funds to pay for the mineral sunscreen at Kahalu’u Beach park to protect the coral reef there. I DO hope you can join in by walking, running or even just donating! Most of the funds raise DO come from the 365 Hawaii community and its a really good way to make a difference where ever you are. (We set up EventBrite to take virtual walkers!)
Also, I just got back from the County Council meeting regarding the parking crisis in downtown. My team created a presentation that included the problem and solutions and were happily surprised by the positive response from the Council and the fact that the Department of Public Works, the Planning Director and the Council lawyer were there to share what they could do on their part to help solve this issue. WE SEE A LIGHT! We will be releasing the presentation and testimony and Council response on video if you would like to see it on the “Fix Paid Parking in Kona” YouTube channel. And yes, one person can make a difference!
February 2025 Hawaii Island Events Calendar
February 1
32nd Annual Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival
Waimea Town,Waimea (Kamuela)
9am to 3pm
Join our FREE even with a full lineup of hands-on Japanese and multi-cultural activities and performances throughout town. Headquartered from Church Row Park, the multi-venue event will celebrate the parkʻs annual blooming of historic cherry trees. In addition to bonsai activities, the festival offers hands-on mochi pounding, sake tasting, bon dancing, traditional tea ceremonies, food demonstrations by local chefs, broke da’ mouth food prepared by local organizations and loads of craft vendors. Performances can be enjoyed by festival goers at multiple venues. Roberts Hawaii will provide a free transportation shuttle between Church Row Park and other venues, though walking is encouraged.
The event is is annually produced by the Hawai’i County Parks and Recreation’s Culture and Education Section. The event is a community-wide effort by a dedicated team of volunteers. For more information click HERE
February 1
Plant People Road Show-Kailua-Kona
Maka’eo Pavilion at Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area-Kailua-Kona
9am to 1pm
Five friendly mom and pop nurseries from the island’s different regions share their secrets for “happy plants” at the Plant People Road Show. The spring show is featuring blooming flower stems and potted plants perfect for Valentine gift-giving. FREE EVENT!
For more information please click HERE
February 1
February 7
Josh Tatofi & Friends
Naniloa Crown Room-93 Banyan Dr., Hilo
6pm to 10pm
Enjoy the smooth voice of Josh Tatofi and friend’s. For more information please click HERE
February 8
Muddy Dash Hilo
Lavaloha-1820 Amaauulu Rd, Hilo
7am Check In
Get Down and Dirty at the Muddy Dash! Prepare yourself for the wildest, muddiest event of the year – the Muddy Dash! This isn’t just a run; it’s an adventure through the muck and mire, filled with thrilling obstacles and plenty of mud to make sure you have the time of your life!
Picture this: you and your friends charging through a challenging course, conquering epic obstacles, and getting gloriously muddy from head to toe. It’s the perfect combination of grit, determination, and downright dirty fun!
Whether you’re a seasoned obstacle course racer or a first-time mud enthusiast, the Muddy Dash offers an experience that’s equal parts challenging and entertaining. Get ready to leap, climb, crawl, and slide your way through a series of awesome obstacles, all while getting wonderfully dirty!
Don’t miss out on the messiest, most exhilarating event of the year! Grab your friends, family, or come solo and dive into the Muddy Dash for a day you’ll never forget. Register now and embrace the muddy mayhem!
For more information and registration details, visit our website https://muddydash.com/locations/hilo/
February 8
Lunar New Year Celebration
Queen’s Marketplace-69-201 Waikoloa Beach Drive, Waikoloa
4pm to 8pm
Join us in welcoming the Year of the Snake with a festive event featuring a blend of tradition, culture, and family-friendly entertainment.
– Live Performances
– Keiki Activities
– Merchant Sidewalk Sales & Market Vendors
– Giveaways: Enter for a chance to win
– Firecrackers
– Lion Dancing with Yao Gong Lion Dance Hawaii
For more information please click HERE
February 8
The 14th Annual Wiliwili Festival
Waikaloa Dry Forest Preserve-Quarry Road Waikoloa
9am-3pm
The Wiliwili Festival is a FREE public educational event for the whole family! This year our theme is Laulima – a tribute to the many mentors, leaders, cultural practitioners, scientists, volunteers, students, organizations, and community members who have joined hands to create, nurture, and grow the Waikoloa Dry Forest Preserve.
Wiliwili are keystone species in the lowland dry forest and this year’s festival will allow you to see these beautiful trees in their natural environment! The Wiliwili Festival will feature exhibitors presenting activities and educational materials at booths set up along the preserve access road.
At Hale Hana Hou, within the preserve, there will be a native plant giveaway, and opportunities to ask the experts about plant propagation, growing, and care. Food and beverages will be available for purchase as well as Waikoloa Dry Forest merchandise including t-shirts featuring this year’s beautiful artwork.
Guided tours of the forest will be offered by our friends at Hawai’i Forest & Trail every half hour. HFT’s knowledgeable guides have become ambassadors of our forest and helped collect millions of native seeds through their weekly giveback tour that visits the Waikoloa Dry Forest Preserve. Hiking, exploration, and self-guided tours are always an option!
Funding for the Wiliwili Festival is provided by Hawai’i Tourism Authority through the Community Enrichment Program. For more information please click HERE
February 8
Mālama Makaliʻi Ocean Festival 2025
Kawaihae Canoe Club-Kawaihai HI
Opening ceremony 9:30am-10:00am to 4:00pm
Inviting all Makali‘i ‘ohana and wa‘a ocean lovers! Join us at as we celebrate 30 years of Makali‘i and our ocean gardens. Please bring a water bottle and chair. For more information click HERE
February 15
3rd Annual Race for the Reef
Kahalu’u Beach Park, Kailua-Kona
7:30am
Who enjoys a living coral reef? Who would like to either run/walk or donate to the Reef Teach program to ensure Kahalu’u Bay has free chemical-free sunscreen for visitors to wear in the ocean to help stop the degradation of the coral?
Joint us at Kahalu’u Beach Park to run a 5k or join virtually and donate! Please sign up and share! Only $35 and includes refreshments, awards and a chance to meet some awesome people! Walk your dogs!
The 365 Hawaii Island Community Fund is sponsoring the race. And we invite volunteers, too! For more information please click HERE
February 15
Event: Paula Fuga – Saving My Love Tour
Naniloa Crown Room-69 Wainuenue, Hilo
6:30pm
Join us for an unforgettable night as Paula Fuga graces the stage at the Crown Room in Hilo for her “Saving My Love Tour”! Known for her captivating blend of contemporary and traditional Hawaiian music, Paula Fuga has enchanted audiences with her soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics.
This special evening will also feature **Special Guest Kamalan i**, adding an extra layer of excitement to the performance. Together, they will create a magical atmosphere filled with love, music, and connection
Don’t miss your chance to experience Paula Fuga and Kamalani live in concert! Bring your friends and family for a night of incredible music and unforgettable moments. Get your tickets today and be part of this extraordinary event! For more information please click HERE
February 15
Taste of Puna-Traveling Artisan Village & the Movable Feast
Hawaiian Shores Community Center-15-859 Kahakai Blvd, Pahoa
12pm to 8pm
Live Artisans at work making their specialties. Food & Craft Vendors, Music and Educational Activities. Moveable Feast of Puna is promoting this event to make it FREE for attendees. For more information click HERE
February 16
Kokua Kailua Villiage Stroll
Ali’i Drive, Kona
1pm to 6pm
Kokua Kailua, the popular monthly village stroll on Alii Drive, happens one Sunday each month from 1 pm to 6 pm. Kona’s Historic Kailua Village closes to vehicular traffic and becomes a festive, pedestrian-only outdoor marketplace that makes for a fun family-friendly day. Leashed dogs are welcome to stroll too.
Kokua Kailua stretches from Kailua Pier through Historic Kailua Village to Hualalai Road. Highlights include over 100 vendor booths showcasing the work of local artisans and crafters, musicians, and merchants offering a fantastic shopping experience and delicious dining options.
For more information click HERE
February 22-23
10th Annual SOKO Studio Weekend
South Kona-82-6082 Kilikikopa Pl, Captain Cook
9am to 4pm
Please join us for this self-guided art discovery while visiting local artists in their studios along the scenic Kona Coast. It doesn’t matter if you are an experienced art collector or just enjoy being around art, this is an amazing opportunity to peek into the creative spaces of Kona’s artists, see art demonstrations, and purchase art directly from the artists.
This takes place over two days, so there is plenty of time to enjoy talking with the artists about their inspiration and techniques. A wide range of fine art and small handcrafted gifts and cards are available for sale at each location.
For more information and to download the brochure and a map to each location and click the link. Please click HERE
February 22
14TH ANNUAL GROW HAWAIIAN FESTIVAL
Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden-82-6160 Mamalahoa Hwy, Captain Cook (Across from Manago Hotel)
9am-2:30pm
Celebrating Hawaiian plants and their uses for sustainability. demonstrations, displays, hands-on activities, garden tours, plant sales, music, food, and information tables. The Festival brings together Hawaiian artists and cultural practitioners, conservation professionals, botanists, and students of Hawaiian native plants and ethnobotany. For more informaiton please click HERE
February 24-25
18th Annual Hawai’i Island Living and Design Expo
Outrigger Kona Resort-Keauhou
Saturday, 9am-5pm and Sunday, 9am-2pm
Enjoy fun and engaging home expo exhibitors, awards for best booths, live radio DJ on Saturday from 12 – 2 p.m. and more!
Get Inspired at Hawaii Island’s Finest Home Show! Free admission & parking! For more information please click HERE
February 27
Henry Kapono’s Artist 2 Artist Concert with Jerry Santos
Kona Salt Farm- 73-907 Makako Bay Drive, Kailua Kona
6:30pm
As part of Henry Kapono’s 2025 Artist 2 Artist “The Legend” Series, in partnership with the Henry Kapono Foundation, the Kona Salt Farm is excited to host four sunset concerts on our beautiful oceanfront grounds. Come to listen to Henry Kapono, Jerry Santos and “On The Rise” Artist Anthony Plufke. For more information please click HERE
February 27-March 1
The third annual Kona Steel Guitar Festival
Outrigger Kona Resort-78-128 Ehukai St, Kailua-Kona
The festival will immediately precede the annual Aloha Music Camp at the same location. Keauhou, Hawai‘i is located in the Kona, Hawai‘i area of Hawai‘i Island.
The Kona Steel Guitar Festival will bring the Hawaiian steel guitar experience to Keauhou, about a half-hour from the Kona airport. The festival will also extend that experience to Aloha Music Camp participants who may have previously enjoyed that experience when the Camp was held on Kaua‘i. As in prior years, the Kona Steel Guitar Festival will be presented in the days preceding the Aloha Music Camp. (The final “A Hui Hou” Aloha Music Camp will be held March 2-8, 2025 at the Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa.)
The Kona Steel Guitar Festival will be presented free to the public by Hawaii Institute for Music Enrichment and Learning Experiences (HIMELE) and the Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa, in association with the Ke Kula Mele Hawai‘i School of Hawaiian Music. For more information please click HERE
Do you know of more Hawaii Island events coming up?
If you know of others that you would like to share or upcoming events, email me at Julie@Ziemelis.com. Please share this calendar to support our awesome business owners and events planners!
The event calendar for Hawaii Island is sponsored by the 365Hawaii Group of REAL Broker.
Team members are Julie and Eric Ziemelis, Realtors and founders of 365Hawaii YouTube channel, the 365Kona Newbies Group, Hilo Newbies Group and Kohala Newbies Group. Our focus is making Big Island a better place to live by creating community and opportunities for Aloha.
Thinking of buying real estate or just learning more about purchasing a home? Join our 365Ohana! or email Julie at Julie@Ziemelis.com
