Labor Day weekend is upon us! If you enjoy fun festivals, this month has a few, including a Food Truck festival, an all day music festival and Kona Pride.
Having fun things to do to create community is so important! I am realizing this more and more as people find themselves isolated and don’t realize the importance of being around other people. I’d like to think that perhaps this monthly event calendar is a life line to folks who need a bit of a nudge to get out, be with the energy of other people, and maybe make some new friends, or deepen relationships with other people who you see often ALSO enjoying events, too!
September provides a few of these opportunities with festivals AND the canoe race to get out and enjoy!
Thursday, August 29, 2024 through Monday, September 2, 2024
The Queen Liliuokalani Canoe Race
Kona Pier and Kailua Bay
The annual Canoe Race brings in hundreds of canoe paddlers from around the islands to compete in a variety of heats to include mens, women’s, teens and Kupuna. There are vendor booths with a variety of arts and cultural crafts. Definitely an event that brings out the fun for everyone to watch!
Click here for the race schedule
September 6
Surfboard Pūpū Platter with Patricia Vondrak
Donkey Mill Art Center
78-6670 Mamalahoa Hwy, Holualoa, HI
5:30pm -8:30pm
Create a surfboard-shaped pūpū platter to display at your next meal! Inspired by the exhibition Heʻe Nalu: The Art and Legacy of Hawaiian Surfing, on view at Donkey Mill from August 17 – September 14, this class is designed for aspiring ceramic artists that want to see what the studio is all about. Students will use rolled slab, handbuilding and decorating techniques – no previous experience required. Better yet, you will get to take your piece home!**Get inspired! We highly recommend arriving for this class at 5pm so you can view the exhibition in our main space before the start of your workshop. *Due to the firing schedule and time restraints of a one day workshop, the instructor will apply clear glaze to the platters at a later date and pieces will be available for pickup 2-3 weeks after class. Arrangement can be made with the instructor to have your project mailed to you.Level: Beginner, Ages 17+. For more information CLICK HERE
September 7
John Cruz Live
67-1186 Lindsey Rd, Waimea, HI
Two Shows : 2:00pm & 7:00pm
Kahilu Theatre is thrilled to kick off its 2024/25 concert season with performances by legendary Hawaiian music singer-songwriter, John Cruz.
Fresh from his Time to Build a Bridge Summer Tour on the continent, Cruz returns to the Kahilu stage for two spectacular full-length concerts on Saturday, September 7, 2024.
John Cruz is celebrated as one of Hawai‘i’s most talented and cherished artists. A multi-Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner, Cruz was also featured on the GRAMMY® Award-winning album “Slack Key Guitar, Vol. 2,” the first-ever Hawaiian album to receive a GRAMMY®.
Beloved for his emotive and infectious melodies, Cruz’s passionate and soulful vocals captivate audiences. His music blends traditional Hawaiian sounds with elements of folk, blues, and rock, creating his soulful signature style. Each of his performances weaves together a rich tapestry of storytelling through heartfelt, humorous, and honest songs, overflowing with soul and captivating guitar work that echoes his Hawaiian roots and the “island-style” life of Hawai‘i.
With timeless classics like “Shine On,” “Island Style,” and “Sitting in Limbo,” and his more recent “It’s Time to Build a Bridge,” Cruz has made an indelible mark on Hawaiian musical history. Kahilu is honored to welcome him back to open our season. For more information and tickets Click Here
September 7
Big Island Veg Fest
Hale Halewai Park, Kailua-Kona, HI
10:00am-4:00pm
This free community event will delight your senses with delicious local plant-based cuisine, live music, inspiring/educational speakers, cooking demos and more! Come try new foods, have fun and learn ways you can improve your health, extend Aloha (compassion) to animals and Malama (protect) our beautiful planet! For more information CLICK HERE
September 7
QUEEN LILI’UOKALANI BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
LILI’UOKALANI GARDENS
HILO, HI
10:00am to 3:00pm
Enjoy a thrilling “Mass Hula” with many local halau participating togethe. There will also be a helicopter “flower drop”; Hawaiian games and demos; food trucks, children’s games; tea ceremony; and more free family fun. Entertainment will include many favorite local Hawaiian musicians.
September 8
R.O.V.E.R. RALLY Dog adoption event and family fun day
The Swap meet area by Malama’s, Ocean View, HI
10:00am-3:00pm
Join us for a fun family day, both fur and fur-less, for the opportunity to find your fur-ever friend! Featuring Adoptions, Silent Auction, Agility Course, Face painting, Games and prizes for the keiki, and more! For more information CLICK HERE
September 8
Street Eats, A Kailua Village Food Truck Festival
Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona
1:00pm to 6:00pm
Held in Historic Kailua Village, Street Eats: A Kailua Village Food Truck Festival features food trucks and local food vendors from around the island. This mega-sized event takes over Historic Kailua Village and fill the Village with wafting aromas of savory goodness, local entertainment and hula as we close down Alii Drive, put up some tables and invite residents and visitors to come eat the street. Presented by Kailua Village Business Improvement District with support of the Hawaii Tourism Authority through the Community Enrichment Program. For more information call 808-326-7820 or email hkvevents@gmail.com
September 14
Note: This event was moved from Ausgust 24 due to tropical storm Hone
Big Island Makers Market
74-5612 Pawai Place Kailua-Kona, HI
12:00pm to 6:00pm
Join us at Kona Brewing Co. for a fun-filled evening showcasing local artisans and their handmade creations. Browse through a variety of unique products including jewelry, art, crafts, and more. Support small businesses and shop for one-of-a-kind items while enjoying delicious food and drinks from Kona Brewing Co. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to discover talented makers from the Big Island! Free Event! For more information CLICK HERE
September 21
Festival in the Field
Maka’eo (Old A’s) soccer field, Kailua-Kona, HI
12:00pm to 10:00pm
Festival in the Field: A Benefit Concert for Humanity Hale & Keiki of Da ‘Āina
Join us for an unforgettable end-of-summer celebration of fun, music, and food at Festival in the Field, a benefit concert dedicated to supporting the keiki (children) and ‘ōpio (youth) of Big Island. Hosted by two local nonprofit organizations, Humanity Hale AND Keiki of Da ‘Āina, Festival in the Field is more than just a concert; it is a celebration of community, culture, and the collective effort to support and nurture the children of Hawaii.
100% of the proceeds from this event will directly benefit the crucial life enhancing programs run by both organizations aiming to make a difference in the lives of our island youth. Get ready for a fantastic lineup of live bands, delicious food vendors, and local artisans selling their creations.
Don’t miss out on the chance to dance, eat, and shop in the beautiful outdoor setting of the park. Bring your friends and family for a day of laughter and good vibes. See you there! Get your tickets HERE!
September 21
Kona Pride
Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel
75-5660 Palani Road, Kailua-Kona, HI
1:00pm to 5:30pm
Festival day will be on Saturday at the Marriott King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel. Enjoy a day of fun, food vendors and more!
VIP All Access Passes and AMAZING swag bags will be available to be picked up at the KONA PRIDE KICKOFF SOCIAL on Friday September 20 from 5pm-8pm at Puna Chocolate Company located in the Brewery Block. Join us as they throw an awesome kickoff block social party to get the Kona Pride weekend started all within walking distance of host hotels, after that HOLD ON it’s going to be one EPIC weekend! MUST BE 21+ of age to PURCHASE All Access Pass. For more information and tickets CLICK HERE
September 21
Big Island Book Fest
September 21
Improv Comedy Show
Center for Spiritual Living
15-1833 Paradise Dr, Keaau, HI
Doors open at 5:30 and show begins at 6:00pm
Join the Center for Spiritual Living in welcoming Big Island Comedy Theater for one of their Improv ensemble’s Premiere performances. This newly formed improv comedy ensemble will create comedy based on audience suggestions in a show similar to “Who’s Line is it Anyway?” For more information and tickets CLICK HERE
September 28
Pelagic Kona Wildlife
Honokohau Harbor
74-380 Kealakehe Parkway, Kailua-Kona, HI
6:00am to 2:30pm
Join fellow birdwatchers/nature/wildlife/ocean enthusiasts (beginners, experienced,. and photographers encouraged) from Hawaii Birdwatching group on a pelagic birding outing. This will be an eight-hour boat trip to the deep waters offshore of Hawai’i Island’s Kona coast.
Our primary objective is to get observations of seabirds (shearwaters, petrels, storm-petrels, boobies, terns, noddies, and phalaropes), marine mammals (whales and dolphins), and other marine wildlife (sea turtles, sharks, and other fish). For more information please contact Lance at lance.tanino@gmail.com
September 28
Ke Kai Ola Kaiāulu Fest: Seal-abrating a Decade of Ocean Conservation
Ke Kai Ola
73-731 Makako Bay Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI
12:00pm to 5:00pm
Join us in celebrating the 10th anniversary of The Marine Mammal Center’s Hawaiian monk seal hospital at Ke Kai Ola, and the growth of the Hawaiian monk seal population which recently surpassed 1,600 individuals for the first time in 20 years!You’re invited to a conservation festival featuring community partners, live music, activities for keiki and tours of our monk seal hospital, as well as a beer garden and food trucks.
Conservation Festival: Our community festival will kick off with a short opening program including Hawaiian cultural protocol.
Explore the festival with activities, food and more:
• Learn about our local conservation partners: Mokupāpapa Discovery Center, Kohala Centerʻs Reef Teach, Hawai’i Wildlife Center, County of Hawai’i, Hawai’i Wildlife Fund, DLNR Aquatics and Conservation Enforcement Division and others.
• Enjoy food trucks and beverages: Jaw Jackers Grindz, Mao’s Kitchen, and KO Pizza
• Commemorate the day with pics photos at our marine mammal themed photo booth
• Enter our raffle
• Try our “Ocean Threats” obstacle course, play cornhole and other activities for keiki and the young at heart
• Groove to local musicians, A’ina
The event is free, but RSVP is required: 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
