Big Island Calendar May (printer friendly page)

Calendar of Eco-Cultural Events
Big Island of Hawaii
May 2007

Back to Color (Updated 2-May-07)

Preserving our Land - Perpetuating our Culture

VOLCANO ART CENTER
Date: Ongoing
Place: Kilauea, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
The Volcano Art Center is a nonprofit, tax-exempt, educational organization created in 1974 to promote, develop and perpetuate the artistic and cultural heritage of Hawaii's people and environment through activities in the visual, literary and performing arts. Under a cooperating agreement with the National Park Service, Volcano Art Center presents ongoing programs in the Park. Call: (808) 967-8222 or visit their site.

KONA HISTORICAL SOCIETY TOURS
Date: Ongoing
Place: Kalukalu (14 miles south of Kailua-Kona)
Offering a variety of guided tours, lectures, and exhibits including the Historic Kailua Village Walking Tour, the Kona Coffee Living History Farm Tour and more. For reservation & cost call (808) 323-3222. (Inquire about their breadmaking in their Portuguese oven!)

RANGER-LED PROGRAMS: HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
Date: Daily
Ranger-led walks and hikes enrich your knowledge of the Park's resources and Hawaiian culture. Walks may be wheelchair accessible or may be longer hikes. The daily schedule of ranger presentations is posted each morning at 9:00 a.m. in the Kilauea Visitor Center. Call: (808) 985-6000 or visit their site.

NELHA PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
Date: Every Wednesday and Thursday (excluding holidays)
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. (Exhibit area open weekdays 8am-4pm)
Place: Keahole Point (one mile south of Kona Int'l Airport)
Ocean technology pioneers harness Arctic-cold deep seawater for the future of mankind. Visit the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA) recognized world-wide as a unique and innovative business, research and science technology park. Fee $5/person (children under age 8 free). Call: (808) 329-7341 or visit their site.

AFTER DARK IN THE PARK: HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
Date: 2 or 3 Tuesdays per month
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium
After Dark in the Park is a series of free evening programs on topics of geology, biology, Hawaiian culture and history. Call: (808) 985-6014 or visit their site.

MA LALO O KA PO LANI (UNDER THE NIGHT'S SKY)
Date: Every 3rd Saturday of Each Month
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Place: Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station
An innovative program of cultural experiences shared by members of our Hawaiian communities followed by the regular evening stargazing program. Call: (808) 961-2180 or visit their site.

AN EVENING IN THE PARK
Date: Every 1st or 2nd Wednesday of Each Month
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Place: Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park (S. Kona)
Each month, there are speakers on different topics such as traditional story telling, hula & chant, crafts, native Hawaiian forest birds,volcano eruption and more. Call: (808) 328-2288or visit their site.

EVENING AT KAHUA RANCH - SUNSET DINNER
Date: Every Tues. & Thurs. through December 27
Place: Kahua Ranch (North Kohala)
Come visit an authentic 8,500 acre working cattle ranch owned by the Richards Family. Meet a member of the Family and learn about the Hawaiian Paniolo (cowboy). Transportation. Dinner. Local Beer, Wine, Soda/Juice Bar. Live Music & Dancing. Roping, Branding, Horseshoes, S'mores & Stargazing. Call: (808) 883-8601 or email Sue Foat .

GRANDFATHER’S HOUSE: AN EXHIBITION ON KOREA
Date: Through December 31
Time: Monday through Saturday, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm.
Place: Lyman Museum, 276 Haili Street, Hilo
Featuring a full-scale replica of a 1930s Korean home, this unique completely interactive exhibit offers hands-on opportunities to explore life in rural Korea during the 1930s. Call: (808) 935-5021.

MORNINGS AT THE PALACE - HAWAIIANA LIVE!
Date: Every Wednesday Morning (throughout 2007)
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Place: The Palace Theater, downtown Hilo
An educational and entertaining cultural program featuring live hula, the historic pipe organ, short films, commentary, and a segment with audience participation and interaction. Tickets are $5. Children 12 and under free. Call: Kimberly Bright (808) 934-7010.

CULTURAL DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM
Date: January through September (Call Park Headquarters for Date)
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12 Noon
Place: Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site, Kawaihae, S. Kohala
Cultural demonstration programs on Hawaiian crafts. Other special Hawaiian programs are presented throughout the year. Footpath, guided and self-guided tours, exhibits and interpretive talks, bird watching. Call: (808) 882-7218 or visit their site.

MAY DAY IS LEI DAY IN HAWAII
Date: May 1
May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii. This wonderful tradition was founded by artist and poet Don Blanding in 1923. Of all ancient Hawaiian art forms, traditional lei making is one of the most beautiful still being practiced island-wide today. Hardly a lovelier tradition exists anywhere in the world than placing a flower garland around the neck of someone special. Lei have one quality that is unsurpassed: they feel just as good to give as they do to receive as they represent and encompass the true spirit of Aloha!

CINCO DE MAYO SPLASH
Date: May 6
Place: Hilton Waikoloa Village (Kohala Coast)
The Cinco de Mayo Splash returns to pristine Anaehoomalu Bay. This race is a half-mile or one-mile open water swim for adults and a 400 meter swim for children 12 and younger. A Fiesta Awards Party follows the race. This is race one in Hilton Waikoloa Village’s Sun, Splash & Dash Race Series, a Dolphin Days benefit race series for Hawaii Shriners Hospital for Children and the Pacific Marine Life Foundation. Call: Special Events/Guest Activities Manager Debbie Wund (808) 886-2884.

3RD ANNUAL MAY DAY LEI DAY FESTIVAL
Date: May 6
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Place: The Historic Palace Theater, Hilo
This beautiful aloha-filled event is free of charge and celebrates the Hawaiian art form of lei making. The festival features a spectacular lei display, lei contest, live music and hula on stage with local musicians, vintage film clips, a silent auction of the lei, and interactive participation with visitors. The event concludes with a sing-along of "May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii" accompanied by the theater's historic pipe organ. Call: (808) 934-7010.

ANNUAL KONA ORCHID SOCIETY'S MOTHER'S DAY SHOW
Date: Friday May 11 & Saturday May 12
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Place: Hale Halawai County Park Bldg., Alii Drive, downtown Kailua-Kona
Orchid lovers as well as Mother's Day shoppers will find a wide selection of island-grown orchids including new hybrids, exotic species, and orchid varieties to suit any microclimate. Most vendors will ship to the Mainland. Also, local artisans with orchid art, greeting cards, photography, pottery and apparel. At 3 p.m each day, popular Big Island orchid educator Phoenicia Zeller will present classes on Growing Orchids Outdoors. Free Admission. Call: Cassandra Phillips (808) 887-6505.

EVENING OF ELEGANCE
Date: May 12
Place: Mauna Lani Resort (South Kohala District)
Enjoy a beautiful night of fine food and drink. Chefs from famed restaurants around the Big Island will offer a taste of their best, as will purveyors of fine wine and beer. Dancing, live and silent auctions will cap off this perfect evening of elegance. Call: (808) 329-1758.

MOTHERS DAY MELE
Date: May 12
Time: 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Place: The Palace Theater, Hilo
Featuring Teresa Bright - one of Hawaii's best and brightest singers. For two decades her renditions of traditional Hawaiian songs, often colored with a touch of jazz and blues have enriched the Hawaii music scene. Teresa will be joined by Buddy Fo. Buddy Fo’s smooth sounds make him a true serenader. Hilo’s very own Desiree Cruz will bring her beautiful stylings to The Palace stage. Master of Ceremonies will be Hawaii-born singer, stand-up comic, writer, storyteller, radio personality and artist Frank B. Shaner. Tickets $25. Call: (808) 934-7010.

MAMA MY MAMA I LOVE YOU (DINNER & HULA)
Date: May 12
Time: 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Place: Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa
Presented by Halau Kalaakeakauikawekiu, this enchanting Mother’s Day celebration outdoors under the stars on the Bay View Lawn at Sheraton Keauhou Bay includes a dinner buffet with entertainment by Na Hoku Hanohano award-winning performers Sean Naauao, Robi Kahakalau, Kaumakaiwa “Lopaka” Kanakaole and Natalie Ai Kamauu. $100/person includes dinner & entertainment. Call: (808) 322-6141 or (808) 989-4616 for reservations/information.

HEALING IN PARADISE WITH THE KUPUNA CONFERENCE
Date: May 24 - 27
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Place: Kona
The healing arts of Hawaii will be presented in hands-on workshops taught by Hawaiian kupuna (elders) who are masters of healing. You will have the opportunity to work with each of the Hawaiian masters in half day or full day workshops. Workshops will include lomilomi (spiritual massage), laau lapaau (the use of medicinal plants), oli (chant), hawaiian spirituality, olelo (language) and hoopono pono ke ala (to make right more right, the path). This conference will include kupuna and some of the up and coming kumu who are carrying on traditional Hawaiian healing. Call: Rebecca Avery (808) 959 2258 or visit their site.

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