In our first edition of Hawaii The Big Island Revealed, we listed a calendar of local events for the island. It was a colossal waste of time! Things change so often in Hawaii that we couldn't keep it current. The web fixes that. Don't get me wrong. Some of the events listed below will not occur or will change time or place. That's because decisions about these things are made quite capriciously in the islands, often the day of the event. We'll change this page daily if we have to, but you can't bet your life on the timeliness of these events. Nonetheless, if you're interested in attending a local event, these might be worth checking into.

After Dark in the Park, Tuesdays at 7pm, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Visitor Center Auditorium. Weekly lecture series. Call 808-985-6000 for information, to confirm dates and reservations.

Volcano Art Center at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park offers new exhibits and programs each month. Call the Center at 808-967-8222 for the current schedule.

Wednesdays, Weekly Performance involving music, chants, hula, film clips -- a blend of mediums to educate you about Hawaiian culture and the history at The Palace Theatre in Hilo. Call Alice Moon at 808-933-9772.

Every First Saturday
Mauna Kea Visitor's Information Station, monthly program to discuss recent observations and discoveries, 6pm, with stargazing. Limited seating, (808) 961-2180.

Every Third Saturday
Aloha Saturdays at Kalakaua Park in Hilo, features performances, exhibits, demonstrations, workshops, lectures and more by Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners, scholars, musicians, hula halau and community groups. They strive to promote creative and culturally authentic programs for all.

Saturdays & Sundays
Mauna Kea Visitor's Information Station offers free summit tours starting at 1pm. All participants in the Summit Tour must have their own 4-wheel drive transportation to the summit. Participants must be at least 16 yrs of age, not pregnant and in good health. Check their web site for other information and requirements: Visitor Information Station website.

Second Sunday of the Month
Aloha Sundays at the East Hawaii Cultural Center in Hilo on Kalakaua Street, presents a special daytime program featuring a wide variety of activities for residents and visitors featuring authentic Hawaiian cultural programming, art, student projects and entertainment. Call 808-961-5711.

February 3
Bamboo Drums Hula with bamboo drums as the featured musical instrument. An authentic presentation by two hula teachers. From 10am-2pm at Puuhonua o Honaunau Historical Park. Call 808-328-2326.

February 4
Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival includes cherry blossom viewing, music, demonstrations, exhibits, crafts, entertainment, ethnic foods, a farmers’ market and visiting performers and artisans from Japan. 9am-5pm at various locations in Waimea. Call 808-961-8706.

February 11
Valentine Wine Tasting will take place at a beautiful private residence in Kailua-Kona. Event will feature fine wines, food, live music and a silent auction from 4pm-8pm. Tickets are $65 per person. Proceeds will go towards scholarships for local students and other projects. Call Sandee Crisp at (808) 987-0184.

February 11
10th Annual Hilo Chinese New Year Festival celebrates the Year of the Dragon, roaring into Downtown Hilo with Lion Dancers parading through town beginning at 9am. The lions open the free Festival at 10am at Kalakaua Park, which is filled with arts, crafts, Hawaiian and Asian gifts, international food booths, and cultural information. Performances, calligraphy, I-Ching and martial arts demonstrations along with a free food tasting and free kids activities. Call (808) 935-8850.

February 12
Quisine of Hearts food by Big Island chefs along with desserts, wine handcrafted ales and Kona coffee; listen to and music; and bid for silent auction items at this American Culinary Federation Valentine’s brunch that benefits childhood nutritional education. 11:30am-2:30pm at the Hilton Waikoloa Village.

Feburary 18
Laupahoehoe Music Festival 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. Monies raised goes for civic projects and scholarships. 9:30am-4pm. Call 808-938-3688.

February 18
Hawaii Avocado Festival celebration of the delicious and nutritious avocado, featuring tastings, growing demos, recipe contest, eco fashion show, farmers market, performing arts, avo-inspired dinner and more. Free. 10am-4pm at the Keauhou Beach Resort. Call 808-334-3340.

February 18
Na Mea Hawaii Hula Kahiko 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, 9:30am-1:30pm. Free; park entrance fees apply.

February 18
Ukulele and Slack Key Mastes II John Jorgenson Quintet are the evening’s headliners, featuring Jorgenson’s dazzling guitar. A founding member of the Desert Rose Band and six-year member of Elton John’s band. Fee. 8pm at Kahilu Theatre, Parker Ranch Center. Call 808-885-6868.

February 25
Annual Grow Hawaiian Festival features presentations on native plant horticulture – this year taro will be featured - conservation and traditional Hawaiian arts. Also dance, demonstrations and garden tours. Free at the Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Gardens. 9am-2:30pm. Call 808-323-3318.

MARCH 2012

After Dark in the Park, Tuesdays at 7pm, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Visitor Center Auditorium. Weekly lecture series. Call 808-985-6000 for information, to confirm dates and reservations.

Volcano Art Center at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park offers new exhibits and programs each month. Call the Center at 808-967-8222 for the current schedule.

Wednesdays, Weekly Performance involving music, chants, hula, film clips -- a blend of mediums to educate you about Hawaiian culture and the history at The Palace Theatre in Hilo. Call Alice Moon at 808-933-9772.

Every First Saturday
Mauna Kea Visitor's Information Station, monthly program to discuss recent observations and discoveries, 6pm, with stargazing. Limited seating, (808) 961-2180.

Every Third Saturday
Aloha Saturdays at Kalakaua Park in Hilo, features performances, exhibits, demonstrations, workshops, lectures and more by Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners, scholars, musicians, hula halau and community groups. They strive to promote creative and culturally authentic programs for all.

Saturdays & Sundays
Mauna Kea Visitor's Information Station offers free summit tours starting at 1pm. All participants in the Summit Tour must have their own 4-wheel drive transportation to the summit. Participants must be at least 16 yrs of age, not pregnant and in good health. Check their web site for other information and requirements: Visitor Information Station website.

Second Sunday of the Month
Aloha Sundays at the East Hawaii Cultural Center in Hilo on Kalakaua Street, presents a special daytime program featuring a wide variety of activities for residents and visitors featuring authentic Hawaiian cultural programming, art, student projects and entertainment. Call 808-961-5711.

March 3
Great Waikoloa Ukulele Festival honoring Hawaii’s well-known instrument with a day of Hawaii's top ukulele musicans and entertainers performing at the Kings’ Shops and Queens’ Marketplace at the Waikoloa Resort. 10am-7pm. Call 808-886-8811.

March 9 & 10
Kona Brewer's Festival promotes craft brewing in Hawaii and promotes recycling. Expect about 60 craft beers from Hawaii and the U.S. Mainland, plus gourmet food. Also Brewer’s Dinner, Golf Tourney and Run for the Hops. Fee. 2:30pm-6:30pm at the King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel. Call 808-331-3033.

March 18
Big Island International Marathon 26.2-mile marathon and 13.1-mile and 3.1-mile fun runs, participants run the coast of old Hawaii along the Pacific Ocean, through tropical rainforests, past rushing waterfalls and along black lava beaches to finish at the historic Hilo Bay front. A flat, cool and fun course in the beautiful Hilo area. start is 6am. Call 808-969-7400.

After Dark in the Park, Tuesdays at 7pm, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Visitor Center Auditorium. Weekly lecture series. Call 808-985-6000 for information, to confirm dates and reservations.

Volcano Art Center at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park offers new exhibits and programs each month. Call the Center at 808-967-8222 for the current schedule.

Wednesdays, Weekly Performance involving music, chants, hula, film clips -- a blend of mediums to educate you about Hawaiian culture and the history at The Palace Theatre in Hilo. Call Alice Moon at 808-933-9772.

Every First Saturday
Mauna Kea Visitor's Information Station, monthly program to discuss recent observations and discoveries, 6pm, with stargazing. Limited seating, (808) 961-2180.

Every Third Saturday
Aloha Saturdays at Kalakaua Park in Hilo, features performances, exhibits, demonstrations, workshops, lectures and more by Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners, scholars, musicians, hula halau and community groups. They strive to promote creative and culturally authentic programs for all.

Saturdays & Sundays
Mauna Kea Visitor's Information Station offers free summit tours starting at 1pm. All participants in the Summit Tour must have their own 4-wheel drive transportation to the summit. Participants must be at least 16 yrs of age, not pregnant and in good health. Check their web site for other information and requirements: Visitor Information Station website.

Second Sunday of the Month
Aloha Sundays at the East Hawaii Cultural Center in Hilo on Kalakaua Street, presents a special daytime program featuring a wide variety of activities for residents and visitors featuring authentic Hawaiian cultural programming, art, student projects and entertainment. Call 808-961-5711.

April 8-14
Merrie Monarch Festival hula celebration and competition with week-long festivities 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. At the Edith Kanakaole Stadium in Hilo. Call 808-935-9168.

April 21
Na Mea Hawaii Hula Kahiko traditional hula and chant performed outdoors on the hula platform overlooking Kilauea Crater, featuring different Halau at 10:30 a.m.; Hawaiian cultural demonstrations at Volcano Art Center Gallery, 9:30am-1:30pm. Free; park entrance fees apply.

April 21
Earth & Ocean Festival at Keauhou is a family/community based program featuring many booths, exhibits and fun activities that showcase environmental and recycling programs, coastal restoration, ocean literacy, energy conservation, cultural activities and more, plus live music and entertainment. 10am-3pm at the Keauhou Beach Resort. Call 808-329-1758.

MAY 2012

After Dark in the Park, Tuesdays at 7pm, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Visitor Center Auditorium. Weekly lecture series. Call 808-985-6000 for information, to confirm dates and reservations.

Volcano Art Center at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park offers new exhibits and programs each month. Call the Center at 808-967-8222 for the current schedule.

Wednesdays, Weekly Performance involving music, chants, hula, film clips -- a blend of mediums to educate you about Hawaiian culture and the history at The Palace Theatre in Hilo. Call Alice Moon at 808-933-9772.

Every First Saturday
Mauna Kea Visitor's Information Station, monthly program to discuss recent observations and discoveries, 6pm, with stargazing. Limited seating, (808) 961-2180.

Every Third Saturday
Aloha Saturdays at Kalakaua Park in Hilo, features performances, exhibits, demonstrations, workshops, lectures and more by Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners, scholars, musicians, hula halau and community groups. They strive to promote creative and culturally authentic programs for all.

Saturdays & Sundays
Mauna Kea Visitor's Information Station offers free summit tours starting at 1pm. All participants in the Summit Tour must have their own 4-wheel drive transportation to the summit. Participants must be at least 16 yrs of age, not pregnant and in good health. Check their web site for other information and requirements: Visitor Information Station website.

Second Sunday of the Month
Aloha Sundays at the East Hawaii Cultural Center in Hilo on Kalakaua Street, presents a special daytime program featuring a wide variety of activities for residents and visitors featuring authentic Hawaiian cultural programming, art, student projects and entertainment. Call 808-961-5711.

May 12 & 13
Kau Coffee Festival celebrating the bean in the beautiful Kau district. Featuring a Miss Kau Coffee pageant, a hoolaulea honoring Kau coffee international awards, best coffee tasting, recipe contest, music and entertainment, farm tours, coffee demos and auction. At the Community Center in Pahala. Most events free. 9am-6pm. Call 808-928-0500.

May 20-26
Puna Music Festival one-week festival featuring performances by local, mainland and international musicians, traditional Hawaiian instruments, music-and-hula focused cultural excursions, community marketplace and final performance and luau featuring musical and culinary tastes of Puna. At the Kalani Oceanside Retreat. 9am-6pm daily. Call 808-65-0468.

May 24-28
Talk Story Film Festival free family films at The Shops at Mauna Lani, daytime movies and nightly double features at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai'i--plus filmmaking workshops, celebrity receptions and "Best of the Fest" Hawaiian music concert and movies under the stars. Call 808-883-0394.

May 26
Na Mea Hawaii Hula Kahiko traditional hula and chant performed outdoors on the hula platform overlooking Kilauea Crater, featuring different Halau at 10:30 a.m.; Hawaiian cultural demonstrations at Volcano Art Center Gallery, 9:30am-1:30pm. Free; park entrance fees apply.