The Big Island Hawaii: Upcoming Events in Kona this May 2015

What’s going on in The Big Island Hawaii in May 2015? Chocolate Festival, Charity Walk, Village Stroll, Lei Making, Mother’s Day Concert, Bio Blitz and Bio Diversity /Cultural Festival, Floating Lantern, Lauhala Conference/Workshop, 20th Annual Lauhala Conference/Workshop, and Aids Walk!

May 8-9, 2015

Got a sweet tooth? Then it’s about time you attend the fun-filled Big Island Chocolate Festival at Fairmont Orchid Resort featuring different chocolate treats and free samples! It’s a two-day event which starts from 5:30 PM and ends at PM.

Upon paying the general admission fee of $75 each, you can head on to the Grand Ballroom for the festival gala. There you can see the mouthwatering chocolates from top confectioners, chocolatiers and top chefs from the island from participating culinary stations competing for awards in various categories. You will also come face to face with famous celebrity chefs who will be judging the competition. Aside from chocolate sampling and tasting of fine wines and ales, there are also live performances and dancing. There are chocolate sculptures display and a silent auction too! If you don’t mind chocolate stains, you can try the chocolate body paint and enjoy the rich, intense flavor
from cocoa powder, just enough to make you smile with its sweetness and touch of richness.

You can join the rest of the group to the Big Isle cacao farm tour and see how these coca seeds turn into delicious treats. You can also learn a lot of things from seminars about agriculture and culinary arts. There is a competition for students as well. You can also join the free voting for attendees. Who knows you might even win the people’s choice award.

If you want to go to the event early, pick a nice seat and taste the specialty wines, simply add $25 (total of $100) for the VIP access.

May 9, 2015

As they said, walking is and will always be the best exercise. With a minimum donation, you can join the Charity Walk at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel, get a free T-shirt and enjoy the beach party! So, get ready for fun games and live entertainment as you splurge on delicious brunch. Be there at 5:30 AM because walking starts at 6:30 AM while running at 7:00 AM.

May 9, 2015

If you enjoy lei making (garland or necklace of flowers), have fun in this therapeutic and creative leisure experience as you listen to different ideas and watch the basic forms of lei. Just make sure you have lei needle so you can participate with other lei makers. Just pay $10 and be at SKEA, Honaunau at 10 AM. The activity ends at one o’clock in the afternoon.

May 10, 2015

Music is good therapy, especially if you’re singing with the cheerful crowd to celebrate mother’s day in Kona. Come and sing with Justin John Moniz, a tenor, who won the 2015 American Prize in Voice, and Val Underwood a celebrated pianist and the Artistic Director of Hawaii Performing Arts Festival. The ticket costs $40. So, bring your mother, friends, and family in a private estate in Olowalu Street, Kona for this amazing performance.

May 16 & 17, 2015

Stressed out? Why don’t you head out for a hike this May 16 to 17 and explore the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with the National park Service and the National Geographic Society? Take a tour from the coastline to the majestic peak of Kilauea volcano and be amazed at how these plants, insects, and animals flourish in the vast rain forest amidst the recent lava flows.

This 2-day event showcases the Bio-blitz as well as the long-awaited Biodiversity/Cultural festival where scientists and experts in Hawaiian culture will join. They will explore and list the plants and wildlife at the national park. This is also open for students and the public who want to discover and learn more about this 33,086-acre park.

The Festival is more than an educational eco-trek. There are cultural and art exhibits as well. And, you are going to fill your stomach with delicious food from the food festival as you’re filling your mind with hands-on science! There are activities for the whole family and live entertainment too! So, why don’t you register online and get a spot on the team of Bioblitz so you can really enjoy being a scientist for a day and explore the national park! But, if you simply want to enjoy the music, art and food exhibits and live entertainment, there is no need to register. Just be there any time on May 15 and 16 and you’re all set!

May 17, 2015

Want to watch a concert while lying on the powdery beach or on a beach mat or chair? Well, you’re just getting lucky! The Merrie Monarchs men’s glee club will perform on the Palace’s South Lawn on May 17! Kumu Hula Etua Lopes will join him in this exciting concert together with his Halau Na Pua U`i O Hawai`i! The show starts at 4 PM so while waiting, you can join the others in the spectacular village strolls thru historic Kailua Village from 1 PM till 6 PM. If you want to splurge on delicious local cuisine, there are many Oceanside cafes and restaurants you can choose from. Or, you can enjoy the Palace performance first and join the village stroll afterward. The Palace event also features many local musicians and artists whose music can surely make your day!

May 17, 2015

Join thousands of spectators all over the world on Memorial Day as you watch the floating lantern via live streaming, telecast or live on Oʻahu’s south shore! The Ikaikamauloa Youth Foundation and Kona Boxing Club present the floating lantern ceremony from 6 PM to 8 pm at King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel, Kamakahonu Bay.

The activity usually draws a huge crowd about 40,000 gathered on the beach, to honor their loved ones as they share hope for the future. Lantern Floating Hawaii is all about joining others to remember to reflect and be grateful to their loved ones who have already died. This ceremony allows you to offer or receive support and encouragement from family, friends and even strangers who will reach out to you.

May 27-30, 2015

Good news for weavers! If you love doing craft projects, why don’t you join the weaving classes for this year’s Lauhala conference? The president and founder of Ka Ulu Lauhala o Kona herself, Aunty Elizabeth Maluihi Lee will be there. She will share her knowledge and skills on the ancient art of lauhala weaving to all participants. Master weavers from different parts of Hawaii will also join her in teaching students and anyone interested in lauhala products.

If you are not the “crafty” type of person but you want to relax and enjoy the conference, just sit there and enjoy the crafts fair and a talk story. You can also make new friends there!

May 30, 2015

Walk the stress and fats away! Socialize, have fun and make friends! The Big Island’s Annual AIDS Walk is the perfect activity to do this. This 2-mile Annual AIDS Walk is hosted by The Hawai`i Island HIV/AIDS Foundation. Walking around the well-known Liliuokalani Gardens will give you a chance to help people with HIV/AIDS in Hawaii. The funds raised will be used to support HIV and Hepatitis C testing, community outreach and education. The walk starts at 8 AM and ends at 1 PM.

Celebrate your recovery and love for art, nature, food, and friendship by attending these upcoming events in The Big Island this month! Hawaii Island Recovery is a premier residential substance abuse rehabilitation facility, located in the island paradise of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii! It offers a comprehensive treatment program to help you achieve and maintain lasting sobriety.

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