During the next few months:

A TASTE OF THE HAWAIIAN RANGE FOOD FESTIVAL - HILTON WAIKOLOA VILLAGE RESORT

Date: Oct. 2, 2009

Place: Hilton Waikoloa
This annual event provides a venue for education to the public on local agriculture. Over 20 local celebrity, resort and restaurant chefs prepare dishes using forage grown meat in combination with locally grown fresh vegetables. Featured chefs will create extraordinary dishes using locally grown range-fed meats including beef, lamb, pork, mutton, sausages, pasture poultry, and goat*, all complemented by fresh Big Island vegetables. Mountain oysters are hoped to again be lassoed up for the event. Many supporting businesses also share their products, rounding out the evenings' affair with samples of Kona coffee, specialty teas, microbrew soda, ice cream, key lime pies, candies, malasadas, soft drinks and other novelties. Also on the menu are decadent desserts ranging from malasadas (Portuguese doughnuts) to exotic treats featuring Hawaiian chocolate and succulent local fruits. * Meats are subject to availability. To be held at the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort, 6-8 pm. For more info, call 885-5580, email miyasaka@hawaii.edu or visit http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/taste/

KOHALA COUNTRY FAIR - HAWI

Date: Oct. 3, 2009

Where: Hawi
Food, crafts, live music, art, special keiki activities, a petting zoo, a "green zone" seed exchange, and much more. Under the Big Banyan Tree from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. For more info, call 889-5324 or visit kohalacountryfair.com.

"THRILLER" 2ND ANNUAL BIG ISLAND HALLOWEEN BLOCK PARTY
Date: Friday, Oct. 31st, 2009, noon - 10:00 p.m.
Place: Ali'i Drive, Kailua-Kona
Contact: Mahea (Event Organizer - All Things Creative), tatau24@hotmail.com
A Free, All Ages event featuring three stages of live entertainment, Hair Show, costume contests and over 200 local vendors.

4th ANNUAL MOKU O KEAWE INTERNATIONAL HULA FESTIVAL - WAIKOLOA BEACH RESORT

Date: Nov. 4 - 8, 2009

Where: Queens Market Place
The Big Island's newest hula competition will feature a 4 day celebration of hula and Hawaiian culture, with hula competitions, workshops, and a marketplace of traditional and contemporary arts and crafts available to the public. The Opening Ceremony concert features a Hawaiian music legend. Workshops in hula and related arts will be offered by masters of the art during the festival. Queens MarketPlace at Waikoloa Resort. For more info, 345-9364 or visit http://www.mokuokeawe.org

23RD ANNUAL VOLCANO VILLAGE ART STUDIO TOUR & SALE
Date: November 27th - 29th 2009, 10 am to 4 pm
Place: Seven artists studios in Volcano Village, Big Island
Contact: Emily Herb, 808-987-3472, eherb@hawaii.rr.com
The Volcano Village Artists Hui cordially invites the public to a free Art Studio Tour in Volcano Village. A wide variety of artwork will be on display and for sale, including ceramics, paintings, hand blown glass, photography & more. The diversity and high artistic standards of the Volcano Village Artists, along with the picturesque settings with studios nestled in the lush rainforest of Volcano Village ensures a memorable experience. Maps for the tour will be available at businesses in the Village.

KAILUA-KONA COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS PARADE

Date: December 12, 2009

Where: Kona
Kailua-Kona's Christmas Parade will be starting at 5 p.m. (till 7pm), going from Kekuaokalani Gym (near the Old Airport), along Kuakini Highway, down Palani, and along Alii Drive ending just past Coconut Grove Marketplace. Theme: "Na Mele O Kalikimaka" (The Songs of Christmas). 60 entries, with lights, music, and fun. Announcing stations at West Hawaii Today (Kuakini & Kaiwi St.), King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel, Kokonutz Bar & Grill (upstairs from Scandinavian Shave Ice), Pancho & Lefty's, Kimo's at Uncle Billy's Hotel, Waterfront Row, Lava Java, and up on the lanai at Coconut Grove Marketplace. Santa will be at West Hawaii Today from 4:30 until 5pm. Grand Marshal: Kealakehe Intermediate Music Teacher Gloria Juan-Tapaatoutai. Entries or volunteers can contact the Kona-side Mayor's Office at Hanauma Place (near Big Island Grill) - call 329-5226, or email Renee Kraft at konakolohe@yahoo.com (345-2108). Presented by Kona Rotary Clubs. For more information, call 808-327-3602, email konakolohe@yahoo.com or visit www.konaparades.com

12th Annual Traditional Mochi (rice cake) Pounding for New Year
Date: Sunday, December 27th, 2009
Plan a unique Christmas this year in Hawaii in our quiet little village of Wailea at Akiko's Buddhist Bed and Breakfast. Join us for the Wailea Village 12th annual mochi-tsuki celebration in making traditional rice cakes the "old-fashioned" way. The oldtimers share their stories of plantation era times and everyone takes their turn at pounding the glutinous sticky rice for good luck. Fire building starts at 6 a.m. to steam the rice. Event goes from 8 a.m.- 2 p.m. with hearty local style lunch for $5. Great Fun!! Call Miss Akiko @ (808) 963-6422 or email: msakiko@hawaii.rr.com for more information.