Apr 26 Friday
Aloha Friday cultural demonstrations are held every Friday, from 11 am – 1 pm on the porch of Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. This month’s offerings include: 1st Fridays - Lei making with Kaipo Ah Chong, 2nd Fridays - kapa stamping with Desiree Moana Cruz. 3rd Fridays - ʻukulele with Wes Awana, and 4th Fridays - Lauhala Weaving with Kuʻuipo Morales.
These free cultural events are supported in part by Hawai’i State GIA Wai Wai Program.
Full Life Celebrates 24 Years of Service and Grand Opening of New Hilo Office with Open House EventHilo, HI.
Full Life, a premier developmental disabilities agency serving the Island of Hawaii, is excited to announce the relocation of its Hilo office to a new, centrally located address. The new office is now situated at 792 Pi'ilani Street, Hilo, HI 96720, conveniently across from Aunty Sally's Kaleohano's Lu'au Hale.To celebrate this milestone, Full Life invites the community to join in a special Open House event on Friday April 26, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet Full Life's dedicated staff, engage with participants, and learn more about programs and services for adults and children with developmental disabilities in an interactive and welcoming environment."We are thrilled to welcome the community to our new Hilo office," said Jim Kilgore, Executive Director of Full Life. "This relocation represents an opportunity to further connections and partnerships with our community and share resources available in East Hawai’i. We are deeply grateful for the support of our vibrant community. We look forward to welcoming everyone to our Open House event and sharing in this exciting moment."As part of the celebration, Kahu Kauila Haumea, founder of Ohana Wa'a Laulima Canoe Club, will perform a traditional blessing ceremony, infusing the new space with positive energy and cultural significance. Refreshments, pupus and other activities will also be a part of the event. Also come and meet Vince Zamora the 2024 ANCOR National Direct Support Professional of the Year for Hawai’i. For more information about Full Life and the Open House event, please visit www.FullLifeHawaii.org or contact Maire Sanford at (808) 935-7699.About Full Life: Established in 2000 by a Hawai’i Island family, Full Life is a compassionate partner for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, providing a spectrum of services designed to empower, include, and elevate. Full Life has supported over 300 participants seeking meaningful community roles and greater independence. Full Life has a dedicated team of over 100 support staff to carry out its mission. Full Life partners with the State of Hawaii Developmental Disabilities Division to offer a range of programs and support services designed to promote independence, inclusion, and community engagement.For media inquiries, please contact: Denise Lindsey, Executive Assistant at Full Life (808) 322-9333 or email Denise@FullLifeHawaii.org.Stay connected with us on Facebook FullLifeHawaii and Instagram @fulllifehi for updates and announcements.
Apr 27 Saturday
Friends of the Pana'ewa Zoo is hosting their annual Plant Sale on Saturday, April 27th at the entrance to the Equestrian Center. Hours are 8 am to 2 pm. Available plants: bamboos, orchids, bromeliads, fruit trees, house plants, water garden plants, palms, edibles, and much more. There are specialist growers offering unusual and rare plants you won't find anywhere else. Come and support Friends of the Zoo and get some nice plants too.
Itʻs glitz, glam and glorious fun for the “Mystical Chocolate Masquerade” at the 11th Big Island Chocolate Festival April 26-27 at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. Attendees are encouraged to dress their best for the Saturday night gala—fancy costumes and masks are encouraged.
The annual, two-day festival offers chocolate-themed culinary demonstrations for the home cook, cacao growing and processing seminars by industry experts, a farm tour and a festive evening gala with walkabout savory and sweet culinary booths, chocolate fountain, entertainment, dancing and a silent auction. Guests can enjoy unlimited wine, beer, special edition Ola Brew chocolate seltzer and beer, iced tea and coffee. The gala also offers VIP seating with two specially curated drinks paired with pupus.
At the gala, a panel of invited judges and attendees will again critique chef and confectionary offerings while culinary stations will vie in a contest for Best Booth decorated to this year’s raucous theme. A photo booth will stage fun, playful props for selfies.
In its 11th year, the celebration of chocolate is presented by the non-profit Kona Cacao Association (KCA). This year’s beneficiaries include Hawai‘i Institute of Pacific Agriculture, Kona Dance & Performing Arts and Hawai‘i Keiki Museum.
A general admission gala ticket is $99 with VIP for $169. Also available are specially priced event room packages at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort. Educational activities and prices will be announced on the website. All event tickets are sold online and additional tax and ticketing fees apply. Support provided by Hawai‘i Tourism Authority through the Community Enrichment Program. Details: https://bigislandchocolatefestival.com
Kona Cacao Association: The mission and goal of KCA is to promote the cacao industry on the Island of Hawai‘i by presenting the Big Island Chocolate Festival as an educational and outreach opportunity for local cacao farmers, the hospitality industry and cacao enthusiasts. Visit http://konacacaoassociation.com. @BIChocoFest
Apr 29 Monday
Write With Aloha returns!Beginning Monday, April 1st Aloha Theatre will reopen our classroom to local scribes.
Write With Aloha: FREE Writing WorkspaceOn Mondays from 2:30pm - 5:30pm, our doors are open for local writers of all skill levels to create, develop, and share their stories. This is a non-structured group of like-minded creatives. We invite you to join Jamie Hughes to take your time. *accepted donations will support the Aloha Theatre Education programs.Write With Aloha: Deep DiveMondays | April 1 - June 3 | 6:30pm - 8:30pmIn this 8-week course, led by Jamie Hughes, students will workshop ideas and discuss the essential elements of storytelling, plot structure, and how to create memorable characters with compelling arcs. The class culminates in a staged reading on the Aloha Theatre mainstage!Space is limited. Participants must commit to attend 6 out of 8 classes in person. Class Dates: 4/1, 4/8, 4/15, 4/22, 5/6, 5/13, 5/20, 5/27 (optional: Memorial Day)SHOWCASE: 6/3
Meet the Instructor:Jamie Hughes is a fantasy writer for the stage and film, with a particular interest in how stories can make us reevaluate and change cultural norms. He has a BA in Creative Writing and Film from Emory University, where he gained experience in set coordination, lighting/audio design and film editing and has an MFA in Writing for the Performing Arts from The University of California, Riverside where he directed several short films and plays. His one-act play, The Younger, about the fascinating life of Emperor Nero's mother, won the Aristine Mann award at Emory, and his short film script, We Are Not Rats, about the challenges women can face in STEM, won first place in the Write To Film competition at UCR. Jamie loves nothing more than discussing new work and getting to the root of what every script needs to be the best that it can be.
May 03 Friday
May 04 Saturday
Join Susan G. Komen for a glamorous Grand Prix affair revved up with the French accents, fast cars, marvelous cuisine and the music that ignites MONACO IN MAY. The Pink Tie Ball brings together community leaders, business partners, and fellow philanthropists for an unforgettable night of hope, and bold giving that champions our shared commitment for a world without breast cancer.
May 06 Monday