FRIDAY, Dec. 4
Kona Vet Center Holiday Party and Barbecue
Old Airport Pavilion #1, Kona/10 AM-1:30 PM
All veterans, vet center clients and their families are welcome to this holiday potluck and barbecue. Bring a dish. No alcohol.
Info: 329-0574
Na Makua Invitational Craft Fair
Ah Fook Chinen Civic Auditorium, Hilo/4-9 PM
Fair features products from local artists. Free admission. Life entertainment. Event continues Dec. 5.
Info: 966-4647, email puna@namakua.com, namakua.com
APAC presents ‘Christmas with Mark Twain’
Aloha Theatre/7:30 PM
Tickets are $22 for adults; $20 for seniors and students; and $10 for keiki younger than 18. See page 8 for the full story. Shows Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
Info: apachawaii.org, 322-9924
***************************
SATURDAY, Dec. 5
Keiki Movie Night: Polar Express
Kona Commons, Kona/5:30-8:30 PM
Bring the family to enjoy this holiday classic featuring Tom Hanks. Free.
Info: konacommons.com
Holualoa Music and Light Festival
Holualoa Village/5:30-8:30 PM
The town Christmas tree will be lit during this event, which also feature live entertainment and treats. Santa will make an appearance.
Info: 322-8484, holualoahawaii.com
Twilight Christmas Parade
Waimea town/5:30 PM
The 54th installment of this North Hawaii tradition will run from Church Row to Waimea Town Park. It will feature an array of floats, units and community organizations.
Info: waimeatown.org
Hawaii Preparatory Academy Middle School Handbell Choir performances slated
Waimea Farmers Market at Parker School at 9:30 AM; Kings’ Shops at 4 p.m.; and Queens’ MarketPlace at 6 p.m. The choir also performs Dec. 6 (Sunday) at noon at Parker Ranch Shopping Center in Waimea.
Info: 885-2500
Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Stargazing Party
CFHT, Waimea/7 PM
CFHT will host its annual stargazing party. Members of the West Hawaii Astronomy Club will also be present with telescopes. Free.
Info: outreach@cfht.hawaii.edu
Christmas with the Chefs
King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, Kona/5:30-8 PM
The American Culinary Federation Kona Kohala Chefs Association presents its 27th annual holiday scholarship fundraiser benefiting local culinary students attending Hawaii Community College – Palamanui. Tickets are $85 presale; $90 at the door. VIP table of 10 for $1,000.
Info: konakohalachefs.org
Build a gingerbread house, support Habitat for Humanity
Daylight Mind Coffee Co., Kona/9 AM-Noon
The Great Gingerbread Competition, presented by Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii and ChoiceMart, will feature add-ons that teams and individuals can purchase to increase their chances of winning and other teams can buy slow work permits for their competition. Teams of five people can form a corporate team for $500 or individuals can compete for $100 to raise more money to help Habitat for Humanity build a home for the Aukai family in HOVE. Finished houses will be judged by local “building” official celebrities and the winner will be showcased at the prestigious “Dining with the Chef” event. The public is invited to attend for $5.
Info: habitatwesthawaii.org
Paskong Pinoy (Filipino Christmas)
Makaeo Events Pavilion, Kona/6-10 PM
Paskong Pinoy is an annual Filipino Christmas event organized by the Kona Visayan Club. It features live entertainment, holiday photo with Santa and raffle drawing for fun prizes. The event is open to the public; $10 entry fee includes dinner.
Info: Jane Clement, 756-3103
***************************
SUNDAY, Dec. 6
Auntie’s Angels Third Annual Celebrate Seniors Christmas Luncheon
Hualalai Elderly Housing, Kona/Noon-3 PM
No cost for tenants of Hualalai Elderly Housing. Donations will purchase food, which The Fish Hopper will cook. Island Breeze Halau will perform. Wish List includes gift certificates for breakfast, lunch, or dinner from fast food to local restaurants
Info: ancientlomi@aol.com
‘An Evening at the Stork Club’ with HPAF
Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel breezeway, S. Kohala/7 PM
Join the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival and step back in time for “An Evening at the Stork Club.” Tickets are $60 to $85.Info: 333-7378
***************************
FRIDAY, Dec. 11
Feast on the Beach benefit for Kona Hospital Foundation
Lava Lava Beach Club, S. Kohala/6-10 PM
Presented by Kona Hospital Foundation. Listen to the sounds of LT Smooth and Henry Kapono while enjoying food and drinks. Tickets are $125, or reserve a table of eight for $1,400, plus tax.
Info: 322-4587, khfhawaii.org
***************************
SATURDAY, Dec. 12
31st Annual Kailua-Kona Community Christmas Parade
Kailua Village, Kona/5 PM
Parade begins at Kekuaokalani Gymnasium and heads south on Kuakini Highway before heading along Alii Drive to Walua Road.
Info: paradesinkona.com, 313-0025
Ohia wreathmaking workshop
Society for Kona’s Education and Art/10AM-1PM
Make you own ohia holiday wreath. Cost, which includes supplies, is $20 for SKEA members/$25 for nonmembers. Register by calling SKEA at 328-9392 or emailing skea@hawaii.rr.com.
Info: 328-9392
***************************
SUNDAY, Dec. 13
Mark Yamanaka offers free holiday concert
Emma’s Square, Kailua Village, Kona/5 PM
Stroll through Kailua Village during Kokua Kailua, which runs 1 to 6 p.m., and checkout vendors, artists and musicians. At 5 p.m., Mark Yamanaka takes center stage at Emma’s Square for a free holiday concert.
Info: historickailuavillage.com
Hulihee Palace monthly Concert
Kailua Village/4 PM
Free Hawaiian music concert featuring the Merrie Monarchs men’s glee club and Kumu Hula Etua Lopes and his halau Na Pua Ui O Hawaii on the palace’s south. Bring your own beach mat or chair. Before and after the concert, stroll thru Kailua Village amid Kokua Kailua.
Info: historickailuavillage.com
Lighted boat parade
Kailua Bay/6-7 PM
Parade within Kailua Bay showcases Kona’s fleet of boats with holiday light show.
More info: historickailuavillage.com
***************************
FRIDAY, Dec. 18
Family Christmas Drama Celebration
Kona Faith Center, Captain Cook/6:30 PM
This free event features a Christmas service and family drama.
***************************
SATURDAY, Dec. 19
Kona Harp Ensemble Cherish the Child concert
Kahilu Theatre, Waimea/6 PM
Kona Harp Ensemble, which features harps, woodwinds, saxophone, shakuhachi and bamboo flutes, performs. Tickets are $15 to $30.
Info: info@veganaloha.com
***************************
SUNDAY, Dec. 20
Live Nativity scene on display
Kona Baptist Church, Keauhou/5:30-8:30 PM
The church’s children will present a live Nativity Scene. The event is free and hot cocoa will be served. Event continues Sunday, Dec. 21.
Info: konabaptist@hawaii.rr.com
Christmas Choral Celebration
Kona Baptist Church, Keauhou/10:15 AM
Youth and adults will offer a free performance.
Info: konabaptist@hawaii.rr.com
Family Christmas Drama Celebration
Kona Faith Center, Captain Cook/9:30 AM and 5:30 PM
A Christmas service will be held as well as a family drama performed.
Info: sandrashepherd@konafaithcenter.org
11th annual Jingle Bell Run
Coconut Grove Marketplace, Kona/7:30 AM
Event features 5K, 10K and 1-mile runs, as well as a free Keiki Dash. There will also be a costume contest with prizes and donations will be collected for Family Support Hawaii’s “Christmas for Children” program.
Info: rani@hawaiisportevents.com
***************************
MONDAY, Dec. 21
West Hawaii Dance Theatre and Academy presents‘The Nutcracker’
Kahilu Theatre,Waimea/6 PM
Tickets range from $18 to $33. More than 50 local dancers will be accompanied by dancers from The Maui Academy Performing Arts, Carolina Ballet and Bolshoi Ballet. Ballet will also be performed at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22.
Info: 329-8876, whdt.org or kahilutheatre.org
***************************
TUESDAY, Dec. 22
Holiday Ohana Dinner
Daifukuji Soto Mission, Kealakekua/3-7 PM
Some 750 meals will be served during this buffet-style dinner. Entertainment includes taiko drumming, Lava Roots African dance and music. Donations are sought and volunteer opportunities are available. Call 328-0171 for details. Event is by donation.
Info: 328-0171
***************************
THURSDAY, Dec. 24
Mokuaikaua Church’s Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Mokuaikaua Church, Kona/8 PM
Info: office@mokuaikaua.com