ONGOING ACTIVITIES

Sunday Afternoons
Slack Key Guitar Concerts. Traditional Hawaiian slack key guitar and ukulele concerts. July 6–Sea Turtle Serenade; July 13–Love Stories; July 20–Spirit of Slack Key Guitar; July 27–Songs & Stories of Kaua‘i. Free gift drawing. Tickets: $20 ($15 keiki/seniors). A portion of the proceeds supports the Hale Halawai Ohana o Hanalei. Hanalei Family Community Center. 3 – 4:30 p.m. Info: (808) 826-1469.

Friday Evenings
Slack Key Guitar Concerts. Traditional Hawaiian slack key guitar and ‘ukulele concerts. July 4–Menehune Moonrise; July 11–Hawaiian Sunset Music; July 18–Hawai‘i's Musical Legacy; July 25–Legends of Slack Key Guitar. Free gift drawing. Tickets: $20 ($15 keiki/seniors). A portion of the proceeds supports the Hale Halawai Ohana o Hanalei. Hanalei Family Community Center. 4 – 5:30 p.m. Info: (808) 826-1469.

Friday Evenings
Art Night in Hanapepe. Come stroll through the many art galleries in historic Hanapepe and meet the local artists from 5 – 9 p.m. Participating galleries take turns being the weekly "Host Gallery," offering original performances or demonstrations which sets the theme for that night. Strolling is free; art is priced as noted. Help support Kaua‘i's many talented local artists.

PERFORMANCES & EVENTS

Friday, July 4
19th Annual Concert in the Sky. This annual fundraiser for Kaua'i Hospice offers the largest aerial fireworks show on Kaua'i. Make a day of it with family fun and games, great food for purchase offered from top hotels and restaurants. Advance admission price: $10 adult, $5 keiki 6 – 12 years; keiki 5 and under free. Vidinha Soccer Field, Lihue. Gates open at 2 p.m. Info: (808) 245-7277.

Obon Dance & Festivals. The arrival of summer brings the season of Obon. The Obon tradition is a religious custom that was brought to Hawai'i by Japanese immigrants and has evolved into a social and cultural event designed to honor ancestors through an evening of dance, music and merrymaking. A different Hongwanji mission hosts an Obon dance festival nearly every weekend. The dates and times for various festivals follow:

• July 4 & July 5: West Kauai Hongwanji Mission (Waimea). 7:30 p.m. Info: (808) 338-1537.
• July 25 & July 26: Waimea Higashi Hongwanji Mission (Waimea). 8 p.m. Info: (808) 338-1847.
• July 25 & July 26: WKH Koloa Temple (Koloa). 7:30 p.m. Info: (808) 228-1537.

Saturday, July 12
Garden Isle Artisan Fair Under the Big Tent - Over 40 of Kauai's finest artisans showcasing an array of handcrafted products and tropical clothing from Kaua’i and Polynesia. Items include photography, jewelry, clothing, wood carvings, fresh orchids, paintings & much more! Hawaiian music too! From 9:00 am to 3:00 pm in Hanalei Town.

Saturday, July 19 – Sunday, July 27
Koloa Plantation Days. The celebration commemorates the establishment of Hawaii's first sugar mill in the town of Koloa in 1835. This year's celebration includes over 18 family-oriented events showcasing the area's diverse cultural and historical significance. Check the local papers for a complete, up-to-date listing of the planned events or visit www.koloaplantationdays.com.

The TV game show, “Wheel of Fortune” returns to Hawaii!: Wheel of Fortune will be at the Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island on September 12, 13, 15 and 16. For information on tickets to see Pat Sajak, Vanna White and America’s #1 game show, please go to www.khon2.com from July 21-August 8 to request tickets. Move fast, as tickets for "Wheel" go faster than Vanna turns the letters!