Farmers Markets

• Waimea Town Market — Saturdays, 7:30am–noon, Parker School
• Kamuela Farmers Market — Saturdays, 7:30am–1pm, Pukalani Stables (free Paniolo Heritage Museum entry)
• Kuhio Hale Farmers Market — Saturdays, 7:30am–12:30pm
• Pukalani Midweek Market — Wednesdays, 8:30am–1:30pm, Pukalani Stables
• Hilo Farmers Market — Wed & Sat, 6am–4pm, downtown Hilo
• Keauhou Shopping Center Hawaiian music & hula — Fridays, 6–7pm
• Hamakua Harvest, Honokaa, Sundays

Special Events

• Obon season — bon dances at Buddhist temples island-wide, weekends throughout July (check individual temple schedules)
• Waikoloa Community Market — first Saturday of the month, 9am–1pm, Waikoloa Stables
• Volcano’s ‘Ohi’a Lehua Run — TBA date, Volcano Village (5K/half marathon through ‘ohi’a forest)
• Kailua Village Sunday Stroll — one Sunday/month, 1–6pm, Ali’i Drive pedestrian marketplace (check date)
• Kahilu Theatre (Waimea) — July shows:
  • A.E. Reverie & Rise — July 3
  • CAROUSEL — July 11
  • The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee — July 18
• Canoe paddling regattas — The Moku O Hawai’i Outrigger Canoe Racing Association season is in full swing. The 7th regatta of the season is Saturday, July 11, in Hilo (Akiona Course), hosted by Paddlers of Laka. The season runs 8 regattas total before the State Championship the first weekend of August — expect one more Big Island regatta later in July, though the host and date aren’t published yet. Worth checking mokuohawaii.com closer to the date.
• Hilo Orchid Show — July 24–26, Edith Kanaka’ole Stadium, Hilo. One of the largest orchid shows in the state, with growers from across the islands selling plants alongside the display exhibits.
• Stargazing & Maunakea
  • ‘Ohana Stargazing Event at Moʻokini Heiau — Saturday, July 11, 5:30–9:30pm. 4th year of this event, hosted by ‘Ohana Kilo Hōkū with cultural practitioners — stargazing, storytelling, guided heiau tours, and telescope viewing after sunset.
  • Kamaʻāina Observatory Experience (KOE) — free guided tour to the Mauna Kea summit telescopes, normally the first Saturday of the month. The July 11 date is already fully booked, but it’s open to Hawaiʻi residents only anyway (kamaʻāina with valid state ID).
• Waimea Nature Park (Ulu La’au) Volunteer Day — held every other Saturday, 9am–noon. Drop-in style: planting, weeding, greenhouse work, trail maintenance. No exact July date posted online — check the bulletin board at the park entrance or the Waimea Outdoor Circle’s Facebook page to confirm which Saturdays fall in the July rotation.

Ranch History & Heritage Sites

Parker Ranch self-guided historic home tours — Puuopelu and Mana Hale, the two historic Parker family homes on the ranch grounds, are open for self-guided tours. Pick up a pamphlet at the visitor center.

Anna Ranch Heritage Center — a preserved paniolo estate on Kawaihae Road offering guided tours of ranch life across the 20th century, telling the story of Anna Lindsey Perry-Fiske, one of Hawaii’s most celebrated ranching figures.

Paniolo Heritage Center at Pukalani Stables — the beautifully refurbished open-air courtyard and interpretive exhibits at Pukalani Stables offer an immersive look at Hawaiian cowboy culture and the legacy of Parker Ranch. Check out the saddles! Many paniolo still use the same style!

And if you’re hungry, Merriman’s on Opelo Road is one of the founding restaurants of Hawai’i Regional Cuisine — chef Peter Merriman has been showcasing Big Island agricultural ingredients since 1988, and the grass-fed Parker Ranch beef preparation is a great way to round out the day. Dom De Luca’s also employs local ingredients in its delicious Italian cuisine.

While you’re here

If you’re exploring the idea of living on the Big Island, here are a few posts worth reading:

• What You Need to Know Before Moving to the Big Island — healthcare, schools, insurance, cost of living
• The Real Pros and Cons of Living on the Big Island — an honest assessment
• Where is Kamuela, Hawaii? — everything about Waimea and why people love it
• Horse Keeping in Hawaii — if you’re considering bringing animals
• What’s Happening in Hawaiʻi Island Real Estate? — the mid-year market report

Featured image courtesy of Sarah Anderson Photography. Judy S. Howard, Esq. is a Realtor Broker with COMPASS in Waimea and an attorney with over 40 years in practice.

June is one of the most culturally significant months on the Hawaiian calendar. This year brings two major celebrations of King Kamehameha I — one in Kailua-Kona and one in North Kohala, the birthplace of the great king himself, along with a coffee festival!

154th Annual King Kamehameha Day Celebration Parade & Ho’olaule’a Saturday, June 6th — Historic Kailua Village, Kailua-Kona Parade begins at 9:00am

One of Hawaii’s most magnificent civic traditions, the King Kamehameha Day Floral Parade takes place in the first royal seat of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Regal pā’ū riders on horseback adorned in the flowers and colors of each of the eight Hawaiian Islands lead the procession, followed by hula hālau, community floats, and more.

After the parade, Hulihe’e Palace hosts the annual Ho’olaule’a — a celebration of music, art, and performances.

This year the parade also honors Barbara Kamilipua Nobriga, who served the celebration since 1967 as Chairwoman, Pā’ū Chair, princess, and queen, until her passing in April 2026. A fitting tribute to a remarkable woman.

Learn more at kamehamehaparadekona.org

Kamehameha Day Celebration — North Kohala Thursday, June 11th — Kapa’au, North Kohala

North Kohala is the birthplace of King Kamehameha I, and every June 11th — no matter what day of the week it falls on — the community gathers to honor its most famous son.

The celebration centers around Kapa’au and features a sacred sunrise procession, the draping of a 20-foot floral lei on the original Kamehameha statue, a traditional parade, and a vibrant community festival. People from across Hawaii Island and beyond make the journey to North Kohala for this event.

This one is close to home and deeply meaningful. If you haven’t experienced it, I’d encourage you to go.

Learn more at http://www.kamehamehadaycelebration.org

Ka’u 2026 Coffee Festival — Ka’u district June 14-20

This looks very cool. There’s an open house at the historic Pahala plantation manager’s home, with music, hula, and story telling on the 14th, from 6-9 p.m., along with the Ka’u Coffee Recipe Contest at the Ka’u Coffee Mill, also on June 14, from 6-8 p.m., then a hike with lunch in Wood Valley on the 18th from 9-2, and a visit to Aikane Plantation Coffee Farm and cattle ranch on the 19th from 10-3,. The grand finale is a ho’olaule’a at the Pahala Community Center on June 20. Learn more at kaucoffeefestival.com!

Coming Up

Check back each month for a new roundup of events happening across the Big Island. And if you’re curious about what makes Waimea and the Big Island such a special place to live, explore my blog for more local insights.

Judy S. Howard, Esq. is a Realtor Broker with COMPASS in Waimea, Hawaii, and a licensed Hawaii attorney with over 30 years of experience. She can be reached at judy@livinginwaimea.com or 808-885-5588.

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