(For a more complete listing of events, go to KONAWEB's Big Island Events Calendar).

August 28, 2008
MAYORAL CANDIDATE FORUM - KAILUA-KONA
Who gets your vote for Mayor on September 20? Come to a professional, moderated, nonpartisan candidate forum on Thursday, August 28 at Kealakehe High Cafeteria. All mayoral candidates invited. The moderator will be Sherry Bracken of Hawaii Public Radio and host of KKOA and LAVA105.3's Island Issues. Ono grinds on sale at 5pm, with music from Konabob Stoffer. The Forum will start promptly at 6, go till 8. Submit questions at the Forum, or in advance to sherryb@lava105.com or fax to 329-8564. Produced by the same team bringing moderated candidate forums to you for over 10 years--sponsors are Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, Kona Outdoor Circle, PATH, Kona Board of Realtors & Hawaii Island Board of Realtors. Can’t attend? Listen live at LAVA 105.3 FM, or online at www.lava105.com. This is a nonpartisan race—if any candidate gets more than 50% of the vote, they will be elected. If not, the top two candidates go to a runoff on November 4th.

August 30, 2008
"GAIA SYMPHONY NO. 6" FILM SHOWING - GATEWAY CENTER, NELHA
On Saturday, August 30th at 9AM, the Hawaiian Island Premier of Gaia Symphony No. 6 (shown with subtitles) will be presented. The theme of this film is "sound" and features a segment from Roger Payne, who discovered that whales sing. Trailers from previous editions can be found on YouTube. Call Rika Horikiri at 557-1454. Advance tickets are $10 per person and must be purchased by August 28th. After August 28th, tickets can also be purchased the door for $15. The movie will begin promptly at 9AM; doors will open at 8:40AM. For more info, please contact Guy Toyama at kailuakona3000@gmail.com or by calling 938-6325.

August 30 and 31, 2008
MALAMA PUNALU'U CONCERT - NA'ALEHU PARK, KA'U
A free 2 day concert in support of the preservation of the special Punalu'u area of the Big Island, featuring many wonderful Hawaiian musicians. Beginning at 10:00 AM at Na'alehu Park & Ball Fields. Live music with multi Na Hoku Hanohano Award Winner Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, Grammy winner Ledward Ka'apana, Eddie Kamae, Mike Ka'awa, Analu Aina, Sugah Daddy, A Tribute to Uncle George Na'ope, Darren Benitez, Manoa DNA, Braddah Smitty, Ka'u, Kekuhi Kanahele, Darlene Ahuna, Kanaka Pila, Diana Aki, Punalu'u Boys and many others. Also performing at the festival will be some of the best in Hawaiian hula, including Halau I Ka Wekiu (winner of best overall at 2007 Merrie Monarch Festival,) Halau O Kou Lima Nani E, Halau O Kahikilaulani, Halau Kukui Malamalama O Kona, Halau O Po`ohala and Halau O Kawananakoa.

September 6, 2008
"30 DAYS OF ALOHA" KINDY SPROAT FALSETTO CONTEST
Falsetto singing is honored and perpetuated in this competition honoring the island's nationally-recognized treasure, the Big Island's Clyde "Kindy" Sproat. To be held at the Waikoloa Marriott Resort. For more information, call (808) 885-3110 or 885-9259.

September 13, 2008
"30 DAYS OF ALOHA" ANNUAL WAIMEA PANIOLO PARADE AND HO'OLAULE'A
The 10 am Paniolo Parade will start at "Church Row" and proceed to Waimea Park, featuring princesses on horseback with attendees (complete with "Pooper Scooper" brigades!) decorated with the flowers of their respective islands. The Parade is followed by one of the best crafts show of the year, featuring island foods, games, arts & crafts, Hawaiian products and live entertainment in Waimea Ball Park, from 11 am to 4 pm. Truly a great local family event! Note: 1 hour road closure. For more information, call Moani Akana at 885-7944 or Linda Pokipala at 885-9259, (808) 885-3110 or 885-9259.

September 13, 2008
MAUKA FOOD & FUN FEST - KEALAKEKUA
Kona Historical Society will be hosting this event on September 13th, 2008 at the KHS's pasture in Kealakekua. Some of the highlights planned are: Augie T., the comedian, will be the MC; musicians will provide live entertainment all day on stage; there will be multi-ethnic traditional food booths; "hands on" Hawaiian ranching activities & demonstrations (lauhala weaving, Hawaiian tree saddle making, pa'u wrapping, beekeeping, Hawaiian plants, ukulele making, ipu growing, local food demos, horseshoeing contest, stone oven bread baking and more); antique, collectible and craft dealers will present their wares; a horseshoe tournament; free historical performances at the H.N. Greenwell Store; pony rides, petting zoo and cowboy games. For more info, call 323-3222 or email khs@konahistorical.org

September 21, 2008
UNITED NATIONS' INTERNATIONAL PEACE DAY CELEBRATION - HONOKA'A
The town of Honoka'a on the Hamakua Coast of the Big Island joins the world in observing the United Nations' International Peace Day On Sunday, September 23, 2008. The 2nd annual Parade and Festival for the United Nations' International Day of Peace begins at noon with a parade featuring bands, floats, clubs, school groups, performance artists and dancers winding down Mamane Street. Following the parade, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., is a festival celebrating Peace Day at the County Sports Complex with food vendors, information booths, entertainment and more. The purpose of the event is to promote peace, compassion, and awareness of the interdependence of all. For more information, call (808) 933-9772, email misterokumura@yahoo.com

September 21, 2008
HULIHE'E PALACE MONTHLY SUNDAY CONCERT SERIES AND VILLAGE STROLL - KAILUA-KONA
Free Hawaiian Music Concert featuring the Merrie Monarchs men's glee club and dancing by the halau of Etua Lopez on the Palace's South Lawn at 4 p.m., presented by the Daughters of Hawaii. Bring your own beach mat or chair. There will be a "chair check" area so that AFTER the Concert, you can stroll thru Kailua Village, enjoy outdoor cafe's and restaurants, local musicians & artists. Special kama'aina pricing at participating restaurants merchants. Stroll sponsored by the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, Destination Kona Coast, Kailua Village Business Improvement District, and Kailua Village Merchants Association. For more info about the Palace concert, email hulihee@ilhawaii.net. For info about the Village Stroll, email info@kona-kohala.com