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

September 3, 2010
ANNUAL MS. ALOHA NUI PAGEANT - WAIKOLOA BEACH MARRIOTT
6pm. Residents and visitors are invited to help sustain the festival by purchasing "Hawai'i Island Festival; 30 Days of Aloha" keepsake ribbons. The ribbons and a fee are required to attend the Ms. Aloha Nui, Poke, and Falsetto contests. For more info on this and other events, visit hawaiiislandfestival.org.

September 3, 2010
14th ANNUAL TASTE OF HAWAII ISLAND - BENEFIT, FOUR SEASONS RESORT HUALALAI
The The Taste of Hawaii Island at Four Seasons Resort kicks off a two-day weekend event to benefit cancer research. Feast on the bounty of Hawai'i at this signature culinary event celebrating the culinary artistry of the island's finest chefs and restaurants. The popular silent auction is a highlight of this evening of fun, food, drinks, and live entertainment. Time: 6:00-9:00pm at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Kona. Cost: $80 Adults; $40 Children from 5-12. For more information, call 325-8079 or email monica.balanay@fourseasons.com or visit www.fourseasons.com/hualalai

September 4, 2010
ANNUAL POKE CONTEST - HILTON WAIKOLOA VILLAGE RESORT
11am at Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort. Residents and visitors are invited to help sustain the festival by purchasing "Hawai'i Island Festival; 30 Days of Aloha" keepsake ribbons. The ribbons and a fee are required to attend the Ms. Aloha Nui, Poke and Falsetto contests. For more info on this and other events, visit hawaiiislandfestival.org.

September 4, 2010
ANNUAL KINDY SPROAT FALSETTO & STORYTELLING CONTEST - WAIKOLOA BEACH MARRIOTT
6pm at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott, Waikoloa Beach Resort. Residents and visitors are invited to help sustain the festival by purchasing "Hawai'i Island Festival; 30 Days of Aloha" keepsake ribbons. The ribbons and a fee are required to attend the Ms. Aloha Nui, Poke and Falsetto contests. For more info on this and other events, visit hawaiiislandfestival.org

September 4 and 5, 2010
QUEEN LILI'UOKALANI LONG DISTANCE CANOE RACES
The world's largest long distance canoe race, attended by paddlers from all over the world. Two days of racing, with the first day being the single-hull canoe races, followed by double hull and one-person canoe races on Sunday. Crews from Hawaii, the US mainland, and around the world come to enter this world class event. The fun includes a crafts fair on the Pier all day Saturday and Sunday, a torchlight parade and dance on Saturday night, and an awards luau on Sunday. (Ali'i Drive wil be closed to traffic from Palani Rd. to Hualalai Rd. on Saturday at dusk, for a half an hour, for the Parade.) For more info, call 331-8849 or 939-8577, or visit http://www.kaiopua.org/ql/

September 5, 2010
ANNUAL HAWAII SLACK KEY GUITAR FESTIVAL - KEAUHOU, KONA
This annual festival, which features the greats of slack key guitar, will be held at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa, from 12-5pm. Food and drink will be available for purchase; no outside food or beverages allowed. WEAR A HAT; BRING AN UMBRELLA FOR SHADE. Free admission.

September 5, 2010
HONU'APO PARK HO'OLAULE'A - KA'U
Celebrate with song and story, slack-key guitar, a silent auction and more, at "Ho'olaule'a at Honu'apo; Malama Ka'u", from 10am-5pm at Honu'apo Park (Whittington Beach Park area). A fundraiser for Ka 'Ohana O Honu'apo, caretakers of this historic and culturally significant site, the free, multi-generational festivities are open to everyone, with great food, music, hula, 'olelo (storytelling), Hawaiian culture activities and more, including a special appearance by celebrated Hawaiian musician Cyril Pahinui. For more info, call 929-9891 or visit www.honuapopark.org.