Do you love a good cup of Kona coffee? Then this is your month as the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival kicks off for its 48th year on the Kona Coast on November 9th. If you love an opportunity for an intimate concert and a jam packed silent auction for a fantastic cause, Habitat for Humanity Hawaii Island is hosting their first gala with Paula Fuga. I am on the Board of Directors and am in charge of the auction, so you have to come and support us!
The holidays just about here, so get your jeans and sweaters on and head up to the Volcano Village to create your own holiday ornaments and stroll through the craft fair during Thanksgiving weekend. Last year we brought our children and made ornaments and collected moss and 
foliage outside the park to make our own holiday wreaths. Make a new holiday tradition!
Lots more to see and do in West Hawaii this month!
November 3- HOLUALOA VILLAGE COFFEE & ART STROLL – KONA
From 9am-3pm, stroll through the art district of quaint Holualoa Village and visit galleries exhibiting an extensive collection of local artists. Over 30 Kona coffee farms join the festivities offering tastings and product for purchase. For more information, visit www.konacoffeefest.com.
November 6 – ELECTION DAY!
Please remember to vote!! Voters registered in Hawaii can look up where to vote on Hawaii’s site or at GetToThePolls.com.
What to bring:
- If you’ve voted in Hawaii before, you don’t need to provide ID to vote.
- If you’re a first-time voter who registered by mail, and didn’t provide a copy of your ID when you registered, you will need to show ID to vote. Acceptable forms include: current driver’s license or state ID card; or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or other government issued document that shows your name and address.
November 9 – 18- KONA COFFEE CULTURAL FESTIVAL
For nearly 200 years much has been celebrated, discussed and enjoyed over a cup of Kona’s world famous coffee. Praised for its fine, light and memorable taste, Kona coffee once again takes center stage at the 48th Annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival. Throughout the 10-day Festival, celebrate the harvest as Kona coffee farms offer a firsthand look at growing this world-famous crop, the coffee art scene fills with inspiration, and music and dance enrich cultural exchanges. Kona coffee and food events offer tastings, and hands-on cultural events help tell the story of Kona’s rich coffee history. For information, call 808-327-7820, email [email protected] or visit www.konacoffeefest.com.
November 9-KONA COFFEE CULTURAL FESTIVAL LANTERN PARADE – KAILUA-KONA
Time: 6pm. The popular Lantern Parade returns! Parade route starts on Alii Drive at Hale Halawai County Pavilion and travels through historic Kailua Village to Kailua Pier. For more info, visit konacoffeefest.com.
November 10-100% PURE KONA COFFEE HALF MARATHON – KAILUA-KONA
Run the scenic coastline of Kailua-Kona from Coconut Grove Marketplace on Alii Drive south to the (in)famous “Pit” and the “End of the World.” Challenge yourself to some hills and then enjoy 100% pure Kona coffee in your finishers’ coffee mug at the finish line. Starts at 6:30 a.m. at Big Island Running Company in Coconut Grove Marketplace, Kailua-Kona. Cost: $50 until October 10; $60 until November 9. For more information, call (808) 600-1113, email [email protected] or visit http://purekonahalf.com/.
November 11-FREE ENTRANCE TO HAWAI’I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK & PU’UHONUA O HONAUNAU IN HONOR OF VETERANS DAY
The National Park Service announces today that the public will be invited to experience all national parks, without entrance fees today.
November 11-KONA COFFEE RECIPE CONTEST – HAWAI’I COMMUNITY COLLEGE, PALAMANUI
Time: 9am-2pm. Amateurs, culinary students and professional chefs present their favorite sweet and savory recipes featuring 100% Kona Coffee. Keiki (children) showcase sweet or savory snacks. Recipe contest opens with cooking demonstrations, judging and award presentations. Public tasting to follow. For more information, visit www.konacoffeefest.com.
Photo credit: Kona Coffee Cultural Festival
November 17 -KONA COFFEE FESTIVAL HO’OLAULE’A – OLD AIRPORT BEACH PARK
Time: 9am-4pm, at Makaeo Pavilion. Enjoy a multi-generational, multi-cultural celebration of all things Kona coffee. Hands-on cultural demonstrations, popular ethnic food market, the Festival of Arts & Crafts and all-day live entertainment. Take in the beautiful lei contest, participate in traditional Hawaiian poi making, ikebana, traditional Japanese calligraphy and visit the heritage display. For more information, visit www.konacoffeefest.com.
November 17-FUNDRAISING GALA FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY – KAILUA-KONA
A night of camaraderie, music and food as funds are raised for Hawaii Island families in need. Dinner, drinks and a silent auction. Special performance by Hawaiian music star Paula Fuga. Time: 5-10pm at The Courtyard Marriott King Kamehameha Hotel. Tickets: $125. For more information, call (808) 331-8010, email [email protected] or visit www.habitathawaiiisland.org/gala.
November 18-AFTERNOON AT THE PALACE CONCERT/HULA AND VILLAGE STROLL
Hawaiian music by the Hawai’i County Band and hula from Kumu Etua Lopes’ halau Hula Na Pua U’i O Hawai’i on the grounds of Hulihe’e Palace on Alii Drive from 4-5pm. Bring your own beach mat or chair. Before and after the Palace performance, stroll thru historic Kailua Village (the Stroll starts at 1pm & goes till 6pm), enjoy over 100 vendor booths, plus oceanside restaurants, local musicians & artists. **Hulihe’e Palace will undergo repair work starting July 2018. The concert schedule may be impacted during the repair which may result in cancellations of the concerts. For more info about the Palace event, email [email protected]. For more info about the Stroll, email [email protected] or visit historickailuavillage.com.
November 18- 4th ANNUAL GOING NUTS FOR THE HOLIDAYS FESTIVAL – HALE HALAWAI, KAILUA-KONA
A free, community Zero Waste event highlighting Hawaiian island-grown macnuts and coconuts. Live entertainment featuring Hawaiian and local musicians. Local arts, crafts, deliciously healthful food preparations. Coconut and macnut food and recipes. Time: 10 am to 5 pm at Hale Halawai, Ali’i Drive in downtown Kailua-Kona. Free to the public. For more information, call (808) 936-5233 or email [email protected] or visit www.hawaiisanctuary.org.
November 23-25 –VOLCANO VILLAGE ARTISTS HUI ANNUAL ART STUDIO TOUR & SALE
Over the Thanksgiving weekend, from 10am-4pm, visitors are invited to meet the Volcano Village Artists in their studios and see artworks in a wide variety of media. Pottery; raku masks; hand blown art glass; wood & metal sculpture; hand-tooled metal and fiber art; as well as photographs; paintings; drawings and block prints will be on display and available for purchase. A special drawing for pieces contributed by the artists will be held on the last day of the event. Maps to the artists’ studios will be available at local businesses in Volcano Village, as well as at www. VolcanoVillageArtistsHui.com. Free to the public. For more information, call (808) 987-3472 or email [email protected].
BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW REMINDER:
December 1-CHRISTMAS WITH THE CHEFS – KAILUA-KONA
Kick off the holiday season and celebrate the 30th year of the Big Isle’’s premier holiday extravaganza at the festive Christmas with the Chefs. The annual gala is on the seaside grounds of Courtyard King Kamehameha’’s Kona Beach Hotel, from 5:30-8 p.m. Members of the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Kona Kohala Chefs Association will delight attendees with plates of expertly prepared savory cuisine and delectable holiday treats—all accompanied by handcrafted ales, choice wines and 100 percent Kona coffee. The Bill Noble Trio, with Jeannine Guillory-Kane on vocals, jazzes up the evening for dancing under the stars fronting historic Kamakahonu Bay. A silent auction will tempt would-be Santas with an array of holiday gift ideas, while supporting local businesses. The annual fundraiser benefits local culinary students attending Hawai‘’i Community College— Palamanui and members of the Kona Kohala Chefs wanting to further their education The silent auction is a benefit for the Palamanui culinary program through the ACF Kona Kohala Chefs and Jean Hull Endowment fund. Tickets are $90 and sold online at [email protected].
If you have events in December you would like to see posted on 365Kona.com, please email [email protected]. Mahalo!
PS: If you are considering a move to the Big Island..my husband and I do referral real estate! We can give you personal insights on purchasing land/condos/homes and connections to expert real estate advisors.
Spread the word if you love what you heard! #365kona so we can say Thanks!
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