Every Wednesday: 
Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Concert.  Host and slack key guitar master George Kahumoku, Jr. is joined by various renowned slack key masters who are true ambassadors of their music, their culture and their land for an evening of traditional Hawaiian songs and authentic “talk-story”.  September 2 – Paul Togioka; September 9 – Nathan Aweau; September 16 – Jerome Koko; September 23 – Ken Emerson; September 30 – Led Kaapana. Seating is limited. Dinner/Show packages are available. Located at the Pavilion at the Napili Kai Beach Resort, Napili. 7:30 p.m. For tickets and information call (888) 669-3858 or visit www.slackkeyshow.com.

Every Wednesday and Thursday: 
Helping Paws Visitor Volunteer Program.  Do you miss your pet when traveling? Visitors can offer a “helping paw” to homeless animals at the Maui Humane Society shelter, located in Pu`unene (central Maui), on Mokulele Hwy. between Kihei and Kahului. 1 to 3 p.m. Help with such activities as walking dogs, bathing puppies, brushing cats, or playing with puppies and kittens. Arrive by 1 p.m. and wear close-toed shoes and comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty. For Maui visitors only.  Children age 10 to 17 are welcome when accompanied by a supervising adult for the duration. Advance reservations required.  Register online at MauiHumaneSociety.org, “Get Involved/Volunteer/HelpingPawsVisitorProgram”.

Wednesday – Sunday, September 2 – 7: 
Puna Culinary Festival.  Experience the cutting-edge, farm-to-fork practices of the Puna district, in concert with Hawai`i Island’s unique blend of cultural influences. The Puna Culinary Festival features locavore meals prepared with aloha by skilled chefs, cooking classes, workshops, film, market visits, farm tours, and other exclusive tastings and events.  The festival schedule offers a full roster of special events designed to appeal to all tastes. Pricing varies, and kama`aina rates are available at all events. The festival is non-profit.  Kalani, 12-6860 Kalapana-Kapoho Rd., Pahoa.  For information, venues, and reservations call (800) 800-6886 or visit www.punaculinaryfestival.com.