Saturday, February 4:
Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival.  This event showcases the blooming of Church Row Park’s historic cherry trees and the Japanese tradition of viewing them – hanami. The festival includes a variety of activities at multiple venues throughout Waimea. Look for pink banners identifying site locations sprawling throughout town. New this year is Historic Spencer House. Spend the day to experience an all-day lineup of Japanese and multi-cultural performing arts at several locations, plus hands-on demonstrations of bonsai, origami, traditional tea ceremony, fun mochi pounding, plus a host of colorful craft fairs, a quilt show and food booths. Enjoy free shuttle transportation among most venues.  Church Row Park, 65-1108 Mamalahoa Hwy., Waimea.  9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  For information call (808) 962-8706.

Saturday, February 4:
25^th Annual Hoike Hula Concert.  An authentic cultural event of music, hula and dances of Polynesia featuring the men, women and youth of the hula schools of Kaua`i, O`ahu, Reno, NV, and Japan. Also composer and recording artist Darryl Gonzales and Greg Nobriga, Mitch Asuncion, Tahitian drummer, MC Kale Kaui. Featuring special guest the Makaha Sons. Hawaiian products, crafts, food sold in the lobby from 5 p.m. Tickets in advance $30 adults, $10 youth age 5-12; reserved front section $40 each. Prices at door $35 and $15.  Kaua`i War Memorial Convention Hall, 4191 Hardy St., Lihue.  5 to 10 p.m.  For information call (808) 651-0682.

Saturday, February 4:
Run & Walk for the Whales.  One of Maui’s largest sporting events, Run & Walk for the Whales starts and ends at the Ma`alaea Harbor Shops.  Participants can choose between the Half Marathon, 10K run, 5K run, 4K walk, or a 1K run for keiki ages 12 and under. Post-race festivities include continental breakfast and awards ceremony for participants, along with door prizes and live entertainment by Marty Dread. Participants are invited to take a post-race whale watch at 40% off departing from Ma`alaea Harbor. A morning version of Ocean Camp on race day will be available for children ages 4 to 12. Pre-registration is required. Online registration for the Run & Walk for the Whales closes February 1. For more information email run@pacificwhale.org or visit http://worldwhaleday.org/run-walk-whales.

Saturday, February 4:
Maui Open Studios Event.  Open Studios are free self-guided tours of artist studios and exhibition spaces. Enjoy one-on-one interactions with the local artists and artisans and have the opportunity to learn about what inspires the artists, talk story and purchase art directly from the artists. Venues can range from art studios, gallery settings, home studios, outdoor venues and other alternative exhibition spaces. Printed guidebooks and online artist directories guide visitors to the artist studios and exhibition spaces around the island of Maui. During the event, there are street signs directing you to artist locations. 5 to 8 p.m.  Free event.  For more information call (415) 450-1307 or visit http://mauiopenstudios.com/.

Saturday Evenings: 
Slack Key Guitar Concerts.  Traditional Hawaiian slack key guitar and `ukulele concerts. February 4 – Hawai`i’s Cowboy Music; February 11 – Gifts of the Ancestors; February 18 – For the Birds; February 25 – Poina `Ole – Never to be forgotten.  Free gift drawing.  Award winning traditional Hawaiian slack key guitar ad ukulele concerts featuring songs and stories telling its history.  Tickets $25 general admission, $20 Ages 13-19 & over 50, keiki under 5 free.  Proceeds support Princeville at Hanalei Community Association and this program.  Princeville Community Center, 4334 Emmalani Dr., Princeville.  6 to 8 p.m.  For information and reservations call (808) 826-1469 or visit http://www.mcmasterslackkey.com/.

Saturday, February 4:
Tuskegee Airmen Hangar Talk.  Paying tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen and the vital role they played during World War II with special presentations by decorated WWII Tuskegee Airman Pilot Colonel Charles McGee to Hawai`i’s youth and the public. Colonel McGee fought in WWII, Korea and Vietnam, and holds the record for the highest three-war total of fighter combat missions of any pilot in the United States Air Force history. Colonel McGee began his military service as one of the Tuskegee Airmen in the 332nd Fighter Group. The Tuskegee Airmen were pioneers who fought racial prejudices to fly and fight for their country during WWII. Pacific Aviation Museum, Historic Ford Island, 319 Lexington Blvd., Honolulu. 11 a.m.  Tickets for the talk are $10; or free with Museum General Admission & Aviator’s Tour tickets.  For information call (808) 441-1000 or visit http://www.pacificaviationmuseum.org/.