ONGOING ACTIVITIES

Fridays & Saturdays throughout July
Obon Dance & Festival. The Obon tradition was brought to Hawaii by Japanese immigrants and evolved into a social and cultural event, as well as a religious custom designed to honor ancestors through an evening of dance, music and merry-making. Festivities and Dance schedules and locations are listed below:

• Friday & Saturday, July 23 & 24: West Kauai Hongwanji Waimea Temple, 4675 Menehune Road, Waimea. 7:30 p.m. For information call (808) 338-1537.
• Friday & Saturday, July 30 & 31: Kapa'a Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, 4-1170 Kuhio Hwy.,Kapa'a. 7:30 p.m. For information call (808) 822-4667. Please note: All events are

Sunday Afternoons
Slack Key Guitar Concerts. Traditional Hawaiian slack key guitar and ‘ukulele concerts. July 4 - Hawaii's Sunset Music; July 11 - Spirit of Slack Key; July 18 - Kauai Slack Key Guitar & Ukulele; July 25 - Hawaii's Cowboy Music. Tickets: $20 ($15 keiki/seniors). A portion of the proceeds supports the Hale Halawai Ohana O Hanalei. Hanalei Family Community Center. 3 - 4:30 p.m. For information call (808) 826-1469 or visit www.hawaiianslackkeyguitar.com/liveshows.

Every Monday
Discover and Experience Waimea. For visitors and residents of all ages interested in information on landmarks, history, culture, family history, genealogy of places and people. Directed for those who are on a "spiritual quest" and want to interact with knowledgeable residents. Also for the resident who wants to connect with Kaua'i's culture and their own heritage. 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Waimea Historic Tours, Lei Making. West Kauai Tech & Visitor Center. Free (donations accepted). For information call West Kauai Technology & Visitor Center at (808) 338-1332.

Every Tuesday
Halau Hula Na Lei Kupuna O Kauai. Church of the Pacific. Hula Classes at 7:00 p.m. Kumu Hula Susan Pa'inui Floyd with the guidance of Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett. On island class teacher, Fern Merle - Jones. Men and women, visitors of all levels welcome. Admission: Donation $10 per class. For information call Fern Merle-Jones at (808) 828-1342.

Every Tuesday and Thursday
Urahutia Production Tahitian Dance. 5:00 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. Poipu Shopping Village. Free performances at Center Stage. For information call (808) 742-2831.

Every Tuesday through Saturday
Kids' Kauai at The Kauai Children's Discovery Museum. Kauai Village (Safeway) Shopping Center, Kapaa. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Kids' Kauai occupies the Kauai Children's Discovery Museum as a mini-island, providing a view of Kauai "from a kid's-eyelevel". $5/adults, $4/kids age 1-17. Call: Susan (808) 823-8222 or visit their site at www.kcdm.org.

Friday Evenings
Slack Key Guitar Concerts. Traditional Hawaiian slack key guitar and ‘ukulele concerts. July 2 – Slack Key Guitar & Ukulele; July 9 – Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar & Ukulele; July 16 – Legends of Slack Key Guitar & Ukulele; July 23 – Slack Key Guitar & Ukulele; July 30 – Slack Key Guitar & Ukulele. Free gift drawing. Tickets: $20 ($15 keiki/seniors). A portion of the proceeds supports the Hale Halawai Ohana O Hanalei. Hanalei Family Community Center. 3 – 4:30 p.m. For information call (808) 826-1469 or visit www.hawaiianslackkeyguitar.com/liveshows.

Friday Evenings
Art Night in Hanapepe. Stroll through the many art galleries in historic Hanapepe and meet the local artists from 5-9 p.m. Participating galleries take turns being the weekly “Host Gallery,” offering original performances or demonstrations which set the theme for that night. Strolling is free; art is priced as noted. Help support Kaua'i's many talented local artists.

Friday Evenings
Friday Festival Nights. Kauai Products Fair, 4-1613 Kuhio Hwy at the North end of Kapa'a Town. Now visitors to Kauai can come enjoy a day or Friday evening at Kapa'a's only open air market. The Kauai Products Fair is open daily from 9a.m. - 5p.m. and is extending its hours every Friday for its Festival Night from 5p.m.- 9p.m. Every day the fair offers a farmers market and a variety of foods, arts, crafts, and clothing. All are welcomed to come enjoy a Friday evening of cultural booths and outside entertainment. From fire dancing and drumming on the fair grounds to stage performances by local musicians and entertainers. Free. For information call Catana Padilla at (808) 651-4578 or visit www.thekauaiproductsfair.com.

PERFORMANCES & EVENTS

Sunday, July 4
Kekaha's 4th of July Celebration. Kekaha celebrates the 4th of July from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the Kekaha Neighborhood Center and Faye Park in Waimea. Activities include booths of food, games, crafts and information on Kekaha's history. Aerial fireworks top off the evening. For information call Mary Jean Buza-Sims at (808) 346-2342 or visit www.eolamaunaleookekaha.com.

Sunday, July 4
21st Annual Concert in the Sky. This annual Independence Day fundraiser for Kaua'i Hospice offers the largest aerial fireworks show on Kaua'i, family fun and games, and great food from top hotels and restaurants. Gates open 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Vidinha Soccer Field, Lihue. For more information, visit KauaiFestivals.com or call (808) 245-7277.

Saturday, July 10
Garden Isle Artisan Fair: Over 40 of Kauai's finest artisans showcasing an array of handcrafted products and tropical clothing from Kauai and Polynesia. Free and open to the public. 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Waioli Town Park in Hanalei. For information call Judy Webb at (808) 245-9021.

Saturday - Sunday, July 17 – 25
26th Annual Koloa Plantation Days Festival. Over 20 events celebrate the plantation heritage and modern-day vitality of Kauai's south shore communities of Koloa and Poipu, during this 9-day family-oriented festival. Learn about Koloa's multicultural history, experience a diverse range of local foods, culture and activities, explore the area's unique ecology and archaeology, and enjoy the warm hospitality of the south shore's resorts, golf courses, and other neighborhood venues. For information call (808) 652-3217.

Saturday & Sunday, July 31 & August 1
9th Annual Heiva I Kauai Iorana Tahiti. An international Tahitian dance competition with solo and group performances and traditional and contemporary Tahitian drumming competition. Polynesian artists & cultural demonstrations, island foods and Polynesian crafts available, silent auction daily, Tahitian dance and drumming workshops, and more. Gates open 9:00 a.m., daily admission $5, children 6 and under free. For more information call (808) 822-9447 or visit www.tikiripolynesianinstruments.com/heiva.htm

Please note: All events are subject to change. Call ahead to confirm dates and times.