Every Sunday 6:00 pm: 
Emily T Gail Talks Golf & Other Sports sponsored by Aloha Big Island Visitor Guide is an hour long conversation with and about people and events on the Big Island and the mainland.  Emily talks with recreational, high school and professional athletes and the coaches, the parents, the organizers, the media and so much more.  Learn what’s going on in sports on the island where visitors are always welcome to participate and be a part of our Big Island Sports community. ESPN Radio AM850 Hilo AM790 Kona.  Emily T Gail (808) 896-6780, emilytgail@emilys.org, www.emilys.org.

Saturday, September 22: 
6^th Annual Peace Day Parade & Festival.  Taiko drums, marching bands, bon dance, jazz, rock & roll, hula, cirque performers and more. Parade starts at 10 a.m. from Honokaa High School, 45-527 Pakalana St., Honokaa. Following the parade, a free Peace Day Festival takes place at the Honokaa Sports Complex from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with local and ethnic foods, artists and crafters, live entertainment and a large community Bon Dance for everyone to join. For information call (808) 640-4602 or visit www.peacedayparade.org.

Wednesday, August 29:
Hanohano `O Kona Lecture Series. The Culture of the Canoe ~ `He `Inoa No Lili`uokalani/In the Name of Lili`uokalani.  5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the West Hawaii Civic Center located at 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, on the corner of the new (opened to public June 2012) Ane Keohokalole Highway and Kealakehe Parkway in Kailua Kona.

Sunday, August 26: 
Kokua Kailua Hulihe’e Palace Concert Series & Village Stroll.  One Sunday each month from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Ali`i Drive along scenic Kailua Bay in Kailua-Kona becomes a festive pedestrian-only walkway. Enjoy music, artists, merchants and restaurants. At 4:00 p.m., there is a free Hawaiian music concert on the lawn at Hulihe`e Palace. Bring your own mat or chair and they will be checked for free while you stroll Ali`i Drive, Kailua Village (Kona).  For information visit www.kvbid.org.

Saturday, August 25: 
John Cruz in Concert.  One of Hawaii’s most popular and accomplished performers of Hawaiian music, John Cruz concerts are always a sell out around the Islands. In this performance – the last in a three-event summer Unplugged Acoustic Series – John will play and tell stories about Hawaii life. 7:15 p.m.  $25.  Volcano Art Center Niaulani Campus, 19-4074 Old Volcano Road, Volcano.  For tickets and information call (808) 967-8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.

Saturday, August 25: 
Taste of Life.  This annual event helps raise money to provide services to those on Hawaii Island affected by HIV/AIDS. It’s a serious purpose, but the Taste of Life is a fun three-hour party with food catered by the Island’s top restaurants, plus live music and dancing, silent auction and more. Fee, $75 in advance, $85 at the door.  6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa, 78-128 Ehukai Street, Kailua-Kona.  For information call (808) 331-8177 or visit www.hihaf.org.

August 25: 
Hawaii Island Festival Kickoff.  A month-long event celebrating Hawaii’s aloha spirit and cultural traditions begins with the Investiture of Royal Court at Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, 81-6298 Mamalahoa Hwy, Honaunau, at 10 a.m. For information and schedule of events and venues, call (808) 885-3110 or visit www.hawaiiislandfestival.org.

Saturday, August 18: 
Don the Beachcomber Mai Tai Festival.  This annual event attracts aficionados of this renowned tropical libation from far and wide, with bartenders competing for title of Best Mai Tai and a $10,000 cash prize. Also enjoy a farmers market, food from Big Island restaurants and live entertainment along with mai tai sampling. A fun festival! Free.  12 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Royal Kona Resort, 75-5852 Ali`i Dr., Kailua-Kona.  For information call (808) 329-3111.

Saturday, August 18:
Volcano Rainforest Runs. A half marathon, 10K run and 5k walk in Volcano Village at 4,000 feet elevation near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Open to runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. Race begins and ends at Cooper Center at 19-4030 Wright Road in Volcano Village. $35-$75 registration fees. Early Registration begins at Volcano Art Center on Friday, August 17, from 10-6 p.m.; a Runner’s Reception and Luncheon is open to all regis- tered runners and their families from 11-1p.m. Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus, 19-4074 Old Volcano Road in Volcano Village. Indulge in an all-you-can-eat salad buffet and “carbo” load at Cooper Center on Wright Road on Friday, August 17 from 5-7 p.m. Race Day Registration at 5:30 a.m. at Cooper Center. Opening Ceremony at 6:30a.m., with the first race at 7:00a.m. For information call (808) 967-8240 for email raceinfo@volcanoartcenter.org.

Friday & Saturday, August 17 & 18: 
Hui Okinawa Haari Boat Festival.  Friday is reserved for team practice with the boats, but many other activities in Hilo are planned for later in the afternoon, including the kick-off of the 2012 Friendship Golf Tournament. Experience Hui Okinawa Kobudo Taiko 10th Anniversary Concert at the Palace Theatre on Friday at 7 p.m. The official Haari Boat Races are scheduled for Saturday at 8 a.m., with a pre-race Parade of teams at 7:30 a.m. Teams in three divisions compete for speed and cooperative skill in rowing the boats in tandem, to the beat of a gong at the rear of the boat. Prizes are awarded in each division.  Haari Boat Race Golf Tournament on Saturday at Hilo Municipal Golf Course (Tee Off Time TBA).  Wailoa State Park and River, 200 Piopio St, Hilo.  For information call (808) 895-0994 or visit www.haariboatfestival.com.