The Ka'u Calendar

Star Trees. Select a star from a Gift Tree at area merchants and buy or donate money for a gift for the child described on that star. Gifts distributed at the Keiki Christmas Party on Sat, Dec ­­­­­­­17 at Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033

12th Annual Invitational Wreath Exhibit, daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Gallery artists present their concepts of wreath. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-7565 or volcanoartcenter.org.

Occupy Art Reception and Open Mic Night, Fri, Dec 2, 7 p.m., Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Acts up to five minutes sign up that night. First come, first served. Bring pupus, snacks, drinks or items to share/trade. A Zero Currency Trade Event, with no admission or entry fee.  967-8222 or volcanoartcenter.org 

Ka`u Farmers Market 10<sup>th</sup> Anniversary Celebration, Sat, Dec 3, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., front of Ace Hardware in Na`alehu. 929-7236

Zentangle, Sat, Dec 3, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Lois and Earl Stokes teach this easy-to-learn method of creating images from repetitive patterns. Open to ages 10 and up. $40 includes supplies. 967-8222

Empowered by the Pen, Sat, Dec 3, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Tom Peek helps students get their stories, poems, essays, and ideas out of their heads and onto the page. Open to all levels and genres; no writing experience necessary. $85. 967-8222 julie@volcanoartcenter.org

Dancing on the Earth, Sat, Dec 3, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Shizuno Nasu teaches creative flow and dance to all levels. Each monthly class begins with a morning warm-up, and the afternoon focuses on expressive dance movements based on Hara Tanden chi energy. 967-8222 or julie@volcanoartcenter.org

Music for Christmas, Sat, Dec 3, 2:30 p.m., Ocean View Community Center and Sun, Dec 4, 2:30 p.m., Discovery Harbour Community Hall. These free concerts feature the Ka`u Community Chorus, Hannah’s Makana `Ohana and Ka`u Ohana Band.

Volcano Festival Chorus Concert & Dining, Sat, Dec 3, 7 p.m., Kilauea Military Camp Chapel in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Crater Rim Café opens at 5 p.m. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees may apply.

People and Land of Kahuku, Sun, Dec 4 & Sat, Dec 10, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, between miles 70 and 71 on Hwy 11. This two-mile hike explores pastures, quarry, airstrip and the 1868 lava fields. 985-6011

Georgia O’Keefe’s Hawai`i, Sun, Dec 4, 3 - 4:30 p.m., Volcano Art Center's Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Patricia Jennings discusses her book that sheds light on a transitional period in O’Keefe’s art and life, and shares for the first time this coming-of-age story. 967-8222.

The Art & Traditions of Hula at Kilauea, Wed, Dec 7 and Dec 21, 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Kumu Maile Yamanaka offers 45-minutes lessons in hula at 10:30 a.m., lei making at 12 p.m. and `ukulele playing at 1:30 p.m. (bring your `ukulele if you have one). First come, first served that day. Open to all ages and levels. Free (donations welcome); park entrance fees apply.

Third Annual Holiday Challenge, Dec 9 – 31, Kilauea Military Camp in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. KMC employees decorate the front row of cottages for the enjoyment of and judging by guests and the community. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply.

Anchialine Pond Restoration Workday, Sat, Dec 10. Meet at 7:45 a.m. at Wai`ohinu Park and carpool to Ho`onoua Pool North. Megan, 769-7629 or kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com

Christmas in Ka`u, Sat, Dec 10, 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Na`alehu Hongwanji. Live entertainment, free lunch while supplies last, prizes, craft and food booths. 936-9114

Holiday Lights Community Celebration, Sat, Dec 10, 3 – 6 p.m., Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. The Christmas tree and light display features a children’s tree ornament contest plus entertainment. `Ohi`a yule log hunt, holiday music, caroling, marshmallow roasting, light refreshments, and a visit by Santa Claus. Free. 967-8222

A Night of Hot Jazz with Junior “Volcano” Choy, Sat, Dec 10, 7 – 9 p.m., Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. $15. 967-8222 or volcanoartcenter.org

Sunday Walk in the Park, Dec 11, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Nick Shema leads this six-mile round-trip walk on the Puna Coast Trail. Free to Friends members. 985-7373 or admin@fhvnp.org. 

Pahala Christmas Parade, Sun, Dec 11, 1 p.m. All community groups and businesses are invited to participate.

Hana Hou’s Keiki Christmas Party, Wed, Dec 14, Hana Hou Restaurant in Na`alehu. Lucky number drawings, keiki ID, goodie bags, free pictures with Santa. 929-9717

Kipuka`akihi Hike, Sat, Dec 17, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, between miles 70 and 71 on Hwy 11. Participants explore an isolated refuge of rare plants in a remnant old-growth forest. Pre-registration required. 985-6011

Na Mea Hawai`i Hula Kahiko at Kilauea, Sat, Dec 17, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Kahula `o Nawahine Noho Pu`ukapu with kumu hula Ana Nawahine Kahoopii perform at the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Hands-on cultural demonstrations 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. on the gallery porch. Free (donations welcome); park entrance fees apply.

OVCA Annual Keiki Christmas Party, Sat, Dec 17, 11 a.m., Ocean View Community Center. To volunteer, call 939-7033.

Christmas Craft Fair & Swap Meet, Sun, Dec 18, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Ka`u Castle between mile markers 67 and 68 on Hwy 11. Keoni, 769-0515

Ka`u Shelter/Gym Design Concept Charrette, Mon/Tue, Dec 19/20, 5 – 8 p.m., Ka`u High and Pahala Elementary School cafeteria. Noelani Whittington, 961-8787 or 557-6437

Na Leo Manu - Heavenly Voices, Wed, Dec 21, 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Kilauea Visitor Center. Hawaiian hula and music with Haunani’s Aloha Expressions.

KMC Christmas Day Brunch, Sun, Dec 25, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Kilauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Baked chicken with mushroom Sauce, pasta carbonara, breakfast delights and more. Adults $15.95/Children 6 - 11 $8.50. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees may apply. 967-8356

`Ike Hana No`eau, Wed, Dec 28, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Kilauea Visitor Center lanai. Oral Abihai shares his passion for creating `ukulele from discarded or naturally fallen pieces of wood.