6 Best Performing Arts in Kailua-Kona, Big Island

Each summer on the Saturday nearest to King Kamehameha Day (June 11), at least 100 regal riders on horseback parade through Historic Kailua Village, showing off the colorful flora and aloha spirit of Hawaii. This spectacular free event is one of the highlights of summer. The traditional royal pau riders (women dressed in long skirts) include a queen and princesses representing the major Hawaiian Islands. A cultural festival with live music and a houlaulea (local fundraiser) always follow on the historic grounds of Hulihee Palace, Hawaii Island's only royal palace.

The lively festival showcases island-based brewers and chefs on the luau grounds of the Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. A fashion show, live music, and community fundraisers are all part of the fun. Check the date and get tickets early online, as this event always sells out.

Held over 10 days in early November, on the Kona side, the longest-running food festival in Hawaii celebrates world-renowned Kona coffee. The highly anticipated festival includes coffee contests, serious cupping (tasting) competitions, a lecture series, label contests, farm tours, and a colorful community parade featuring the newly crowned Miss Kona Coffee. During the Holualoa Village Coffee and Art Stroll, you can meet artists and sample estate coffees.

On the graceful grounds of the Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa, this popular luau (Mondays and Thursdays) takes you on a journey of song and dance, celebrating  the culture and history of the islands. The excellent buffet is a feast of local favorites, including kalua (earth oven--baked) pig, poi, ahi poke, chicken long rice, fish, and mango chutney. Generous mai tai refills are a plus, and a highlight is the dramatic fire-knife dance finale.

With traditional dancing showcasing the interconnected Polynesian roots of Hawaii, Samoa, Tahiti, and New Zealand, the "We Are Ohana (family)" luau is not a hokey, tourist-trap event; these performers take their art seriously, and it shows. The historic oceanfront location—on the Courtyard King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel's luau grounds and directly next to the king's former royal compound and Ahuena Heiau—adds to the authenticity of the event, which takes place daily except Monday and Saturday. The bounty of food includes kalua (earth oven–baked) pig cooked. The hotel validates parking.

The Royal Kona Resort lights its torches for a spectacular show and oceanfront buffet four times a week (Monday–Wednesday and Friday); this may just be the best luau deal in town. The entire Polynesian Triangle is represented through song and dance by seasoned professional performers who love sharing their dance traditions with visitors. Traditional luau fare is served along with succulent pork cooked in an authentic underground imu (oven), and an open bar offers mai tais and other tropical concoctions. An exciting Samoan fire-knife dancer caps off the show.  Book online for the best prices.