Hi friend! Starting this email off with a sad announcement: this will be my last email issue of Big Island Beat (for now!). It’s been fun writing little love notes to the community for six months — but I am answering an inner need to slow down and take a break 🫶🏼 (including listening to this playlist as I type this) — you can still find me on Instagram stories! Looking for something to do this week? In Kona, celebrate Kona Pride 2023 — with a Friday Kickoff Social, main event on Saturday, and Sunday tea party. Other fun events — the Annual

Hi friend! Get your dancing shoes out! If you’re in Kona, salsa night is back this Thursday at Honu’s on the Beach. On Sunday — don’t miss the Silent Disco Beach clean-up in the morning, and stay for the Exploring Within Sunset Nature Dance Experience at night.

Hi friend! As usual, there’s so much happening this week I can barely keep up! If you’re in Kona — compete for your chance to win 10 pounds of mangoes — or watch the show — at the first-ever mango eating contest this Saturday. In the afternoon, you can head to Tony Honda Kona to support Kona’s Maui Love Benefit Concert featuring names like Anuhea and Brother Noland. Outside of Kona? Catch the first round of Hilo Idols TONIGHT as ten contenders fight their way to the crown. Or, catch an Open Mic hosted by Pineapples Comedy at Island Hopper

Hi friend! Where do I even begin? There’s so much happening this week! If you’re on Hilo side: visit Uncle Roberts out in Kalapana for a Maui Fire fundraiser on Saturday afternoon or catch a poetry reading by SFJAZZ Poet Laureate Genny Lim on Sunday afternoon in Hilo. Live on Kona side? From Reggae on the Runway on Saturday to Exploring Within Silent Disco + Bonfire on Sunday, there’s lots to keep yourself entertained 💞

Hi friend! Oops, newsletter is coming in late this week! Sending it this morning so that you can start planning your weekend. Some highlights: music islandwide including DJ Ntu in Kailua-Kona & Captain Cook, Saddle Road in Hilo, and a Maui Ola Benefit Concert in Waimea. Are you looking for family friendly events? Check out the Tanabata Japanese Star Festival at ʻImiloa or the Hana Noʻeau Hawaiian Arts Festival in Hilo! Looking for something to do this week? Here’s what’s happening on the Big Island. This is by no means an all-encompassing list, but a few ideas of events happening

Hi friend! I’m sure you’ve seen or heard the news: our neighbors in Maui need our support 🫶🏼 I’m at a loss for words, because how can one describe what it must be like for your home to burn down or to be displaced from your home? Or how difficult of a transition it must be for neighbor families, people with disabilities, and kūpuna to be navigating this difficult time.

Hi friend! It’s finally August — that also means schools are starting back up again this month, so plan accordingly! Traffic will resume and back-to-school shoppers will be out and about this month 😂

Hi friend! There’s a huge variety of events happening tonight and this week, including an intro to bonsai this Friday at Higashihara Park in Kona, Hilo’s 9th Annual Eat the Street, and a HI Acrofest Dance Party in Pāhoa.

Hi friend! Last night, I put together the events for this week as I listened to All My Exes’ Moms by Brooke Alexx on repeat (it’s CATCHY), together with the sound of Hilo rain pouring in the background.