(For a more complete listing of events, go to KONAWEB's Big Island Events Calendar).

May 8, 2008
FREE CONCERT BY HONOLULU SYMPHONY, CONDUCTED BY AARON MAHI, APPEARANCE BY RAIATEA HELM
This free concert will be held at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort Grand Ballroom, from 7-9pm. Program will be MOZART: Overture from The Marriage of Figaro; 
MOZART: Horn Concerto No. 4 in E-flat Major, K495
; MENDELSSOHN: Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream; 
COPLAND: Fanfare for the Common Man
; RIMSKY-KORSAKOV: Scheherazade; Selected Hawaiian classics with Raiatea Helm.

May 9, 2008
TALK WITH CHIPPER WICHMAN, EXEC. DIRECTOR OF THE NAT'L TROPICAL BOTANICAL GARDEN - KONA OUTDOOR CIRCLE
Chipper Wichman, Executive Director of the National Tropical Botanical Garden, will be at Kona Outdoor Circle for a talk starting at 1:30-3pm. Chipper's love of all things botanical started when he was in high school. He says he was a "challenging" teenager, and his parents gave him the opportunity to move from Oahu to live with his tutu, Juliet Rice Wichman, on Kaua'i. It was through her that he developed his passion for plants.Years later, his grandmother donated 13 acres to become one of the first properties of the National Tropical Botanical Garden. At her death, she left 1,000 acres to Chipper and his wife Hau'oli, with the clear understand that they were to donate it also (and they did). The NTBG has two properties on the Poipu side of Kau'ai, a property on Maui, and a dryland forest right here in Kona. Chipper will talk about the preservation, conservation, and scientific research with which the NTBG is engaged. The NTBG is involved in many diverse projects, including work that will help feed developing nations, and work that may cure some diseases (they have one drug in clinical trials now that may be a cure for HIV). Chipper is a knowledgeable and interesting speaker. Light refreshments will be served. Questions? Call KOC at 329-7286.

May 10, 2008
SILENT RETREAT WITH GAVIN HARRISON - AHUALOA, HONOKA'A
"Living in the Light of Death", a silent, one day retreat, will take place from 9am to 4:30pm at Waianuhea B&B, on Saturday, May 10th, with Gavin Harrison. “We are aging from the moment we are born. We have no idea when we may grow ill and when we will die. We are not guaranteed even one more breath! Death is not waiting for us at the end of the road; it is walking with us all the time. Truly facing death enables us to appreciate and make the best use of our precious life in a whole new way. Engaging death liberates us from unnecessary suffering, and serves our awakening to the truth of who we really are: the unborn, the deathless." This retreat is for both beginning and experienced meditators. Sitting and walking meditation instruction will be offered. There will be a talk, and opportunity for discussion, inquiry and investigation together. Retreats are non-denominational and open to those of all spiritual traditions. To learn more about Gavin, registration, and retreat details, visit www.gavinharrison.net or see Konaweb's Big Island Calendar of Events.

May 13, 2008
KONA TOWN MEETING - MEET WITH THE MAYORAL CANDIDATES, OLD AIRPORT
From 6-8 PM at Makaeo Events Pavilion at the Old Airport State Park, meet the Mayoral candidates, including District 8 Councilmember Angel Pilago, State Senator Lorraine Inouye, District 4 Councilmember Stacy Higa, Attorney Billy Kenoi, Community Outreach Coordinator Sam Masilamoney, Minister and Activist Roger Christie, and Retired General Contractor Jasper Moore. The Chairman of the Kona Community Development Plan Steering Committee, Ken Melrose, will make a special announcement about upcoming public meetings on the Kona Community Development Plan. Kona Town Meetings are presented by Community Enterprises, a non-partisan, non-profit organization, to provide vital information on community concerns to Kona citizens. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Denny Coffman at 322-5076 or Fred Housel at 331-8602.

May 15-18, 2008
BIG ISLAND FILM FESTIVAL - WAIKOLOA
The third Big Island Film Festival will be held May 15 through 18th at Waikoloa Beach Resort. This "Talk Story" film festival celebrates independent narrative filmmakers and their films. One indoor theater for daytime films and two outdoor venues for evening films (family and general audiences) will bring 58 films to the Big Island this year from Hawaii and international filmmakers. Social food & beverage events, entertainment, and films all wrapped in Aloha. Tickets from $5 with Kama'aina discounts every night. Best of the Fest with Brother Noland concert to kick off the audience choice short and feature film on Sunday 5/18 begins at 5pm at the Queens Gardens - the new amphitheater at Waikoloa Beach Resort. Time: 10:00 AM to 11:30 PM at Queens MarketPlace & Kings Shops, Waikoloa Beach Resort. Cost: $5 to $50 for the Awards Brunch. For information, call 808/557-5200 direct, 808/883-0394 office, email bigislandff@aol.com or visit BigIslandFilmFestival.com

May 17, 2008
"WILI 'IA ME KA MAILE" - HULA PERFORMANCES, ALOHA THEATRE
Na Wai Iwi Ola, under the direction of Kumu Hula Keala Ching, will present their annual ho'ike performance at the Aloha Theater. Join them for a special presentation of hula and music, with two shows- at 1:00pm and at 7:00pm. Music will be provided by Kumu Rolinda Bean and her band, Ahula. Special guests will include Kumu Hula Kawaikapuokalani Hewett and Kumu Hula Ula Hewett. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door, and advance purchase is recommended for this sellout show. Advance tickets are available at The Blue Ginger Gallery in Kainaliu, across the street from the Aloha Theatre. For more information, call 328-8162 or email jr.lyle@hawaiiantel.net

May 17-26, 2008
WESTERN WEEK - HONOKA'A
The little town of Honokaa swells with thousands of visitors who experience more than a week long worth of celebrating the plantation and paniolo heritage of the Hamakua Coast. Events kick off on May 17 with the Paniolo Parade at 10 a.m. followed by an Old Time Market Day with sidewalk sales, arts, crafts and food booths lining the town's "Main Street" (Mamane Street). Special exhibits, cowboy films, dance parties and talent shows take place throughout the week and wrap up with an evening Paniolo BBQ & Giant Block Party on May 23. A two-day Hawaiian-style rodeo caps off the Memorial Day weekend (May 25 & 26) at the Honokaa Arena with plenty of daring cowboys showing off their skills. Buy a commemorative button for $3 to show your support of this free community cultural event (and avoid being thrown in "Jail!").For more information about Western Weekend events, call 933-9772 or email amoon@bigisland.com

May 22, 23, 24, 2008
"VOYAGE OF SOLO ACOUSTIC GUITAR" CONCERTS
May 22nd, Kona Faith Center (across from Napa Auto in Capt. Cook), 7pm, $20@door. Slack key guitar master John Keawe; Chris Yeaton, slack key and fingerstyle guitar; Robert Drake, classical guitar extraordinaire!
May 23rd, in Volcano at the Ulua Theater, 7pm, $20@door. Chris Yeaton and Friends, with Moon Kahele. Slack key and fingerstyle guitar! More info at www.woodsongacoustics.com
May 24th, at Ocean View Community Center, (Leilani & Seabreeze Pkwy.), 7pm, $20@door. Chris Yeaton and Friends, with Moon Kahele. Slack key and fingerstyle guitar!
May 25th, In Waikoloa, 68-1783 Lua Kula Pl., 6pm, no charge; donations accepted. Chris Yeaton and Friends, with Moon Kahele. Slack key and fingerstyle guitar!
More info at www.woodsongacoustics.com

May 24, 25, & 26, 2008
THIRD ANNUAL HILO INTER-TRIBAL POWWOW
This event will take place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Wailoa River Park in Hilo. On Monday, there will be a Veterans' Honoring Ceremony and the colors will be retired at 4 pm. Grand Entry is at 10 am all three days. No drugs or alcohol will be allowed. This celebration of Native American culture through music, dancing, traditional foods and traditional arts and crafts is free and open to everyone. There will also be storytelling, music, demonstrations and free hands-on craftmaking offered for children. Native American tribe representatives, dancers and drummers will be present from the mainland and Canada. Visit the Hilo PowWow website at www.hilopowwow.com for more details, or Email info@hilopowwow.com>info@hilopowwow.com.