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

February 3, 2012
"STARTING AN ORGANIC GARDEN - YES YOU CAN!" - KUAIWI FARM, CAPTAIN COOK
Master Gardener Una Greenaway will open her farm for a hands-on learn-by-doing day where a new garden plot will be started. Soil, plant, and growing practices for a successful food garden will be demonstrated, step-by-step. 9am-3pm, bring your own lunch and wear protective, sturdy garden clothing. Proceeds will fund scholarships for youth programs at the One Island Sustainable Living Center and its new Same Canoe Community Gardens Project. RSVP for directions. Free to the public. For more information, call 328-2452, email info@one-island.org or visit www.one-island.org/hawaii

February 3, 2012
ASIAN FEST - QUEENS' MARKETPLACE, WAIKOLOA BEACH RESORT
Welcome the Year of the Dragon at the new "Asian Fest" at Queens' MarketPlace in Waikoloa Beach Resort, from 4:30-6:30pm at Queens' MarketPlace Coronation Pavilion. Celebrate with the vibrant Lion Dancers and driving rhythms of drums from around the world. Make sure you have your "laisee" ready to feed the Lion and ensure good health and fortune in 2012. More than Chinese New Year, Asian Fest features the fun and fascinating Far East traditions that came to Hawai'i and still inspire residents and visitors from everywhere. Free food samples from Queens' MarketPlace restaurants! Emcee Eddie O will be on hand to entertain and inform you about Hawaii's diverse cultures. Free to the public. For more information, call 808-886-8822, email spelfrey@waikoloaland.com or visit www.queensmarketplace.net

February 3, 2012
"HAU'OLI LA HANAU, BRUDDAH SMITTY!" BENEFIT - KAHILU THEATRE, WAIMEA
To help defer Smitty's medical expenses. Featuring Darlene Ahuna, Nino Ka'ai, Keoki Kahumoku, Eddie Kamae & Mark Yamanaka. At 6:30pm. Tickets $100, $45, $35. Call 885-6868 for more info.

February 4, 2012
ANNUAL WAIMEA CHERRY BLOSSOM HERITAGE FESTIVAL - WAIMEA
This year, the Festival marks its annual celebration with the planting of cherry tree seedlings gifted from the Embassy of Japan. The two varieties of seedlings to be planted in Hawai'i were specially chosen for Waimea's clime by Dr. Tetsuo Koyama, a Honolulu-based botanist formerly of The New York Botanical Garden. the festival showcases the 60 year old cherry trees planted at Church Row Park and the Japanese tradition of viewing them—hanami. This year the event remembers three Paniolo Hall of Fame members who each offered different skills to the island’s ranching industry: Jamie Dowsett and Charles T. Kimura of Waimea, and Charles T. Onaka of Honaunau. The festival includes a variety of activities from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at venues throughout Waimea - look for pink banners identifying site locations from the Parker Ranch Historic Homes on Mamalahoa Hwy. 190 to the Hawaiian Homestead Farmer’s Market on Hwy. 19. Enjoy an all day lineup of Japanese and multi-cultural performing arts, plus hands-on demonstrations of bonsai, origami, traditional tea ceremony, and mochi pounding. There will be a host of colorful craft fairs, as well. This year, there will also be a Festival of Quilts display, featuring the handiwork of all six local quilt clubs. Enjoy free shuttle transportation among most venues. For more info, please call 808-961-8706.

February 11, 2012
10th ANNUAL HILO CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL
The 10th Annual Hilo Chinese New Year Festival celebrates the Year of the Dragon, roaring into downtown Hilo with Lion Dancers parading through town beginning at 9 a.m. The lions open the free Festival at 10 a.m. at Kalakaua Park, which will be filled with arts, crafts, Hawaiian and Asian gifts, international food booths, and cultural information. Performances, calligraphy, I Ching and martial arts demonstrations, along with a free food tasting and free kids activities, will turn the park into a mini-Chinatown for the day. For more information, call 935-8850, email georgiadia@gmail.com or visit www.downtownhilo.com

February 11, 2012
MAKAHA SONS VALENTINE'S DAY CONCERT - PALACE THEATER, HILO
Tickets $25 advance/$30 door; on sale at Box Office 10am-3pm weekdays, or by calling 934-7010.

February 11, 2012
8th ANNUAL "LOVE THE ARTS" FUNDRAISER - VOLCANO
This year's theme: "Carnivale di Venezia: Under a Hawaiian Moon". To be held at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus, 19-4074 Old Volcano Rd. in Volcano Village. Cost: $50/$60 door. VAC's annual gala and fundraising event includes tables of delectable catered foods, wine and champagne, live and silent auctions and special surprises all evening long. Enter the mask contest, bid on local artists' donated work or on the numerous offerings from businesses around the state, tickle your palate with gourmet goodies and party down for a good fun cause, perpetuating arts & culture on Hawai'i, the Big Island. To reserve tickets, call (808) 967-8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org

February 12, 2012
'Q'UISINE OF HEARTS BRUNCH BENEFIT - HILTON WAIKOLOA VILLAGE
Celebrate Valentine's Day with your special someone at the 17th annual 'Q'uisine of Hearts, a lovely brunch that annually benefits 2000 Kona-Kohala keiki through American Culinary Federation (ACF) Chef and Child nutrition awareness programs. Time is 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., at the Hilton Waikoloa Village. While innovative and mouth-watering desserts are definitely the draw at ‘Q’uisine, the culinary repast whets the sweet tooth with a sprawling bruschetta buffet stocked with breads, meats, cheeses and carefully crafted condiments arranged by West Hawaii community college culinary students. Also on tap are omelet and eggs benedict stations, wine, champagne and ales, plus piping hot coffee and tropical teas. Serenading the scrumptious '"eats" will be romantic piano music by Loren Wilken, including some of your favorite love songs. During the silent auction, bid for "sweetheart" floral arrangements and private catered dinners by top Big Isle chefs. Tickets, priced at $45 for adults and $20 for children aged 5-10 are for sale at Gourmet Chef’s Supply, Kailua Candy Company and Kona Wine Market in Kona or at Tropical Dreams Ice Cream in Waimea. Charge by phone at 808-329-2522. For more information, contact 808-333-5442.

February 17, 2012
'UKULELE AND SLACK KEY GUITAR INSTITUTE MASTERS CONCERT - KAHILU THEATRE, WAIMEA 8pm. Part of the annual `Ukulele and Slack Key Guitar Institute, this culminating concert will feature Mike Ka'awa, Jeff Peterson, Nathan Aweau and more. Call 885-6868 for tickets or information. For a list of Institute free events, see Konaweb's Hawaiian Music Events page.

February 17-19, 2012
TAHITIAN DANCE COMPETITION AND MAHALO FUN DAY & CONCERT
Te 'E'a O Te Turama and Fun to Jump Kona present Heiva i Hawai'i Tahitian Dance Competition and Mahalo Fun Day & Concert, featuring Mr & Miss Heiva i Hawai'i contest, drumming, 'aparima, 'ote'a & 'ahuroa workshops, crafts, vendors, inflatables, and free concert. Time: Friday 6-9pm, Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 9am-8pm at Kekuaokalani Gym in Kailua-Kona, and Shops at Mauna Lani. Cost varies. For information call: 808-450-9664 or email teeaoteturama@gmail.com or visit https://sites.google.com/site/teeaoteturama/competition

February 18, 2012
6th ANNUAL HAWAI'I AVOCADO FESTIVAL - KEAUHOU BEACH RESORT
This free to the public, zero waste event will be held from 10 am to 4 pm at Keauhou Beach Resort. Fun and informative festivities will include demonstrations on avocado grafting and growing, an avocado recipe contest, free guacamole sampling, farmer's market, arts and crafts, healing arts, eco fashion show, and a full lineup of performing arts. Original festival art and t-shirts will be on display and for sale. The 2012 Hawai'i Avocado Festival is sponsored by Sanctuary of Mana Ke'a Gardens, Hawai'i Tropical Fruit Growers-West Hawai'i, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Keauhou Beach Resort, Hawai'i Health Guide, Farm to Fork, recyclehawaii.org, Divine Goods and Island Naturals. For more information, contact Randyl Rupar at 334-3340 or visit www.avocadofestival.org

February 18, 2012
NA MEA HAWAI'I HULA KAHIKO PERFORMANCE - HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
Featuring Halau Na Pua Ha`aheo O Kona with kumu hula Roy Palacat, from 10:30-11:30AM. This outdoor presentation takes place rain or shine at the hula platform located near Volcano Art Center Gallery. The audience is encouraged to bring sitting mats and sun/rain gear. On the same day, there are hands-on cultural demonstrations from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm on the VAC Gallery porch. Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. All events are free (donations welcome); park entrance fees apply.