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

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 16, 17, & 18, 2008
PLANET EARTH FILM SERIES - KONA
The only annual environmental film exposition on Hawaii Island, this series will include nearly 20 inspiring and provocative documentaries and feature films on topics such as renewable energy and food sustainability, including the Academy Award winning film, "An Inconvenient Truth". The showings will be held May 16th and 18th at the Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu, Kona, and May 17th at NELHA's Gateway Energy Center in Kona. Visit the website for times. Cost: $5.00 per show/$20 day pass, available at door. For more information, call 808/443-1456 or 1-888-779-1500, email michael@naturalinvesting.com or visit www.konaearthfestival.org

May 17, 2008
KA'U HO'OLAULEA AND BULL BASH
The Ka'u Roping & Riding Association is hosting a Ho'olaulea and Bull Bash Saturday, May 17th, from 10am to 5pm at the Na'alehu Arena and park grounds. The event will raise funds to buy the arena and preserve paniolo activities for future generations. The Ho'olaulea is free to the public and will feature entertainment by the Silver Spurs, Ernie Cruz Sr., Leka & Demetrius from the group Ka'u, the Wong Yuen Brothers, Keoki Kahumuku Jr & Moses Kahumoku, Konabob, Terri Louis, Elijah Navarro & Ty Chun, Danny Toft, Clay Mortensen, Tony Salvage, Bobby Reno, Braddah Gene Akamu, LT Smooth, Donald Kaulia & Brother George, and Gary Pole. These entertainers have generously donated their time to support this event. The Ho'olaulea will also feature ono food lunches like teri burgers. horn dogs, roast pork burritos, laulau, kalua pig and more. There will be an inflatable bouncer and games for the keiki. The Bull Bash promises to be an exciting event held at the Na'alehu Arena. Bull riders will compete to win the $2,000 added bonus for first place overall in addition to the split, and a buckle created just for the event. Pre-Sale Tickets for the Bull Bash are available at Del's and Miranda's in Hilo, The Pahala Plantation House, Na'alehu Ace Hardware, R. R. Olson, and Waimea Feed Store for $10 ($15 at the gate on May 17th). The bulls Godzilla, Crooked Nose and others will be there to give the competitors a ride for their money. For more information, call 929-9962, email info@kaurra.org or visit www.kaurra.org

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. Mayor Harry Kim has proclaimed Saturday, Sunday and Monday, May 24th, 25th, and 26th, 2008 to be NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE DAYS. Visit the Hilo PowWow website at www.hilopowwow.com for more details, or Email info@hilopowwow.com>info@hilopowwow.com.