All welcome to join in some circus fun in Downtown Hilo on June 7th. This is a night to step out and dress up and bring the family.

From 5pm The Hiccup Children’s Circus of Puna will be making appearances at businesses all around town in a fun filled procession.

From 6pm they will be at The Hilo First Friday Night Market on Mamo Corner. The circus will be performing juggling, acrobatics and unicycle tricks. A drum circle, and a DJ will provide great music. There will also be hoop and fire performances by the lovely and talented Laurali Firefly, facepainting for kids, a clown booth.. and more. Treat your tastebuds to ‘Hawaiian Style’ wood fired pizzas, raw organic sugar cane sorbets, Tropsicles and other delights.

For having survived two tsunamis in the past 70 years, our town looks pretty darn good. But can you imagine how great Downtown Hilo would look with a complete brand-new paint job done all at once?

Here’s our opportunity: Benjamin Moore Paints recently announced a promotion called “Main Street Matters.” They’re selecting 20 small town main streets to be rejuvenated with a free fresh coat of Ben Moore paint. Downtown Hilo is one of the many towns that have been nominated.

We need to generate votes for Hilo to help get selected for the make-over. You can vote once a day per computer (so you could vote once at work, and again if you have a different computer at home—or smartphone).

Voting is easy:

1)         go to www.paintwhatmatters.com

2)         click on the islands of Hawaii on the map;

3)         click on “Hilo” on the left sidebar; and then,

4)         click on the “Vote Now” image to cast your vote.

The polls will be open through June 30th. In addition to voting yourself, please encourage your customers, friends and family to vote too. Share by email, Facebook, and Twitter, and download a sign from www.hpmhawaii.com/news-savings/news/vote-hilo to post at your business.

“This is an excellent opportunity not only to beautify Downtown Hilo, but also to potentially get tons of exposure on the mainland and impress future visitors to our town,” said Alice Moon of the Hilo Downtown Improvement Association.

Remember to vote, spread the word, and start thinking about paint colors!

Members of the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) and the DAVA (Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary) from throughout the State of Hawaii, will hold their annual Department Convention in Hilo Hawaii from June 7th to June 8th at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.

Past National DAV Commander Roberto “Bobby” Barrera, a combat wounded Viet-Nam War Veteran will be in attendance, along with DAVA National Commander Mrs. Donna Adams, who has been active in DAVA since 1964. This will be her 1st trip to Hawaii. Additionally more than 60 DAV members and Veterans- including many ill and injured Veterans of Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf War,Desert Storm, Persian Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan are expected to attend.

According to Mrs. Penny Fox, DAV Department of Hawaii State Commander, convention business sessions will include adoption of resolutions to be submitted to DAV’s National Convention to be held in Orlando, Florida, August 10-13, 2013.

The Conventions highlight will be a Memorial Service for the Dearly Departed to be held on Friday, June 7th along with a POW/MIA remembrance.

Now in it’s 93rd year, DAV empowers Veterans to lead high quality lives with respect and dignity. DAV, it’s extensions and connected organizations, are dedicated to a single purpose;fulfilling our promises to the men and women who served.

Registration forms are available at the Hilo Vet Center, or by e-mail to wilsonc@flex.com.

Art Opening – Dreams of Paradise Gallery presents Kevin Short, painter. Along with the ocean theme, the gallery will be celebrating Kevin’s new acceptance into the Carnegie Museum’s Summer Exhibition. Megan Leucht, Art Consultant. Dreams of Paradise Gallery, 308 Kamehameha Ave. Suite 106, 808.935.5670, megan@dreamsofparadisegallery.com.

The Mamo Corner’s First Friday Night Market sets up at the corner of Kilauea and Mamo Sts. from 5 – 9 p.m.  Check out the Ocean theme art show featuring Jeremiah White of Akua Creative, young artists from Waiakeawaena Elementary School 2^nd graders, and Alohi Wai Clothing and Jewels presenting ocean inspired island style clothing.  Music at 7 p.m. with DJ Jana MoonFire and 8 p.m. with Tiana Malone Jennings & Band and Hoop Jam with Laurali Firefly.  Hawaiian Style Pizza (the ohia wood fired portable pizza wagon that keeps showing up around town) offers some ono grinds.

One Gallery at 128 Kilauea St. opens from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. and has a little event on every First Friday from 5 – 8 p.m. to introduce new works, new artists, and generally have a bit of fun with live music, pupus and a lovely time. This week, enjoy the musical stylings of Cymber Lily Quinn, harpist.

One Gallery always offers an impressive selection of original and affordable island-inspired original paintings, art prints, sea shell jewelry, ceramics, wood, gourds, sculpture, cards, music and more.  Open 7 days a week.

Pineapples Island Fresh Cuisine at 322 Keawe St. opens from 11:00 a.m. to Pau (kitchen closes at 10:00 p.m.) with Happy Hour specials from 3 – 6 p.m. and entertainment by Darryl Castillo starting @ 6:30 p.m.  Come enjoy pupu and fresh catch fish specials served up by friendly folks!

Basically Books at 160 Kamehameha Ave. is working on establishing a Read Aloud for All Ages as an ongoing event and is trying it out on First Friday.  Join the read-in at 5:30 with two books for children Kolohe `Iole by Courtnie Chang and A Coconut Named Bob by Austin Weaver and at 6:30 Toby Neal’s Blood Orchids (a Lei Crime Novel that takes place in Hilo) for adults.  Bring the family!

KapohoKine Adventures celebrates their new location on Haili St. next to the Palace Theater with refreshments, a DJ, in-store zipline promos and giveaways and their free climbing wall (gotta wear your gym shoes) from 5 – 8 p.m.

Bayfront Kava Bar – open ‘til late – gives a traditional Kava pounding demo at 5:30 and 7 p.m. with Aloha (acoustic Island Folk Hop music) at 7 p.m.

High Fire Hawaii Gallery & Studio on Kamehameha Ave. next to the Kava Bar opens every Friday until 8 p.m.  There’s usually someone throwing pots in the Ceramic Studio most Friday nights so stop by and see live studio art in action.

Check Bueno Burrito out at their new location on Kilauea St. next to KTA and Rainbow-Jo and enjoy live music and Salsa dancing from 5 – 8 p.m.

East Hawaii Cultural Center hosts an opening night reception from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. featuring three galleries of art by young artists from Kamehameha School, Patti Datloff, and Joe Ruesing. Pretty good complimentary refreshments are usually offered.

Full Moon Café, 51 Kalakaua St., will be open for First Friday until 9 PM with the mellow sounds of  local artist Boni Novito and his Menehune Band.   Boni has been a local treasure for the past 35 years playing with such groups as To The Max, Two Guys from Puna, Doug and Boni and many other special groups around the Big Island. Please stop in for tasty and healthy cuisine and good fun.

Bites & Bytes: Always open on Friday until 8 p.m. they’ve invited a good friend to strum Ukulele and sing on First Friday. Vintage, collectibles and furniture for sale set the stage for your internet and computer repair needs in a cozy environment.  “Please come and meet our family!”

Hilo Town Tavern at 168 Keawe St. has been kicking the First Friday Art Walk for a long time so guarantee this one will be awesome with live art, open wall art and DJs from 8 p.m. – 2 a.m.

Hale Kai Hawaii Bed & Breakfast
111 Honolii Place
Hilo, Hawaii  96720 USA
Tel  808.935.6330
Web  www.halekaihawaii.com
Email  stay@halekaihawaii.com
Facebook  www.facebook.com/HaleKaiHawaiiBedandBreakfast

Wednesday, May 1 * Opening Ceremony @ 10 a.m.

Music * Hula * Arts & Crafts * Food * Fun

• Learn to Make a Lei
• See the Carousel of Aloha horses being carved.
• Live Music by Bruddah Waltah * Diana Aki * Ben Ka’ili * Ke Ola Pnon No Na Kupuna * Sahra Indio * Dennis & Christy Soares * LeiManu
• Hula by Lei Day Queen Hokulani Fo and her Floral Court!

Other Lei Day Festival Events:

Wednesday, May 1
11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Hawaiiana Live @ The Palace Theater
“He Mo’olelo Ko Ka Lei” – ” A Story of the Lei”
Live stage show presents legend and history of lei through story, chant, song, and hula.

Friday, May 3
7:30 p.m.
Lei Festival Paniolo Ball
“Lei Pua Hapa Sepania” by CJ’s Promotions

• Pali Room at the Naniloa
• Live Paniolo country music with Michael Strand Band and Classic Rock’n'Roll with Ol’ School Band
• Costume Contests! Saloon Girl, Seniorita, Senior, Cowgirl, Cowboy
• $10 advance, $15 at the door.
• Tickets available at CD Wizard, Naniloa Hotel.
• Group reservations and more: Pepe Romero, 808-938-9714.

Saturday, Sunday and Monday
May 25, 26 and 27, 2013

• Native American Music & Dancing
• Storytelling
• Native American Food
• Traditional Arts & Crafts
• Children’s Crafts
• Special Performances
• Veterans’ Honoring on Monday

Free Admission. Everyone Welcome. Bring a chair.

A Drug- and Alcohol-Free Event

Co-hosted by

• the Federation of American Natives and Connections Public Charter School
• MC John Dawson
• Arena Director Dan McDaniel
• Head Man Dancer Mike Allen
• Head Woman Dancer Jeannie Lewis (Navajo)
• Host Drum Wildhorse Singers

With support from

• Hilo Seaside Hotel
• Big Island Tents
• Hawaiian Arts
• Tom Whitney

For more information, HiloPowWow@hawaii.rr.com

Hilo Fine Art Center, two doors down from The Palace Theater

Wednesdays, from 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m.
www.cymber.com

Choose from more than 20 stations to choose from. An incredible array of exquisite dishes prepared for your by local chefs as well as premium selections of beer, wine and other beverages to liven up your palate.

Get your tickets early! $45 per person in advance. $65 at the door.

Tickets available through members of the Rotary Club of South Hilo, Uncle Billy’s General Store, and online at www.hilohuli.com or call 808-635-3649.

Sunday, May 5, 2013
11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Coconut Island