These monthly programs feature musical performances by Hawaii Island musicians and hula halau, along with presentations by community groups. Also featured are authentic arts and crafts vendors and food booths. Noon – 4 p.m. Kalakaua Park in Hilo. Free. (808) 961-5711 or visit www.ehcc.org

The Daggers basketball at a school rally poses for photos. Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

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Green-and-White Day will be celebrated in Pāhoa on Saturday, March 20, with a parade to honor the Pāhoa High School boys basketball team, winners of the state Division II championship on March 6 in Honolulu.

The Hawai‘i County Band will be escorting team members, coaches and Pāhoa High cheerleaders who will be riding in classic cars along the parade route: Old Government Road through downtown Pāhoa from Apaa (Rubbish Dump) Road to Pāhoa High School. The parade starts at 2 p.m.

The Daggers became the first Big Island team ever to win a state Division II championship and have brought tremendous positive recognition to their school and community by their performance both on and off the court during the recent tournament.

So come and let them know how much the community appreciates their accomplishment. Wear green and white and salute the champion Daggers this Saturday, 2 p.m. in downtown Pahoa. The Main Street Pāhoa Association and County of Hawai‘i are co-sponsors of the event.

Call 938-8592 for information.

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Tom Berenger likes playing bad guys, in a good way. His stony stare and macho handsomeness have taken him across the movie universe, from the war-torn wilds of Viet Nam to the wild west of American cowboys and the green diamond of the Cleveland Indians.

In May, he’ll visit the Island of Hawaii, as a special guest and honoree of the 5th Annual Big Island Film Festival at Mauna Lani Resort.

(Photo courtesy of TomBerengerOnline)

“I enjoy playing them. I find something human in them,” he says about playing the bad guys we love to hate. “…with the exception of ‘Looking for Mr. Goodbar.’ It was such a slimy character with no redeeming qualities. To me it was like playing Charles Manson. I had nightmares after I finished shooting it. I felt dirty. Bad guys are interesting, even if you don’t like them.”

Originally from Chicago, Berenger majored in journalism at the University of Missouri, and started acting professionally in 1968 on “One Life to Live.” In 1986, he won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of battle-hardened Sgt. Barnes in “Platoon,” but his acting career spans four decades.

In 100+ films and TV episodes, he’s created tough characters and anti-heroes in films like “Sniper,” (I, II and III), “The Last of the Dogmen,” “Major League” (I, II), and TV series such as “Third Watch,” “Peacemakers” and “October Road.”

Still prolific today, he has four films just completed or in post-production for release in 2010, including a sci-fi thriller “Inception” and “Firedog,” where he plays the canine voice of “Einstein,” co-starring with (voices of) Tom Arnold, Lauren Bacall, Dean Cain and Tony Danza.

Berenger will receive the BIFF “Golden Honu Award” for Acting at a reception in his honor 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 14 at Tommy Bahama Restaurant at The Shops at Mauna Lani ($40).

He also appears in the BIFF feature film entry “Charlie Valentine,” with Raymond J. Barry and Michael Weatherly, which will be shown after the reception.

The Big Island “Talk Story” Film Festival is May 12-16 at Mauna Lani Resort, “on location” in two luxury hotels, retail shopping center and restaurants. Rated one of the Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals by MovieMaker Magazine, the 5th annual BIFF is a celebration of independent filmmaking with movies, special events, Hawaiian culture and music, embraced by the spirit of aloha.

— Find out more:
www.BigIslandFilmFestival.com
www.TomBerengerOnline.com

click on flyer above for large image suitable for printing

The group is looking for donations for the silent auction.

For more information or to donate an item for the silent auction contact Amma at ammadancing@hotmail.com

4th Annual Kohala Trash Bash Art Show

Friday (March 19) at 5 p.m. at the Kohala Coffee Mill

Old fan belts transformed into tiki masks, scrap metal turned into mobiles, broken glass shaped into mosaics…the possibilities are endless! Come see what happens when trash is turned into treasure at the 4th Annual Trash Art Show on Friday March 19, 2010 at 5pm Upstairs at the Kohala Coffee Mill. There will be a cash bar and pupus provided. We look forward to seeing you there!

Contestants must register online and bring their artwork ready to display between 11am and 5pm on March 15, 2010. No late entires will be accepted.

Recycling Workshop hosted by Linda Damas

Saturday (March 20) 3:30 p.m.

Linda Damas has been active in Recycle Hawaii since its grassroots days in the l980’s. She has represented Recycle Hawaii at local events and given many recycling presentations to schools and civic groups. In 2005-2008, she became one of Hawaii County’s first Recycling Specialists to help implement the State HI5 program on the Big Island. She recently assisted with Recycle Hawaii’s Zero Waste study, which has been adopted by the County’s Department of Environmental Management.
Come learn how to set up efficient and user friendly home and recycling with Linda Damas from Recycle Hawaii. Workshop is Free, but registration is required
Saturday, March 20, 2010 – 3:30 pm – The Barn (behind Luke’s Place)

4th Annual Kohala Trash Bash Fashion Show

Saturday (March 20) at 5 p.m. at the Kohala Coffee Mill

The Trash Bash Organizing Committee presents the 4th Annual Kohala Trash Bash Fashion Show on Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 5pm at The Kohala Coffee Mill.

Whether you are an avid recycler, supporting the community or a true fashionista, you will love watching trash transformed into fashion and strut down the runway. Cash prizes will be awarded for each category; Adult Male, Adult Female, Teen and Youth.

Contestants must register by March 15, 2010.

On March 20th, please arrive by 3:30pm for dressing, rehearsal, judging, and photos. Refreshments will be provided for participants. Please see the registration page for details.

Please see the registration information for details. kohalatrashbash.com/

iPhone version of video
Video by David Corrigan | Big Island Video News

Supporters rallied around the Hawaii County Band Saturday (March 13) in Hilo as budget cuts threaten the existence of the 127 year-old tradition. The band played a concert at the Mooheau Park Bandstand.

Upcoming budget cuts have the axed the band after June 30, 2010. Supporters have created a petition online and are asking members of the public to support the band by contacting politicians.

Save the Hawaii County Band petition – www.petition.fm/petitions/savetheband/0/13/

Kona Celtic Connection at Kealakekua & Kailua-Kona Public Libraries
Day of Event: Monday, March 15 and Tuesday, March 16

Get ready to dance a jig, sing-along on a traditional Irish song, and learn why we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the Kona Celtic Connection 3-4 p.m. Monday, March 15 at the Kealakekua Public Library and 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 16 at the Kailua-Kona Public Library.

This group of spirited local musicians, with their fiddles, pennywhistles, flutes, guitars, and Bodran’s (Irish drum) will get your feet tapping and your hands clapping with their infectious music of jigs, reels, hornpipes, and sing-alongs while tying it in to some interesting Irish history.

Free to the Public.

Kona Book Club
Day of Event: Tuesday, March 16

The Book Club welcomes national best-selling author and Big Island resident Mia King to discuss her second novel, Sweet Life, at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 16 on the Kailua-Kona Library Lanai.

From Booklist: “Marissa and Paul Price are living the fast-paced life in Manhattan. They have prestigious jobs, and their eight-year-old daughter, Pansy, has a nanny and is enrolled in the right school. When Paul is offered a management position at a resort on Hawaii’s Big Island, they decide to move to paradise, but it is not what they expect. For the first time, Marissa becomes a stay-at-home mom in a house that unexpectedly turns out to be a fixer-upper.”

Paradise seems like the perfect place to find herself, save her marriage, and reconnect with her daughter, but Marissa discovers her new life is less about beaches and beautiful sunsets and more about cows and lava flows.

King’s novels are selections of the Literary Guild, Doubleday, Rhapsody and Book of the Month Club book clubs and have been published in Germany and Norway. King and her husband Darrin Gee live in Waimea with their three young children. Her fourth book is forthcoming in 2011. She will discuss the book and also be answering questions about her books and the writing process.

Light refreshments will be served. New members are welcome.

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Tickets are on sale for the debut of the Orchestra of the Hawaiian Islands at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 20 at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai.

The concert will include light classical selections by Bach, Mozart, Tchaikovsky and the island sounds of Kohala with Grammy Award winning guitarist Charles Brotman. It will be conducted by Philip Simmons, Artistic Director of American Music Festivals.

The evening also will celebrate the comeback of one of the Big Island’s most beloved performers, Rupert Tripp, Jr.

Tripp was injured in an auto accident in September and is still recovering. On Nov. 21 he performed one song with Kohala at a benefit concert organized by his Island friends and ohana in Hilo, which was attended by hundreds of fans. That afternoon, Tripp credited his love of music and the guitar for helping save his life.

For the March 20 concert three of Kohala’s most popular selections, Highway in the Sun, Samba del Sol, and Deeper Blue will be heard with string orchestra accompaniment for the first time ever!

Tickets are $35, available at Kona Wine Market, Big Island Surf (Waimea and Hilo), and The Great 4-D Movie Ride at the Shops at Mauna Lani.

For more information call 808-315-0885 or visit www.americanmusicfestivals.com

Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Sunday, March 14
Location: Puakea Ranch, across from the Puakea Bay gated homes on Highway 270, Hawi,

NEW LOCATION: Puakea Ranch (mauka), just outside of Hawi (if coming from Kawaihae) – right across from the Puakea Bay gated homes. www.PuakeaRanch.com

FREE EVENT! Fun for the Ohana! Pancakes & Coffee (and Juice for the Keiki)

Arrive early to make sure you get a pancake – we’re only serving for the first hour!

Come spend a Sunday Morning with family & friends and fly kites – or just have fun watching the sky! Bring a blanket, bring a chair, bring a picnic if you like (if you arrive after Pancake Time)!

Free Keiki Story time
Date: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 16
Where: Kona Stories Book Shop

Free Keiki Story time a Kona Stories Book Shop in Kainaliu. This story time designed with the pre-schooler in mind. This special hour is full of stories, music, crafts and snacks. Story time happens at your community bookstore on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 10:30 a.m.

Lesbian Group Meets to Discuss “Lesbian Cowboys”
Date: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 16
Location: Kona Stories Bookstore, Kainaliu

This woman identified group meets at Kona Stories once a month to discuss films and books of lesbian nature. This month the group will be discussing the book “Lesbian Cowboys” written by Sacchi Green and Rakelle Valencia. This book of erotic adventure short stories go from the Old West to Australian Outback to New England and the Great Plains. These women work hard, ride hard and play hard in the saddle and in bed…..sexy and steamy with crackling erotic energy. This group is free and open to all gay women looking for a network place. Bring a drink or pupu to share.

Qi Gong Class
Date: 4:30-6 p.m., Wednesday March 17
Where: Kona Stories Book Shop Ohana Room

This Qigong class will be taught by John W. Adams, L.Ac. This introductory class is appropriate for all levels and will focus on the eight pieces of Brocade Qigong. You will work on regulation of the body, the breath and the mind. Class fee is $50 per month or $15 drop in.

For more information call Kona Stories at 324-0350 or visit the Web site at www.konastories.com

MEDIA RELEASE

The Friends of the Libraries, Kona (FOLK) will hold a Book Sale 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, March 13 on the lanai of the Kailua-Kona Library.

This is a special clearance sale for paperback books. Come take advantage of great prices while supporting your public libraries.

Funds from these sales help provide funding that includes educational and entertainment programs, community summer reading programs, visiting authors, magazine subscriptions, CD’s, DVD’s and new book purchases. Keiki ID will be offered by the Kona Masonic Lodge.

Volunteers are desperately needed to assist with the sale and preparations. If you find yourself willing and able, please email FOLK@folkhawaii.com or call 322-0077.

A free concert at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa featuring: Halau O Kekuhi, Holunape, traditional Hawaiian Music under the stars, Amy Hanaili’i Gilliom and Mana’o Company!

4:30 Halau O Kekuhi
5:30 p.m. Holunape
6:30 p.m. Traditional Hawaiian music under the stars
8 p.m. Amy Hanaialii Gillion
9 p.m. Manao Company