Typically in October, the Big Island’s tourist season is just beginning to ramp up starting with the influx of visitors for the Ironman World Championship. This year, things are different and October will be a very unique month. An October, where Ali’I Drive is not bustling with triathletes or we aren’t celebrating the Fall Season with the Waimea Pumpkin Patch Festival.
This October, all of us at LUVA Real Estate are grateful to be able to just go outside and spend time on our beaches again! As of today, Oct 1 – Hawaii County Coastal and Beach Parks are open. Gatherings are limited to a maximum of 10 people, however sitting and lounging on the beaches are no longer prohibited. Many are also looking forward to the new travel guidelines for Hawaii that will go into effect on October 15. The new guidelines will allow incoming passengers to be exempt from the 14-day travel quarantine if they provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to their arrival in Hawaii. This “re-opening” of the state is something that many small businesses that rely on tourism have been waiting for.
For the times when you aren’t at the beach or socially distant dining out at your favorite local restaurants, check out the following events happening across the island this month:
5th Annual Festival of Birds / October 15 – October 19: This year the Festival of Birds is 100% VIRTUAL and will include stimulating presentations, talks, art, giveaways, marketplace, book readings and a hula lesson! The Festival celebrates all of our islands unique birds and is managed by Hawai’I Wildlife Center. Registration is free! LEARN MORE HERE
24th Annual Hualalai Run for Hope / October 11: Join in on this VIRTUAL Run hosted by the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. Hosting this even virtually, allows the resort to continue their donations to the American Cancer Society and the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. To register for the 5K or 10K, visit the event page on Active.com. On race day, you will upload your race time to the results page. Don’t forget to participate in the social media campaign on race day as well using the hashtag #HualalaiRFH2020. REGISTER HERE.
32nd Annual Trash Art Show / October 3 – October 30: Every year, island artists gather to showcase their original works made from recycled materials. The Trash Show is a popular exhibit at the East Hawaii Cultural Center and messages portrayed by the art revolve around the environment, recycling and pollution. Make a socially distant visit to the center this month to see one of East Hawaii’s longest-running annual art events. LEARN MORE HERE.
Youth Art at the Donkey Mill: Earth and Sky -Weaving as a Metaphor for our ‘Aina / October 6 – October 9: A fun four day workshop for keiki artists to learn the basics of weaving, which is considered one of the oldest surviving crafts in the world. The workshop is hosted by Donkey Mill and held over Zoom and supported by the Isami & Zora Enomoto Keiki Scholarship Funds. REGISTER HERE.