As you may have guessed, our monthly guide to West Hawaii Events will look a little different this month. Here at LUVA Real Estate we felt that it is a a good time to share some of the virtual happenings that are keeping us connected and entertained during the COVID-19 pandemic. While we are being called to stay home and stay physically distanced, community connection is still as essential as ever! Here are a few of our favorite ways to keep busy and stay connected during this stay-at-home mandate.
Online Cooking Classes
Online cooking classes are popping up all over the world, no matter what cuisine you are inspired to cook, there is a cooking class available for you. Locally, Papa Kona Restaurant, has launched an online Facebook series featuring Chef Chris and Mixologists Tommy and Rachael to teach you cooking and mixology classes. Watch the series and keep up to date with the schedule here. Looking to go more globally? There are lots of chefs hosting live cooking classes on Zoom, Instagram, and other platforms, find out more here.
Tired of cooking at home?
This website was just launched by the Hawaii Agricultural Foundation as a way to support local restaurants statewide. The website lists about 50 Big Island restaurants that are providing takeout, curbside pickup or delivery services. Here on Big Island, check out Open Big Island which is a website dedicated to restaurants here on Big Island that remain open for take-out, curbside pick-up, and delivery.
Support Local Farmers Online
Virtually shop locally and support our island farmers who are still working hard to feed our island. Farmers and Farmers Markets are creating online platforms where customers can purchase fresh and local goods. The popular Keauhou Farmers Market has launched an online shop where you can buy local produce from your favorite market vendors and pick up your goods on Saturday morning. Some farms, like Io Farms, across the island offer produce boxes offer produce boxes in a variety of sizes to accommodate all ohana sizes.
Virtual Concerts
Break out some pupus, pour yourself a drink, sit on the couch and tune in for a new type of musical experience, a virtual concert. If you are a fan of live music, musicians are turning to the internet and calling on fans to turn up their home speakers and tune into their virtual concerts. There are lots of great resources to find concerts happening across the world, NPR and Billboard have both released extensive concert lists that are sure to keep you entertained for hours on end. Missing your favorite local musicians? Gertrude’s Jazz Bar in Kona has launched Virtrudes, a virtual unplugged music experience, on Facebook Live. Over on Oahu, local entertainers like Haku Collective are hosting quaranTUNES jam sessions for the whole ohana appropriately named “Mele in the Hale.”
Enjoy Local Art from a Distance
Donkey Mill Art Center, a popular gathering place for local artists have adapted to the changing circumstances and have started a Virtual Sketchbook Club. The Sketchbook club is open to all, whether you are an avid artist who sketches on the regular or a beginning whose doesn’t know what a sketchbook is – all are encouraged to take part! For a studio that is usually bustling with inspiration and talent, find a little inspiration of your own from the comfort of your own couch. Check out some of the sketches from the club on The Donkey Mill’s Instagram.
Virtually Visit a Museum, National Park, or Zoo for a Cultural Experience
Are you an avid visitor to museums who isn’t quite sure how to fill your time? Google Arts & Culture has an impressive lineup of museums and National Parks from across the world offering virtual tours and snapshots of their collections. Smithsonian’s National Zoo, has their webcams up and running so you and your keiki can keep an eye on all your favorite animals. One of our favorite virtual experiences so far has to be the virtual tour of Volcano National Park.
Stay Fit
Although outdoor exercise is an activity permitted under the current proclamation set forth by Governor Ige, gyms & boutique fitness centers have begun streaming their classes online. Places like Planet Fitness, Core Power Yoga, and the Daily Burn are bringing countless pre-recorded and live workouts to people across the nation. Here in Kona, yoga studios like the Yoga Nest have begun to offer live classes through Zoom. Find their schedule here.
We hope some of these virtual events and happenings give you a chance to stay connected with our local community and keep you and your loved ones entertained, productive, and moving forward during this time of uncertainty!