Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative

First Friday Huaka’i
2025-09-05 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-08-01 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-06-06 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-05-02 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-04-04 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-03-07 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-01-03 16:30 - 18:30 (Pacific/Honolulu) | Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative, Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative, North Kona, United States
Visit the Waikōloa Dry Forest Preserve for a guided hike with our knowledgeable staff. Tours are offered on the First Friday of each month and begin at 5:00 pm at the preserve March through October (4:30 pm November-February) Please come prepared with sturdy shoes, sun protection, and a refillable water bottle. Our tours last about 90 minutes and will end with refreshments at our Hana Hou Hale. You can find directions to the preserve here.

Mālama 'Āina Volunteer Day
2025-08-23 08:00 - 12:00, 2025-08-09 08:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-26 08:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-12 08:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-28 08:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-14 08:00 - 12:00, 2025-05-24 08:00 - 12:00, 2025-04-26 08:00 - 12:00 and 6 more dates | Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative, Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative, North Kona, United States
Volunteer with us in the Waikōloa Dry Forest Preserve and spend the morning working in the forest preserve. We provide tools, gloves, safety equipment, and water, but please bring sun protection, a refillable water bottle, and sturdy shoes. We meet at the Waikōloa Dry Forest Preserve front gate at 8am and finish up at the hale for an optional bring-your-own lunch break.
Volunteer Sign-Up

Biocultural Talk Series - Little Biology
2025-08-15 17:30 - 18:30, 2025-07-18 17:30 - 18:30, 2025-06-20 17:30 - 18:30, 2025-05-16 17:30 - 18:30 | Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative, Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative, North Kona, United States
The Biocultural Talk Story Series fosters engagement with a broader network and invites the public to learn from local conservation practitioners, scientists, and community leaders while promoting the well-being of both people and plant communities. The 2025 talk series is based on “Little Biology” and will include talks about the mini yet mighty and lesser-discussed biology that play big roles in our environments. Talks will feature speakers who carry kuleana in Hawaiʻi and create a space for sharing knowledge and experiences in a supportive community.
Scheduled for the third Friday evening of each month from May – September.
Talks are free and open to the public. Talks will be hosted at the Waikōloa Dry Forest Preserve from 5:30-6:30pm. Sign-ups are required and donations are encouraged. We will record presentations, so if you can’t make it, be sure to check our website & youtube to catch what you missed.

Wiliwili Festival Pau Hana Community Concert
2025-02-08 16:00 - 19:00 | Waikoloa Stables, 68-1936 Waikoloa Road, Waikoloa, HI, 96743, United States
After the Wiliwili Festival at the Waikōloa Dry Forest Preserve, WDFI will host a free Pau Hana Community Concert at the Waikōloa Stables from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm. This special evening event will feature a silent auction, delicious pūpū, cash bar, and live music with Kalaʻe & Kalena.

Wiliwili Festival
2025-02-08 09:00 - 15:00
The 14th Annual Wiliwili Festival will be held on Saturday, February 8th from 9:00 am-3:00 pm at the Waikōloa Dry Forest Preserve. The Wiliwili Festival is a FREE public educational event for the whole family! This year our theme is Laulima – a tribute to the many mentors, leaders, cultural practitioners, scientists, volunteers, students, organizations, and community members who have joined hands to create, nurture, and grow the Waikōloa Dry Forest Preserve.

Live Music in the Dry Forest
2024-12-14 17:00 - 19:00 | Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative, Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative, North Kona, United States
Join us on Saturday, December 14th @ 5:00 PM at the Waikōloa Dry Forest Preserve for an evening of music in the dry forest with Grammy and multiple Na Hoku Hanohano award-winning slack-key guitarist, composer, and recording artist, John Keawe.
Preserve gates will open at 3:30 PM for those who would like to arrive early and walk the trails, or enjoy a pre-show beverage. Tickets for this exclusive event are $50, light pupu will be provided with ticket purchase. Beer, wine and soft drinks will be available for sale.
John Keawe is a songwriter and slack-key guitarist, born on Hawaiʻi Island, in the little town of Hawi in North Kohala. John grew up with rock and roll music and enjoyed listening to singer/songwriters.
After a four-year tour in the Navy, John returned to his home and was drawn to the sound of Hawaiian slack-key. He listened, watched, and taught himself to play this style of music. Over the years, he has developed a distinct style that has earned him many accolades and awards, including multiple Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, and a Grammy!
We hope you can join us for a wonderful evening in the preserve with the one-and-only, John Keawe.

https://kokua.waikoloadryforest.org/a/live-music-john-keawe

Mālama 'Āina Volunteer Day
2024-12-14 08:00 - 12:00

First Friday Huaka'i
2024-12-06 16:30 - 18:30
Visit the Waikōloa Dry Forest Preserve for a guided hike with our knowledgeable staff. Tours are offered on the First Friday of each month and begin at 5:00 pm at the preserve March through October (4:30 pm November-February) Please come prepared with sturdy shoes, sun protection, and a refillable water bottle. Our tours last about 90 minutes and will end with refreshments at our Hana Hou Hale. You can find directions to the preserve here.
Sign Up!
