We are heading to the Big Island in August to celebrate my husband's 50th birthday. I would love to find a concert or music event as a birthday surprise.

I've been searching the web but would love any insider tips or recommendations.

He loves ukelele, slack key guitar, and local music. On our last trip to Maui, we saw Jake Shimabukuro at Charley's and a day-long slack key guitar festival at the cultural center. He was in heaven!

We aren't looking for luau or cultural shows for tourists but good live music with a local flair. I'm seeing lots of listings for people playing local music in hotel dining rooms- it is hard to tell if any of these are worthwhile. We would rather go where the locals go to here music, grab a beer, and hang out than go somewhere fancy to hear background music while dining.

Any recommendations? Even good the names of good clubs I can google would be appreciated. We will be staying in Puna, Hawi, and Puako. Thanks!

Here are a couple of websites that may help.

http://www.konaweb.com/musicians/events.shtml

http://www.bluedragonrestaurant.com/ located in Kawaihae--about a half hour drive from Hawi and even closer to Puako.

August 18th is the Mai Tai Festival at the Royal Kona Resort. Food, music and mai tais.

This year the musician at the Mai Tai Fesival is Henry Kapono. Usually Friday nights at the Black Rock in Pahoa there are live, local bands. Some pretty good. Also in Pahoa the Pahoa Village Club has live bands/shows quite often.

I would really love to hear more about your lodging choices. Love the areas you've chosen! Right up my alley. Of course you already know about Bamboo Restaurant in Hawi.

The Blue Dragon looks very interesting- they don't have their August music calendar up yet but I subscribed to their newsfeed. Thanks!

Bamboo also has some interesting music.

Too bad we will be on the Hilo side for the Mai Tai Festival- he loves Mai Tais.

I'll keep hoping for a last minute surprise appearance by Jake! That's how we got to see him on Maui and it was stellar.

Lookin_Glass- we are renting houses- in Puako from Aloha Debbie and in Vacationland/Pahoa in a house called Mika Lani and then staying at the Puakea Ranch for a few nights to be near Hawi but get the mountain/ranch experience. We are very excited and I will be sure to post a report when we return.

Thanks everyone (Oh, and I can't believe I spelled hear music as here! Embarassed!)

good choice with Mika Lani!

Glad to hear it, matnikstym! It looks gorgeous from the photos and we can't wait to snorkel in the "front yard"!

LOL, I just got an email from Puakea Ranch for last minute discounts. You have made exceptional choices!

If you are free August 4th, there is a free "Talk Story" evening at the Mauna Lani.
This link explains more about it. It's either before or after the full moon.

http://www.maunalani.com/a_s_evawoods.htm

The evening usually includes an assortment of Hawaiian musicians, and hula dancers. It is on the grass in front of the ocean, and a small charming cottage. People bring picnics, and there are some chairs available. You'll need to get there early, but the Mauna Lani is a wonderful place to stroll about and see the ancient fish ponds.

I also like to go to the Waikoloa King's & Queen's shops for entertainment when I'm coming home from an day at the beach or sightseeing. John Keawe, a well known slack-key guitarist from Hawi, plays at the King Shops once a week, and the Queen Shops has excellent music and hula as well. It's free and easy, too.

Check at the Kohala Coffee Mill and Takata's (Hawi) bulletin boards for local music ideas, too.

I just saw that you'll be in Hawi! Lots of great food there, too. Music night at the Bamboo is usually special.

David Gomes, a guitar & ukulele maker, plays at the Lighthouse Deli http://lighthousedeli.squarespace.com/happenings/ in Hawi (great sandwiches, excellent fresh pretzels) on Sunday mornings. http://www.gomesguitars.com/Site/Welcome.html

There is a new ukulele & guitar shop in town where there are informal sessions.

Since I'm at it, don't miss Sushi Rock! http://www.sushirockrestaurant.net/

Kailani-

These are all fabulous suggestions! Thanks! We won't be there until after the 4th- darn. Fresh pretzels and live music-awesome!