Top 10 things to do on Big Island for June 20-26: ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,’ The Green, Junior Gamers Extravaganza and more

If you’re seeking an adventure — or even a misadventure — the Big Island has some upcoming events and activities that are sure to pique your interest.

Watch as con-artists Freddy and Lawrence team up for the perfect con that turns into an outright feud when heiress Christine arrives in town and the two set out to see who is first to steal her heart — and wallet — in a battle of egos that plays out in music-filled misadventure that will play out on the Kahilu Theatre stage in Waimea during the production of “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” this weekend.

Hawaiian reggae band The Green and special guests Johnny Suite, Chante and DJ Hapa Boy will take concertgoers on a musical journey celebrating the aloha spirit and spreading positivity with their themes of family, resilience and unity with their Summertime Hawaiʻi Tour stop this weekend in Kailua-Kona.

Island keiki are invited to expand their imaginations and adventure into the realms of tabletop gaming during Gam3Escape’s Junior Gamers Extravaganza this weekend, featuring experienced players teaching a variety of games such as Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokémon TCG, Lorcana, Star Wars Unlimited, Warhammer 40K, Dungeons & Dragons and more.

Entry is just $5 and includes a slice of Antics Pizza and a bottle of water for all youth 18 years old and younger with a valid Hawaiʻi school ID. Pre-registration is recommended as space is limited.

Other musical, community and learning adventures abound during the next several days.

Here are our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for June 20-26.

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No. 1 — “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” (Waimea, June 20-22)

When: 7 p.m. Friday; 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

This musical delight will keep you grinning and guessing from start to finish, so grab your sunhat and head to Waimea to catch the misadventures of con-artists Freddy Benson and Lawrence Jameson. When Lawrence invites Freddy to team up, it seems like the two finally found the perfect con — until they realize their egos are the only thing more massive than their earnings. Friction turns to an outright feud when the perfect target arrives in town — Christine, an heiress who is just as beautiful as she is gullible. Who will be the first to steal Christine’s heart and, more importantly, her wallet? Tickets are $36 for adults.

More info/tickets: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website.

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No. 2 — Make Music Hawaiʻi (Keauhou, June 21)

When: 11 a.m. to noon

Location: Keauhou Shopping Center Courtyard, 78-6831 Aliʻi Drive, No. 232

Celebrate worldwide Make Music Day, observed in more than 1,000 cities in 120 countries. This special kind of festival is open to anyone — every kind of musician: young and old, amateur and professional, of every musical persuasion — to share music with ʻohana, neighbors and strangers. All of it is free and open to the public. Keauhou Shopping Center is excited to host Kaulana Nā Pua Inc. in the courtyard!

More info: Call 808-322-3000 or email to keauhoushoppingcenter@colliers.com.

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No. 3 — The Green: Summertime Hawaiʻi Tour ’25 (Kailua-Kona, June 21)

When: 7 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m.

Location: KBXtreme, 75-5591 Palani Road

Get ready to be inspired again by the essence of Hawaiian reggae and the enduring spirit of aloha. The themes of family, resilience and unity woven into The Green’s music continue to resonate with audiences and the band is bringing it signature style back to the Big Island as part of its Summertime Hawaiʻi Tour this weekend, celebrating the aloha spirit and furthering their mission of spreading positivity. Featuring special guests Johnny Suite, Chante and DJ Hapa Boy. All ages welcome. General admission tickets are $49.50.

More info/tickets: Click here.

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No. 4 — Rainbow Friends Lānai Sale & Open House (Kurtistown, June 22)

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: Rainbow Friends Animal Sanctuary, 17-382 13 Mile Road

Join the Rainbow Friends for tours of the animal sanctuary and check out the furry friends looking for forever homes. Up for grabs in the sale are items such as a portable air conditioner, large screen TV, kitten playhouse, Guinea pig habitat, jewelry and much more. World-renowned animal communicator Sapphire Moon also will be at the sanctuary at 11 a.m. to talk story about your amazing animals. The organization also will be accepting volunteer signups.

More info: Call Linda at 808-982-5110.

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No. 5 — Gam3Escape’s Junior Gamers Extravaganza (Hilo, June 22)

When: 1 to 5 p.m.

Location: Gam3Escape, 57 Shipman St.

Back after a long hiatus, this special event is for all junior gamers. Experienced players will available to teach a variety of tabletop games including Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokémon TCG, Lorcana, Star Wars Unlimited, Warhammer 40K, Gaslands, Dungeons & Dragons, chess and more. If you already play, come hang out and have fun! There will also be Pokémon card giveaways for the students, while supplies last. Entry is $5 and includes a slice of Antics Pizza and a bottle of water for all youth 18 years old and younger with a valid Hawaiʻi school ID. Pre-registration is recommended as space is limited.

More info/registration: Click here. You can also call the store at 808-498-4095 with any questions.

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No. 6 — West Hawaiʻi County Band performance (Kailua-Kona, June 22)

When: 4 p.m.

Location: Hale Hālāwai Park, 75-5670 Aliʻi Drive

Don’t miss this hour of music featuring “Everything Hawaiʻi, The Old and the New.” The band will perform traditional melodies such as “Kamehameha Waltz” as well as new compositions celebrating Kīlauea volcano and Kamehameha the Great. Rounding out the program will be selections from movies set in Hawaiʻi.

More info: Visit the West Hawaiʻi County Band website.

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No. 7 — Make, Music, Movement and Math (Waikōloa, June 23-27)

When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: Hawaiʻi Keiki Museum, 69-250 Waikōloa Beach Drive

Keiki ages 8 to 15 years old are invited to explore sound, movement, rhythm and math as part of this special workshop. They’ll groove to the beat and learn how math moves us through learning new moves, exploring exhibits, practicing what they learned and showing it off. Participants are asked to bring lunch, a clearly labeled water bottle and snacks. Cost is $250 per child.

More info/register: Visit the Hawaiʻi Keiki Museum website.

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No. 8 — Poetry Night at Kava Republic (Hilo, June 24)

When: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Location: Kava Republic, 301 Keawe St.

Ancient Greek philosopher Plato said: “Poetry is nearer to vital truth than history.” Come experience some of that truth while sipping on fresh, locally grown kava or coffee while you relax and connect with friends and neighbors or make new connections during Kava Republic’s first — but definitely not last — special night of poetry in downtown Hilo.

More info: Follow Kava Republic on Instagram and Facebook @kava.republic or call 808-751-2795.

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No. 9 — Moku o Keawe Mālama nā Kūpuna (ʻĀinaloa, June 25)

When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: ʻĀinaloa Longhouse, 16-303 ʻĀinaloa Boulevard

Elders living in the ʻĀinaloa area are invited to come let someone else do the cooking for lunch and enjoy a fresh served farm-to-table meal with diverse food choices in a zero-waste zone while enjoying entertainment and talking story. Seating is limited. Those kūpuna who want to attend should RSVP by Friday, June 20.

More info/reservations: Contact Melanie at 808-365-4829.

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No. 10 — Community Resilience Fair (Waikōloa, June 26)

When: 4 to 7 p.m.

Location: Waikōloa Elementary and Middle School cafeteria, 68-1730 Hoʻokō St.

This free family event features an open house and community meeting focused on wildfire safety, planning and preparedness. Representatives from county agencies, businesses and organizations will share information and resources to help residents prepare for emergencies and keep their homes and communities safe. Participants include Hawaiian Electric, Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense, Hawaiʻi Fire Department, Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization, Wildfire Safety Advocates of Waikōloa, WVA Firewise and more.

More info: Email to Kendra.Bruno@hawaiicounty.gov or CommunityRelations.HawaiiIsland@hawaiianelectric.com.

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Check for yourself to see what’s happening around the Big Island

We admit. We can’t fit everything going on each week in our top 10. So here are websites for some popular Big Island venues that you can peruse to discover other events, activities, shows, festivals or workshops that pique your interest.

• Aloha Theatre, Kealakekua: https://apachawaii.org/
• Blue Dragon Tavern, Kawaihae: https://www.bluedragontavern.com/
• Donkey Mill Art Center, Hōlualoa: https://donkeymillartcenter.org/
• East Hawai‘i Cultural Center, Hilo: https://ehcc.org/
• Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park: https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm
• Hilo Town Market, Hilo: https://hilotownmarket.co/events
• Hilo Town Tavern, Hilo (on Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100041333509786
• Honoka‘a People’s Theatre, Honoka‘a: https://www.honokaapeople.com/
• Kahilu Theatre, Waimea: https://kahilu.org/
• Keauhou Shopping Center, Kailua-Kona: https://keauhoushoppingcenter.com/experience/
• Kona Commons, Kailua-Kona: https://www.konacommons.com/events
• Lava Shack, Pāhoa (on Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/lavashackpahoa/?hl=en
• Lyman Museum, Hilo: https://lymanmuseum.org/
• MyBar Kona, Kailua-Kona: https://www.mybarkona.com/
• Palace Theater, Hilo: https://hilopalace.com/
• University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Performing Arts Center, Hilo: https://artscenter.uhh.hawaii.edu/
• Volcano Art Center, Volcano: https://volcanoartcenter.org/
• Wailoa Center, Hilo: https://www.wailoacenter.com/
• Willy’s Hot Chicken, Kailua-Kona: https://willieshotchicken.com/