Hilton Waikoloa Village has planned a first-ever "Kani Ka Pila, A Return to Paradise". The celebration of Hawaiian music, food and culture invites visitors and residents to experience Hawaii's paradise with a jam-packed calendar of events August 31 to September 30.

The event was created to attract visitors to Hawaii Island during a shoulder period. September typically begins an approximate 20 percent slowdown in visitor arrivals to the island. This September, industry officials will be faced with another challenge - the first year after the September 2001 terrorist attacks - which may convince some potential travelers to remain grounded.

With its inaugural event, Hilton Waikoloa Village gives visitors another reason to visit Hawaii Island. The resort is optimistic that travel and accommodation deals - coupled with its bounty of cultural activities - will generate visits next month, stimulating the economy. And it hopes visitors aren't the only ones who take advantage.

Music has played an important role in Hawaii for hundreds of years. It tells stories and reveals Hawaii's unique culture and heritage. Throughout the month Hilton Waikoloa Village hosts Hawaii's most beloved and respected musicians:

On August 31 the 10th annual Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival – "Waikoloa Style" – features a dozen of Hawaii’s best slack key performers, including Ledward Kaapana, Brother Noland, John Keawe, Michael Kaawa, Dennis Kamakahi, Cyril Pahinui, Bla Pahinui and Jeff Peterson. Admission is free. The event begins at 5 p.m.

Award-winning Kalapana brings its pop, folk, country and Hawaiian jazz sounds to Hawaii Island September 1. Started in the mid-1970s, Kalapana has cut nearly a dozen albums. Tickets are $40 and include two drinks. Concert begins at 8:30 p.m.

Hawaii icon Don Ho shares his magic September 7. As one of the most recognizable Hawaii symbols, Ho performs songs that recapture memories of the island for both visitors and residents. Tickets are $40 and include two drinks. Concert begins at 8:30 p.m.

Hawaii Island residents can enjoy the sounds of some of the state's best ukulele players, including Ohta-San and Lyle Ritz, at the Hilton Waikoloa Village Ukulele Festival September 21, presented by Roy Sakuma Productions. Admission is free.

One of Hawaii's most popular duos Cecilio Rodriguez and Henry Kapono plays together September 28. C&K played together in the 1970s, combining their guitar and lyrical talents to produce contemporary folk-rock Hawaiian music and win multiple Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. Tickets are $45 and include two drinks. Concert begins at 8:30 p.m.

As the most ethnically diverse county in America, Hawaii Island perhaps is the richest with cultural traditions. Numerous events highlight Hawaii's abundant culture and history.

The Aloha Festivals' Royal Court appears September 7, complemented by Halau Hula Ka No E'au hula performances. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays guests can participate in free stargazing programs that reveal the history and method of ancient Hokule’a navigators.

The resort's award-winning chefs team up with Hawaii Forest and Trail to provide two tours, a Kona Coffee Farm Tour with executive pastry chef David Brown September 7 and an Upcountry Chef's Tour across paniolo country with executive Chef Willie Pirngruber September 21. Other culinary classes include a Desserts Seminar with Chef Brown September 9 and a Chef’s Table back of house culinary tour, demonstration and luncheon with Chef Willie September 23.

For sports enthusiasts, Hilton Waikoloa Village kicks off the month with its Dolphin Dash September 1, a 5 K run/walk or 10K run that benefits Pacific Marine Life Foundation and Hawaii Shriners Hospital for Children. Then, the resort serves up world-class tennis action with the Sanex WTA Tour’s second annual Big Island Championships September 7 to 15, featuring the world’s top women tennis players.

19. Honoka'a Mac Nut Company
    48-5460 Kukuihaele Road • Honokaa • 775-7130
    Organic Kona and Hamakua coffees and macadamia nuts
    

20. Ahualoa Hog Farm
    46-3723 Kapuna Rd • Ahualoa
    866-AHUALOA (248-2562)
    Livestock, tours, onsite retail
    

21. Volcano Island Honey Company
    46-4013 Pu'aono Rd • Ahualoa
    888-663-6639 • 775-1000
    Honey, tours, onsite retail
    

22. Aunty Soon's Noni Juice
    Honoka'a • 775-0872
    Onsite retail
    

23. Kalopa Homestead Guest House
    44-2541 Keahua Rd • Kalopa • 775-7167
    Accommodations, coffee, mac nuts, goats
    

24. Hamakua Farmers Market
    Laupahoehoe Train Museum
    

25. Pacific Holistics
    34-1184 Mamalahoa Hwy • Hakalau
    1-87PACIFIC1 • 963-6980
    Onsite retail of natural Hawaii made healthcare products
    

26. Hawa''i Paradise Farms
    Mile Marker 16 • Hakalau • 963-6225
    Flowers, accommodations, tours, onsite retail
    

27. World Botanical Gardens
    Mile Marker 16 • Umauma • 963-5427
    

28. Hawaiian Honey House
    Papa'ikou • 964-5401
    Honey, accommodations, tours, onsite retail, classes
    

29. Hawaii Hamakua Trading Company
    Papa'ikou • 964-5401
    Mac nuts, fruit, diversized ag, accommodations, tours, onsite retail, demonstrations
    

30. Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
    27-717 Old Mamalahoa Hwy • Onomea Bay
    964-5233
    

31. Big Island Candies
    585 Hinano St • Hilo • 935-8890
    Mac nuts, candies, tours, onsite retail
    

32. Hawaii Organic Farmers Association
    94 Kamehameha Ave #8 • Hilo
    877-674-4632 • 969-7789
    Farm products, tours, onsite retail, farm apprentice program, events and workshops, lists of certifed organic farms
    

33. Orchids of Hawaii
    2801 Killauea Ave • Hilo • 800-323-1449
    Flowers, onsite retail, retail mail order

34. Hilo Farmers Market
    corner of Kamehameha Ave. and Mamo Street • Hilo • 933-1000
    Fresh Island Produce, Flowers, Fruits, Crafts, Gifts and now a new indoor
    food and gift court.

35. Lili'uokalani Gardens
    Hilo • Banyan Dr • 961-8311
    

36. Nani Mau Gardens
    421 Makalika St • Hilo • 959-3500
    

37. TJ Ranch and China Clipper B&B
    591 Alawaena St • Hilo
    959-8932
    Working cattle ranch and trail riding, b&b
    

38. The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls
    Hilo • 966-6373
    Accommodations, mac nuts, adjacent to rambutan, avocado, lychee and white pineapple
    

39. Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp.
    Macadamia Rd off Hwy 11 • Kea'au
    888-628-6256 • 966-8618
    Mac nuts, self-guided tours, onsite retail
    

40. Keaau Village Market
    Volcano Rd & Hwy 139 • Kea'au • 982-7229
    Open air farmers market 7 days per week
    

41. Tropical Hawaiian Products
    Shipman Rd • Kea'au • 966-7435
    Onsite retail
    

42. Hawaii Orchids
    16-1891 37th Ave • Orchidland • Kea'au
    966-7712
    Flowers, accommodations, tours, onsite retail
    

43. Mac's Nut Co. of Hawaii
    13-3635 Nohea St • Pa-hoa
    877-965-1428 • 965-1428
    Mac nuts, tours, onsite retail, accommodations
    

44. Hawaiian Greenhouse Inc.
    .5 mile past Mile Marker 9, Hwy 130 • Pahoa
    888-965-8351 • 965-8351
    Flowers, tours, onsite retail
    

45. Kalani Agriculture & Arts Retreat
    Ocean Rd #137 • Kalapana • 800-800-6886
    Accommodations, retail, tours
    

46. Fuku-Bonsai Cultural Center & Hawaii State Bonsai Repository
    Olaa Rd • Kurtistown • 982-9880
    

47. Volcano Isle Tropicals
    16-1193 Rd • #1 Hawaiian Acres
    Mountain View • 877-968-6166
    Flowers, coffee, tours, onsite retail
    

48. Native American Center
    11-2330 Jungle King Rd • Glenwood
    888-335-1444 • 968-1111
    Farm, spiritual & cultural agriculture tours by appointment

49. A Piece of Paradise
    Maikalani Road in Hilo and Laimana Road in Kapoho • 965-1224
    Accommodations with macnuts onsite and near orchids and farmers market
    

50. Mauna Kea Daylily Gardens
    Roads 7 & E, Hawaiian Acres
    Kurtistown
    966-6693
    Hybrid daylilies grown and for sale. Shipping within Hawaiian Islands and to most mainland states. Visitors welcome by appointment.

51. Sharky's Coffee
    We are a family owned and operated coffee farm with over 8000 coffee trees and other tropical plants including Vanilla. We process and roast all our coffee on site. Guests are always welcome for tours but please call ahead.

52. Long Ears Coffee, LLC
    Phone: 808-775-0385
    Fax: 808-775-1153
    Located in Ahualoa on the Hamakua Coast, we process 100% pure, aged, single estate Hamakua Coast Coffee. We offer farm sales and tours. You can roast and bag your own coffee, make your own label and create the perfect gift!