HONOKAA, Hawaii – The Western Week Block Party is getting underway Friday night, and Hawaii County Police are reminding the public that a road closure will be in effect.

Māmane Street in Honokaʻa will be closed to traffic Friday (May 22) between Plumeria and Puakolo to accommodate the Western Week block party. The road will be closed between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. Parking is available at the Honokaʻa Park and Sports Complex.Hawaii County Police Department

Organizers are calling the Block Party the “main event” of Western Week. There will be music and dancing in the streets, Saloon Girl and Cowboys Got Talent Contests, steak fry fundraiser, vendor booths, prizes and good times.

It doesn’t end there.

Over the weekend, the 59th Annual Hawai‘i Saddle Club Scholarship Rodeo takes place at the newly-renovated Honoka‘a arena. The rodeo starts with “Saturday Slack,” an elimination round, and then cowboys, keiki and wahine are put through their paces Sunday-Monday. In its 59-year history, the Rodeo has awarded thousands in scholarship funds to high school seniors island-wide as well as continuing education scholars.

Commemorative HWW buttons are available to purchase as show of support, as well as automatic entry in the “lucky number” drawing during the Block Party. Although buttons are not required for admission, attendees receive fair warning that those without buttons at the Block Party risk being thrown into the hoosegow by roving sheriffs. (All in good fun).

Honoka‘a Western Week is a volunteer-driven project supported by the The Hāmākua Farm Bureau, Honoka‘a Business Association, County of Hawai’i, Steinlager, DeLuz Trucking, Hawai’i Beef Producers, Big Island Toyota, and others, celebrating Hāmākua’s paniolo heritage and unique cultural blend. For more information, follow Honoka‘a Western Week on Facebook.Western Week media release