April 8 – 14: 
Merrie Monarch Festival.  Hawaii’s most venerable hula celebration and competition with week-long festivities including exhibitions, musical entertainment, arts and crafts fairs and the Miss Aloha Hula Competition, kahiko (ancient) and auana (modern) hula competitions. Daily entertainment (Monday-Friday) at the Hawai’i Naniloa Volcanoes Resort (12 p.m.) and the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel (1 p.m.) Except for the hula competition at Edith Kanakaole Stadium, events are free.  Event times and locations vary throughout the day.  For information and a full description of all activities and events, call (808) 935-9168 or visit www.merriemonarch.com.

Sunday, April 8: 
Merrie Monarch Ho’olaule’a.  A celebration honoring King David Kalaukaua (The Merrie Monarch), with performances by local Halau.  Good food, local arts & crafts, and more.  Free Admission.  Afook Chinen Civic Auditorium, 799 Piilani St., Hilo. 9:00 a.m.