Top 10 things to do on Big Island for April 10-16: Truly Royal Parade, hula kahiko, Puna Chocolate Spring Festival and much more

Merrie Monarch Week continues in Hilo, with the first night of hula competition tonight (April 9) as Miss Aloha Hula contestants take the stage, proving to judges and convincing those watching — at Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium and from around the globe — that she has what it takes to win the coveted title.

The “Super Bowl of Hula” competition then moves to two nights of group competition Friday and Saturday, April 10-11.

One of the final festival week events is also one of the most cherished — the Merrie Monarch Festival Royal Parade that marches through Downtown Hilo each year. It celebrates the vibrant Hawaiian culture, art of hula and rich heritage of Hilo Town. It starts at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park also gets into the Merrie Monarch Festival mood this weekend with a hula kahiko, or traditional/ancient style hula, performances near Volcano Art Center Gallery, featuring Kinohi Neves, Nāmaka DeMello, Kimo Miranda and Hālau Haʻa Kea o Kinohi.

There’s also the rescheduled Puna Chocolate Spring Festival at Hale Cocoa in Kealakekua that’s providing a sweet experience with live music, a market full of local vendors and artists showing off their skills with art, jewelry and a lot more up for grabs.

Those are just a few of the events happening around the Big Island.

Check out all of our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for April 10-16.

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No. 1 — Kalani Pe‘a: Mele & Moʻolelo ma Mōkaulele (Hilo, April 10)

When: 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Location: Haleʻōlelo, Ka Haka ʻUla o Keʻelikōlani, University of Hawai’i at Hilo, 200 W. Kawili St.

An intimate afternoon with a special “behind-the-music” experience, where mele, story and hula come together in a deeply personal way. Part of ʻIkena ʻImiloa. Free and open to the public. Come sit, listen to this Grammy winner and experience stories behind their songs.

More info: Call ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center at 808-932-8901 or email to imiloa.info@hawaii.edu.

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No. 2 — 63rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival Royal Parade (Hilo, April 11)

When: 10:30 a.m.

Location: Throughout Downtown Hilo

This cherished tradition celebrates Hawaiian culture, art of hula and rich heritage of Hilo Town. For more than six decades, the Royal Parade has brought together local organizations, cultural practitioners and community members to honor the legacy and spirit of the Merrie Monarch Festival. It is a vibrant showcase of Hawaiʻi’s people, stories and ʻike.

More info/parade route/road closures: Contact Kanoe and Koral via email at parade@merriemonarchfestival.org or call the Merrie Monarch Festival office at 808-935-9168.

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No. 3 — Hula Kahiko (Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, April 11)

When: 10:30 a.m.

Location: Kahua hula (hula platform) near Volcano Art Center Gallery

Enjoy traditional hula with Kinohi Neves, Nāmaka DeMello, Kimo Miranda and Hālau Haʻa Kea o Kinohi. Bring sun/rain gear and sitting mats and be sure to arrive early because of limited parking Kīlauea Visitor Center, which is under renovation. If parking is full, be prepared to walk from the overflow lot at Kūkamāhuākea (Steam Vents).

More info: Call 808-967-7565 for more information or email to info@volcanoartcenter.org.

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No. 4 — “Ola I Ka Wai: Water is Life” exhibit (Waimea, through May 31)

When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Sunday

Location: Firehouse Gallery, 67-1201 Māmalahoa Highway

Water sustains all living things — flowing through culture, memory and the natural world. This exhibit featuring works by artists with Waimea Arts Council interprets the essential and spiritual connection between wai (water) and life in Hawai‘i. Water is honored as a precious resource and symbol of renewal through diverse media and perspectives.

More info: Call 808-987-1052.

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No. 5 — “The Sea Is Never Full” exhibit (Hilo, April 11)

When: 2 p.m.

Location: East Hawai‘i Cultural Center, 141 Kalākaua St.

This solo exhibition by Native Hawaiian painter, muralist and mixed media artist Nainoaikapoliokaehukai Rosehill features works drawing on symbolic language from written and oral histories of families displaced by volcanism, collapsing infrastructure within Hawaiian villages and historical Native Hawaiian churches. Formal opening is at 2 p.m. Saturday, with the exhibit open for viewing through June 13.

More info: Visit the East Hawai‘i Cultural Center website, call 808-961-5711 or visit the center in-person during regular gallery hours.

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No. 6 — Puna Chocolate Spring Festival (Kealakekua, April 11)

When: 2 to 7 p.m.

Location: Hale Cocoa, 79-7378 Māmalahoa Highway

Rescheduled because of the kona lows in March, this festival will be just as sweet as ever, if not sweeter. Free entry gets you access to live music, featuring musicians such as Mayari, Kaimi, Joshua Rivera, Ruby Flamble, Avasa, Matthew Love and others. You also can peruse the market full of local vendors and artists with art, jewelry, Tarot readings, Henna, clothing swaps and a resource faire. 

More info: Visit the Puna Chocolate website or call or text to 808-489-9899.

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No. 7 — Honoka‘a Renaissance Faire Magical Mixer (Honoka‘a, April 12)

When: 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Location: Honoka‘a Sports Complex, 45-541 Lehua St.

Hear ye! Hear ye! All goodly folk who share in the merriment and spirit of the Faire are most cordially invited to don their finest garb and attend a most wondrous gathering, featuring live music and delectable treats. With each passing year, the event has grown ever grander. The community also is invited to take part in the magic behind the making of this noble endeavor.

More info: Email to Honokaarenfaire@gmail.com, visit the Honoka‘a Renaissance Faire website and follow the faire on social media @Honokaarenfaire.

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No. 8 — Swing Dance Party (Kailua-Kona, April 11)

When: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Location: Big Island Social Dance Club, 74-5583 Luhia St., Suite 1

Get ready to swing into an unforgettable night full of great music, fun energy and plenty of dancing. Whether you love East Coast, West Coast, Lindy or just want to try something new, this is a night built for you. No partner needed; just bring your good vibes. Sliding price scale available; $20 to attend. Let’s dance the night away — you won’t want to miss it.

More info/reservations: Visit the Big Island Social Dance Club website or call or text to 970-739-6771.

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No. 9 — Grow N’ Glow (Ocean View, April 11)

When: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Location: Ocean View Community Center, 92-8924 Leilani Circle

Movers of every level are invited to this 2-hour dance-a-thon, complete with movement challenges, mini-classes, a glowing jungle themed photo booth to get creative (professional photos available for purchase) and so much more! This fun-filled event is a fundraiser to cover the start-up costs of nonprofit Kaʻū Performing Arts Collective.

More info/RSVP: Visit the Kaʻū Performing Arts Collective website.

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No. 10 — Merrie Monarch After Party (Hilo, April 12)

When: 6 to 9 p.m.

Location: The Booch Bar, 110 Keawe St.

Kanakapila LIVE has been a staple of the Hilo music scene for more than 20 years. The band will help close out the weeklong celebration of everything Hawaiian, “unofficially,” by performing in The Rainbow Room for this special after party. Everyone is welcome to attend.

More info: Follow @theboochbar on social media, visit The Booch Bar website or call 808-498-4779.

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Check for yourself what’s happening around the Big Island

We admit. As hard as we try every week, we still likely didn’t find every event happening around the Big Island. Plus, we can’t fit everything going on each week in our entertainment roundup. So here are websites for some popular Big Island venues you can peruse to discover other events, activities, shows, festivals or workshops that pique your interest.

• Willy’s Hot Chicken, Kailua-Kona: https://willieshotchicken.com/
• 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/
• Waimea Arts Council, Waimea, https://www.waimeaartscouncil.org