Top 10 things to do on Big Island for April 3-9: 63rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival, Easter brunch, Waikōloa’s Egghunt and more

Next week is a big one for the Big Island.

It’s Merrie Monarch time, and the celebration of all things Hawaiian promises another year of arts and crafts fairs, entertainment and, of course, hula performances, all leading up to and during the “Super Bowl of Hula.”

The fun kicks off April 5 with the festival’s Ho‘olau‘lea, featuring performance by local hālau and more. Daily midday entertainment and more at Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo and Hilo Hawaiian Hotel begins April 6.

Then, the Merrie Monarch Invitational Hawaiian Arts & Crafts Fair opens April 8. This annual favorite and official arts and crafts fair of the festival highlights local artists, crafters and entertainment, supporting Hawai’i artisans and creators.

Hōʻike Night is April 8, and the community is invited to come out for this free exhibition of hula and folk dance from throughout Hawai’i and Pacific Ocean region.

This year’s hula competition starts with the Miss Aloha Hula contest April 9 followed by group competition April 10-11.

It’s also Easter Weekend.

If you don’t want to slave away in the kitchen for your holiday dinner, check out the Hilton Waikōloa Village Easter Brunch. The spread features a vibrant selection of seasonal offerings and brunch favorites inspired by local ingredients and island traditions.

There’s also egg-citing fun at Ho‘oko Park for keiki ages 2 to 10 years old during Waikoloa’s Biggest Egghunt hosted by Abundant Life Ministries. More than 5,000 colorful eggs filled full of special surprises will be up for grabs, plus plenty of memories to be made.

Check out our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for April 3-9.

* * * * * * * * *

No. 1 — 2nd annual Kaʻū Wellness Festival (Ocean View, April 4)

Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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

This is a free community event celebrating holistic health and well-being, featuring vibrant vendors, soulful speakers, joyful keiki activities, live music and nourishing ʻohana-style food — all gathered in one sacred space. Visit exhibitors, see hands-on healing and artisans and enjoy the food court, plus keiki fun, farm stands, speakers, authors and more. Your journey to radiant, resilient well-being awaits.

More info: Visit the Kaʻū Wellness Festival website.

* * * * * * * * *

No. 2 — ‘Ōhi‘a Lehua Hike (Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, April 4)

Time: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Location: Kahuku Visitor Contact Station, Kahuku Unit (turn into Kahuku near the 70.5-mile marker on Highway 11 in Kaʻū)

Spring is in the air, and the lehua blossoms are popping in Kahuku. Learn about the vital role of ‘ōhi‘a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the ‘ōhi‘a tree and the threat of a new fungal disease, rapid ʻōhiʻa death. Visitors will be able to identify the many differences of the most prominent native tree in Kahuku during this program, which is an easy, 1-mile, o1-hour walk.

More info: Contact Park Information at 808-985-6011.

* * * * * * * * *

No. 3 — LIFT UP Farmers: Coconuts, Soil Health & Value-Added Pathways (Hāwī, April 4)

Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Location: Touching the Earth Farm, 55-567 Lincoln Ave.

This educational gathering connects farmers, food producers, land stewards and agricultural partners from around Hawaiʻi Island. Participants will learn practical ways to build soil fertility. Coconuts will also be a central focus, as well as local processing and food business development. A great chance to talk story, share experiences and strengthen relationships. Free, but advance registration is requested.

More info/registration: Click here to register. Email to programs@hipagriculture.org for any questions.

* * * * * * * * *

No. 4 — Waikōloa’s Biggest Egghunt (Waikōloa, April 4)

Time: 3 to 5 p.m.

Location: Ho’oko Park, 68-1730 Ho’oko St.

Get egg-cited! Keiki ages 2 to 10 years old can come hunt for 5,000-plus colorful eggs filled with special surprises. Abundant Life Ministries once again invites the community to participate in this egg-cellent event. Be sure to arrive early, and don’t forget to bring water, sunscreen and baskets. Three age divisions. Come have some family fun and make a few great memories.

More info/advance registration: Visit the Abundant Life Ministries website. You can also call 808-895-0577 for questions.

* * * * * * * * *

No. 5 — 11 Years of Kukuau (Hilo, April 4)

Time: 5 to 9 p.m.

Location: Kukuau Studio, 43-D Kukuau St.

Variety show celebrating 11 years of Kukuau Studio serving the creative community. Music instruction by day, performance art gallery by night, Kukuau is where the cats and kitties congregate in a community based multi-media art space. With Monday Night Jazz Jams, reggae concerts and more, Kukuau has become a place to meet up for good tunes and better friends.

More info/sign up to perform: Email to kukuaustudio@gmail.com. You can also follow the studio on Facebook and Instagram.

* * * * * * * * *

No. 6 — 63rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival (Hilo, April 5-11)

The celebration of everything Hawaiian kicks off this weekend and culminates with the annual hula competition April 9-11. Before then, however, there are several popular events the community and thousands of visitors don’t want to miss.

Hoʻolauleʻa

• Time and date: 9 a.m. April 5
• Location: Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, 323 Manono St.
• Free admission. Performances by local hālau and more.

Free midday entertainment

• Times and dates: Noon and 1 p.m. April 6-10
• Locations: Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo, 93 Banyan Drive; Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, 71 Banyan Drive
• Entertainment and more beginning at noon at Grand Naniloa and 1 p.m. at Hilo Hawaiian daily.

Merrie Monarch Invitational Hawaiian Arts & Crafts Fair

• Times and dates: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 8-10; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 11
• Location: Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium and adjacent Butler Buildings, 323 Manono St.
• This annual favorite is free to attend, supporting Hawai’i artisans and creators while showcasing official 2026 Merrie Monarch Festival apparel, posters and programs. Official arts and crafts fair of the festival, highlighting local artists, crafters and entertainment.

Hōʻike Night

• Time and date: 6 p.m. April 8
• Location: Edith Kanakaʻole Multi-Purpose Stadium, 350 Kalanikoa St.
• An exhibition night of hula and folk dance from throughout Hawai’i and Pacific Ocean region. The performances are free to the public.

More info: Visit the Merrie Monarch Festival website.

* * * * * * * * *

No. 7 — Easter Brunch (Waikōloa, April 5)

Time: 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: Hilton Waikōloa Village, 69-425 Waikōloa Beach Drive

Guests and kamaʻāina are invited to celebrate Easter with a festive brunch at Kamuela Provision Company at the Hilton in Waikōloa. Set along the Kohala Coast with sweeping oceanfront views, the experience features a vibrant spread of seasonal offerings and brunch favorites inspired by local ingredients and island traditions.

More info/reservations: Click here to make your reservation. Visit the Hilton Waikoloa Village website for additional information.

* * * * * * * * *

No. 8 — KTA Merrie Monarch Craft Fair (Hilo, April 8-10)

Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily

Location: KTA Pūʻainakō sidewalk, 50 East Pūʻainakō St.

Be sure to save the dates for this special craft fair hosted by the KTA Super Stores location on Pūʻainakō Street. Support local and shop for handcrafted items made by the grocer’s very own KTA associates. This also might not be an “official” Merrie Monarch event, but it’s one you definitely will want to check out.

More info: Call KTA Puainako at 808-959-8700.

* * * * * * * * *

No. 9 — Front Street Market by Itsuko’s Craft Fair (Hilo, April 9-11)

Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Location: Itsuko’s Kitchen, 1550 Kamehameha Ave.

Visit Itsuko’s Kitchen cafe and Hilo’s historical event space across from the historic tsunami clock. This craft fair, being hosted during Merrie Monarch Week, will feature vendors from O‘ahu and around the Big Island, including Hilo, offering handmade goods and more, including food from Itsuko’s Kitchen. It’s not an “official” Merrie Monarch event, but you won’t want to miss it.

More info: Call Itsuko’s Kitchen at 808-938-6514.

* * * * * * * * *

No. 10 — Prince Kūhiō Plaza annual Merrie Monarch Craft Fair (Hilo, April 9-11)

Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily

Location: Prince Kūhiō Plaza, 111 E. Pūʻainakō St.

This “unofficial” Merrie Monarch event will have a large number of vendors stationed throughout the Hilo mall, including Native Hawaiian-owned businesses and artists, crafters and other vendors from around the Big Island and likely beyond. This very popular event is another can’t-miss, so be sure to mark your calendars now.

More info: Visit the Prince Kūhiō Plaza website or call 808-959-3555.

* * * * * * * * *

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/