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Earth Day on April 22 is just around the corner and there are several ways to celebrate on the Big Island.

From the Hoʻolauleʻa and opening ceremonies on Easter Sunday to the Hōʻike, Miss Aloha Hula, group hula competition, the arts and crafts fair and everything else, what was your favorite part of the 60th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival?

The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs has extended the deadline for comment submission on the draft of the Amendments to Respect Traditional Indigenous Skill and Talent Act to May 19.

This year marks the full return of the annual event since the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the competition in 2020 and forced gathering restrictions in 2021 and 2022.

If hālau do have lehua or liko in their lei, the dancers can return it to the ‘āina on their own by leaving it at mile markers 12 and 16 along Daniel K. Inouye Highway on the Big island.

The three-day competition started Thursday with Miss Aloha Hula and continued on Friday with Kahiko (ancient) hula. The event culminated with the ‘auana (modern) performances on Saturday.

Nearly 20 years ago, the late U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye visited rural Miloliʻi on the Big Island and launched an initiative to build the village a much-needed community center that also will house a public charter school. Miloliʻi is still waiting for the center, although construction is underway.

It’s been almost five years since the 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea volcano and resulting lava flow landlocked the Pohoiki boat ramp, yet the battle continues for funding to dredge the beach and reopen access to the ocean.

This week, 806 people took Big Island Now’s poll #7 in which we asked: What is your favorite animal for a pet? Which animal was top dog?

The Royal Parade drew thousands to see high school bands, hālaus, paniolos, princesses, organizations and more walk the 2-mile route from Kamehameha Avenue all the way around downtown Hilo to celebrate the 60th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival.  

Tolling’s repertoire ranges from “Mission Impossible” and “Meet the Flintstones” to “Georgia on My Mind” and “All Along the Watchtower.”

Hilton Waikōloa Village is looking to fill various culinary positions and is offering on-site interviews every Monday throughout April.

The Central Pacific Bank Foundation is accepting applications for the “WE by Rising Tide” program, which helps women entrepreneurs shape their future and achieve success in the business community.

Saturday is the last day of the 60th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival, with the Royal Parade in the morning and the last hula competition and crowning of the group champions in the evening.

The official Merrie Monarch Hawaiian Arts & Crafts Fair that showcases and supports more than 150 of Hawai‘i’s best artisans and creators will be open one more day, on Saturday, at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium and Butler Buildings in Hilo on the Big Island.

Wāhine and kāne dancers from 23 hālau took the stage Friday on the first night of group competition at Edith Kanaka‘ole Stadium in Hilo on the Big Island.

At 5:23 p.m., radar indicated heavy rain over the South Kona District with showers falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour.

A Hilo man accused of abducting a teenaged girl last year from the Waikōloa area was found fit to stand trial, according to 3rd Circuit Court minutes on Friday.

Benjamin “Kawika” Jerin-Kealoha of Ka‘ū is also wanted in connection with other criminal investigations.

Hawaiian monk seal RK96, also known as Kaiwi, gave birth on April 14 to her fifth pup at Kaimana Beach in Waikīkī, Oʻahu.