Spring time in West Hawaii is the beginning of our “shoulder season” where many of the snow birds and Spring Break crowds diminish and there seems to be a collective sigh from the island residents as parking becomes available at the beaches again and the restaurants have open seating again! LUVA Real Estate encourages those of you who like to enjoy the culture of the island and more room on the roads and beach parks to enjoy April! This month leads with the world renown Merrie Monarch Festival. If you love watching hula, costumes and tradition, it is all here THIS week! And if you love chocolate AND coffee, this is your month! Read on for more fun!
The 55th Annual Merrie Monarch Festiva
When: April 1-7, 2018
Where: Hilo
The annual presentation of the Merrie Monarch Festival has led to a renaissance of the Hawaiian culture that is being passed on from generation to generation. A week-long festival of cultural events including Hawaii’s most prestigious hula competition at Edith Kanaka’ole Stadium. The festival begins with a Ho’olaule’a at the auditorium behind the Stadium on Easter Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with lots of music, food and fun. Don’t miss the by-invitation-only crafts fair that takes place beginning Wednesday, with incredible fresh lei, cream-of-the-crop Hawaiian crafts, and free, live music performances by some of Hawai`i’s most beloved entertainers in the building adjacent to the Stadium (http://www.merriemonarch.com/merrie-monarch-invitational-hawaiian-arts-fair). On Wednesday Ho’ike Night, there is also a free hula exhibition at the Stadium that begins at 6:30 pm (get there very early to stand in line!); Thursday is the solo Miss Aloha Hula competition; Friday & Saturday are the group Kahiko (ancient) and ‘Auana (modern) hula competitions. A grand parade winds through Hilo-town on Saturday morning. Visit www.merriemonarch.com for more info.
2018 Merrie Monarch Invitational Hawaiian Arts Fair – Hilol
When: April 4-7, 2018
Times: Wed-Fri 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Sat 9:00am to 4:00pm
Where: Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium and Butler Building, Hilo.
This 4 day, free event features the finest collection of Hawaiian arts and handcrafts by Hawai’i’s master artisans and producers, Hawaiian designer fashions, cultural demonstrations and workshops. Free Hawaiian entertainment all day by Hawai’i’s Na Hoku Hanohano award-winning entertainers and musicians, along with performances by various hula halau. Official Merrie Monarch Festival t-shirts, programs and posters also on sale. For more information, call (808) 966-4647, email [email protected] or visit http://www.namakua.com/.
Kai Opua’s 19th Annual Pau Hana Regatta – Kailua Bay
When: April 8, 2018
Time: Registration at 8am; racing starts at 9am at Kailua Pier, Kailua-Kona.
Kai Opua Canoe Club’s annual Businessman’s Regatta is a lot of fun. Registration at 8am; race at 9am. Divisions are Bar/Restaurant/Hotel, Professional, Government, Retail, and Construction. The teams also compete for the Best Team Costume Awards. For more information, to register, or to set a practice time for your crew, call 938-8577. All proceeds go to the club’s outrigger racing activities. Kai Opua Canoe Club is a 501c3 non-profit. For more, information, visit www.kaiopua.org/pauhanaregatta.asp.
VASH Hawai’i Island’s 4th Annual Cabaret
Where: Hilton Waikoloa Village Tap Room
When: Saturday, April 14th, 2018 at 6pm
Cost: $100 per ticket
The Big Apple Comes to the Big Island for the Visitor’s Aloha Society of Hawaii fundraiser that features Hawai’i Island’s most anticipated performance of the year! New York starlet, KT Sullivan and comedian/pianist, Mark Nadler bring their critically acclaimed performance to the Big Island. Tickets on sale now! http://vashbigisland.org/events
Ka’u Coffee Festival
When: April 21, 2018 – May 6, 2018
The 10th annual Ka’u Coffee Festival celebrates its award-winning brew with a host of events on various dates from April 21-May 6. Fun culminates May 5-6 at the Pahala Community Center with a java-jumpin’ ho’olaule’a on Saturday and the Ka’u Coffee College educational series on Sunday. The Ka’u District is becoming more well known for its flavorful coffee. If you love coffee tasting, this is your event. List of events here!
Earth Day Fishpond Workday – Kaloko Fishpond, Kona
When: April 22, 2018
Time: 8:00 am to 12 Noon
Community members are invited to participate in the Earth Day community workday. We will spend the day opening fresh water springs, opening habitat for native fish and birds and maintain areas previously cleared. Please wear loose long sleeve clothing and tabis for wetland or shoes for dryland work. Tools and water provided. For more information, call (808) 785-0211 or email [email protected].
Big Island Chocolate Festival
When: April 27-28, 2018
Gala Evening-5:30-9:00 pm
Where: Hapuna Beach Resort
The two-day chocolate extravaganza includes a cacao plantation tour at Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory, a college culinary competition and several public foodie and agriculture-themed seminars. Activities culminate 5-9 p.m. Saturday, April 28 with the indoor-outdoor festival gala – enjoy a host of sweet and savory culinary stations presented by top isle chefs, chocolatiers and confectioners. Fun chocolate activities include chocolate body painting. The Gala, which will be held from 5-9pm at Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, featuring food booths, unlimited wine and beer pours, a silent auction, dancing and more. Culinary stations will also be vying for awards in a variety of categories judged by a panel of celebrity chefs: judging bonbon, savory, bean-to-bar, plated dessert and Hawaiian cacao. Attendees can get in on the friendly voting by casting a ballot for two People’s Choice Awards: Best Savory and Best Sweet. Presented by the Kona Cacao Association (KCA), event proceeds annually benefit a variety of local non-profits yet to be selected for 2018. Last year’s festival awarded $17.5K to four beneficiaries. General Admission tickets to the Gala are $85; VIP tickets are $120. For more details, visit www.BigIslandChocolateFestival.com or email [email protected].
LUVA Real Estate agents are Hawaii lifestyle experts and we enjoy sharing all the amazing things to do in West Hawaii and Hawaii Island, Please contact us for additional information about your buying and selling needs!