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.

Every Saturday: 
Maui Swap Meet.  Maui’s largest flea market is a great place to shop for unique, home-made, handcrafted, quality products at reasonable prices.  University of Hawaii – Maui College, 310 Kaahumanu Ave, Kahului.  7:00 a.m. to 1:00.  Cost is 50 cents; free after 12:30 p.m.

Saturday Evenings:
Kapa’a Slack Key Saturdays.  Traditional Hawaiian slack key guitar and ‘ukulele concerts. April 7 – Sea Turtle Serenade; April 14 – Heart of Slack Key; April 21 – Kauai Slack Key; April 28 – Dreams Come True.  Tickets: $20 ($15 keiki/seniors).  A portion of the proceeds supports Na Keiki O ka ‘Aina.  Located in the Children of the Land Cultural Center, Kauai Village (Safeway/Longs) Center, Kapa’a.  5:00 p.m.  For information and reservations call (808) 826-1469 or visit www.mcmasterslackkey.com.

Saturday, April 7: 
Kona Coast Historical Cruise.  Enjoy an ocean adventure aboard the sailing catamaran Fair Wind II. Learn about the many interesting Hawaiian historical sites found on the Kona Coast. Along the way, look for whales and dolphins.  Complimentary Hawaiian-style buffet and no-host bar.  Kailua Pier at Kailua Bay.  For tickets and information call (800) 551-8911 or visit www.konabrewersfestival.com.

Every Friday: 
Candlelit Tours at the Baldwin Home Museum.  Step back in time and visit the Baldwin Home Museum with a tour by candle light. Tours include free light refreshments on the lanai. 6:00 -8:30 p.m. Located on the corner of Front and Dickenson Street in the heart of historic Lahaina. Admission: $4.00/person, $6/couple, children 12 & under free.  For information visit www.lahainarestoration.org.

Friday Evenings: 
Art Night in Hanapepe.  Every Friday evening, Old Town Hanapepe is bustling with fun & activity! Stroll through the many art galleries in historic Hanapepe and meet the local artists from 6-9 p.m.  Enjoy a wide variety of shopping, local vendors, several excellent restaurants, art galleries, stilt walkers, classics cars, live music and entertainment.  Strolling is free; art is priced as noted.  For information call Ed Justus at (808) 335-6469.

Friday Evenings:
Slack Key Guitar Concerts.  Traditional Hawaiian slack key guitar and ‘ukulele concerts. April 6 – History of Slack Key; April 13 – Honoring Raymond Kane; April 20 – Spirit of Slack Key; April 27 – Hawaii’s Cowboy Music.  Free gift drawing.  Tickets: $20 ($15 keiki/seniors).  A portion of the proceeds supports the Hale Halawai Ohana O Hanalei.  Hanalei Family Community Center.  4:00 p.m.  For information and reservations call (808) 826-1469 or visit www.mcmasterslackkey.com.

Every Wednesday:
Hawaiiana Live. Experience Hawaiian history, traditions and culture through storytelling, film, music, oli (chant) and hula. Topics change weekly as the program revolves around the Hawaiian lunar calendar. Newly restored pipe organ featured. Palace Theater in Hilo. Wednesdays at 11 a.m. $5/children free. Call (808) 934-7010 or visit www.hilopalace.com.

Every Wednesday: 
Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Concert.  Host and slack key guitar master George Kahumoku, Jr. is joined by renowned slack key masters who are true ambassadors of their music, their culture and their land for an evening of traditional Hawaiian songs and authentic “talk-story”.  April 4 – Dennis Kamakahi; April 11 – Richard Ho’opi’i;  April 18 – David Kamakahi; April 25 – Sean Na’auao. Tickets: $39.99, seating is limited. Pavilion at the Napili Kai Beach Resort, Napili. 7:30 p.m. showtime.  For information call (888) 669-3858.