Friday Evenings:
Slack Key Guitar Concerts.  Traditional Hawaiian slack key guitar and `ukulele concerts. April 1 – Legends of Slack Key; April 8 – Whales Homecoming; April 15 – Hawai`i’s Sunset Music; April 22 – Spirit of Slack Key; April 29 – Hawai`i’s Cowboy Music.  Free gift drawing.  Tickets: $20 ($15 keiki/seniors).  Slack key guitar and `ukulele in the real old style.  All traditional music with songs and stories of the islands, telling the history of this Hawaiian musical art form.  Voted 2014 Best Live Show in Hawai`i by Hawai`i Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards. A portion of the proceeds supports the Hale Halawai Ohana `O Hanalei.  Hanalei Family Community Center, 5-5299 Kuhio Hwy, Hanalei.  4 to 6 p.m.  For information and reservations call (808) 826-1469 or visit www.McMasterSlackKey.com.

Thursday, March 31: 
Hawaiian Music Series.  Relax under the stars and enjoy a free concert featuring local musicians. Chairs are limited and blankets, mats, and low beach chairs are welcome. The Baldwin Home Museum is located in the heart of Lahaina, on the corner of Front and Dickenson Streets, Lahaina. 6 to 7:30 p.m.  For information call (808) 661-3262 or visit www.lahainarestoration.org.

March 27 – April 3: 
53^rd Annual Merrie Monarch Festival.  A week-long festival of cultural events including Hawai`i’s most prestigious hula competition at Edith Kanaka`ole Stadium. Enjoy a Ho`olaule`a at the auditorium behind the Stadium on Easter Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with music, food and fun. A craft fair begins Wednesday, with incredible fresh lei, cream-of-the-crop Hawaiian crafts, and free, live music performances. On Wednesday, Ho`ike Night, a free hula exhibition at the Stadium begins at 6:30 p.m. Early arrival is recommended. Thursday is the solo Miss Aloha Hula competition; Friday & Saturday are the group Kahiko (ancient) and ‘Auana (modern) hula competitions. A parade winds through Hilo-town on Saturday morning. For more information visit www.merriemonarch.com.

Saturday, March 26: 
Great Hawaiian Rubber Duckie Race.  20,000 cute, bright yellow rubber duckies will be doing their part to help support those with disabilities in the islands, with their 100-yd. dash down the Ala Wai Canal. The top 50 finishers, and last place duck, will win their adopted owners great prizes. Ducks will race precisely at 1:01 p.m. Pre-race festivities will be held at the McCully Shopping Center, 1960 Kapiolani Blvd., Honolulu, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There will be live entertainment, children games, duck adoptions and a rubber duckie souvenir store. To adopt a duckie and be part of this year’s event, visit www.ucpahi.org or call the duckie hotline at (808) 532-6744.

Saturday, March 26: 
Kilauea Art Night.  Discover locally made pottery, wood work, original fine art, jewelry, organic skincare, handmade soaps, wish trees, apparel, chocolates and more. There is a wide variety of food vendors from around Kaua`i. Enjoy dinner listening to live music. Don’t miss the Keiki Fire & Light performance at 7 p.m. on the back lawn.  Historic Stone Building, 4270 Kilauea Rd., Kilauea.  4 to 8 p.m.  Free admission.  For information call (808) 635-2572.

Saturday, March 26: 
Prince Kuhio Day Celebration.  Enjoy daylong entertainment, foods and crafts at this free community event to honor Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana`ole. As territorial congressional delegate, he spearheaded the 1920 federal Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. Not only is Kuhio considered the “father” of the Native Hawaiian homelands program, he also founded the Hawaiian civic club movement.  Paukukalo Hawaiian Homestead Park, Kawananakoa St. at Kaumuali`i St., Wailuku.  9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission. For information call (808) 276-8978.

Friday – Sunday, March 25 – 27: 
Prince Kuhio Festival 2016.  Learn about Kaua`i’s rich history and culture with an array of events celebrating Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole. Born on the south side of Kaua`i, Prince Kuhio was known as the “Prince of the People” for his efforts as a statesman perpetuating Hawaiian cultural values and the Hawaiian people.  The festival celebrates his legacy with a multitude of interactive educational sessions about Hawaiian cultural practices. Shop for local arts and crafts, sample local foods, hear “talk story” sessions, experience local music & entertainment, commemorative ceremonies, and interactive Hawaiian craft sessions.  Grand Hyatt Resort & Spa, 1571 Poipu Rd., Koloa.  All events are free of charge and open to the public.  Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  For more information and event schedule call (808) 742-1234.

Tuesday, March 22: 
Moku`ula by Moonlight in Lahaina.  As the full moon rises over Mauna Kahalawai in West Maui, the Moku`ula/Mokuhinia restoration site in Lahaina is in the spotlight, featuring a free cultural and educational program that’s open to the public.  Hawaiian music and storytelling mix when popular musicians share the stage with local elders who tell their stories about Lahaina. Guest speakers talk about Native Hawaiian issues.  Logo hats, tote bags and pareos will be for sale. Limited seating is provided for kupuna (elders); blankets, mats and low beach chairs are welcome.  Beachfront Hale Halawai in Kamehameha Iki Park at 525 Front Street, Lahaina.  6 to 8 p.m.  For information call (808) 661-3659 or visit www.mokuula.com.

Tuesday – Thursday, March 21 – 24: 
Explorers Club: Eyes on the Sky. Four-day STEM program for students in grades 3 – 5 with the theme of aerospace. Participants will operate robotic telescopes to view objects in the universe, engineer a mechanism for “soft landings” on another planet, create unique artwork through astrophotography, and more.  Price is $240 per student ($216 Museum Members) and includes all program fees, lunches, snack and a program T-shirt.  Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor, Hangar 79, Ford Island, 319 Lexington Blvd., Honolulu.  For information call (808) 441-1000 or visit www.pacificaviationmuseum.org.

Sunday, March 20: 
Kokua Kailua Hulihe`e Palace Concert Series & Village Stroll.  Ali`i Drive along scenic Kailua Bay in Kailua-Kona becomes a festive pedestrian-only walkway from 1 to 6 p.m. Enjoy music, artists, merchants and restaurants. At 4 p.m., there is a free Hawaiian music concert on the lawn at Hulihe`e Palace. Bring your own mat or chair and they will be checked for free while you stroll Ali`i Drive, Kailua Village (Kona).  For information, visit www.KVBID.org.