Saturday, April 13: 
2^nd Annual Big Island Aids Walk.  An easy 2 mile walk around Liliuokalani Gardens. Walk registration opens at 8 a.m. and the walk starts at 9 a.m. All funds raised will go directly to provide services for nearly 300 men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS on the island of Hawai`i. Funds will also go to support education, community outreach and free confidential 20-minute HIV & Hepatitis C testing.  Liliuokalani Gardens, Banyon Street, Hilo. For information call (808) 982-8800, ext 201, or visit www.bigislandaidswalk.com.

Every Friday: 
Aloha Fridays at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.  A free hands-on demonstration lesson is given in a cultural craft that will vary from week to week. Held at VAC Gallery porch in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  All events are free (donations welcome); park entrance fees apply. For information call (808) 967-8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.

Friday, April 5:
Hawaii Island Humane Society’s 17th annual Tropical Paws benefit gala at Four Seasons Hualalai Resort, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.Silent and live auctions, Four Seasons-style buffet dinner, Live entertainment and dancing. Tickets, $100 per person or $1500 for a reserved table of ten, available mid-February at HIHS shelters, select island retail locations, and online at www.HIHS.org. Tropical Paws supports vital programs offered by the Hawaii Island Humane Society including the Second Chance Fund and the Spay/Neuter Community Assistance Program.Visit www.HIHS.org or call 808-329-2135 X3 for more information.

Thursday – Saturday, April 4-6: 
20^th Annual Hawaii Arts, Crafts and Food Festival. Celebrate the artistic and cultural heritage of Hawai`i’s people and its environment. The Festival showcases over 100 of the finest artisans, crafters and food vendors.  Sangha Hall, 398 Kilauea Avenue, Hilo, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Hourly prizes, demonstrations and performances. For more information contact Hawaii Arts & Crafts at (808) 981-0518 or visit www.hawaiiartsandcraftsfestival.com.

Every Wednesday and Friday: 
Hilo Farmers Market.  Find a colorful selection of locally grown exotic fruit, vegetables, herbs, island jams and jellies, macadamia nuts and delectable baked goods. Big buckets of orchids and anthuriums line the stalls. Wind chimes, etched glass and koa wood treasures fill the craft section. You can even find local t-shirts, tropical fashions and handmade jewelry. And don’t forget to buy a lei for that someone special. Get there early to shop for the best choices from the market’s more than 200 vendors. Downtown Hilo.

Every Wednesday: 
Hawai`iana Live.  A 45-minute cultural tourism program hosted by Leilehua Yuen. It features live on stage presentations that share the history and traditions of the Hawaiian culture through storytelling, film, music, oli and hula. Topics and films change weekly as the program revolves around the Hawaiian lunar calendar, and surprise guests and musicians often appear. Also featured is Rick Mazurowski at the newly restored Palace pipe organ.  Palace Theater, 38 Haili Street, Hilo.  11 a.m. Admission is $5, Keiki 12 & under, free. For information call (808) 934-7010 or visit www.hilopalace.com.

Every Tuesday:
Featuring the new Emily T Gail Show which is found at www.espnhawaii.com under “Lineup” on the homepage.  Sponsored by Aloha – Big Island Visitor Guide, Emily “talks story” with recreational, high school and professional athletes, along with coaches, parents, organizers, and members of print and broadcast media. She talks about golf, running, swimming, biking, tennis, paddling, diving, skateboarding, as well as major league sports, high school sports, and college sports. Emily T Gail (808) 896-6780, emilytgail@emilys.org, www.emilys.org.

Tuesday – Monday, April 2 – 8:
Kalani Hula Heritage Festival. Held in conjunction with the annual Merrie Monarch Festival, this week-long event celebrates Hawaiian culture with traditional songs, chants, myths, crafts, language, plant uses and hula – in both kahiko (ancient) and auana (post 1860) forms.  Kalani Oceanside Retreat in Puna, 12-6860 Kapoho Kalapana Rd., Pahoa, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.  For information (808) 965-0468 or visit www.kalani.com.

Every Tuesday: 
Tea for Tuesdays.  Join JoAnn Aguirre, tea educator and member of the Hawaii Tea Society, for an hour of tea talk, a delicious scone and a cuppa, in a special tribute to all young girls, and to women’s contributions to the world of tea.  Tea for Tuesdays is a one hour program and part of a monthly 2013 Volcano Tea Series. Free activity; donations accepted. Held at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus, 19-4074 Old Volcano Road in Volcano Village, 2 p.m.  For more information call (808) 967-8222 or visit www.teachingtea.com.

March 31 thru April 6: 
50^th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival.  Hawai`i’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. Except for the hula competition, events are free.  Edith Kanakaole Tennis Stadium, 350 Kalanikoa Street, Hilo, 6 to 8 p.m.  See festival website for complete information on all events and times.  For information call (808) 935-9168 or visit www.merriemonarch.com.