Friday & Saturday, April 27 & 28: 
Big Island Chocolate Festival.  The 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 to 9 p.m. Saturday, 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. There will be food booths, unlimited wine and beer pours, a silent auction, dancing and more. Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, 62-100 Kauna`Oa Dr., Waimea.   General Admission tickets to the Gala are $85; VIP tickets are $120. For more information and event schedule, visit www.BigIslandChocolateFestival.com.

Saturday, April 21: 
Pacific Island Heritage Day.  A celebration in learning about a variety of unique cultures of the Pacific Islands. There will be hands-on arts and crafts, music, cultural demonstration, games, presentations, and much more. Come join the participants as they share their culture with you!  Pu`ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site Visitors Center, Kawaihae. 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  Free admission.  For information call (808) 882-7218 or visit https://www.nps.gov/puhe/index.htm.

Saturday, April 21:
Laupahoehoe Music Festival.  Music, crafters, game booths – Hawaiian-style food will be available for sale. This is an alcohol and drug-free event; no coolers. Buy tickets online for a discount at www.laupahoehoemusicfestival.org. Ages 10 and under are free; pre-sale tickets $10; at door $20.  Laupahoehoe Point Beach Park, 36-1043 Laupahoehoe Point Rd., Laupahoehoe. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday, April 21:
Free entrance to Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park & Pu`uhonua O Honaunau in honor of National Park Week. 

Sunday, April 15:
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 http://kvbid.org/.

Saturday, April 14: 
Hula Kahiko Performance. Hula halau from across Hawai`i and beyond perform in a one-of-a-kind outdoor setting at the kahua hula (platform) in the Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, located just a short walking distance from the Volcano Art Gallery in Ka`auea. 10:30 a.m.  Audience members are encouraged to bring sun/rain gear and sitting mat. Event is free, park fees apply. Date is subject to change; to confirm dates, call (808) 987-7288. Held in conjunction with the Hula Kahiko performances, enjoy a display of “Na Mea Hula” (all things hula). Visitors share in a variety of instruments, implements and lei styles that play an integral role in the life of the hula practitioner. This memorable demonstration is hands-on and family friendly.  Lanai of the Volcano Art Gallery. 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  For more information call (808) 967-8222 or visit http://volcanoartcenter.org/.

Every Friday: 
Aloha Fridays at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.  A free hands-on demonstration lesson is given in a cultural craft that varies each week. Volcano Art Center Gallery porch in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Free (donations welcome); park entrance fees may apply. For information call (808) 967-8222 or visit http://volcanoartcenter.org/.

Every Tuesday:
Kanikapila with Wes Awana and Friends.  Kanikapila jam sessions are open to all musicians.  Bring your own instrument and enjoy “garage style” jamming.  Volcano Art Center, Niaulani Campus, Great Room of the Admin Building, Volcanoes National Park. 5:30 to 7 p.m. Admission is free, donations are gratefully accepted. Park entrance fees may apply. For information call (808) 967-8222 or visit http://volcanoartcenter.org/.

Every Tuesday Morning:
BikeWorks Beach & Sport – Queens Marketplace. Free fun road ride for cyclists of all levels at 8:15 a.m. Rental bikes available. Get updates on all the BikeWorks activities on the Emily T Gail Show at http://espnhawaii.com/ under the lineup or visit http://www.bikeworkshawaii.com/. Queens Marketplace, Waikoloa Beach Rd. For information about other community rides and/or bike routes call BikeWorks at (808) 886-5000.

Sunday – Saturday, April 1 – 7: 
The 55^th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival.  A week-long festival of cultural events including Hawai`i’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 a free hula exhibition at the Stadium, 6:30 p.m. (arrive very early to stand in line); Thursday is the solo Miss Aloha Hula competition, 6 p.m.; Friday & Saturday are the group Kahiko (ancient) and `Auana (modern) hula competitions, 6 p.m. A grand parade winds through downtown Hilo on Saturday 10:30 a.m. (Kilauea Ave., Keawe St., Waianuenue Ave., Kamahemaha Ave.) Edith Kanaka`ole Stadium, 350 Kalanikoa St., Hilo.  For more information, visit www.merriemonarch.com.