April 24 – May 3:
Ka`u Coffee Festival. Celebrating Ka`u’s famous brew with multiple events at different venues over 10 days. The fun kicks off with the Pa`ina Open House at Pahala Plantation House and continues with the Triple C Recipe Contest and Miss Ka`u Coffee Pageant at Ka`u Coffee Mill, Ka`u Mountain Water Systems Hike in Wood Valley, Coffee & Cattle Day at Aikane Plantation and Ka`u Star Gazing. Festival culminates with the all-day Ho`olaulea May 2nd and Coffee College May 3rd at Pahala Community Center, 96-3208 Maile St., Pahala. Ho`olaulea offers Hawaiian entertainment; craft, coffee and food booths; Kau Coffee Experience with guided coffee tastings and farm tours. For more information and venues call (808) 929-9550 or visit www.KauCoffeeFest.com.

Saturday, April 25:
Hula Kahiko Performance by Kumu Ha’amauliola Aiona & Kumu Kawelo Kong Kee with Ke Kula o Nawahiokalani`opu’u. Hula halau from across Hawai`i and beyond have been invited to 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 an area known as Ka`auea. 10:30 a.m. Audience members are encouraged to bring sun/rain gear and sitting mat. The event is free, park fees apply. For information call (808) 967-8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.

Saturday, April 25:
Na Mea Hula. Held in conjunction with the Hula Kahiko performances, presenting a lovely 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 information call (808) 967-8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.

Saturday, April 25:
The 10th Annual Laupahoehoe Music Festival. Laupahoehoe Point Beach Park, 9 am- 4 pm.
The non-profit organization Malama Hawaii Nei, along with Laupahoehoe Community Public Charter School organized the festival this year to help raise scholarship money for Laupahoehoe area students and to fund community projects. This year’s Hawaiian-style event features some of the island’s best music and hula entertainers performing at Laupahoehoe Point Beach Park. Tickets $12 in advance at Hilo Guitars, Basically Books and Hilo Music Exchange in Hilo, and Sakado Store in Laupahoehoe, Taro Patch and Grandma’s Kitchen in Honokaa, and in Kona at Music Exchange, or $15 at the gate. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.LaupahoehoeMusicFestival.org. Age 10 and under free. It’s a day of music, music, music, ono grinds and crafts. Drinks available on site. No coolers please. This is an alcohol- and drug-free event.For more information, call (808) 962-2200 or email gerry.delgado@lcpcs.org.

April 24 – May 3:
Ka`u Coffee Festival. Celebrating Ka`u’s famous brew with multiple events at different venues over 10 days. The fun begins with the Pa`ina Open House at Pahala Plantation House, 96-3208 Maile Street
Pahala, and continues with the Triple C Recipe Contest and Miss Ka`u Coffee Pageant at Ka`u Coffee Mill, Ka`u Mountain Water Systems Hike in Wood Valley, Coffee & Cattle Day at Aikane Plantation and Ka`u Star Gazing. The festival culminates with the all-day Ho`olaulea, May 2nd and Coffee College, May 3^rd, at Pahala Community Center, 96-3208 Maile St., Pahala. The Ho`olaulea offers Hawaiian entertainment, crafts, coffee and food booths, plus Ka`u Coffee Experience with guided coffee tastings and farm tours. For more information and venues call (808) 929-9550 or visit www.KauCoffeeFest.com.

Sunday, April 19:
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.

Saturday, April 18:
Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge Open House. A great family oriented opportunity to see the Refuge and cooperative reforestation work, tour the greenhouse operations, and walk in high elevation ancient forests. Sightings of rare native birds are common in the Pua Akala rainforest and you will be accompanied by expert bird guides on this rare opportunity. Hear some compelling stories of rare and beautiful mints and lobeliads rescued from the brink of extinction. Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, 12 Mile Keanakolu Rd. (AKA Mana Rd.) on Mauna Kea, Hilo. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information call (808) 443-2300 or visit www.fws.gov/refuge/hakalau_forest.

Saturday, April 11:
Merrie Monarch Royal Parade. One of the festival’s most entertaining and fun events for the entire family, the parade begins and ends at Pauahi St. and winds through downtown Hilo (Kilauea Ave. – Keawe St. – Waianuenue Ave. – Kamehameha Ave.). Parade begins at 10:30 a.m. For information call (808) 935-9168 or visit www.merriemonarch.com.

Thursday – Saturday, April 9 – 11:
Hawai`i Arts and Crafts Food Festival 2015. An island tradition for over 20 years, the Festival takes place during Merrie Monarch Week. The Festival celebrates the artistic and cultural heritage of Hawai`i’s people and its environment. The three-day event showcases over 100 of the finest artisans, crafters and food vendors from the Big Island, O`ahu, Maui, Moloka`i, Kaua`i and the Pacific Nations. Hourly prizes, performances and demonstrations will be held during the event. Sangha Hall (along the Parade Route) at 398 Kilauea Avenue, Hilo. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For more information, call (808) 981-0518 or visit www.hawaiiartsandcraftsfestival.com.

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. Held at Volcano Art Center 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.