Sunday – Saturday, April 21 – 27: 
The 56^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 Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium behind the Stadium on Easter Sunday from 9 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 at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, with incredible fresh lei, cream-of-the-crop Hawaiian crafts, and free, live music performances by some of Hawai`i’s most beloved entertainers (Wednesday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)  On Wednesday Ho`ike Night, there is a free hula exhibition at the Stadium, 6 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.