Entertainment

We know it’s graduation season, so a lot of you will soon be busy celebrating the success of a newly minted high school grad or fresh college degree holder in the family with every ouce of pomp and circumstance you can muster. So how about treating your grad to a new experience or special event as part of your gift in honor of them reaching a major milestone.

From brunches to concerts, shopping opportunities and even singing telegrams plus an aerial arts pop-up class, there should be something to do that will have Mom calling all her friends later to brag about her awesome family.

No matter what you do with Mom, Grandma, Sis, Aunty or the other special mothers in your life to show them how much you appreciate them, we’re sure they will enjoy the gesture. So think about trying out something different this year by giving them a new experience.

Nonprofit that connects children to Hawai‘i Island through hands-on exploration of science, technology, engineering, art and math offering fee-free day as part of Waikōloa Lei Day Festival; several upcoming summer events, activities and workshops planned, too.

Hale Hālāwai O Puna Cultural Mākeke and Hub opens for the first time with a free celebration followed by an Activate Puna Town Party to mark the 7th anniversary of the 2018 Kīlauea eruption this Saturday.

Just because the Merrie Monarch Festival is done doesn’t mean all the fun around the island is, too. From Lei Day festivities to exploring the cosmos, there’s an entire universe of activities and events unfolding during the next week. Check them out now!

More than 30 organizations will host demonstrations, games and activities that highlight astronomy, robotics and natural sciences.

The 62nd annual Merrie Monarch Festival’s competition ended Saturday night, but the pageantry, passion and poetry lives on in photos.

The Merrie Monarch Hula Festival concluded Saturday at the Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo with ‘auana (modern hula) performances from 20 hālau across the state of Hawai‘i and California.

The parade is a cherished tradition that celebrates Hawaiian culture, the art of hula and the rich heritage of Hilo town. 

Before the final night of competition begins, however, there’s plenty of craft fairs, markets and other events that continue throughout Hilo in case you haven’t had a chance to check any out yet.

The soloists were scored by seven judges who looked at their kahiko (ancient) and ‘auana (modern) performances and critiqued them in various areas.

But before the “Super Bowl of Hula” gets underway at 6 p.m. today with the individual contest for the coveted title, be sure to check out all the events and activities happening throughout Hilo in celebration of hula and all things Hawaiian.

The Merrie Monarch Festival’s Hōʻike Night served as a reminder of the enduring power of dance to express identity and connect with others through performances from Hawaiʻi, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand and California.

Didn’t get tickets to the Merrie Monarch Festival competitions? Looking for something different to do this weekend? The Big Island has you covered.

Before donning your Aloha wear best or that new designer outfit to show off at tonight’s Hōʻike, check out some of the other events happening throughout Hilo during festival week.

The Merrie Monarch Hawaiian Arts and Craft Fair kicks off on Wednesday and ends on Saturday. Vendors will be located at the Afook Chinen Civic Auditorium & Butler Buildings from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Hilo on the Big Island will once again become the hula capital of the world next week with the return of the annual Merrie Monarch Festival. The 62nd installment of the weeklong celebration of everything hula and Hawaiian runs from Easter Sunday, April 20, through April 26 this year.

Hilo will be the epicenter of all things hula and Hawaiian as the annual Merrie Monarch Festival — the weeklong celebration of island culture — returns for its 62nd year.

The county and its community partners are hosting events in Hilo, Kea‘au and Pāhala, with the first one this Sunday, and invite the everyone to come have an egg-cellent time in celebration of the season.