“Hula kane, once stigmatized, celebrates 50 years on prestigious Merrie Monarch stage.”
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ActivitiesDon’t miss Merrie Mele Happy Hour live in The Rainbow Room at The Booch Bar in…
East Hawai‘i NewsHawai‘i Volcanoes National Park preps for next lava fountaining episode at Kīlauea
Hula kāne, once stigmatized, celebrates 50 years on prestigious Merrie Monarch stage
In 1976, kumu hula John R. Kahaʻi Topolinski was among the first kumu (teachers) to bring male dancers to compete at the Merrie Monarch stage, helping to end the stigma hula was unmanly.April 5, 2026 · 9:28 AM HST
ActivitiesInformation you need to know about the 63rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival — and more
NewsHawai‘i Island police seek Kona credit card theft suspect
In Case You
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18 lane closures scheduled during week of April 4-10 on Big Island state roadways
National Weather Service issues special weather statement in advance of Episode 44 lava…
63rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival official schedule and Miss Aloha Hula contestants…
Puna man sentenced to 20 years in prison for sexual assault of minor
63rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival kicks off Sunday in Hilo with the Ho‘olaule‘a
Plan ahead for emergency repairs scheduled later this month at Pāhala transfer station
Volcano Watch: Adapting to an evolving eruption; revising Kīlauea’s alert level…
Big Island man among finalists named for 2026 student appointment to University of…
Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program continues to strengthen Hawaiʻi’s healthcare…
‘A farmer’s mental health is tied to the health of their land’: New suicide…
RESCHEDULED: Ka Lani Kauikeaouli Festival pushed back because of impact from kona lows
Par Hawai‘i is Fueling Dreams, asking drivers to go extra mile for Special Olympics…
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Big Island News
April 5, 2026 · 1:00 PM
Don’t miss Merrie Mele Happy Hour live in The Rainbow Room at The Booch Bar in Hilo
Be sure to add theses special Hawaiian music performances to your Merrie Monarch Week itinerary, which fit perfectly into a week the celebrates all things Hawaiian.
April 5, 2026 · 11:00 AM
Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park preps for next lava fountaining episode at Kīlauea
With weather forecasts calling for a shift of winds coming from the south, visitors should be prepared for tephra, volcanic gas and potential temporary closures with upcoming Episode 44 of ongoing episodic eruption at Big Island volcano’s summit.
April 5, 2026 · 9:00 AM
Hilo Aloha celebrates culture, creativity, community during Merrie Monarch Week
New weeklong gathering at historic Hilo Palace Theater will feature workshops, live performances, mākeke and community event.
April 5, 2026 · 7:00 AM
Information you need to know about the 63rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival — and more
Hilo on the Big Island once again becomes the hula capital of the world this week with the return of the annual Merrie Monarch Festival; the 63rd installment of the weeklong celebration of everything hula and Hawaiian runs from Easter Sunday, April 5, through April 11 this year.
April 5, 2026 · 6:07 AM
Hawai‘i Island police seek Kona credit card theft suspect
Public asked to help identifying a man captured in surveillance footage who is suspected of using a credit card to make unauthorized purchases at several businesses, including two large Big Box stores, in Kailua-Kona.
April 5, 2026 · 5:00 AM
Hula kāne, once stigmatized, celebrates 50 years on prestigious Merrie Monarch stage
In 1976, kumu hula John R. Kahaʻi Topolinski was among the first kumu (teachers) to bring male dancers to compete at the Merrie Monarch stage, helping to end the stigma hula was unmanly.
April 5, 2026 · 3:00 AM
Change coming to how volcano alert level, aviation color code are applied during Kīlauea lava fountaining episodes
These updates will more clearly distinguish hazards during eruptive pauses and lava fountaining episodes.
April 5, 2026 · 1:00 AM
18 lane closures scheduled during week of April 4-10 on Big Island state roadways
Lane closure schedules can change at any time without notice. All projects are weather permitting.
April 4, 2026 · 4:00 PM
National Weather Service issues special weather statement in advance of Episode 44 lava fountaining at Kīlauea summit
Forecasters say if lava fountaining happens, varying levels of ash, Pele’s hair and other lightweight tephra could fall downwind of the summit. Smaller particles can travel farther from the summit and could affect communities at greater distances.
April 4, 2026 · 3:00 PM
63rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival official schedule and Miss Aloha Hula contestants, participating hālau hula
Annual Hoʻolauleʻa kicks off the weeklong celebration of everything Hawaiian at 9 a.m. Sunday, April 5, with competition in the ‘Super Bowl’ of hula beginning Thursday, April 9, with Miss Aloha Hula contest.
UPCOMING FEATURED EVENTS:
Sun, Apr 5, 2026 · 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Easter Egg Hunt at Lavaloha Chocolate Farm
Every Tuesday · 9:00 am – 2:30 pm
Farmers Market
Wed, Apr 8, 2026 · 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
KTA Puainako Craft Fair for Merrie Monarch
Local Entertainment
April 5, 2026 · 1:00 PM
Don’t miss Merrie Mele Happy Hour live in The Rainbow Room at The Booch Bar in Hilo
Be sure to add theses special Hawaiian music performances to your Merrie Monarch Week itinerary, which fit perfectly into a week the celebrates all things Hawaiian.
April 5, 2026 · 9:00 AM
Hilo Aloha celebrates culture, creativity, community during Merrie Monarch Week
New weeklong gathering at historic Hilo Palace Theater will feature workshops, live performances, mākeke and community event.
April 5, 2026 · 7:00 AM
Information you need to know about the 63rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival — and more
Hilo on the Big Island once again becomes the hula capital of the world this week with the return of the annual Merrie Monarch Festival; the 63rd installment of the weeklong celebration of everything hula and Hawaiian runs from Easter Sunday, April 5, through April 11 this year.
April 4, 2026 · 3:00 PM
63rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival official schedule and Miss Aloha Hula contestants, participating hālau hula
Annual Hoʻolauleʻa kicks off the weeklong celebration of everything Hawaiian at 9 a.m. Sunday, April 5, with competition in the ‘Super Bowl’ of hula beginning Thursday, April 9, with Miss Aloha Hula contest.
April 2, 2026 · 1:00 PM
RESCHEDULED: Ka Lani Kauikeaouli Festival pushed back because of impact from kona lows
The festival, now scheduled for May 9 in Keauhou marks 25 years of honoring Kamehameha III, a visionary leader and his enduring influence on education and Hawaiʻi.
Big Island Polls
Big Island Now poll results: County garage is answer to downtown Kona’s parking woes
June 1, 2025 · 3:00 AM HST
Big Island Now poll: What is solution to parking woes on Ali‘i Drive in Kailua-Kona?
May 18, 2025 · 3:00 AM HST
Reminder: Permanent restrictions remain on the transport of ʻŌhiʻa
April 19, 2025 · 1:55 AM HST
Hawai’i Volcano Blog
Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park preps for next lava fountaining episode at Kīlauea
April 5, 2026 · 11:00 AM HST
Ocean Blog
Sanctuary Ocean Count, Great Whale Count conclude for 2026 koholā season
March 29, 2026 · 3:00 AM HST
18-year-old Big Island sailor makes waves in high-level, competitive sailing
March 7, 2026 · 5:00 AM HST
Kahaluʻu Beach Park in Kailua-Kona to be closed several days at beginning of May
March 6, 2026 · 1:00 PM HST
Sign up today for The Kohala Center’s next stewardship experience at Kahalu‘u Bay and Beach Park
March 1, 2026 · 3:00 PM HST
Maui Now
Seasonal employees sought for PALS summer session from June 8-July 24, 2026
The County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation is accepting seasonal employment applications for its PALS Program summer session from June 8 to July 24, 2026.
Kamaʻāina artists sought for Hawaiʻi climate action residency program
This initiative seeks to engage artists to explore the realities of climate change and channel their art to inspire and connect Hawaiʻi residents to climate challenges around the state.
Invasive algae species recently detected along Kauaʻi’s south shore
While the invasive algae species, Avrainvillea erecta, has previously been documented elsewhere in Hawaiʻi, its confirmed presence along Kauaʻi’s south coast raises concern about its potential to spread and impact native marine ecosystems.
Maui oceanfront condo damaged by 2025 flood did not survive 2026 storm. Owners association blames county inaction
The Kīhei Kai Oceanfront Condos said it would not have suffered the catastrophic loss of a building if Maui County had addressed three issues regarding an undersized bridge, permits and flood development violations.
Maui Weather Forecast for April 05, 2026
Mostly dry and pleasant trade wind weather will continue into Monday, with brief passing showers favoring windward and mauka areas. A significant pattern…
Kaua‘i Now
Road, lane closures scheduled for portions of Puhi subdivision this week
Residents will still be able to access properties during the road closures scheduled for the small roads with cul-de-sacs in the Puhi subdivision from Monday to Friday this week.
Kūhiō Highway (Hardy-Oxford) Waterline Project work continues nightly through April
Work is scheduled for weeknights, weather permitting, with alternating one-lane closures in the northbound and southbound directions; residents, pedestrians and motorists are advised to follow the directions of flaggers and obey posted signs.
Ocean users, stewards invited to participate in upcoming Kiaʻi o ke Kai focus groups
ʻĀina Momona hopes to gather perspectives from those who work in, care for and steward ocean spaces to help guide how future ocean projects engage with Hawaiʻi’s communities, especially as climate change continues to affect coastal and island communities.
Celebration of all things ʻukulele returns April 19 to Kukui Grove Center in Līhuʻe
Kauaʻi ʻUkulele Festival will feature live entertainment including well-known and emerging artists along with an opportunity to meet and engage with the island’s local ʻukulele community; luthiers will also be onsite, and there are several workshops planned this year the day before the festival.
Schedule and Miss Aloha Hula contestants, participating hālau hula for 63rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival
Annual Hoʻolauleʻa on Sunday, April 5, kicks off the weeklong celebration of everything Hawaiian on the Big Island in Hilo, with competition in the ‘Super Bowl of hula’ beginning Thursday, April 9, with Miss Aloha Hula contest.
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