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“‘It’s a revival’:  Merrie Monarch group contest begins with beloved hula kahiko night.”

Views expressed in this Hawaii Island, Maui, and Kauai news summary are those of the reporters and correspondents.  Accessed on 12 April 2026, 0229 UTC.

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In Case You
Missed It:

Tree trimming, maintenance scheduled throughout Lili‘uokalani Gardens in Hilo

Big Island Saturday severe weather updates: Flood advisory canceled shortly before set to…

17 lane closures scheduled during week of April 11-17 on Big Island state roadways

IRS issues tax relief for Hawaiʻi individuals, businesses affected by flooding, mudslides

Volcano Watch: Caldera clues; tephra deposits from Kīlauea’s past

Maui dancer captures title of Miss Aloha Hula at 63rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival

Top 10 things to do on Big Island for April 10-16: Truly Royal Parade, hula kahiko, Puna…

GALLERY: Hoʻike sets the tone of celebration, reverence for the Merrie Monarch Festival

‘Increasingly active weather pattern’ to persist through Friday as storm…

Hawaiʻi County Council considering leasing 6 residential properties to nonprofits

Merrie Monarch ‘Talk Story’ broadcast to honor late Kumu Hula Leināʻala…

Soggy situation: 12 Big Island locations already recorded 2 or more inches of rain…

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Big Island News 

April 11, 2026 · 3:00 PM

Kings’ Shop culinary event raises thousands for Waikōloa conservation initiative

A culinary fundraiser on Hawaiʻi Island raised about $18,000 to benefit the Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative.
April 11, 2026 · 1:09 PM

State urges residents to remain vigilant as flood watch continues

With statewide flood watch extended: “We urge everyone to stay informed and be prepared to act if needed,” said said state Adjutant General and Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency Director Maj. Gen. Stephen Logan.
April 11, 2026 · 1:00 PM

Election notification cards should arrive soon in mailboxes of Big Island voters

Verifying accurate and current voter registration information is necessary to ensure voters receive a ballot in the mail.
April 11, 2026 · 12:00 PM

From humble slices or cuts to global culinary sensation, don’t miss ‘The Story of Poke’

No matter which way you make it — with Hawaiian salt, shoyu, mayonnaise or whatever, even if it’s not with tuna — the classic raw fish dish is spreading Hawaiian culture and aloha around the world; learn more in a 30-minute documentary debuting Sunday, April 12, on Spectrum OC16 Channel 16.
April 11, 2026 · 10:16 AM

Rain or shine: Merrie Monarch Festival Royal Parade marches out soon

The cherished annual tradition that celebrates Hawaiian culture, the art of hula and rich heritage of Hilo Town starts at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 11. Get out and go!
April 11, 2026 · 10:00 AM

Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority accepting proposals for events, festivals, experiences

Nonprofit organizations and government agencies can apply for state tourism funding for events, festivals and experiences that are scheduled for July through December.
April 11, 2026 · 8:00 AM

Tree trimming, maintenance scheduled throughout Lili‘uokalani Gardens in Hilo

The work, which begins April 13, is part of a comprehensive tree maintenance project throughout the 24-acre park in Hawai‘i County.
April 11, 2026 · 5:16 AM

Big Island Saturday severe weather updates: Flood advisory canceled shortly before set to expire

National Weather Service forecasters in Honolulu canceled the advisory just 17 minutes early; radar shows heavy rain has diminished and flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat.
April 11, 2026 · 5:00 AM

‘It’s a revival’: Merrie Monarch group contest begins with beloved hula kahiko night

Edith Kanakaʻole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo was packed as 29 groups of kāne (men) and wāhine (women) from 19 hula hālau performed hula kahiko to share the moʻolelo of Hawaiʻi with all in attendance.
April 11, 2026 · 3:00 AM

Hālau Kalaʻakeakauikawēkiu sole Hawai‘i Island hula group takes to Merrie Monarch competition stage this year

On kahiko (ancient) night of the 63rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival’s hula competition, Friday, Hālau Kalaʻakeakauikawēkiu, the only group out of 19 competing from the Big Island this year, honored Pele with “Holo Mai Pele.”

Merrie Monarch 

‘It’s a revival’: Merrie Monarch group contest begins with beloved hula kahiko night
Hālau Kalaʻakeakauikawēkiu sole Hawai‘i Island hula group takes to Merrie Monarch competition stage this year
Maui dancer captures title of Miss Aloha Hula at 63rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival
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UPCOMING FEATURED EVENTS:
Sat, Apr 11, 2026 · 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Spring Festival

Every Monday · 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Weekly Hula

Every Tuesday · 9:00 am – 2:30 pm

Farmers Market

Local Entertainment 

April 11, 2026 · 3:00 PM

Kings’ Shop culinary event raises thousands for Waikōloa conservation initiative

A culinary fundraiser on Hawaiʻi Island raised about $18,000 to benefit the Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative.
April 11, 2026 · 12:00 PM

From humble slices or cuts to global culinary sensation, don’t miss ‘The Story of Poke’

No matter which way you make it — with Hawaiian salt, shoyu, mayonnaise or whatever, even if it’s not with tuna — the classic raw fish dish is spreading Hawaiian culture and aloha around the world; learn more in a 30-minute documentary debuting Sunday, April 12, on Spectrum OC16 Channel 16.
April 11, 2026 · 5:00 AM

‘It’s a revival’: Merrie Monarch group contest begins with beloved hula kahiko night

Edith Kanakaʻole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo was packed as 29 groups of kāne (men) and wāhine (women) from 19 hula hālau performed hula kahiko to share the moʻolelo of Hawaiʻi with all in attendance.
April 9, 2026 · 12:26 PM

Top 10 things to do on Big Island for April 10-16: Truly Royal Parade, hula kahiko, Puna Chocolate Spring Festival and much more

There are plenty of activities and events happening around the island during the next week, and not all of them are related to Merrie Monarch Week. Check out the top 10 things to do now!
April 9, 2026 · 5:05 AM

GALLERY: Hoʻike sets the tone of celebration, reverence for the Merrie Monarch Festival

Captivating performances from kāne celebrate 50 years of history at the Merrie Monarch Hoʻike.

Hawai‘i Business 

Kings’ Shop culinary event raises thousands for Waikōloa conservation initiative
Annual gala celebrates leaders in hospitality and travel, raises money for scholarships
Living celebration of Hawaiian art, culture and community: Official Merrie Monarch arts, crafts fair about much more than simple commerce
Business Monday: Official Merrie Monarch apparel designed and made by local company

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 

Volcano Watch: Caldera clues; tephra deposits from Kīlauea’s past
April 10, 2026 · 6:59 AM HST
UPDATE: Episode 44 of lava fountaining at Kīlauea ended Thursday night; Highway 11 reopens
April 9, 2026 · 8:03 PM HST
Did you feel it? Magnitude-3.9 quake shakes Big Island
April 5, 2026 · 2:42 PM HST

Ocean Blog 

Soggy situation: 12 Big Island locations already recorded 2 or more inches of rain, including 2 with more than 11 inches
April 8, 2026 · 9:09 AM HST
Sound Bytes: Synchronous swimming (with robots); behind the Hawaiʻi Glider Challenge
April 6, 2026 · 3:00 PM HST
Upcoming Kiaʻi o ke Kai focus groups seek ocean users, stewards to participate, talk story
April 6, 2026 · 1:00 AM HST
Sanctuary Ocean Count, Great Whale Count conclude for 2026 koholā season
March 29, 2026 · 3:00 AM HST

Maui Now 

Second CRB detection on Molokaʻi

A second dead coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) was found in a detection trap on Wednesday afternoon, April 8, 2026, approximately 2 miles west of Molokaʻi Airport, by staff from the Molokaʻi/Maui Invasive Species Committee (MoMISC). This is the second CRB detection on Molokaʻi. This follows the first Molokaʻi detection of a dead CRB on April 7.

State urges vigilance as Flood Watch is extended to Monday night

The state of Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency urges all Hawaiʻi residents to remain vigilant after the National Weather Service extended the Flood Watch for the entire state through 6 p.m. Monday.

County of Maui Planning Department highlights emergency activities temporarily allowed in SMA

County of Maui Department of Planning is informing property owners and residents within the Special Management Area (SMA) throughout Maui County of limited activities that are permissible due to the state’s emergency proclamation tied to the current and recent storms.

Maui severe weather update: Disturbance renews threat of flooding through Monday

A disturbance approaching from the northwest is expected to renew deep tropical moisture across all Hawaiian Islands beginning late tonight. Given saturated soils and elevated stream levels following recent heavy rainfall, flooding may redevelop quickly. A Flood Watch has been extended to 5 p.m. on Monday.

Maui hālau share ancient hula on kahiko night of 2026 Merrie Monarch

Kahiko night at the Merrie Monarch Festival featured hula in the ancient style with 29 groups performing Friday night in the annual competition in Hilo, Hawaiʻi. The festival continues tonight with ʻauana or modern hula, followed by results from the 63rd event.

Kaua‘i Now 

‘The Story of Poke’: Learn how this uniquely Hawaiian dish became a global culinary sensation

No matter which way you make it — with Hawaiian salt, shoyu, mayonnaise or whatever, even if it’s not with tuna — the classic raw fish dish is spreading Hawaiian culture and aloha around the world; learn more in a 30-minute documentary debuting Sunday, April 12, on Spectrum OC16 Channel 16.

UPDATE: Wastewater spill at Waimea treatment plant reaches about 140,000 gallons

Warning signs will remain posted until Hawai‘i Department of Health provides clearance that the waters are back to safe levels; Kaua’i County Department of Public Works Wastewater Management Division continues working on immediate repair projects.

Flood watch in effect through beginning of week; state urges continued vigilance

With statewide flood watch extended: “We urge everyone to stay informed and be prepared to act if needed,” said said state Adjutant General and Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency Director Maj. Gen. Stephen Logan.

17th annual Art at the Capitol next week in Honolulu

The free, family-friendly event is open to the public and celebrates local art, performances and culture; this year’s theme is “Urban Canvases; Culture in Motion.”

Saturday Kaua‘i severe weather updates: Flood watch extended for all islands

The spill happened between just before 8 a.m. and just prior to 4:30 p.m. Friday, April 10, at Waimea Wastewater Treatment Plant; it is thought to have reached Kīkīaola Harbor, where signs are posted warning about the dangers of potential exposure to the wastewater spill.

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kh6jrm@gmail.com

I am the retired news director of Pacific Radio Group stations on the Island of Hawaii. I am a retired Lt. Col., USAF Reserve. I am a FCC-licensed Amateur Radio Operator, holding the Amateur Extra Class License. I am a substitute teacher for the state of Hawaii Department of Education.

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