As we head into April, I have to point out a few important events for our local readers! My 365 Hawaii Island Community Fund is spearheading an event on April 12th to bring the Mayor together with the public to discuss solutions for the parking issue in Kailua Village. He will also be discussing Kailua Kona updates and community input on April 15th. If you are a visitor, the Big Island Chocolate Festival is near and dear as I helped create this event in 2011 and it still carries on with fulfilling everyone’s chocolate cravings. The festival gala is April 12th, but you can learn all about cacao during the three days of events. And if you love shopping local, the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo has a vendors and events during the Festival even if you cannot get the hula competition tickets. The whole town comes alive and it’s a unique and cultural experience! Happy Spring!
April 5
Women’s Wellness in Midlife – A Day Retreat Hosted by Wild Women Hawai’i
The exact address of the retreat will be provided to guests upon registration. We will meet under shaded marquee canopies in Akolea Estates on the Kaumana side of Hilo
11:00am to 4:00pm
Join us for a day of rejuvenation, wellness, and connection in a peaceful outdoor setting. This retreat is designed for women to come together, unwind, and experience a variety of offerings from skilled women in the community. Take this opportunity to focus on self-care and personal growth while surrounded by a community of like-minded women.
**note that the exact address of the retreat will be provided to guests upon registration. We will meet under shaded marquee canopies in Akolea Estates on the Kaumana side of Hilo.**
This event is designed for women ages 30 to 65; however, we will not turn away women outside the midlife age range. Please do not bring children, pets, or guests.
CrFor more information please click HERE
April 5
10 YEARS of Kukuau
43 D Kukuau Street, Hilo
6;00pm to 9:00pm
We’re celebrating by inviting the community to the stage for a good ol’fashioned open mic from 6-9pm with our host, the amazing @Ruby Flambé! There’s only 15 slots available including special guests, so here’s how to sign up. Leave your stage name or band name in an e-mail to kukuaustudio@gmail.com, leave “Open Mic” in the heading. OPEN MIC: sign-ups start today Free for all ages Mahalo for your generous donations. For more information please click HERE
April 10-12
Big Island Chocolate Festival
Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort-69-275 Waikoloa Beach Drive, Waikoloa Village
Three days of chocolate education, tasting and fun! The actual night time festival is April 12th. We had so much fun dancing at the Festival last year! I hope you will see us and say Aloha and enjoy some amazing chocolate sweet and savory tidbits!
This year the theme is “Cirque de Chocolate-A Whimsical World of Chocolate Wonders” at the 12th Big Island Chocolate Festival April 10-12 at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa.
It’s where wonders come alive as attendees are invited to don masks and party finery amid roaming circus-themed performers at the “greatest show on earth.”
The annual festival offers chocolate-themed culinary demonstrations for the home cook, cacao growing and processing seminars by industry experts, a farm tour and a festive evening gala with walkabout savory and sweet culinary booths, chocolate fountain, entertainment, DJ dancing and a silent auction. At the 5:30-9 p.m. Saturday gala, guests can enjoy unlimited wine, beer, special edition Ola Brew chocolate seltzer and beer, iced tea and coffee. The gala also offers VIP seating with two specially curated drinks paired with pupus.
At the gala, a panel of invited judges and attendees will again critique chef and confectionary offerings while culinary stations will vie in a contest for Best Booth decorated to this year’s circus theme. A photo booth will stage fun, playful props for selfies.
Also on tap is a college culinary competition where the next generation of Hawai‘i culinarians showcase their sweet and savory skills utilizing chocolate and the cocoa bean.
In its 12th year, the celebration of chocolate is presented by the non-profit Kona Cacao Association (KCA). Support provided by Hawai‘i Tourism Authority through the Community Enrichment Program.
A general admission gala ticket is $109 with VIP for $179. Also available are specially priced event room packages at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort. Educational activities and prices will be announced on the website. All event tickets are sold online and additional tax and ticketing fees apply. For more information please click HERE
April 12
365 Hawai‘i Island Community Fund presents Mālama Kailua Village
Hale Halawai -75-5670 Alii Drive Kailua-Kona
10:00am to 4:00pm
Join us on Saturday, April 12th from 10 am to 4 pm for this FREE community event! Mayor Kimo Alameda and Council Member Rebecca Villegas will provide updates on Kailua-Kona, as well as parking in Kailua Village. Speakers will begin at 11:30AM with live music from local musicians before and after. Share your input on parking solutions that contribute to a vibrant Kailua-Kona and preserve shoreline access contribute to a vibrant Kailua-Kona and preserve shoreline access! 20 local vendors along with a Keiki entertainment area is part of the fun! For more information please click HERE
April 12
Brother Noland and the Island Incredibles
The Palace Theater-38 Haili Street, Hilo
7:00pm to 9:00pm
A Musical Supergroup. A Powerhouse Band.
Legendary musicians and rising stars join forces to bring fresh new music to the islands of Hawai’i and beyond the reef. Crossing multiple genres and generations, Brother Noland & the Island Incredibles will take you on a multi-dimensional musical journey with a global scope. This Hawaiʻi-based supergroup builds upon the strengths of each of its members melding musical mastery, “alter-native” rhythms, funky grooves, and dynamic vocals.
As part of the Hawai’i Inter-island Tour, Brother Noland and the Island Incredibles will introduce three new singles – “Ride the Water”, “Walkabout”, and “Las Vegas”. For more information please click HERE
April 12
NKCRC Charity Golf Tournament (8th Annual)
Hapuna Golf Course at Mauna Kea Resort-62-100 Kauna’oa Drive, Kamuela
7:30am to 3:30pm
Check-in for the four-person scramble tournament begins at 7:30am, shotgun start at 8:30am. Cost is $180 per person and includes range balls, shared cart, green fees, numerous on-course and lucky number prizes and hot buffet lunch provided by Mauna Kea Resort. Online registration opens early 2025. Want to do more to help this extraordinary non-profit? Sponsor levels are available from just $100 to $8,000. North Kohala Community Resource Center, a 501(c)3 nonprofit for the past 23 years, has helped Kohala thrive through donors and sponsors who recognize the vital services, support, and programs NKCRC provides. For more information please click HERE
April 13
Kokua Kailua Village Stroll
75-5751 Kuakini Highway #202, Kailua-Kona
1:00pm to 6:00pm
Kokua Kailua, the popular monthly village stroll on Alii Drive, happens one Sunday each month from 1 pm to 6 pm. Kona’s Historic Kailua Village closes to vehicular traffic and becomes a festive, pedestrian-only outdoor marketplace that makes for a fun family-friendly day. Leashed dogs are welcome to stroll too.
Kokua Kailua stretches from Kailua Pier through Historic Kailua Village to Hualalai Road. Highlights include over 100 vendor booths showcasing the work of local artisans and crafters, musicians, and merchants offering a fantastic shopping experience and delicious dining options. For more information please click HERE
April 15
Mayorʻs Community Meeting: North Kona
Makaʻeo Pavilion-75-5500 Kuakini Highway, Kailua-Kona
5:30pm -7:00pm
Mayor Kimo Alameda invites the public to a series of community meetings that will provide opportunities for residents across Hawaiʻi Island to speak with senior County leaders and hear updates on projects in their neighborhoods.
The 1.5-hour sessions will include an introduction that will address local updates (15 minutes), a Q&A session (45 minutes), and a meet-and-greet with staff members. For more information please click HERE
April 18
Henry Kapono’s Artist 2 Artist Concert with Brother Noland
6:30pm to 8:30pm
As part of Henry Kapono’s 2025 Artist 2 Artist “The Legend” Series, in partnership with the Henry Kapono Foundation, the Kona Salt Farm is excited to host four sunset concerts on our beautiful oceanfront grounds. Come to listen to Henry Kapono, Brother Noland and “On The Rise” Artist Ninamarie Bell. For more information please click HERE
April 19
National Park Free Day
National park in Hawaii County, Volcano
No entry fees to our national parks! The National Park Service protects our nation’s greatest treasures and tells our shared stories.
Love national parks? There’s a holiday for that! Join us for National Park Week, a nine-day celebration of everything “parks”. Not just about more than 400 national parks nationwide of different shapes, sizes, and types. Also discover what the National Park Service does through our programs and partners to preserve natural and cultural heritage and provide recreational opportunities in places across the country—and even the world!
Regulations and Exceptions
- All passes are non-transferable.
- Passes may be used for entry as defined on the back of the pass.
- Large vehicles, defined as more than 26 feet in length and/or more than eight feet wide, are ONLY allowed to operate on Crater Rim Drive to Kīlauea Visitor Center, Kūkamāhuākea (Steam Vents), Uēkahuna, and on Mauna Loa Road to the Kīpukapuaulu turnabout.
- Non-commercial groups entering the park in a bus or vehicle with a capacity of 16 persons or more will be charged $15.00 for each person on board. For more information contact the park at (808) 985-6000.
- Anyone who is 15 or younger is exempt from paying an entrance fee.
For more information please click HERE
April 20
Easter Egg Hunt 2025 – Hilo
Lavaloha-1820 Amauulu Road, Hilo
Check-in opens at 10:15am and the Egg Hunts will start promptly at 11:00am
Join us for some Easter Family Fun on our chocolate farm with an Easter Egg Hunt and yard games! We will also have prizes, snacks, and the Easter Bunny, so be sure to reserve your spot early!
We will have 3 age groups:
*2 years old & under
*3-6 years old
*7-12 years old/any special circumstances
Every keiki will receive some of our chocolates along with other treats/toys designed for each age group. Make sure to bring your own basket for your eggs! Be sure to reserve your spot earlier online as we only have so many spots available! For more information please click HERE.
April 20
Easter Brunch and Egg Hunt – Mauna Lani
Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection-68-1400 Mauna Lani Drive
Hunts: 9:30 AM ages 0-4 | 10:00AM ages 5-12
Brunch is served between 11:00am and 2:00pm
This exceptional dining experience features a curated menu of seasonal favorites and island-inspired delicacies, showcasing the freshest local ingredients. Indulge in an array of sweet and savory options, including artisan pastries, fresh seafood, vibrant salads, and decadent desserts. Set amidst breathtaking views of the ocean and lush tropical gardens, the brunch offers the perfect setting to gather with loved ones. Holoholo Easter Egg. For more information please click HERE
April 20-26
Merrie Monarch Festival 2025 (62nd Annual)
Edith Kanakaole Multipurpose Stadium-350 Kalanikoa St, Hilo
12:00am to 11:50pm
The Merrie Monarch Festival is dedicated to the memory of King David Laamea Kalakaua, known as the “Merrie Monarch” for his flamboyant and fun-loving ways. Kalakaua was elected king of the Hawaiian Nation in 1874, and reigned until his passing in 1891. He was a patron of the arts, especially music and dance.
Every year the Merrie Monarch Festival continues what the king started, by hosting a week-long festival of music, crafts, art, demonstrations and a hula competition. During festival week, the grandeur, pride, and spirit of the Silver Jubilee is alive in Hilo, Hawaii.
Celebrating its 62nd year in 2025, the Merrie Monarch Festival will again present the best hālau hula (hula schools) from Hawaiʻi – and a few from the continental U.S. and internationally – honoring Hawai’i monarch King Kalākaua and his contributions to the revitalization of hula. Held at the Edith Kanaka’ole Multipurpose Stadium in Hilo, the weeklong festival is highlighted by the prestigious, three-night Merrie Monarch hula competition, which is also broadcast live on Hawai’i television and live-streamed globally at MerrieMonarch.com. The festival is set for April 20-26, 2025.
For more information please click HERE
April 23-26
Merrie Monarch Arts & Crafts Fair
Afook Chinen Civic Auditorium, and Butler Building-323 Manono, Hilo
Wednesday-Friday from 9:00am-5:00pm
Saturday from 9:00am-4:00pm
The official arts and crafts fair of the Merrie Monarch Festival, supporting Hawai’i’s artisans and creators, will take place Free Admission. For more information please click HERE
April 24-26
Annual Hawai’i Arts, Crafs & Food Festival
Nani Mau Gardens-421 Makalika St, Hilo
9:00am to 5:00pm
The Hawaii Arts, Crafts & Food Festival, held during Merrie Monarch Week will take place from 9am-5pm each day. This event celebrates the artistic and cultural heritage of Hawaii’s diverse people, its environment, and its food.There will be live performances and music throughout the event. Admission is free. For more information, call (808) 443-4592 or please click HERE
April 29
Mayorʻs Community Meeting: South Kona
Yano Hall-82-6156 Māmalahoa Highway, Kona
5:30pm -7:00pm
Mayor Kimo Alameda invites the public to a series of community meetings that will provide opportunities for residents across Hawaiʻi Island to speak with senior County leaders and hear updates on projects in their neighborhoods.
The 1.5-hour sessions will include an introduction that will address local updates (15 minutes), a Q&A session (45 minutes), and a meet-and-greet with staff members. For more information please click HERE
Island Wide Farmers Markets please click HERE
Do you know of more Hawaii Island events coming up?
If you know of others that you would like to share or upcoming events, email me at Julie@Ziemelis.com. Please share this calendar to support our awesome business owners and events planners! The event calendar for Hawaii Island is sponsored by the 365Hawaii Group of REAL Broker. Team members are Julie and Eric Ziemelis, Realtors and founders of 365Hawaii YouTube channel, the 365Kona Newbies Group, Hilo Newbies Group and Kohala Newbies Group. Our focus is making Big Island a better place to live by creating community and opportunities for Aloha. Thinking of buying real estate or just learning more about purchasing a home? Join our 365Ohana! or email Julie at Julie@Ziemelis.com
