Check out rodeo Hawaiian-style at this weekend event featuring an amateur competition between cowboys, cowgirls, keiki and kupuna. Enjoy local entertainment, food and craft booths. Panaewa Equestrian Center (next to Panewa Zoo - off the Hilo Keaau Hwy) in Hilo, noon – 5 p.m. both days. Admission: Adults $6. Call (808) 937-1005 or e-mail: ncabral@daylum.com.
The Year of the Tiger roars into the historic downtown district in the form of the 8th Annual Hilo Chinese New Year Festival on Saturday February 13th. The Big Island Shaolin Arts Lion Dancer parade kicks things off at 8:30 a.m. beginning at the Mooheau Bus Station, proceeds along Kamehameha Avenue and up Waianuenue Avenue to Kalakaua Park blessing people and businesses along the way. Anyone who wishes to prosper in the New Year may offer bright red lai see envelopes with crisp dollar bills to the Lion Dancers, who will "devour" them and send wishes for prosperity directly to the heavens.
The free festival opens at 10 a.m. at Kalakaua Park with thousands of firecrackers and more exciting Big Island Shaolin Arts Lion Dance exhibitions in front of the East Hawaii Cultural Center.
The week-long festivities begin with a Ho'olaulea (music festival) at the Afook Chinen Civic Auditorium on April 4, 2010 and continues all week with free noon-day entertainment at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel and Naniloa Volcanoes Resort. On Wednesday, there is a free exhibition night at the Edith Kanaka'ole Tennis Stadium that begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday is the solo Miss Aloha Hula Competition, Friday and Saturday are the group Kahiko (Ancient) and 'Auana (Modern) hula competitions. The arts and crafts fair is held from Wednesday through Saturday at the Afook Chinen Civic Auditorium. The big Merrie Monarch Royal Parade winds through downtown Hilo at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. Except for the hula competition, the events are free.
