Posted at 10:47 a.m., Thursday, March 29, 2007
Merrie Monarch events kick off April 8 on Big Island
Advertiser Staff
A variety of events linked to next month's Merrie Monarch Hula Festival kick off April 8 on the Big Island.'Imiloa Astronomy Center joins the Merrie Monarch festivities with free programs that include daily programs, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Apr. 8 - Apr. 14 with talks on hula genealogy, hula instruments and adornments. There will also be a daily presentation of "Symbolism of Hawaiian Plants in Hula Kahiko," by the Center's native landscape curator, at 1 p.m. For more information on the Web, go to www.imiloahawaii.org
The festival features a week of festivities, exhibitions and competitions featuring the most best known halau from Hawai'i and the mainland U.S. All events are free except the competition, which always sells out, but can be seen on local KITV, and live online at www.theHawaiichannel.com.
Hawai'i County government is offering a free Hilo shuttle, too. The shuttle will operate from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 11 - 14 and makes a continuous loop to key Merrie Monarch program destinations. The Aloha Hilo Courtesy Shuttle is run courtesy of the county's Department of Research & Development.
