By Petra Wiesenbauer
March presented us with the 43rd episode of Halemaumau Crater with tephra, Pele’s Hair, and road closures. Most impactful for many of us were the two Kona Low weather systems with high winds and heavy rains, causing fallen trees, flooding, power outages, and no phone or internet service. For many who are on catchment water systems, this also means no running water. HELCO crews, tree services, first responders, and non-profit and community efforts were involved to restore power and services, ensuring residents’ safety and well-being, and to get food, ice, water, and other basic necessities to people in need. We are all very thankful for these concerted efforts. That it all happened during Spring Break did not allow for the rest many had hoped for, yet at the same time, it created less chaos due to schools being closed and time to restore school campuses.
April will bring us Easter with celebrations and family activities. April 3 – Good Friday – all schools will be closed. The big annual event for East Hawaii is the Merrie Monarch Hula Competition, which always starts on Easter Sunday through the following Saturday (April 5 – April 11).
Malama Pono – may you all be well!
Marzo’s Country Sports Bar and Grill
Long awaited and newly opened in March, the bar & restaurant is located in the Puna Kai Shopping Center across from Malama Market. It is open 7 days a week between 11am – 12 am. They are introducing live country, Hawaiian, and Island infused music with ono country style local food. It is the only bar in Hawaii with the innovative Bottom Up Tap System serving a great range of tasty brews. There is live music almost every day, and a happy hour from 4-6 pm. Friday mornings at 9 am, Marzo’s offers Line Dancing classes for beginners with a $5 donation, and line dancing on Mondays from 7-9 pm. Follow them on FB and IG for their live-music schedule.
SPACE – Acro & Tumbling Performance Class, starting April 2
This 8-week performance class is for kids who want to perform in the acro/tumbling act in our Spring show. There will be a primary focus on act creation and presentation. This class runs every Thursday from 3:30 pm – 4:45 pm. Group acrobatic acts require consistent attendance, as this is a collaborative endeavor where we all rely on one another to execute big group poses. Thanks to grants and community support, we offer sliding-scale pricing for HICCUP Circus classes. Families are invited to contribute what they can so every child has access.
Easter Hop – Neighborhood Place of Puna, April 3
The Neighborhood Place of Puna invites families with their children to their annual Easter fun on April 3 from 9:00 – 11:00 am at their Resource Center at 16-105 Opukahala St. in Keaau. There will be free Easter baskets for the keiki. Space will be limited, and it is required to pre-register by Friday, March 27, 4 pm. You can use the QR code on the flier.
Merrie Monarch Hula Competition April 5 – 11
Even though Merrie Monarch is not a Puna event, it is included in this monthly event overview, as many residents attend the activities and performances. Some of our community members are performing in the competition, are vendors, host visitors, or are family members of performers who support the halau. The festivities transform Hilo into a place filled with beauty, the scent of flowers, aloha wear at its finest, hula everywhere, and all around! The craft fairs are like no others, and you can buy things that you will not be able to get anywhere else! There are smaller performances and gatherings in many different venues all around town. Merrie Monarch starts with the Ho’olaulea on Sunday, April 5, and ends with the Merrie Monarch Parade on Saturday, April 11. A detailed insert in the Hawaii Tribune Herald gives all the event schedules, interviews with Kumu, history of Halau, etc. You find it usually in the Sunday issue at the beginning of Merrie Monarch week. Enjoy and let your heart soar!
Volcano Art Center in the Park – Aloha Fridays
Aloha Friday cultural demonstrations are held each week (April 10, 17, 24) from 11 am – 1 pm on the porch of Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Activities include lei making, botanical printing, ukulele instruction, and lauhala weaving. Topics occur on a rotating schedule. All supplies are provided. These free cultural events are supported in part by Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. Although these cultural events are free, donations are appreciated, and park entrance fees do apply. Call 808-967-7565 or email [email protected] for more detailed information. https://volcanoartcenter.org/events/aloha-friday-cultural-activities-2/2026-04-03/
Spring Faire – Malamalama Waldorf School, April 18
The Mālamalama Waldorf School invites the community to the annual Spring Faire on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 11 am – 3 pm at their campus on the corner of Makuʻu & 26th Ave in Hawaiian Paradise Park for a joyful community celebration of spring. It is a magical family day featuring: Fairy Gardens, Plant Sale & Plant Workshop, FREE Keiki Crafts, FREE Games Tent, Bake Sale & Delicious Food, Local Artisanal Vendors, and a Silent Auction. The event is a beloved annual tradition filled with creativity, connection, and seasonal celebration. For more information: [email protected]
Nene & Lei Painting Class with Puakea, April 18th
Join artist Puakea Soares Mercado at Volcano Art Center Niaulani Campus on Saturday, April 18th, from 10 am – 12 pm, for a relaxing and creative painting experience inspired by the iconic Nene of our Volcano landscapes. In this class, you will learn simple step-by-step techniques, including shading, color mixing, and easy brushstroke methods that help create depth and detail. No previous painting experience is needed.
The class fee is $45/$40 for VAC members, plus a $20 material fee, which includes supplies for two completed paintings. Bring your favorite beverage to enjoy while you paint. Space is limited, and early registration is recommended. To register call (808) 967-8222 or REGISTER ONLINE.
The Crafty Racoon Art House
The Crafty Racoon Art House is located right by Pahoa Kaleo’s, across from The Veli, and offers a great variety of classes, including pottery classes, acrylic painting, watercolor techniques, gel block printing, mending, etc. There is also space to do your own projects using the Raccoon’s resources with guidance available from studio artists. Melissa Hargis and her staff are super friendly and welcoming. For all their weekly classes, you can make reservations through their website or in person (www.craftyraccoon.com). The shop features a coffee bar with reasonable prices and is open Mon-Fri 11 am – 6 pm, Sat 10 am – 6 pm, Sun 11 am – 5 pm. Follow their FB page for their regular updates.
Pahoa Night Market – Live Music, Food & Vendors
The Friday Night Market in Pahoa at the old Luquin’s/Akebono location has been a great success and continues to bring live music, great food trucks, market vendors, and a restricted area, where alcoholic beverages are served. It is open from 3 pm – 8 pm every Friday and Saturday. Follow the FB page for the Pahoa Lava Zone Museum for their event schedule.
Big Island Meadery in Keaau
Big Island Meadery – our first meadery on the Big Island, making mead (honey wine) from their own honey. Big Island Meadery has a special fundraiser event on April 11 for the Volcano Cat Sanctuary – Paint N Purr from 5 – 7 pm. On April 17, there will be an art painting class with Ioana at $45 per person. More details for events are on the flier, and tickets can be booked online. Other events include their weekly food specials. They are open Tuesdays-Saturdays from 10 am – 6 pm. For April, they have the following schedule for food vendors, adding their special touch.
School Related Events/Programs & Time lines –
Summer Programs & Scholarships:
Arts & Science Center – Free Summer Program
ASC offers a free summer program from June 1-11, Mon-Thu, 9 am – 2:30 pm. Reserve your spot for ASC’s 2026 Summer program designed for students of Puna entering grades 5-12 who can commit to the full 8 days of enriching activities – more details to be announced! Thanks to the decades of groundwork cultivated by community organizers like Gail Clarke, The Arts & Sciences Center team has secured federal funding once again to cover enrollment fees for participants. Limited space available, reserve yours via hiasc.org/summer
Hawaii Rise Foundation – Scholarship in Honor of Leslie Kealoha West
Leslie Keahiloa West and other scholarships are offered through the Hawaii Rise Foundation. Applicants must be Hawai’i Island residents, with preference for Hilo/East side, enrolling in an undergraduate program or trade school, senior at a Hawai’i Island HS, or current college student, with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Applications must be submitted by April 1st, 2026. Scholarship details are available on the Hawai’i Rise website at https://linktr.ee/hawaiirise
Big Island Press Club – Scholarship Program
This scholarship provides up to $1,500 for Hawai’i Island Students pursuing journalism or related media careers. Applicants must be enrolled as full-time students with a record of academic achievement. Application deadline is April 30. For all the details please, use the QR-code on the flier.
Farmer’s Markets
Maku’u Farmer’s Market: Sundays 7:30 am – 2:00 pm, https://tendingourroots.org/story/makuu-farmers-market/
Kaimu Farmer’s Market: Saturdays 8:00 am – Noon, Kaimu Beach Park
Volcano Farmers Market: Thursdays 3 – 6 pm & Sundays 6 am – 10 am, Cooper Center, 19-4030 Wright Road, Volcano Village
Petra Wiesenbauer
Petra grew up in Bavaria, Germany, and came to Oahu in 1997. She has lived in the Puna area for the last 27 years. Petra has worked in banking, non-profit social services, as an innkeeper, and business consultant & grant writer. She now has a private practice in Pahoa, where she sees clients as a Marriage & Family Therapist in person and via telehealth. She is the admin for the Pahoa Community Resources Facebook page, promoting information and resources that may be of interest to the residents of our Puna area.
Petra believes in strengthening communities, positive and constructive communication, collaboratively coming together as a community, developing resources to resolve issues, and promoting a spirit of respect, dignity, equality, and forward movement.
She loves the outdoors, spends much time in her garden, walking along the Puna cliffs, and hiking in the National Park. She is interested in the arts and culture, reading, and writing. She likes to travel and hang out with friends and family. She enjoys life, music, and community events and is an integral part of the Pahoa community.