Celebrate Hawaiian culture, music, entertainment, food and crafts at this family-friendly festival.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The difference between owning a ferret in Hawaii and one in Pennsylvania can be up to three years in jail — and hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines.

Whether you want to explore a classy art festival or cheer at the ostrich, or even Chihuahua races, the East Valley has it! Let’s take advantage of our Arizona paradise and dance outdoors to live music, indulge during a cook-off, put on our boots for the rodeo and Old West Days, or run foot races.

HONOLULU — Walk along the shops in Waikiki and it isn't hard to come across vendors selling knickknacks of a fake Hawaii — no, the Aloha State doesn't have wild monkeys or parrots. Lei aren't plastic and don't cost 99 cents — they're supposed to be made of real flowers.

The parade of retro treats marches on. And this summer it seems the foodie hipster scene has declared shaved ice is the hot “new” old way to stay — and be — cool.

It’s as close as you can get to Hawaii without a six- or seven-hour plane ride.

Sharpen those hula dancing skills, grab the sunblock and grass skirts, and come out to Tempe Beach Park on March 10-11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the Arizona Aloha Festival. Admission is free.

You know what they say about Arizona’s weather: It’s paradise, except for the three months when we languish mercilessly in the triple digits. Options for getting out and about do dwindle in the summertime, but we more than make up for it the rest of the year — when we pick peaches, race ostriches, dance at outdoor concerts, browse arts festivals, run foot races and navigate corn mazes.

You know what they say about Arizona’s weather: It’s paradise, except for the three months when we languish mercilessly in the triple digits. Options for getting out and about do dwindle in the summertime, but we more than make up for it the rest of the year — when we pick peaches, race ostriches, dance at outdoor concerts, browse arts festivals, run foot races and navigate corn mazes.

Ray Tso is the owner of Aloha Kitchen, 2950 S. Alma School Road, Mesa. (480) 897-2451 or www.alohakitchen.com.

Life in the East Valley moves according to the seasons: hot and not. Options for getting out and about definitely dwindle in the summertime, but there are still plenty of events — from down-on-the-farm fruit festivals to giant community dog walks — to keep you entertained throughout the year. Call the phone numbers given or check city websites for updates to these events.

Life in the East Valley moves according to the seasons: hot and not. Options for getting out and about definitely dwindle in the summertime, but there are still plenty of events — from down-on-the-farm fruit festivals to giant community dog walks — to keep you entertained throughout the year. Call the phone numbers given or check city websites for updates to these events.

Life in the East Valley moves according to the seasons: hot and not. Options for getting out and about definitely dwindle in the summertime, but there are still plenty of events — from down-on-the-farm fruit festivals to giant community dog walks — to keep you entertained throughout the year. Call the phone numbers given or check city websites for updates to these events.

Patio season has arrived in the Valley, thanks to - finally! - a weekend weather forecast that doesn't call for rain. Here are our top picks for having a good time outdoors this weekend. Just don't forget the sunscreen.

Night life is making a comeback in downtown Mesa. The Underground, a new concert venue catering to fans of hard rock and heavy metal, opened this month in the basement of Main Street’s historic Nile Theater building.

For five days Mesa dentist Karl Baker helped work on more than 1,000 patients, handed out roughly 2,500 toothbrushes, and removed upward of 4,000 teeth.

HONOLULU — With a huge red lei around his neck and a wide grin that could have stretched across Oahu, Larry Fitzgerald held up the gleaming, silver MVP trophy. It sparkled in the sunshine as much as his game.