Hawaiʻi in Spring

With comfortable temperatures and blooming tropical scenery, Hawaiʻi shines in spring. March, April and May are great times for travelers to sightsee without the peak crowds. Festivals, parades and cultural events bring communities together, giving travelers a deeper connection to the islands’ traditions and spirit. The combination of pleasant weather and lively festivities makes it a perfect vacation season. 

Spring Festivals in Hawaiʻi 

Spring brings vibrant celebrations of culture, music and traditions across the islands. Find parades and events statewide on March 26 for Prince Kūhiō Day, honoring the beloved leader, and on May 1 for Lei Day, a statewide celebration of aloha. Can’t-miss spring celebrations on Oʻahu include the Honolulu Festival in March and Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaiʻi on Memorial Day. On the other islands, celebrate the legacy of King David Kalākaua during the Merrie Monarch Festival on Hawaiʻi Island, connect with the ʻāina (land) at the Waipā ʻĀina Festival on Kauaʻi, learn more about hula kahiko (traditional dance) during Molokaʻi Ka Hula Piko on Molokaʻi and island heritage during the Kupulau Festival on Lānaʻi. 

Spring Music Events in Hawaiʻi 

Spring in Hawaiʻi is the season of rhythm, where every island echoes with live music. Watch over 200 young musical ensembles perform during the Punchbowl Music Festival in Honolulu. On the island of Hawaiʻi in May, hear laidback tunes during the Kona Reggae Festival and hula melodies during the Hilo Hawaiian Music Festival. Enjoy free concerts and jam sessions when the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival takes over Maui every April. Head to Kauaʻi in April for chill vibes during the Kauaʻi ʻUkulele Festival and in May to hear from local musicians during the Kauaʻi Songwriters Music Festival.

Food Festivals and Culinary Events 

Come hungry when fresh island flavors and culinary traditions take center stage. Savor chef-driven dishes when some of Oʻahu’s most popular restaurants are showcased during the Grand Lanai Restaurant Week and celebrate everything spam-related during the Waikiki SPAM JAM®, both happening in April. Bring your sweet tooth to the island of Hawaiʻi for the Big Island Chocolate Festival and the Hilo Chocolate Festival. The island’s craft beer is honored during the Kona Brewers Festival in early spring and its local farmers are honored every May during the Hāmākua Harvest Festival. Visit Maui in April when the East Maui Taro Festival takes place and tasty dishes of the root vegetable are available to devour. 

Sporting Events in Hawaiʻi in Spring 

Spring invites warmer weather and competition in breathtaking landscapes. On Oʻahu, watch professional golfers during the Mid-Pacific Open or tee off with friends at top golf courses like Manele Golf Course on Lānaʻi, Kapalua Plantation Course on Maui, Mauna Kea Resort on the island of Hawaiʻi or the Turtle Bay Resort on Oʻahu. Distance runners can challenge themselves to the Big Island International Marathon in March or the Maui Marathon & Half Marathon in April. Run or walk 8 miles along one of the world’s most beautiful courses during the Hāʻena to Hanalei Run on Kauaʻi in June. Cheer on the University of Hawaiʻi’s baseball, softball and volleyball teams on campus. 

Educational & Cultural Tours 

No need to lose any knowledge during spring break, learn local history throughout the state. The Pearl Harbor National Memorial is open to visit year-round, but their Memorial Day celebrations can’t be missed. Other nationally recognized historic sites open for tours include the Molokaʻi Museum & Cultural Center on Molokaʻi, and Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site and Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park on the island of Hawaiʻi. Explore exhibits showcasing local history, arts and culture at the Kauaʻi Museum. Walk the halls of ʻIolani Palace in downtown Honolulu, the only royal palace in the United States. Sample tasty treats while learning the fruit’s role for the islands when touring the Dole Plantation on Oʻahu or a Pineapple Farm on Maui.

Frequently Asked Questions about Visiting Hawaiʻi in Spring 

Why should I visit Hawaiʻi in spring? 

Spring is an ideal time to visit Hawaiʻi. Enjoy lush landscapes and blooming tropical flowers, while fewer crowds and higher accommodation availability allow enjoyment of the state’s beaches, scenic trails and local attractions at a slower, more relaxed pace. 

What’s the weather like in Hawaiʻi in spring? 

Spring in Hawaiʻi brings warm, pleasant weather with rainfall easing following winter. Temperatures stay consistently mild without extreme heat and gentle trade winds help maintain a refreshing breeze. Ocean conditions are often calm, creating favorable conditions for water-based activities. 

What are the best spring festivals in Hawaiʻi? 

The best festivals in Hawaiʻi in spring include the Merrie Monarch Festival on the island of Hawaiʻi, Honolulu Festival on Oʻahu and the East Maui Taro Festival on Maui. Enjoy statewide celebrations during Prince Kūhiō Day and Lei Day. 

Which popular festivals happen in Hawaiʻi in March? 

Top festivals in Hawaiʻi in March include the Kona Brewers Festival on the island of Hawaiʻi and the Honolulu Festival on Oʻahu. Prince Kūhiō Day takes place annually on March 26 with celebrations statewide. 

Which popular festivals happen in Hawaiʻi in April? 

Top festivals in Hawaiʻi in April include the Merrie Monarch Festival and Big Island Chocolate Festival on the island of Hawaiʻi, Waikiki SPAM JAM® on Oʻahu and the Kapalua Celebration of the Arts and the East Maui Taro Festival on Maui. 

Which popular festivals happen in Hawaiʻi in May? 

Top festivals in Hawaiʻi in May include the Maui Brewers Festival on Maui and the Kaʻū Coffee Festival on the island of Hawaiʻi. Lei Day takes place annually on May 1 with celebrations statewide. Memorial Day is celebrated every year on the last Monday in May. Attend lantern floating memorial events throughout the islands. 

Are there fewer crowds in Hawaiʻi in spring? 

Yes, spring in Hawaiʻi typically sees fewer crowds compared to the winter holiday season and summer.