Events and Festivals
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Hawaii's Annual Events & Festivals
The Festive Islands of Aloha
Dive deep into Hawaii’s local community and you’ll discover a culture alive with paniolo (cowboys), Chinese dragons, ethnic festivals, culinary events and an exotic collection of celebrations. Throughout the year, you’ll also encounter parades, street parties, food and craft fairs, concerts and family activities that honor every aspect of Hawaii’s diverse culture.
Annual Events
Many of Hawaii’s most memorable celebrations occur annually. Some, like the Honolulu Marathon(December) and the Hawaii International Film Festival (October), draw visitors and participants from around the globe. Others, like Oahu’s Prince Lot Hula Competition (July) or the Eo E Emalani I Alakai Festival (October) on Kauai and the statewide King Kamehameha Celebration (June) are primarily local occasions. These events have a strong allure for visitors who want to get an authentic glimpse of Hawaii during their trip.
Food Festivals
Events that feature local foods and agricultural products attract both locals and visitors. The Hawaii Food and Wine Festival on the islands of Hawaii, Maui and Oahu (October) and the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival (June) on Maui are long-running culinary events, hosting world-class chefs, winemakers and master sommeliers for thousands of wine and food lovers. The Island of Hawaii’s Annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival (November) celebrates all things coffee and includes nearly 50 events over 10 days. Kauai Chocolate & Coffee Festival (October) highlights al things cacao and coffee industries of Kauai.Video: Festivals and Events in Hawaii
Events Around the Hawaiian Islands
XTERRA World Championship - Maui
The world's premier off-road triathlon, combining a 1.5-kilometer (1-mile) swim that starts at D.T. Fleming Beach in front of the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, a 32-kilometer (20-miles) mountain bike that climbs 3,500 feet up and down the lower slopes of the West Maui Mountains, and a 10.5-kilometer [...]
- Contact Name: Janet Clark
- Contact Organization: Xterra
Hawaii International Film Festival (38th Annual)
Established as the premier international film event in the Pacific, HIFF showcases features and documentaries from Asia, the Pacific Islands and Hawaii, and all films depict their region/culture in a culturally accurate way. HIFF is a statewide event and the only one of its kind in the U.S. It has [...]
- Contact Name: Ticket Box Office
- Contact Organization: Hawaii International Film Festival
Kona Coffee Cultural Festival
For nearly 200 years much has been celebrated, discussed and enjoyed over a cup of Kona’s world famous coffee. Kona coffee takes center stage at the 48th Annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival happening Friday November 9 through Sunday November 18, 2018. The award-winning Kona Coffee Cultural [...]
- Contact Name: Val Cocoran, President
- Contact Organization: Kona Coffee Cultural Festival
100% Pure Kona Coffee Half Marathon
Come and join us for the 3rd annual 100% Pure Kona Coffee Half Marathon. Run the scenic coastline of Kailua-Kona from Coconut Grove Marketplace on Alii Drive south to the (in)famous "Pit" and the "End of the World." Challenge yourself to some hills and then enjoy 100% Pure Kona Coffee at the [...]
- Contact Name: Keely McGhee
- Contact Organization: Big Island Race Events
XTERRA Trail Run World Championship
The crown jewel of the XTERRA Trail Run Series is the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship, and the majestic Kualoa Ranch in Hawaii has served as the host site since the creation of this prestigious event in 2008. A 21-kilometer half-marathon course is considered the world championship course, and [...]
- Contact Name: XTERRA
- Contact Organization: XTERRA
Honolulu Marathon (46th Annual)
26 miles, 385 yards or 42.195 kilometers - The Honolulu Marathon's scenic course includes spectacular ocean views alongside world-famous Waikiki Beach, and Diamond Head and Koko Head volcanic craters. The terrain is level except for short uphill grades around Diamond Head. At the starting [...]
Gannenmono: A Legacy of Eight Generations in Hawai‘i Exhibition
Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum presents a new exhibit to honor the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the first Japanese plantation workers to Hawai‘i – known as the gannenmono. Drawing from Bishop Museum’s rich plantation-era collections, Gannenmono: A Legacy of Eight Generations in Hawai‘i [...]
- Contact Name: Claudette Springer
- Contact Organization: Bishop Museum
Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar & Ukulele Concert - Honoring Raymond Kane
Award winning traditional Hawaiian slack key guitar & ukulele concert featuring songs & stories telling its history. Gift Drawing. Family Friendly. Tickets $25 ($20 Ages 13-19 & 50+; $10 Ages 6-12). Audience rating 18+ yrs is 99.3% "Excellent, Highlight of our trip!".
This concert will [...]
- Contact Name: Sandy
- Contact Organization: Aloha Plenty
Malama Wao Akua
Mālama Wao Akua A native species exhibition presented in collaboration with East Maui Watershed Partnership September 14 – November 9 Receiving Day: August 28, 9am-6pm Opening Reception: September 14, 5-8pm Hui No‘eau Visual Arts Center in collaboration with East Maui Watershed Partnership [...]
- Contact Name: Hui No'eau Visual Art Center
- Contact Organization: Hui No'eau Visual Art Center
A Walking Shadow
Windward Community College presents A Walking Shadow, written by Taurie Kinoshita, onstage at Palikū Theatre October 19 through October 27. The performance chronicles the tragic and true story of Myles Fukunaga, a mentally ill 19-year-old, who was executed on Oahu in 1929. This heartbreaking, [...]
- Contact Name: Taurie Kinoshita
- Contact Organization: WCC Theatre