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
Hawaii Welcomes You
Events Around the Hawaiian Islands
Molokai Holokai Hoolaulea (Festival)
The Molokai Holokai Hoolaulea (Festival) seeks to function as an opportunity for professional SUP/Paddle racers to experience a race which is fun and challenging, whilst also being a community event that invites (amateur) locals to participate. It aims to encourage racers to interact with our [...]
- Contact Name: Clare Mawae/Kaela Pereira
- Contact Organization: Youth in Motion
Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament
The Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament (HIBT), founded in 1959, is the second oldest big game sport fishing event in the world. HIBT is a five-day tournament built on prestige, trophies and strict International Game Fish Association rules for big game fish world records and does not [...]
- Contact Name: Tournament Admin
- Contact Organization: HIBT
Queen Liliuokalani Long Distance Canoe Races
The Queen Liliuokalani Long Distance Canoe Races have been held annually since 1971. Hosted by Kai Opua Canoe Club over the Labor Day holiday, this is the world's largest long distance canoe race. The women's and men's 18-mile races follow a historically and culturally significant course running [...]
- Contact Name: Doug VeraCruz
- Contact Organization: Kai Opua Canoe Club
Maui Marathon & Half Marathon
The Maui Marathon is the longest consecutively held running event in the state of Hawaii and is the oldest marathon west of the Mississippi River. It has been chosen as one of the top 10 Most Scenic Marathons in the nation by Runner's World magazine (Feb. 96), and the #10 destination marathon in [...]
- Contact Name: Jon Emerson
- Contact Organization: Maui Marathon
Honolulu Marathon (47th Annual) including the Kalakaua Merrie Mile & Start to Park 10K
26.2 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 [...]
Celebrate Black History Month - Hawaii Diverse Africana History Exhibit
People of African descent began arriving in Hawaii from around 1750. This exhibit explores the significant contributions these people, and future generations, made to the islands. Also on display will be poems written by Hawaii’s students, about peace, inspired by and in honor of Dr. Martin [...]
- Contact Name: MOCA Hotline
- Contact Organization: MOCA
The Farmers' Market at Hamakua Harvest
The Sunday Farmers' Market at Hamakua Harvest, located at the intersection of Mamane St. and Hwy 19 in Historic Honokaa Town, offers only locally produced goods, ono food, live music and a free educational event weekly. It's beautiful location and celebratory character provides a vibrant social [...]
- Contact Name: Elizabeth Mallion
- Contact Organization: Hamakua Harvest
Wailoa Art Exhibit of Hawaiian Quilt, Oil Painting and Koa Wood
February's exhibit in Wailoa Center's Main Gallery is a remarkable display of elements depicting visual qualities of Hawaii's landscape and culturally significant disciplines of craftsmanship. Hawaiian quilts will be on display by members of the group Kapa Apana o Hilo, along with landscape oil [...]
- Contact Name: Wailoa Center
- Contact Organization: Wailoa Center
Second Saturday Make and Take at the Hawaii State Art Museum
Free make-and-take activities for all ages! Drop in at any time during activity hours, allowing at least 30 minutes to finish a project. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Museum galleries are also open on the second floor, including the hands-on "I Love Art" activity gallery (go [...]
- Contact Name: Mamiko Carroll
- Contact Organization: State Foundation on Culture and the Arts
Great Whale Count
GREAT WHALE COUNT JANUARY 26, FEBRUARY 23, & MARCH 30, 2019
MAUI SHORELINE LOCATIONS
Every year for the past 30 years, Great Whale Count brings volunteers together to count whales from shore as part [...]
- Contact Organization: Pacific Whale Foundation