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 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 [...]
Molokai Holokai Ho'olaule'a (Festival)
The Molokai Holokai Ho'olaule'a (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
Hula Arts At Kilauea: Aloha Friday Program - Ukulele Master Wes Awana
Come play music with Hawaii's ukulele practitioner Wes Awana on the first Friday of every month. Volcano area musician Wes Awana invites visitors and Kama'aina alike to share his love of the 'ukulele and Hawaiian music. Wes will be giving family-friendly lessons on the iconic and inviting [...]
- Contact Name: Anisha Clay
- Contact Organization: Volcano Art Center
Sunday Farmers Market - Kalalea Anahola Farmer's Hui
A Hawaiian style market featuring local farmers and artisans with their fruits, vegetables, plants/flowers, crafts, jewelry, lei, plate lunches, etc. The market is sponsored by the Kalalea Anahola Farmer's Hui. The Kalalea/Anehola Farmer's Hui is a nonprofit farmer's organization created to [...]
- Contact Organization: Kalalea Anahola Farmer's Hui
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
"Ho‘oulu: The King Kalākaua Era" Art Exhibit
Ho‘oulu: The King Kalākaua Era considers art and experimentation in the Hawaiian Kingdom during the reign of King David Kalākaua (1874–1891). Cosmopolitanism—the idea that local polities share systemic parallels internationally as part of a world citizenry—was a thriving philosophy in the [...]
- Contact Name: Honolulu Museum of Art
- Contact Organization: Honolulu Museum of Art
Hula Arts At Kilauea: Aloha Friday Program - Kumu Hula Moses Kahookele Crabbe
Hula is Hawaii's most sacred and ancient cultural practice. Originally developed by Polynesians, the Hula portrays the words of the oli (chant) and mele (song/chant/poetry) in a visual dance form. Hula helps pass down the tradition of the Hawaiian culture and keeps the spirit of Hawaii alive. [...]
- Contact Name: Anisha Clay
- Contact Organization: Volcano Art Center
Maui Jim Maui Invitational
Basketball in Paradise! The Maui Jim Maui Invitational will be held Nov. 19-21 at the Lahaina Civic Center, with all 12 games televised on ESPN Networks. The 2018 field features Arizona, Auburn, Duke, Gonzaga, Illinois, Iowa State, San Diego State, Xavier. Combined, the teams own 196 NCAA [...]
- Contact Name: Cameron Marcus
- Contact Organization: KemperLesnik
Hula Arts At Kilauea: Aloha Friday Program - Lei Making with Kaipo AhChong
The lei is a Hawaiian flower garland that is worn for many different special occasions. The lei also represents and symbolizes a variety of celebrations from friendship, love, welcoming, departures and everything in between. Come join agriculture farmer Kaipo AhChong TEMPORARILY at Volcano [...]
- Contact Name: Anisha Clay
- Contact Organization: Volcano Art Center