January
Cherry Blossom
Festival
The
Cherry Blossom Festival takes place over three months, continuing into
March. The Festival features a
variety of Japanese cultural events, most of which occur on
O'ahu.
Chinese New Year
Celebration
Celebrate
the Chinese New Year at the Mun Fa Cultural Plaza, Beretania and Maunakea
Streets in Honolulu.
Lots of entertainment, lion dance, food booths, pageants and more. The Chinese Cultural Plaza on Beretania at River Street opens
to the public and is transformed into a festival bazaar.
Narcissus Festival
The
Narcissus Festival is part of the Chinese New Year celebrations, and is held on
O'ahu. It features food stalls,
arts and crafts, a beauty pageant and a coronation ball, and festivities last
for five weeks.
Ka Moloka'i Makahiki
Festival
Ka
Moloka'i Makahiki, on Moloka'i, is a week-long celebration featuring a fishing
contest, Hawaiian games and sporting events, Hawaiian music and hula
dancing.
February
Cherry Blossom
Festival
The
Cherry Blossom Festival takes place over three months, continuing into
March. The Festival features a
variety of Japanese cultural events, most of which occur on
O'ahu.
Narcissus Festival
The
Narcissus Festival is part of the Chinese New Year celebrations, and is held on
O'ahu. It features food stalls,
arts and crafts, a beauty pageant and a coronation ball, and festivities last
for five weeks.
Maui Whale Festival
It
takes a big celebration to honour these 40-ton marine mammals, which is why the
Maui Whale Festival takes place during the entire month of February, complete
with a Run for the Whales, a Parade of Whales, a free 'Whale Day'
festival-in-the-park, special talks and slideshows and
more.
March
Cherry
Blossom Festival
The
Cherry Blossom Festival takes place over three months, continuing into
March. The Festival features a
variety of Japanese cultural events, most of which occur on
O'ahu.
Narcissus
Festival
The
Narcissus Festival is part of the Chinese New Year celebrations, and is held on
O'ahu. It features food stalls,
arts and crafts, a beauty pageant and a coronation ball, and festivities last
for five weeks.
Honolulu
Festival
The
Honolulu Festival was established in 1994 and is Hawaii's premier cultural event, promoting understanding,
economic cooperation and ethnic harmony between the people of Hawaii and the Pacific
Rim region. The first
Honolulu Festival was held in 1995 and attracted more than 87,500 residents and
visitors.
Each
year, the Festival draws thousands of new and returning spectators who are
looking for an experience beyond Hawaii.
Through educational programmes and activities sponsored by the Honolulu
Festival Foundation, a non profit organisation, the Festival continues to
successfully share the rich and vibrant blend of Asia, Pacific and Hawaiian cultures with the rest of the
world.
The
Honolulu Festival is a wonderful addition to your Hawaiian vacation. The three-day extravaganza occurs every
year in March on a weekend from Friday through Sunday. Dance performances and traditional art
demonstrations are displayed by artisans from Japan, Australia, Tahiti,
Philippines, Republic of
China (Taiwan),
Korea, Hawaii and the rest of the United
States.
The Festival culminates with a spectacular parade down Kalakaua Avenue in
Waikiki, Hawaii.
Honolulu
Festival activities are held at various locations in the heart of the city,
making them easily accessible to residents and visitors alike. Moreover, admission to all Festival
events is free, ensuring that everyone can take part in the
festivities.
O'ahu
Kite Festival
The
O'ahu Kite Festival is a weekend event held early in the month at Kapiolani Park, O'ahu.
Prince
Kuhio Day
Prince
Kuhio Day on March 26th is a State Holiday honouring Hawaii's first delegate
to the U.S. Congress. The week-long
festival featuring canoe races, music and dance, and a royal ball, are held on
his native island
of Kaua'i.
April
Hawaii
Invitational International Music Festival
High
school, junior high, college band and pageantry units perform in competition for
two weeks in Waikiki. The Festival features free concerts in
the park and the annual 'Salute to Youth' parade on Kalakaua
Avenue.
Participants from Hawaii, the mainland and around the world take
part in the largest Spring Break festival on O'ahu.
Merrie
Monarch Festival
The
Merrie Monarch Festival is a week-long festival of cultural events including
Hawaii's most
prestigious hula competition at Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium. The Festival begins with a Ho'olaule'a
on Moku Ola (Coconut Island) on Easter Sunday. On Wednesday there is a free exhibition
night at the stadium that begins at 6:00 pm. Thursday is the solo Miss Aloha
Hula competition, Friday and Saturday are the group Kahiko (ancient) and Auana
(modern) hula competitions. A grand
parade winds through Hilo-town on Saturday morning.
May
Lei
Day
May
Day, or in Hawaii, Lei Day, is celebrated throughout the
state, with everybody wearing a floral necklace (lei) for the day. The first day of the month is a flower
spectacle as islanders wear flowers, take part in lei-making competitions, and
crown a lei queen.
In
Celebration of Canoes, Lahaina, Maui
The
celebration of Hawaii's rich heritage honours
the voyaging canoe which united all of Polynesia.
Cultural delegations from Pacific Island nations come together with Master
Carvers creating Polynesian canoes from wood logs throughout the event in
Lahaina. Hosts from Hawaii welcome each
nation in a traditional 'awa ceremony at the beach. Visitors can enjoy cultural arts
demonstrations and performances during the week; enjoy the Festival of Canoes
& Parade, including ancient warrior demonstrations, Polynesian crafts and
food; or watch a ceremonial launching of the carved canoes at sunset, with
entertainment. Admission is free to
most events.
Moloka'i
Ka Hula Piko
Moloka'i
Ka Hula Piko, held on Moloka'i in the middle of the month celebrates the birth
of hula. Hawaiian cultural
demonstrations and visits to sacred sites are supported by traditional dance
performances and plenty of Hawaiian food.
June
Kamehameha
Day Celebration
King
Kamehameha Day is the holiday established during the monarchy and observed
continually since its establishment by royal proclamation in 1871. The day is celebrated to honour King
Kamehameha I who stands as an exponent of Hawaiian self-determination. While the holiday is celebrated
throughout the islands, nowhere is it celebrated more than on the Big Island of
Hawaii where thousands of people gather in North Kohala each June 11 to honour
the chief who united the Hawaiian Islands in
1795.
Maui
Film Festival
The
Maui Film Festival at Wailea features film premieres at the under-the-stars
Dolby-Digital equipped Celestial Cinema™ and toes-in-the-sand ocean-side silent
film venue - The Sand Dance Theater, as well as the Castle Theater at the
Maui
Arts & Cultural Center and the Maui Digital Theater. Special food and wine events including
the Taste of Wailea plus Filmmakers Panels and Special Screenings complete the
event.
Pan
Pacific Festival
As
many as 4,000 musicians, dancers and artists from Japan will join scores of their peers in
Hawaii to
present a variety of entertaining events; most are free. Since its inception in 1980, the mission
of the Pan-Pacific Festival in Hawaii has been to promote inter-cultural
friendship and overcome language and geographic barriers through shared
interests. Today, the festival is
one of Hawaii's largest cultural
events.
Flavours
of Honolulu
Festival
Flavours
of Honolulu Festival is O'ahu largest and premiere food and family event. Typically held during the summer, this
event bridges some of O'ahu most flavourful restaurants, fantastic
entertainment, favoured beverages, fun foods and family games - truly a festival
for all to enjoy. The Flavours of
Honolulu event is a fundraiser for Abilities Unlimited dba Winners at Work,
Inc.
Pu'uhonua
O Honaunau Cultural Festival
The
Pu'uhonua O Honaunau Cultural Festival will be held in June at the Pu'uhonua O
Honaunau National Historical Park on the Big Island of Hawaii. Festivities include a royal court, hula
and traditional craft displays, and seine net fishing.
July
Korean
Festival
See
live Korean dance performances, taekwondo (Korean martial arts) demonstrations,
and cultural exhibits of Korean artefacts and memorabilia. Taste a savoury, mouth-watering sampling
of Korean cuisine, including favourites such as kalbi (BBQ shortribs), bibim
gooksoo (spicy mixed noodles), and kim chi fried rice. Listen to the sound of sogochum (Korean
drum dance) and live singers performing traditional and popular Korean
songs.
Hale'iwa
Arts Festival
The
Hale'iwa Arts Festival features over 130 Juried Visual Artists from O'ahu, the
neighbour islands, plus several mainland and international locations. The performance stage showcases two full
days of musicians, singers, dancers, and storytellers. Cultural History Trolley Tours, Student
Art Displays, Art Demonstrations and Children's Art Activities are all
additional favourites on this special weekend in historic Hale'iwa town on the
beautiful North Shore of O'ahu.
Kapalua
Wine & Food Festival
Kapalua
Wine & Food Festival, the longest-running and most prestigious festival of
its kind in Hawaii, celebrates 30 years of fine food and
wine with a four-day culinary extravaganza! Inspired by innovation and excellence,
the annual Kapalua Wine & Food Festival explores some of the most exciting
trends in the gastronomic world.
Festival host Fred Dame, Master Sommelier brings together world-renowned
winemakers, top master sommeliers, celebrated chefs and industry insiders in
themed tasting, seminars, and gala evening events. Cooking demonstrations, wine tasting
seminars and winemaker dinners are but a few of the highlights of this trend
setting event.
Makawao
Rodeo
The
largest rodeo of the year in Hawaii takes place each year on the 4th of
July. With more than 350 cowboys
from all over the world, the rodeo livens up Oskie Rice Rodeo Arena, a mile
above Makawao town, at Kaanaolo Ranch on Maui. This
Hawaiian style rodeo, with rough stock and roping events, features rodeo
clowns. Before and after the rodeo,
enjoy live entertainment and country western dancing.
Prince
Lot Hula Festival
The
Prince Lot Hula Festival is held annually on the third Saturday of July at the
Moanalua Gardens in Honolulu, O'ahu. The Festival is named after Prince Lot,
who reigned as King Kamehameha V from 1863 to 1872 in Hawaii. Noted for his energy, perseverance, and
strength of will, he promoted the resurgence and preservation of Hawaiian
culture in the face of Western criticism.
In keeping with Prince Lot's resolve to perpetuate his culture, MGF
started, and continues to produce the annual Prince Lot Hula Festival,
considered to be the largest and oldest non-competitive hula event in the
islands.
Ukulele
Festival Hawaii
Held
annually in July at the Kapiolani Park Bandstand in Waikiki, the Ukulele
Festival attracts thousands of residents and visitors to a free two-hour concert
that showcases many of the finest ukulele players in the world, along with
Hawaii's top entertainers, national celebrities, and an ukulele orchestra of
more than 800 children.
August
Statehood
Day
Statehood
Day is a state holiday celebrated on the third Friday of the month, observing
the anniversary of Hawaiian statehood.
Aloha
Festivals
Aloha
Festivals is Hawaii's premier cultural
showcase, a celebration of Hawaii's music, dance and history intended to
preserve the unique island traditions. They are not only Hawaii's largest festival, but also America's only
statewide multicultural celebration.
The Festivals run from August through October.
Made
in Hawaii
Festival
At
the Neal Blaisdell Center in Honolulu, the 'Made in Hawaii Festival' features a
dazzling array of hot, new finds and old favourites of made-in-Hawaii
merchandise from some 400 exhibitors representing O'ahu, Kaua'i, Maui, Moloka'i,
and the Big Island. Products
include apparel, arts & crafts, bath and body products, books, flowers,
gourmet food and wine, hats, home accessories, handcrafted jewelry, lau hala
(woven Pandanus leaves) wares, porcelain and pottery, stationery, tabletop
fountains, tropical plants and produce, woodwork, and works of
art.
Parker
Ranch Rodeo
This
exciting annual two-day event will take place late August at the Parker Ranch
Rodeo Arena in Waimea. The rodeo is
a fundraiser to provide scholarships for school-age children of Parker Ranch
employees. As all of Hawaii celebrates the
'Year of the Paniolo', this rodeo tradition at Parker Ranch is highly
anticipated with loads of family-style fun.
September
Aloha
Festivals
Aloha
Festivals is Hawaii's premier cultural
showcase, a celebration of Hawaii's music, dance and history intended to
preserve the unique island traditions.
They are not only Hawaii's largest
festival, but also America's only statewide
multicultural celebration. The
Festivals run from August through October.
Kaua'i
Mokihana Festival
Scheduled
for late September, this full week festival includes lots of exciting workshops,
contests, music, folk crafts and Hawaiian language as Kaua'i celebrates its
culture. The mission of the Kaua'i
Mokihana Festival is to provide an event that educates, promotes, preserves and
perpetuates the Hawaiian culture through its varied activities and for all
people.
Queen
Lili'uokalani Music Festival & Concert
The
annual Queen Lili'uokalani Music Festival & Concert takes place at the end
of September in Queen Lili'uokalani Park in Hilo.
This all-day festival has lots of music, arts, crafts food and a mass
hula of over 500 dancers to honour Her Majesty Queen
Lili'uokalani.