HAWAI I S WORLD CLASS EVENTS CALENDAR February June 2017 Please note that events are subject to change without notice. For the most complete and updated Hawai i calendar, please visit GoHawaii.com/Events. FEBRUARY 2017 February 11-12, 2017 Fed Cup (Maui) The Royal Lahaina Resort in Maui will host this best- of- five match series. The series will begin on Saturday, Feb. 11, with two singles matches, and is followed by two reverse singles matches and the doubles match on Sunday, Feb. 12. This year will be the second consecutive year that Hawai i will host Fed Cup and the first time that a state has hosted consecutive Fed Cup home ties. FedCup.com February 18-20, 2017 Pana ewa Stampede Rodeo (island of Hawai i) This amateur rodeo features competitions between cowboys/cowgirls, children, and kūpuna (elders) and showcases Hawai i s paniolo (cowboy) culture. This large and diverse rodeo features team roping, barrel racing, bronco riding, and bull riding. Held at the Pana ewa Equestrian Center for the 25 th year in a row, food, craft booths, and interactive demonstrations round out the weekend. HawaiiRodeoStampede.com February 18-25, 2017 Waimea Town Celebration (Kaua i) As one of Kaua i s oldest settlements, community members gather together every year to honor the town s storied history with 8 days full of activities and entertainment. From keiki (children) to kūpuna (elders), visitors are welcome to join the 40 th anniversary celebration with island entertainment, food, crafts, games, contests, and sporting events, including the Kilohana Long Distance Canoe Race along the Waimea shoreline. WaimeaTownCelebration.com February 20, 2017 Kaiser Permanente Great Aloha Run (O ahu) The Great Aloha Run is one of Hawai i s largest events and benefits more than 150 non- profit organizations in Hawai i. This 8.15- mile run/walk starts in downtown Honolulu and ends at Aloha Stadium. GreatAlohaRun.com
MARCH 2016 March 4, 2017 Great Waikoloa Ukulele Festival (island of Hawai i) Hawai i s top ukulele performers come forth for a special evening of entertainment in tribute to the popular instrument. Guests can enjoy a lineup of ukulele masters, take lessons, and enter ukulele giveaways. UkuleleFestivalHawaii.org March 8- May 8, 2017 Honolulu Biennial (O ahu) Presented by the Honolulu Biennial Foundation, the Honolulu Biennial is a new, multi- site, contemporary visual arts festival that will take place throughout the city. This inaugural event will showcase the diversity of ideas, art, and culture of more than 30 artists from Hawai i, the Pacific Islands, Asia, North America, Australia, and New Zealand. The event will last two months and will highlight Honolulu as a fresh destination for international and national arts and cultural visitors, fostering a cultural awakening and repositioning of Honolulu as central to the Pacific- wide growth of arts, technology, and commerce. HonoluluBiennial.org March 10-12, 2017 Honolulu Festival (O ahu) Celebrating its 23 rd anniversary, The Honolulu Festival is Hawai i s premier cultural event. This three- day festival shares a rich and vibrant blend of Asian and Pacific Island cultures with the rest of the world through educational programs, activities, craft fairs, demonstrations, and a grand parade through Waikīkī. HonoluluFestival.com March 18, 2017 Prince Kūhiō Day Celebration (Kaua i) The 7 th Annual Anahola Prince Kūhiō Day Celebration honors the life of Prince Kūhiō and his legacy in preserving the growth of healthy Hawaiian community. Visitors are invited to participate in a day of fun filled activities, featuring live entertainment, educational exhibits, food and craft booths. PrinceKuhioDayCelebration.com March 19, 2017 Big Island International Marathon (island of Hawai i) Choose from a 26.2- mile marathon, 13.1- mile half marathon, or 3.1- mile run in one of the most spectacular environments for a running event. The scenic marathon course follows the the coast of old Hawai i and takes participants through Hilo and along the island s east coast, past waterfalls, and bridges. HiloMarathon.org APRIL 2016 April 1, 2017 Maui County Agricultural Festival (Maui) Hosted by Maui County Farm Bureau, the annual festival shares, celebrates, and educates residents and visitors about Maui s local agriculture. Held at Maui Tropical Plantation in Waikapū, the Agricultural Fest includes Grand Taste Education, cooking demonstrations, livestock exhibits, entertainment, and Maui- centric food booths. MauiCountyFarmBureau.org
April 2, 2017 Lavaman Waikoloa Triathlon (island of Hawai i) The 20 th annual Lavaman Triathlon is an extravaganza of sports and fitness held at the Waikoloa Beach Resort. This event, comprised of a 10K run, 40K bike ride, and 1.5K swim, is open to individuals and relay teams of all ages and abilities. The triathlon is followed by an awards party and beach barbeque at Anaeho omalu Bay. LavamanTriathalon.com/Waikoloa April 14-16, 2017 Celebration of the Arts (Maui) Held at The Ritz- Carlton Kapalua, the award- winning Celebration of the Arts is one of Hawai i s premier hands- on arts and cultural festivals. Kama āina (local residents) and visitors are invited to experience the Hawaiian heart and soul through interaction with artisans, cultural practitioners, speakers, and entertainers. KapaluaCelebrationOfTheArts.com April 16-22, 2017 Merrie Monarch Festival (island of Hawai i) Considered by many as the world s premier hula competition, the Merrie Monarch Festival is a weeklong cultural festival that concludes with its prestigious three- day hula competition. Featuring female soloists and hula hālau (hula schools) from around the world, the typically sold- out event showcases dancers competing in both kahiko (ancient) and auana (modern) forms of hula. MerrieMonarchFestival.org April 30, 2017 Hale iwa Metric Century Ride (O ahu) This annual event hosted by the Hawai i Bicycling League includes hundreds of bicycle enthusiasts and newcomers. The course takes riders through Hale iwa Town, then along the shores over Waimea Valley, Sunset Beach, Kahuku, and Ka a awa. All skill levels and ages are welcome. HBL.org April 29, 2017 Waikiki Spam Jam (O ahu) This annual street festival celebrates Hawai i s love affair with Spam. Great for all ages, the event takes place in the heart of Waikīkī and features local restaurants offering creative Spam dishes, entertainment stages, and Hawai i crafters. This special event benefits the Hawai i Foodbank, the largest non- profit in Hawai i that feeds that needy. SpamJamHawaii.com April 29, 2017 East Maui Taro Festival (Maui) This annual event in Hāna includes ono (delicious) food showcasing different uses of taro. Celebrating what is considered the main staple of the native Hawaiian diet, visitors can experience taro pounding demonstrations, hula performances, live music, and other cultural activities. TaroFestival.org April 2017 June 2017 Mele Mei (Statewide) This annual celebration honors music, language and culture of Hawai i. Mele Mei encompasses a series of concert performances, award ceremonies, demonstrations and workshops. Mele Mei 2017 will feature some of Hawai i s best, including Nā Hōkū Hanohano award- winning artists and Lifetime Achievement Award honorees. MeleMei.com
MAY 2017 May 1, 2017 Lei Day Celebration (O ahu) As the most emblematic symbol of Hawai i, lei and Lei Day have been celebrated in the Hawaiian Islands since 1927. The event is held at Kapi olani Park in Waikīkī and honors lei and the traditions surrounding it. Festivities include pageants and competitions for lei queen, and the making of colorful and fragrant flower lei. HonoluluParks.com May 6-7, 2017 Hawai i Book & Music Festival (O ahu) Held at Honolulu Hale, this event commemorates books, reading, and music in Hawai i, and features a variety of local, national and international authors, musicians, and storytellers. HawaiiBookAndMusicFestival.com May 2017 39 th Annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk (Statewide) The Hawai i Lodging & Tourism Association organizes one of the largest fundraising events by a non- profit group in Hawai i. Participants enjoy food, drink, and entertainment from Hawai i s visitor industry along walking routes on O ahu, Maui, the island of Hawai i, Kaua i, Lāna i and Moloka i. CharityWalkHawaii.org May 14, 2017 Honolulu Triathlon (O ahu) This Olympic distance triathlon based at Ala Moana Beach Park features a 1.5K swim along the shore for spectator viewing, a 40K bike course along O ahu s south shore, and a 10K double loop run. The run course finishes at Magic Island. HonoluluTriathlon.com May 19-28, 2017 Ka ū Coffee Festival (island of Hawai i) The Ka ū region on the island of Hawai i has quickly become one of the up- and- coming premier coffee providers in the world and continues to celebrate its success year after year with a festival featuring its products. The festivities include the Miss Ka ū Coffee pageant, a ho olaule a (celebration) featuring competitions for the best coffee, coffee recipes, farm tours, coffee demos, and, of course, lots of food and entertainment. KauCoffeeFestival.com May 29, 2017 Lantern Floating Hawai i (O ahu) A time- honored Buddhist rite, candle- lit lanterns are individually set afloat on the ocean. Each year, thousands of people locally and from around the world gather at this visually stunning and emotionally moving event at Ala Moana Beach Park to honor, pray, and wish for peace and happiness. LanternFloatingHawaii.com May 28, 2017 Banana Poka Roundup (Kaua i) The Kōke e Museum presents an educational fair highlighting the creative functions of the invasive South American pest, the Banana Poka vine. Bring the whole family to enjoy the activities, including basket weaving, live music, educational presentations, face painting, hiking, and nature art
for the kids. Kokee.org JUNE 2016 June 3, 2017 Ironman 70.3 Hawai i Triathlon (island of Hawai i) This triathlon is a qualifying event for the Ironman World Championship held in October. The Olympic distance race is comprised of a 1.2- mile swim at Hāpuna Beach Park, 56- mile bike ride on the legendary Queen Ka ahumanu Highway, and 13.1- mile run through Mauna Lani Resort s beautiful grounds. Ironman.com June 8-11, 2017 Kapalua Wine & Food Festival (Maui) One of the most prestigious festivals of its kind in Hawai i, celebrating the art of fine food and wine with a four- day culinary extravaganza. Inspired by innovation and excellence, the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival explores some of the most exciting trends in the gastronomic world. The festival brings together world- renowned winemakers, top master sommeliers, celebrated chefs, and industry insiders in fun, themed tastings, seminars, and evening gala events. KapaluaWineAndFoodFestival.com June 9-11, 2017 Pan- Pacific Festival (O ahu) Matsuri (Japanese word for festival) in Hawai i began in 1980 as a cultural exchange between Japan and Hawai i. Visiting participants from Japan were able to enjoy the familiarity of Japanese music, crafts, traditions and foods, while Hawai i residents and other visitors would gain a deeper appreciation of Japanese sensibilities and cultural heritage. The festival features events throughout Waikīkī showcasing Japan s pageantry with a ho olaule a (celebration) block party, art fair, hula performances, and culminating with a grand parade down Kalākaua Avenue. Pan- Pacific- Festival.com June 11, 2017 North Kohala Kamehameha Day Celebration (island of Hawai i) Every June 11, thousands gather on the northern tip of the island of Hawai i to honor Kamehameha I, the chief who united the Hawaiian Islands in 1795. Festivities include flower decorations of the original King Kamehameha statue, a floral parade, and a music festival with award- winning Hawaiian musicians at Kamehameha Park. KamehamehaDayCelebration.org June 21-25, 2017 Maui Film Festival at Wailea (Maui) Equal parts film and lifestyle, this star- studded event pairs Hawaiian culture and film in the luxurious resort area of Wailea. Fabulous film premieres, gala parties, celebrity appearances, and Hawaiian music and dance highlight five days of cinema Maui style. MauiFilmFestival.com June 25, 2017 Kona Marathon & Family Fun Runs (island of Hawai i) In addition to the usual marathon distance, the Kona Family Fun Runs offer half- marathon, 10K, and 5K courses for runners of all ages and abilities. The day before the marathon (June 24),
don t miss The Health & Fitness Fair, a family friendly event, with over 45 booths, entertainment, speakers series, and food. KonaMarathon.com June- September, 2017 Hawai i Marlin Tournament Series (island of Hawai i) Hawai i is well known for its big- game fishing excitement as anglers from across the globe flock to the Islands in anticipation of snagging a prized marlin, yellow fin tuna, and other deep sea dwellers. The Hawai i Marlin Tournament Series captures the thrill with several events including: Kewalo Harbor Big Fish Chase June 10-11 Kona Kick Off June 24-25 Firecracker Open July 1-2 The Kona Throw Down July 4-6 Skins Marlin Derby July 7-9 The Hawai i Lure Makers Challenge July 14-16 Big Island Marlin Tournament August 23-27 It s a Wrap Tournament September 20-24 For more information, visit KonaTournaments.com. - pau- Special Note to Media: Hawai i Tourism United States (HTUSA), managed by the Hawai i Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB), recognizes the use of the okina [ ] or glottal stop, one of the eight consonants of the (modern) Hawaiian language; and the kahakō [ā] or macron (e.g., in place names of Hawai i such as Lāna i). However, HTUSA respects the individual use of these markings for names of organizations and businesses.