Hawaii Tourism Authority Announces Nearly $2 Billion Initative for Local Communities

The Hawai’i Tourism Authority supports the state’s cultural ambassadors through its Ho’okipa Malihini Initiative, investing $1.9 billion to enrich local communities through 21 signature events.

The Signature Events program is one of HTA’s destination stewardship programs, administered in partnership with Kilohana, a division of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement. HTA’s Signature Events includes projects selected for their ability to protect and enhance Hawai‘i’s globally competitive brand in a coordinated and market-appropriate manner.

“These world-class festivals shine a global spotlight on our athletes, artists and unparalleled beauty, while invigorating our economy,” said Caroline Anderson, interim president and CEO of HTA. “They highlight what makes Hawai‘i special — our rich culture, diverse communities and a shared sense of place — creating memorable experiences for both our residents and visitors.”

Signature events include:

Culture and the Arts

• Aloha Festivals- the longest-running event for over 79 years features the Royal Court Investiture and Opening Ceremony, Waikīkī Ho‘olaule‘a and Annual Floral Parade.  
• The 80th Anniversary of the End of WWII four-day celebration honors the last surviving veterans of the war, including seven who witnessed the 1945 Surrender Ceremony aboard the USS Missouri.
• The 63rd Annual Merrie Monarch Festival Broadcast showcases Hawai‘i’s premier hula celebration in Hilo April 2026.
• The 43rd Annual Pan-Pacific Festival- a three-day multicultural celebration with cultural performances, food and international exchange drawing participants from Japan, Asia and the Pacific.
• The Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest in Waikīkī honors Duke’s legacy with cultural ceremonies, traditional surfboard making and sports competitions.  
• The Hawai‘i Food and Wine Festival- the state’s premier culinary event, showcasing Hawai‘i’s chefs, farmers and food culture.
• The Hawai‘i International Film Festival- the Pacific’s premier cinematic event, showcasing global and Hawai‘i-made films, with a strong representation of Native Hawaiian talent.
• The 30th Honolulu Festival celebrates the heritage and diversity of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific Rim through music, dance, art and cultural exchange.  
• The 2026 King Kamehameha Celebrations mark the 154th annual holiday honoring King Kamehameha I through lei draping ceremonies, a floral parade and hō‘olaule‘a.  
• The Mele Hula Festival- a multiday cultural event celebrating the integrated traditions of mele and hula.  
• The Prince Lot Hula Festival- Hawai‘i’s largest noncompetitive hula showcase, celebrating 48 years of cultural preservation in a two-day event. 

Sports

• The Hawai‘i Bowl, established in 2002 to promote the University of Hawai‘i is one of two NCAA men’s football bowl games that guarantees a home team berth when eligible.  
• The 53rd Honolulu Marathon in December draws runners from Hawai‘i and from around the world to challenge themselves on the 26.2-mile course.
• The Hoops in Hawaii Classic- a premier collegiate basketball tournament blending high-level competition with cultural programming and community engagement, supporting local youth athletes.
• The IRONMAN World Championship- a premier global endurance event that attracts top athletes from around the world, held in Kailua-Kona for over 40 years.
• The 2025 Maui Marathon, Hawai‘i’s longest-running marathon, returns to West Maui on April 27, supporting the region’s recovery post-2023 wildfires.  
• The Moloka‘i 2 O‘ahu Paddleboard World Championships- a 32-mile race across the Ka‘iwi Channel, celebrating Hawai‘i’s paddling culture.
• The Moloka‘i Hoe- a 41-mile ocean canoe race across the Ka‘iwi Channel for men, celebrating Hawaiian culture, resilience and unity for over 70 years.  
• The Na Wahine O Ke Kai World Championship Canoe Race- a 41-mile Ka‘iwi Channel crossing celebrating the strength, leadership and heritage of women in Hawaiian canoe culture.   
• The Southwest Maui Invitational- the premier early-season college basketball tournament in the U.S.   
• The TransPacific Volleyball Championships- Hawai‘i’s largest indoor sports event, drawing over 360 teams and 25,000 attendees from across the Pacific.

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