Summer in the Hawaiian
Islands is warm, sunny, with longer days, and a popular time to visit,
especially for those with families.
Summertime also brings warm, calmer seas to many
south-facing shores, offering better swimming, snorkeling and diving
conditions. And many communities host festivals, cultural celebrations, canoe
races and outdoor concerts. Traditional Hawaiian practices such as hula,
lei-making and voyaging are often showcased at local events.
Here are some of the festivals and celebrations that are
happening throughout the summer in this tropical
paradise.
King Kamehameha Day Weekend: June 11-13 (O'ahu)
King Kamehameha Day is a highly celebrated state holiday
honoring King Kamehameha I, who unified the Hawaiian Islands in 1810. Though
it’s celebrated throughout the islands, on O'ahu the official events span three
days and includes a tribute ceremony at the Kamehameha I statue at Aliʻiōlani Hale
in downtown Honolulu, full lei draping ceremony followed by the 109th King
Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade on June 13.
Pan-Pacific Festival: June 12-14 (Waikiki, O'ahu)
The Pan-Pacific Festival brings Japanese and Pacific Island
cultural groups together for three days of performances featuring hula, taiko
drumming, and food. The Friday night Hoʻolauleʻa block party shuts down
Kalakaua Avenue — the main drag through Waikiki — from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. for a street festival with food
vendors, live music, and performances. Stage programming on Saturday takes
place at Ala Moana Center, International Market Place, and Waikiki Beach Walk.
Sunday closes with the Pan-Pacific Parade from Fort DeRussy down Kalakaua to
Kapiʻolani Park.
Kapalua Wine & Food Festival: June 25-28 (Maui)
This multi-day premium food and wine event at the Kapalua
Resort in West Maui is set against the backdrop of the majestic Kapalua Bay
features celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, vineyard tastings, ocean-view
dinners, and panel discussions with chefs and winemakers. Exceptional wines from around the world are
celebrated here in the spirit of aloha.
July 4th- (all islands)
Fireworks are the main draw of Independence Day. On O'ahu,
the biggest displays launch from Ala Moana Beach Park and over Waikiki (visible
from most of the shoreline between Diamond Head and Ala Moana). The
Ritz-Carlton Oʻahu, Turtle
Bay on the North Shore typically hosts its own Independence Day celebration.
The town of Kailua holds the largest Fourth of July parade in Hawaiʻi — a
community affair with floats and marching bands along Kailua Road. Concert in
the Sky at Vidinha Stadium in Līhuʻe
is Kauaʻi Hospice’s annual fundraiser — with live
music, a keiki fun zone, games, food, and shopping, followed by fireworks.
Ukulele Festival Hawaiʻi: July 12 (O'ahu)
Founded by ukulele teacher Roy Sakuma in 1971, the Ukulele
Festival in Waikiki brings 600+ ukulele players of all ages onto one stage. It
is simultaneously a massive group performance and an individual showcase, with
guest artists from around the world. The festival runs most of the day at the
Kapiʻolani Park Bandstand.
Prince Lot Hula Festival: July 17,18 (O'ahu)
One of the oldest and largest non-competitive hula festivals
in Hawaiʻi is named after
Prince Lot Kapuāiwa — who
became King Kamehameha V and was a patron of hula during a period when the art
form faced suppression. The festival, held in Moanaluna Gardens with its
massive monkeypod trees showcases hālau hula from
across the state performing both kahiko (ancient) and ʻauana (modern) styles.
Koloa Plantation Days: July 18-27 (Kauai)
Kaua'i’s 9-day festival celebrates the sugar plantation
heritage of Koloa town, Hawaiʻi’s first commercial sugar plantation established in 1835. The
festival includes a parade through Old Koloa Town, a rodeo, live music, a craft
fair, Hawaiian cultural demonstrations, and local food. The Saturday morning
parade is the signature event.
Hawai’i Bon Dance / Obon Season (all islands, throughout the
summer)
Japanese Buddhist temples across all four major islands hold
Bon Dance festivals from July through August. These are community events with
taiko drumming, Japanese folk dancing (anyone can join the circle), and food
booths serving andagi (Okinawan doughnuts), spam musubi, and shave ice. Each
temple holds its own festival on different weekends.
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