Hawai‘i Signature Events Event Name Niche Location Website Phone Month Cost/Fees Event Description
The Sony Open in
Hawai‘iSports O‘ahu - Wai‘alae www.sonyopeninhawaii.com (808)-792-9300 January Cost varies
The Sony Open is a professional golf tournament on the
PGA Tour, which is part of the tour's FedEx Cup Series. It
is the second overall event and the first full-field event
on the PGA Tour schedule.
The Mitsubishi
Electric
Championship
SportsHawai‘i Island -
Hualālai
www.hualalairesort.com/index.cfm/fusea
ction/ig.page/CategoryID/264(808) 325-8480 January Cost varies
This event is a golf tournament on the Champions Tour.
The field consists of the senior major champions of the
last five years and other tournament winners of the last
two years.
Hawaiian Islands
InvitationalSports
O‘ahu -
Aloha Stadiumwww.hawaiianislandsinvitational.com (808) 523-3688 February Cost varies
The Hawaiian Islands Invitational is an international
professional men's soccer event held at Aloha Stadium
in Honolulu, Hawai’i. The annual event features four
games over a two-day period and hosts squads from
around the globe. The Hawaiian Islands Invitational is
carried on ESPN3.com and on a number of ESPN
International networks.
Prince Kūhiō
Celebration
Hawaiian
Culture
O‘ahu -
Downtown Honolulu &
Waikīkī
www.hawaiimaoli.org (808) 394-0050 March Free
During the month of March, the Association of Hawaiian
Civic Clubs honors its founder Prince Jonah Kūhiō
Kalaniana‘ole, who is also referred to as the "Citizen
Prince." The month-long celebration includes parades,
lū‘au (Hawaiian feasts), holokū (formal Hawaiian dress)
balls, chorale concerts, commemorative ceremonies,
and Hawaiian music performances.
Hyundai Tournament
of ChampionsSports Maui - Kapalua
www.kapalua.com/golf/hyundai-
tournament-champions(808) 665-9160 March Cost varies
The Hyundai Tournament is the opening event of golf's
PGA Tour season. The field is restricted to golfers who
won a tournament on the tour during the previous
season.
Honolulu FestivalMulti-
Cultural
Maui, O‘ahu -
Hawai‘i Convention Center,
Ala Moana Shopping Center,
Waikīkī, Washington Place,
Honolulu Hale
www.honolulufestival.com (808) 926-2424 March
Most events are
free and open to
the public
This festival promotes cultural harmony and
understanding, and celebrates the diversity of cultures
by welcoming visitors and residents to present,
participate in, and enjoy traditional Japanese, Hawaiian,
and other cultural Pacific Rim performances on Maui
and O‘ahu. In addition to cultural performances,
exhibits, and demonstrations, the festival features a
Grand Parade through Waikīkī.
Hawai‘i Signature Events Event Name Niche Location Website Phone Dates Cost/Fees Event Description
Merrie Monarch
Festival
Hawaiian
Culture
Hawai‘i Island -
Edith Kanaka‘ole Tennis
Stadium
www.merriemonarch.com (808) 935-9168 March Cost varies
This hula competition honors the legacy of King David
Kalākaua who played a significant role in the
perpetuation of hula as a Native Hawaiian practice. The
week-long event features hula shows, a craft fair, an art
show, and a grand parade through the town of Hilo. The
festivities culminate in a three-night hula competition.
Mele MeiHawaiian
Culture
O‘ahu -
Honolulu & Waikīkīmelemei.com (808) 388-0559 May Cost Varies
Mele Mei is a celebration of Hawaiian music (and
Hawai‘i's music). Established in May 2011, Mele Mei
showcases Hawaiian music and hula events throughout
the entire month of May. The events are held
throughout Waikīkī and take place at various hotels,
venues, and beachparks.
King Kamehameha
Celebration
Hawaiian
Culture
Statewide -
Hawai‘i Island, Maui,
O‘ahu, Kaua‘i
hawaii.gov/dags/kamehameha (808) 586-0333 June Free
June 11th of each year is designated a public holiday to
honor the memory of Kamehameha the Great, who
united all of the Hawaiian Islands. Events include the
Kamehameha Day parade, arts and crafts displays, and
lei draping ceremonies on statues of Kamehameha in
three locations across the Islands.
Pan-Pacific FestivalMulti-
Cultural
O‘ahu -
Waikīkī (Kalākaua Avenue,
Royal Hawaiian Center, Kūhiō
Beach Hula Mound, Pacific
Beach Hotel); Ala Moana
Center
www.pan-pacific-festival.com(808) 926-8177
ext. 280June
Most events are
free and open to
the public
This festival is an annual international cultural
celebration featuring an eclectic assortment of cultural
arts, crafts, and stage performers from Hawai‘i and
around the world. The event aims to cultivate
intercultural friendships, goodwill, and understanding.
Visitors and residents participate in events that
include a ho‘olaule‘a (celebration), stage events, an
arts and crafts fair, a hula festival, and a parade
through Waikīkī.
Maui Film Festival Film
Maui -
Wailea Resort (Wailea);
Maui Arts & Cultural
Center (Kahului)
www.mauifilmfestival.com (808) 579-9244 June Cost varies
A celebration of film, culinary arts, and Hawaiian
culture, this festival has drawn national acclaim for its
film premiere and screenings, as well as special events
including an opening night Moon Dance, Taste of
Chocolate, Taste of Wailea, festival tributes, and under-
the-stars film screenings.
Prince Lot Hula
Festival
Hawaiian
Culture
O‘ahu -
Moanalua Gardenswww.moanaluagardensfoundation.org (808) 497-4084 July Free
This festival is held in honor of Prince Lot Kapuāiwa
(Kamehameha V) who reigned as King of Hawai‘i in the
late 1800s. The festival is a non-competitive hula event
that takes place on an authentic hula mound at
Moanalua Gardens and includes cultural
demonstrations and educational activities.
Hawai‘i Signature Events Event Name Niche Location Website Phone Dates Cost/Fees Event Description
Kōloa Plantation DaysMulti-
Cultural
Kaua‘i -
Kōloa Town &
Po‘ipū Beach
www.koloaplantationdays.com (808) 652-3217 July Cost varies
This nine-day festival in July welcomes visitors and
residents to a celebration that commemorates
plantation life on the island of Kaua‘i, and includes over
25 family-friendly events. Featured are cultural
performances, plantation era talks and exhibits, film
nights, craft fairs, local food events, outdoor activities
exploring the area, sporting events, keiki (children) and
family activities, the Plantation Days Rodeo, evening
ho‘olaule‘a (celebration), and a historic parade and park
celebration. Founded in 1835, Kōloa Plantation was
Hawai‘i’s first sugar cane plantation where laborers
from Asia and Europe lived together and shared the
traditions of their homelands.
Aloha FestivalsHawaiian
Culture
Statewide -
Hawai‘i Island, Maui,
Lāna‘i, Moloka‘i , O‘ahu,
Kaua‘i
www.alohafestivals.com (808) 923-1094 September Free
Aloha Festivals is a Hawaiian cultural event that
showcases Hawai‘i's music, dance, history, and
traditions in the fall of each year. This event, held on the
islands of Hawai‘i, Maui, Lāna‘i, Moloka‘i, O‘ahu, and
Kaua‘i, includes events such as the Royal Court
Investiture, a ho‘olaule‘a (celebration), the Aloha
Festivals signature parade, and opening ceremonies.
Hawai‘i Food & Wine
Festival Cuisine O‘ahu - Honolulu www.hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com (808) 738-6245 September Cost varies
The Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival celebrates Hawai‘i's
regional cuisine and premier island chefs during
Hawai‘i's fall shoulder period. It features a roster of
internationally-renowned master chefs, culinary
personalities, and wine and spirit producers. Visitors
and residents are able to participate in events during
this festival, which showcases dishes using Hawai‘i's
local produce, seafood, beef, and poultry.
Ironman World
ChampionshipSports
Hawai‘i Island -
Konaironmanworldchampionship.com (808) 329-0063 October Cost varies
The Ironman World Championship is a long distance
triathlon (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run)
that takes place in Kona on Hawai‘i Island, and extends
to Hāwī and back. It is the annual culmination of a series
of Ironman triathlon qualification races that are held
throughout the world.
Xterra World
ChampionshipSports
Hawai‘i Island -
Mākenawww.xterraplanet.com/maui/index.html (877) 751-8880 October Cost varies
This event Is a culmination of Xterra series off-road
triathlon races around the world that include swimming,
mountain biking, and trail running.
Hawai‘i Signature Events Event Name Niche Location Website Phone Dates Cost/Fees Event Description
EA Sport Maui
InvitationalSports
Maui -
Lahaina Civic Centerwww.mauiinvitational.com (847) 850-1818 October Cost varies
Hosted by Chaminade University, the Maui Invitational
Tournament is an annual pre-season college basketball
tournament fielding of eight NCAA Division I men's
basketball teams.
Hawai‘i International
Film FestivalFilm
O‘ahu -
Regal Dole Cannery
Theaters, Hawai‘i Theatre
Center, Waikīkī Beach
www.hiff.org (808) 792-1577 October Cost varies
This international film festival showcases film
productions from the Asia-Pacific region. The festival
includes Hawai‘i-produced films, discussions with the
filmmakers, award presentations, and special events.
Visitors and residents can enjoy screenings of certain
films that are not available through any other venue in
Hawai‘i.
Kona Coffee Cultural
FestivalMulti-Cultural
Hawai‘i Island -
Kailua-Kona, Keauhou,
Hōlualoa
www.konacoffeefest.com (Contact by email) November
Many events are
free or
accessible with a
$3 festival
button
Since its inception in 1970, this festival has sought to
preserve, perpetuate, and promote Kona's unique 183-
year coffee heritage. With nearly 50 events offered over
10 days, there is something for everyone from coffee
drinkers, to connoisseurs, to multi-generational families.
The festival's key events include a Coffee & Art Stroll,
Cupping Competition, Farm & Mill Tours, and
International Lantern Parade. Or you may choose to
explore the cafés, shopping, and community of Kona's
coffee country with a self-guided driving tour brochure.
The event attracts about 8,000 visitors and residents.
Xterra Trail Running
World ChampionshipSports
O‘ahu -
Kualoa Ranch
www.xterraplanet.com/xduro/champions
hip.html(877) 751-8880 December Cost varies
The Xterra Trail Running World Championship is an off-
road half-marathon held at Kualoa Ranch, on the east
side of O‘ahu. The event also hosts 5km and 10km trail
runs, a free kids race, and an adventure walk.
Sheraton Hawai‘i
Bowl Sports
O‘ahu -
Aloha Stadiumwww.sheratonhawaiibowl.com (808) 523-3688 December Cost varies
The Hawai‘i Bowl is a post-season NCAA Football Bowl
Subdivision college game. The game matches teams
from Conference USA and WAC member schools. As
part of the agreement with the WAC, a "Hawai‘i
guarantee" allows the University of Hawai‘i the Hawai‘i
Bowl bid, regardless of its standings in the WAC,
provided that the school is bowl eligible and doesn't
qualify for the BCS.
Diamond Head
ClassicSports
O‘ahu -
Stan Sheriff Arenawww.diamondheadclassic.com (808) 523-3688 December Cost varies
The Diamond Head Classic is a three-day, eight team
invitational college basketball tournament hosted by the
University of Hawai‘i.