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.