Festivals Celebrating Hawaiʻi Multiculturalism

Hawaiʻi has been and still is largely shaped by the vibrant cultures and people that call it home. Looking to get a taste of the colorful diversity of cultures the Hawaiian Islands offer? Consider making time in your itinerary for one or more of the exciting and authentic culture-celebrating festivals hosted throughout the year. You’ll experience everything from unique foods and music, to artist works and hands-on activities rooted in Hawaii’s multicultural landscape.

Kauaʻi - Music fans who are Kauaʻi bound may want to include the 30th Annual Hawaiian Slack-Key Guitar Festival “Kaua‘i Style”, set for November 27, in their travel schedules. This in-person event celebrates Hawaiian music with steel guitar performances by master and youth players, steel guitar exhibits, hands-on experiences for festival guests, Hawai‘i crafters, local food vendors and more. The Po‘ipū Food and Wine Festival celebrates the fifth-annual edition of this Kaua‘i culinary festival this October 19-22, spotlighting Kaua‘i-procured ingredients and island chefs. Clients can experience a series of cooking classes focused on food education and cooking skills. The Po‘ipū Night Market is a block party featuring small-plate dishes and wine pairings alongside food demonstrations.

Maui – If your clients are traveling to Maui, suggest a visit coinciding with the Maui Sugar Plantation Festival on Saturday, October 1. This festival celebrates the rich multicultural history of Hawaiʻi’s sugar plantation era and features culinary dishes and performances from our many immigrant heritages. Clients traveling to Maui in October should stop by the Hawai‘i Food and Wine Festival from October 21 – 23 in Kāʻanapali to enjoy a roster of renowned Hawai‘i and international chefs, culinary personalities, and wine and spirit producers. This series of culinary events showcases the extraordinary diversity of multicultural cuisine and excellent locally grown-and-raised ingredients found in Hawaiʻi.

Oʻahu - Clients headed to Oʻahu in October may want to check out the Honolulu Pride Parade and Festival on October 15, Hawai‘i’s largest LGBTQ community event highlighted by the Honolulu Pride Parade – winding through Waikīkī from Magic Island at Ala Moana Beach Park to Kapi‘olani Park – and the Honolulu Pride Festival, which promises live music, inspirational speeches and fun activities. For clients planning spring travel to Oʻahu, The Honolulu Festival is one of Hawai‘i‘s premier cultural events. This three-day festival, happening from March 10 – 12, 2023, shares the rich, vibrant cultures of Hawai‘i and its Pacific Rim neighbors with attendees through educational programs and activities, craft fairs, arts and entertainment, and more.

Island of Hawaiʻi – One of Hawai‘i’s longest-running food festivals, the 51st Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, held on November 4-13, 2022, is a java-enriched celebration that honors the farmers, culture, and rich history surrounding the Kona district’s world-famous coffee. Clients checking out the fest’s multitude of events enjoy coffee tastings, cupping competitions judging Kona’s best coffee, farm and mill tours, coffee art exhibits, an evening lantern parade through Historic Kailua Village, food events, and more. Suggest clients spending time on the island of Hawaiʻi next summer add the Hawaiʻi Kuauli Pacific and Asia Cultural Festival to their itinerary. The festival, happening June 9-11, 2023, celebrates the beauty of Hawaiʻi’s cultural melting pot with food, fashion, traditional cultural expressions, a hula competition for keiki (kids), and cultural workshops.