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Discover Rich Hawaiian Cultural Experiences Across the Islands
Immerse yourself in Hawai‘i’s first culture, the Hawaiian culture, at engaging and enlightening events celebrating its rich and vibrant history, arts, skills, food, and traditions. You’ll find annual festivals, hula events, sports competitions, and more on nearly every island, offering opportunities to experience the preservation, perpetuation, and continuing story of the Hawaiian experience. Start your journey learning about Hawai‘i’s indigenous culture and connecting with its spirit of aloha at the festivals and events below.
Kaua‘i
The events of the weeklong Kaua‘i Mokihana Festival in September share and encourage the learning of Hawaiian language and culture through hula and music competitions, storytelling, workshops and activities, including a local artisans craft fair. Eō e Emalani i Alaka‘i, held November 1in Kōke‘e State Park, commemorates Hawaiian monarch Queen Emma's historic 1871 journey through the park’s misty uplands with hula, mele (song) and oli (chant), and a reenactment of the queen’s royal procession.
O‘ahu
The annual Kāhuli Festival honors and brings public attention to the existence of Hawai‘i’s 759 species of native-to-the-Islands land snails, called kāhuli in ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i (Hawaiian language). Its theme for 2025 is Ke Kani Nei Ka Pūpū: The Land Snails Sing. More broadly, however, the October festival also shares knowledge of Hawaiian cultural connections to conservation and biocultural loss in the Islands through interactive cultural workshops, activities, art and more, plus native snail exhibits, too.
Maui
Experience the perpetuation of Hawaiian culture and traditions passed down through generations at Festivals of Aloha. Held on Maui, Moloka‘i, and Lāna‘i from September through October, festival events include hula and music performances, cultural exhibits and workshops, and interactive activities. Admire the elegance, intensity, and skill of competitive hula at Kū Mai Ka Hula, featuring hālau hula (hula groups) from Hawai‘i, Japan, and the continental U.S. in solo and group traditional and modern hula.
Hawai‘i Island
The annual Hoʻokuʻikahi Hawaiian Cultural Festival (Aug. 16-17) at Pu‘ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site celebrates the culture with ceremonies, games, and interactive workshops and demonstrations, including lei making, lau hala (pandanus leaf) weaving, ‘upena kiloi (fishnet throwing), and more. The exciting outrigger paddling competitions of the annual Queen Lili‘uokalani Canoe Race (Aug. 28 – Sept. 1) honor the Hawaiian sport with Hawai‘i and international paddlers taking on an 18-mile Kona coastline course. | |
