Every month of the year, the Hawaiian Islands host dozens of festivals, concerts, athletic competitions, and other events that provide locals and visitors alike with a wealth of activities to entertain, challenge and educate. And the first half of 2016 is certainly no exception with lots of fun and exciting things to see and do on Hawaii’s Big Island.
The 14th Annual Iolani Luahine Hula Festival will be held January 29-30 at the Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa at Keauhou Bay. The festival celebrates hula and the Hawaiian dance culture. The event will include hula demonstrations, workshops, presentations, arts and crafts, and evening entertainment. For more information, visit www.iolaniluahinefestival.org.
The Heiva I Hawaii Tahitian Dance Competition is scheduled for February 13-15 in Kailua Kona. Groups from all over the Big Island will share the Tahitian cultural dance and musical traditions. There will also be displays by local artisans and lots of great food. Entry is free. For more information, call 808-987-2354 or email cristec@hawaiianhotels.com.
On dates yet to be set in March, The Great Waikoloa Ukulele Festival will take place at the Waikoloa Beach Resort with free workshops and demonstrations, non-stop concerts all afternoon, instrument giveaways, Hawaiian crafts and more. Traditional `ukulele masters, school groups, up-and-coming artists and top entertainers in the ukulele world will be at the festival. For more information call 808-886-8822.
On March 20, the 18th Annual Big Island International Marathon in Hilo will feature 26.2 mile and 10.8 mile runs, plus a 3.1 mile fitness run/walk. The longer runs will traverse the Pacific Ocean coastline, venture through tropical rainforests, head past exotic waterfalls, and edge along black lava beaches to finish at historic Hilo Bay Front. The 3.1 mile fitness run/walk is from Hilo Bay and through Queen Liliuokalani Gardens. For more info, visit www.hilomarathon.org.
The 21st Annual Kona Brewers Festival runs March 12 to raise funds for local charities through the celebration of handcrafted beers and local cuisine. Top chefs from some of the Big Island’s favorite restaurants will offer their best food pairings for beer, ranging from fresh fish and smoked meats to deep fried avocados and tropical sweets, served up fresh on a banana leaf plate against a backdrop of passing paddleboards and canoes at the historic Kamakahonu Bay Beach. There will be two sessions: 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Kona Beach Hotel luau grounds. The cost is $70, which includes seven brew tastings and a commemorative event mug. For more information, call 808-938-7376 or email email@summercarrick.com.
One of the biggest events of the year will be Hilo’s 53rd Annual Merrie Monarch Festival March 27-April 2. The week-long festival of cultural events is highlighted by Hawaii’s most prestigious hula competition. There will be lots of music, food, crafts, and free, live music performances by some of Hawaii’s most popular entertainers. On varying dates and times, there will also be free hula exhibitions, solo Miss Aloha Hula competition, and ancient and modern group contests. A grand parade winds through the town of Hilo town on Saturday morning. Visit www.merriemonarch.com for more information.
May 26-30, the 11th Annual Big Island Film Festival kicks off in Kohala, celebrating independent Hawaiian and international filmmakers and their works. There will be social, food and beverage events and entertainment, as well as film presentations, and screenings. A “Best of Fest” event will present the audience-voted top feature and film short, followed by a concert by a popular Hawaiian musician. For more information and tickets, call 808-557-5200 or 808-883-0394 or visit www.BigIslandFestival.com.
The 6th Annual Big Island Jazz and Blues Festival will be held sometime in June, featuring hot tunes form some Grammy jazz and blues legends. To be held at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Kohala coast, call for more information at 808-283-9070 or visit www.bigislandjazzandbluesfestival.com.
June 11 marks the annual King Kamehameha Day Celebration Parade in Historic Kailua Village near the Royal Kona Resort on Kailua Bay. A tribute to Hawaii’s first ruler over all of the islands and who established Kona as the first capital of the united Hawaiian Kingdom, the day is filled with flowers, marching bands, equestrian units, music, crafts fair, and much more. For more information, call 808-322-9944 or visit www.konaparade.com.
For all of your trips to the fascinating Big Island, make your headquarters at the Royal Kona. For more information, go to www.hawaiihotels.com.