2009 Calendar of Special Events

January

• Maui Rusty Pro - An annual surf competition at Hookipa Beach Park and Honoulua Bay on Maui.
• Hula Bowl - an All-Star collegiate football game. Nationally televised.

February

• Probowl - The NFL's season-ending celebration, as the best players from the AFC will face their counterparts from the NFC in Honolulu's 50,000-seat Aloha Stadium.
• Hawaii International Jazz Festival - Long-standing Honolulu event founded by the late Abe Weinstein.

March

• Return to Romance Music Festival - A musical celebration featuring the greatest love songs in one of the most romantic places on earth.
• Kona Brewers Festival - Promotes the craft brewing revolution in Hawaii and includes local beer sampling, live music, fire dancing and food.
• St. Patrick's Day Parade - Bagpipes, bands and clowns march down palm-lined Kalahaua Avenue on Oahu.
• Big Island International Marathon - This scenic race course follows "the coast of old Hawaii" along the Pacific Ocean, past exotic waterfalls, over narrow bridges and lava beaches, in Hilo, one of the cooler, more lush parts of the "Big Island" of Hawaii.
• Kona Stampede Rodeo - See Hawaiian ranchers (also called paniolos) in rodeo events seen only in Hawaii (the Po‘o Wai U and Double Mugging, for example) as well as more traditional rodeo events such as bull riding, calf roping, team roping and calf mugging.
• Kona Chocolate Festival - What could be better than tasting wonderful chocolate ice cream and candy while supporting the Hawaiian cacao farming and manufacturers, and raising money for a local school at the same time?

April

• Merrie Monarch Festival - This annual event, which begins on Easter Sunday is considered Hawaii's most prestigious hula dance competition, but also includes other musical events, an arts and crafts fair and a parade. Takes place in Hilo on the Big Island.

May

• May Day-Lei Day Celebration (May 1) - The annual crowning of the Lei Queen takes place at the Waikiki Shell on Oahu. 808-597-1888.
• Molokai Ka Hula Piko - An all-day celebration of the birth of the hula. 808-553-3876.
• Prince Albert Music Festival - A series of chamber concerts featuring the violin, cello, Hawaiian slack key guitar and vocals. 808-826-6439.

June

• King Kamehameha Day - Celebrations throughout the state featuring parades and Hawaiian dance, music, crafts, and food to honor King Kamehameha I, the chief who united the Hawaiian Islands in 1795.. We especially like the festival in North Kahala on the northern tip of the Big Island (King Kamehameha's birthplace).
• BayFest Hawaii - one of Hawaii's largest annual concert events, attracting an audience of almost 40,000 visitors. The festival also includes premium carnival rides, national caliber fireworks performances, and other attractions.

July

• Volcano Marathon - An annual event in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island. For those of us who aren't quite marathon material, there will also be 10-mile and 5-mile competitions.

August

• Kauai Products Fair - Come and experience Kauai's island culture every Saturday and Sunday in August. You will find the largest selection of Kauai products all in one place. This outdoor market highlights Local Crafters, Artisans, fresh island grown Produce, Flowers and Plants, Aloha Wear, and Entertainment. Located in North Kapaa on Highway 56. 8am-3pm. (808) 246-0988.
• Maui Onion Festival - This festival celebrates all things 'onion.' Maui Onions, top chefs and Upcountry farmers are the stars at this festival. The event includes plenty of gourmet cooking and good eating. There will be a full schedule of celebrity chef demonstrations on that day. There will also be two Maui Onion Recipe Contest for both amateurs and professionals, plus entertainment and hula dances. In Kaanapali. 808-661-4567.
• Polo Season - at the Olinda Polo Field in Maui - Games are held each Sunday at 1 PM. 808-579-8660.

September

• Parker Ranch Rodeo and Horse Races - Labor Day Weekend means it's rodeo time at Paniolo Park in Waimea on the Big Island. 808-885-7311.
• Queen Liliuokalani Outrigger Canoe Race - If you're on the Big Island during the Labor Day weekend, don't miss the world's largest canoe race. 808-329-0833.
• Annual Aloha Festivals - Enjoy music, dance, parades, and historical and cultural events throughout all the Islands.
• A Taste of Lahaina and Best of island Music Festival - Maui's largest food festival with cooking demonstrations, wine-tasting and continuous live music entertainment. 808-667-9175.
• Maui Marathon and Half Marathon (September 16) - Attracts runners from all around the world.

October

• Annual Aloha Festivals - Enjoy music, dance, parades, and historical and cultural events throughout all the Islands.
• The Tahiti Fete of Hilo - a celebration of Polynesian dance, song, crafts and cuisine.
• Ironman Tiathlon - Athletes descend on the Big Island for this world-famous endurance event. 808-329-0063.

November

• Kona Coffee Cultural Festival - Two weeks of food, parades, crafts, contests and the world's best coffee on the Big Island. 808-326-7820.
• World Invitational Hula Festival - a celebration of Hawaiian culture, language, art and history at the Waikiki Shell.

December

• Honolulu City Lights - a month-long celebration featuring beautifully decorated Christmas trees, music, entertainment, and nightly visits from Santa.
• Honolulu Marathon - scenic course includes spectacular ocean views alongside world famous Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head and Koko Head Craters.

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