During the summer months, there is a no better getaway than a trip to the islands of Hawai`i. Take advantage of the long summer days, enjoy breathtaking natural wonders, and check out great summer festivals. Step outside the typical tourist vacation and explore all Hawai`i has to offer.

O`ahu

Hawai`i is known for its multiethnic culture and O`ahu is the perfect place to really experience the local culture and all its facets.

In July, enjoy the beauty of the hula at the Prince Lot Hula Festival held at the beautiful Moanalua Gardens. Hula performances are the highlight of the festival and hālaus (hula groups) tell fascinating stories of the history and legends of Hawai`i through graceful and powerful performances. Cultural exhibits, craft stations, and traditional Hawaiian games also help to make this a great opportunity to learn about the traditions and culture of Hawai`i.

Local music is also a great way to dive into local culture in the islands. On July 27, the Kapi`olani Bandstand comes alive with the 38th annual Roy Sakuma `Ukulele Festival. This free fun filled event features a concert of some of the finest ukulele players, Hawai`i’s top entertainers, and a `ukulele orchestra of over 800 students. From August 13 to August 16, take in the sounds of Hawai`i’s unique slack key guitar at the 26th annual Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival. The style of slack key guitar originated in Hawai`i in the 19th century and, today, slack key guitar albums have won Grammy awards for the Best Hawaiian Music for the past four years!

Learn about a local legend at the 7th annual Duke’s Ocean Festival. From August 17 to August 24, Waikīkī Beach will come alive to honor the memory of the “Father of International Surfing,” Duke Kahanamoku. There is something for every ocean lover with exhilarating surfing competitions, canoe races, volleyball tournaments, paddleboard races, surfing polo matches, and more! The festivities are capped off with a lei parade and the decorating of Waikīkī’s famous Duke Kahanamoku statute on the 118th anniversary of his birthday. Proceeds of the week’s events benefit the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation.

From June until September, Hawai`i honors the dead with lantern festivals called obon festivals. Stemming from Hawai`i’s rich history of Japanese immigration, obon festivals are filled with delicious food, traditional Japanese dance and song, entertainment, and lanterns. Today, obon festivals have grown into a cultural experience as families of all religions and ethnicities come together as a community to celebrate the past. The cool summer nights make these outdoor festivals a perfect way to spend an evening.

The Neighbor Isles

Maui, Kaua`i, Hawai`i, Moloka`i, and Lāna`i make up what are known as Hawai`i’s “neighbor isles.” Once you step foot on any of the neighbor islands you’ll move at a slower pace, and you can take the time to enjoy the beauty of each island and its people.

Maui

From May 18 to May 31, master carvers from around the Pacific flock to Maui to create canoes out of wood during the International Festival of Canoes. This festival takes place in Lahaina, an old whaling village located on the western side of the island. Along with canoe carving, the festival features demonstrations on surfboard shaping, a craft fair, and cultural performances. This year’s festival will also feature demonstrations on the making of poi pounding boards and the art of traditional tattoos. At the close of the festival enjoy the Parade of Canoes along Front Street and watch as the canoes take off in the ceremonial launch.

The Maui Film Festival from June 11 to June 15 offers movie lovers an unbelievable Hawaiian style movie experience. The festival draws celebrities and directors from all over to take part in this festival. Entries are shown at unique tropical venues like the open air, state-of-the-art Celestial Cinema on the Grand Wailea Resort’s golf course or at the SandDance Theater on Wailea beach just below the Four Seasons Resort. With Maui’s beautiful natural landscape as a backdrop, movie viewing takes on an intimate, natural, and personal feel. Workshops, panel discussions, gala dinners, and great food top off this world class event.

For a taste of Maui’s exquisite fine dining cuisine, attend the Kapalua Wine and Food Festival from June 26 to June 29. Events include wine tasting seminars, themed tasting events, and cooking demonstrations. The event’s grand tasting features over one hundred different wines from around the world and the seafood festival offers fresh seafood prepared by some of Hawai`i’s top chefs. For any wine and food lover, the 27th annual Kapalua Wine and Food Festival is the can’t miss event of the summer!

Kaua`i

For the “Ultimate Sunday Brunch” stop by the 20th annual Taste of Hawai`i on June 1st. This year’s Taste of Hawai`i event will take place on the grounds of Smith’s Tropical Paradise located right along the Wailua River on the east side of the island. This food and drink festival features 50 of Hawai`i’s best chefs and 15 beverage stations with beer, wine, soft drinks, smoothies, and specialty coffee drinks. There will also be local entertainment and as well as a live and silent auction. Voted for four years in a row as the Best Community Event on Kaua`i, this is one you will not want to miss.

To enjoy a Hawaiian style celebration, make sure to take in the King Kamehameha Parade and Ho`olaule`a (music festival) on June 14th. The parade will start off at the Antone Vidinha Stadium in downtown Lihue, and ends at the Historical County Building. This celebration of King Kamehameha features colorful parade floats, delicious island favorites at the food booths, live local entertainment, and craft exhibits. Visitors and locals alike enjoy this family friendly celebration event.

Help out the local community while taking part in a strikingly unique Kaua`i festival: the Banana Poka Round Up. During this annual summer event, participants help “round up” the Banana Poka, a fast growing vine that has threatens to crowd out indigenous plants and trees. This year’s round up will take place on May 25th at the Koke‘e State Park and will also include live music, environmental exhibitions, crafts and workshops.

Hawai`i

If you happen to be on the Big Island for the Fourth of July, there is an event for everyone! Cheer on a rubber ducky at the annual Rubber Duckie Race held at the Kings Shops in Waikoloa. Benefits from this race go to the United Cerebral Palsy of Hawai`i. Along with the race, enjoy great entertainment, fun activities, and an amazing fireworks display. Parker Ranch also hosts a fun day of rodeo events, children games, and delicious food. At the Mauna Lani Resort, the Fourth of July is a special independence day for endangered Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles (honu) that have grown up in the Mauna Lani’s ponds. Learn about these fascinating gentle creatures, touch a baby turtle, enjoy live music, and cheer on as the turtles find their freedom in the vast Pacific Ocean.

With recent flows of Kīlauea Volcano offering spectacular views of the red hot magma, there is no better time to visit Hawai`i Island. If you happen to be on Hawai`i Island on July 12, make sure to stop by Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s 28th Annual Kīlauea Cultural Festival. This year’s event will honor and celebrate the paniolo (Hawaiian Cowboy) and will feature hula, live music, traditional foods and educational events.

Moloka`i & Lāna`i

On Moloka`i, the summer offers visitors great outdoor events. On July 27th, watch as world class athletes take off from Moloka`i’s shores as part of the Quicksilver Edition Moloka`i to O`ahu Paddleboard Race. Or in August, watch as hunters of all ages come together to compete for top prizes at the Moloka`i Bowhunters State Tournament.

Lāna`i celebrates its pineapple plantation and ranch history with the 16th annual Pineapple Festival on July 4th at Dole Park. Pineapple eating, cooking contests, entertainment, arts, crafts and great food top off this fun event.

So enjoy Hawai`i’s beautiful beaches and breathtaking hikes, take in the views and bask in the warm summer sun. But don’t forget to take time to enjoy Hawai`i’s rich local culture at any one of these great summer events.

The Dragon's Gift: The Sacred Art of Bhutan

For a rare treat, visit the Honolulu Academy of Arts before May 23rd to see an unprecedented exhibit on rare Bhutanese art. Designated monks have accompanied these sacred pieces of art to Hawai`i in order to perform necessary ritual observances related to these special works of art.

The exhibit features paintings and sculptures depicting Buddha and his journey to enlightenment. Other important Buddhist figures are also celebrated in this collection including Bodhisattvas (beings who assist others on the path to enlightenment and defer their own attainment of Buddahood), Padmasambhava (a figure who spread Buddhism to parts of Bhutan in the 8th century), Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (the founder of modern Bhutan), and a multitude of the spiritual deities revered by the Bhutanese people.

The ancient ritual Buddhist dance or cham is the highlight of this special exhibition. More than 300 hours of video documentation were collected in preparation for this exhibit including rare performances of nearly extinct cham rituals. Enjoy footage of actual dances on high-definition video screens and see photos of cham dancers taken by renowned artist Herbert Migdall.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to enjoy these exquisite works of art, many of which were never before available for public viewing. For more information, contact the Honolulu Academy of Arts at 808-532-8700.

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O`ahu

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