Aloha Festivals – Oahu

various locations, Honolulu, HI · 808-589-1771

HONOLULU. What began in 1946 as a week-long celebration of local culture has evolved into this extensive tribute to Hawaiian heritage, a statewide festival that touches all the islands. History, traditional music, and dance figure into the festivities, along with contests, church services, and the crowning of the royal court. Some of the biggest events are street festivals in Downtown and in Waikiki – which feature arts and crafts, food, and entertainment – and the Floral Parade, a vibrant spectacle of color and scent that begins in Ala Moana Park and runs to Kapiolani Park.


Hawaii International Film Festival

735B Iwilei Rd, Dole Cannery Stadium 18, Honolulu, HI 96817 · 808-528-4433

HONOLULU. Instituted in 1981, this multicultural film festival has grown from showcasing a small handful of films for a few spectators to informing and entertaining a much broader and more diverse audience. The festival seeks to find commonality in Eastern and Western perspectives and to bring a voice to Pacific, Asian, and North American filmmakers. It also works to promote accurate portrayals of Hawaiian culture and history. Accompanying screenings of features, shorts, and documentaries is a busy slate of receptions and seminars.

Honolulu Harbor Festival

1 Aloha Tower Dr, Aloha Tower Marketplace, Honolulu, HI 96813 · 808-536-6373

DOWNTOWN. This one-day November event takes place along the waterfront and imparts to festival-goers the importance of Honolulu Harbor and its role in the city's history and present-day life. The event is hosted by the Hawaii Maritime Center and is a great opportunity for families to take in everything from a children's treasure hunt to boat tours, prizes, and demonstrations by the Coast Guard. There's plenty of food and drink to keep spirits high, and lots of activities and contests ensure that the fun continues throughout the day.

Honolulu Marathon

December
2805 Monsarrat Ave, Kapi'olani Park (finish line), Honolulu, HI 96815 · 808-734-7200

WAIKIKI. There's a lot to be said for a marathon course so beautiful that runners carry cameras to capture the beauty of the landscape. That's the magic of this oceanside route, which begins and ends in Waikiki but climbs to Diamond Head for its most trying leg. The December event usually features temperatures in the low 80s, along with cooling breezes, and the circuit is largely flat. Begun in 1973 with 167 participants, the marathon now attracts more than 28,000 runners annually.

New Year's Eve Celebration

December
1 Aloha Tower Dr, Aloha Tower Marketplace, Honolulu, HI 96813 · 808-566-2337

DOWNTOWN. Quite a different experience from Times Square's celebration, Honolulu's version takes place at temperate Honolulu Harbor, near the 1926 tower that has welcomed cruise ship passengers for many years. Folks congregate in the area, dining in local restaurants, checking out fun shops, and being regaled by live entertainment. In the midst of all that bustle, the temporal transition is marked by a stunning fireworks display over the harbor. Great for families and kids eager to abandon their regular bedtimes.

Pan-Pacific Festival--Matsuri in Hawaii

June
various locations, Honolulu, HI · 808-926-8177

HONOLULU. Illuminating the ties between Hawaii and Japan, this cultural celebration unites the traditions of native Hawaiians and Japanese tourists. Music and arts and crafts bridge the gap, and performers share their aesthetics with peoples of the other nation, setting up a cross-pollination of sorts. As part of the exchange, attendees find parades, food booths, competitions, street parties, a half-marathon, and contests that focus on everything from kites to the hula.

Talk Story Festival

October
1201 Ala Moana Blvd, McCoy Pavilion, Ala Moana Beach Park, Honolulu, HI 96814 · 808-692-5751

ALA MOANA. In these days of digital media and CG effects, it can be hard to imagine the authenticity and allure of storytelling, but that's just what this festival promotes. It cajoles audiences to give themselves over to the spoken word, to envision and imagine, and to immerse themselves in the intricacies and delights of oral tradition. Attendees are regaled by practiced storytellers, who relate ghost stories, myths, poems, literature, real-life experiences, and more – sometimes accompanied by puppets and props.

Vans Triple Crown of Surfing

November - December
66-167 Hale'iwa Rd, Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach Park, Haleiwa, HI 96712

NORTH SHORE. Waves on Oahu's North Shore are legendary for their strength and potential danger – especially during winter months – so it's no surprise that surfers use them as a gauge of their own abilities and athletic prowess. For men, the Triple Crown is composed of the Op Pro Hawaii (at Haleiwa's Ali'i Beach Park), the O'Neill World Cup of Surfing (at Sunset Beach), and the Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters (at the Banzai Pipeline). Female competitors have a similar sequence of events, but they hold the final competition at Honolua Bay, Maui. No matter which contest you catch, you're certain to find spectators packing the beaches, marveling at showmanship and cheering on their favorite pro surfers. Typically, the Triple Crown takes place in late November or early December, depending on ocean conditions.
 
Waikiki Roughwater Swim

September
2863 Kalakaua Ave, Sans Souci Beach (race start), Honolulu, HI · 808-864-8091

WAIKIKI. Seasoned swimmers and those on a personal mission take to the beautiful waters off Waikiki in late summer for this 2.384-mile course. The open-ocean race begins at Sans Souci Beach and finishes at Duke Kahanamoku Beach, and competitors are sent out in groups to keep the field manageable. One of the islands' two ocean swims (along with the Maui Channel Relay), the Waikiki Roughwater is also notable for having been the model for the swimming portion of the original Ironman Triathlon.

World Invitational Hula Festival

November
2805 Monsarrat Ave, Waikiki Shell, Kapi'olani Park, Honolulu, HI 96815 · 808-735-7950

WAIKIKI. People come from all over the world to celebrate the hula, Hawaii's signature dance and means of storytelling. In addition to appreciating the genre, spectators learn about culture, language, history, and the traditional Hawaiian philosophy of man's relationship to nature. Although competitions are part of the event, the real point is to share, learn, and teach. The outdoor festival offers vendor booths with local merchandise, not to mention a good array of food and drink (or you can bring your own).