THE KAPALUA WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL will take place July 7 to 10 at the Kapalua Resort on Maui. The event is split between the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua and the Kapalua Bay Hotel. Tickets are $895 for the four-day pass to all events. Visit www.kapaluawineandfood.com for more information on tickets and a schedule of events.
Lodging available at Ritz-Carlton Kapalua and Kapalua Bay Hotel.
Tour Talk, Oahu
Visitors to Oahu often spend a day in a rental car checking out the sights beyond Waikiki. If they head to the Kailua side of the island, they are likely to drive along the Pali Highway and pass the stunning Nuuanu Pali Lookout. Denise Moreland, founder of Tour Talk Hawaii Nei, wants people to take in more than a pretty view from the spot. “Do they know what they are looking at? Do they know the significance of things?” she asked.
By the time listeners of Tour Talk’s guided audio tour pull into the vista parking lot they will have learned, through a dream sequence narration by a Native Hawaiian, that warriors once jumped or were pushed over the cliffs at this major battleground site for Hawaii’s unification. In another sequence on the audio tour, a local historian narrates a 12-minute reenactment of the Pearl Harbor bombing as drivers approach the USS Arizona Memorial. Tour Talk draws upon Hawaiian authorities and musical artists to provide a background to the famous and not-so-famous sites on a circle road tour of the island.
“It’s not just a site tour. It’s a culture-based tour,” Moreland stressed.
Drivers can go at their own pace, pausing at any time during the three hours of recordings. A minimum of four hours is needed to complete the full driving tour.
Launched in 2003, the tapes have caught on. Frequent travelers who had grown weary of the “same-old same-old” now find new interest in familiar sites.
Until listening to the audio tour, “they never connected to the destination,” Moreland said.
Other feedback to Moreland has come from locals who apologized for being skeptical at first, but found, in the words of one, “I learned so much about my homeland.” Tour Talk is available in CD or cassette and includes an information-packed booklet. It retails at $24.95. Travel agent commissions are available.
Tour Talk, Oahu
808-685-0751
www.tourtalkhawaii.com
Not only can visitors to Hawaii behold a beautiful waterfall, they can paint it in the company of accomplished local artists. Or they can take a photo of one of the islands’ majestic volcanoes or canyons, then learn how to create an artsy print of it.
Making art may not be considered your typical island activity, but local art centers actively encourage the hands-on participation of guests in their arts programs, making for a fun and rewarding addition to the usual tourist fare.
The Hui No’ea Visual Arts Center on Maui recently began promoting “a day of art” for visitors through resort concierges. The half- and full-day classes include raku ceramic firing, watercolor painting, glass fusing and holiday wreath making. For non-members, the four-hour courses cost $42 and the six-hour courses cost $60.
The center will also cater to requests for group instruction. It recently arranged a half-day silk painting class for 20 women in a wedding party from New Jersey.
“A lot of visitors want to take part in the local art community,” said Linda Doyle, the center’s program manager.
Its location in the scenic upcountry town of Makawao provides an additional draw. Visitors can tour the grounds of the former sugar plantation mansion and estate, attend free lectures by local and visiting artists, view year-round gallery exhibitions and access the open studios for jewelry-making, printmaking, photography, drawing, woodworking and ceramics.
In West Maui, the Art School at Kapalua is similarly housed in a historic plantation building. The school also has an open-air facility for large events.
The art school offers children’s classes every day of the year except Christmas, New Year’s, Easter and Thanksgiving. Instruction includes creating art with glass, “Lego-mania,” introduction to jewelry, hand building with clay and digital photography. The Keiki Day Camp for ages 5-10 and the Adventure 7 Camp for ages 11-16 cost $60 for a full-day, six-hour session or $30 for a half-day, three-hour program.
Adults can select among painting courses in the fine arts studio or sculpting and pottery instruction in the ceramics studio. One-day workshops may feature coconut painting, while visiting artist workshops cover subjects like painting tropical fruit or waves in watercolor.
“We are the number-one spot for rainy days,” said Molly McMillen, the executive director, pointing out that weather can be volatile in the Kapalua region.
The Art School at Kapalua is well equipped to manage corporate events as well. Events for spouses left on their own during meetings have included art lectures and lessons. The school regularly provides courses at the Kapalua Bay Hotel and the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua and can facilitate a course anywhere on the island. Class sizes depend on what is being taught.
Watercolor instruction can accommodate 50 to 75 people, for instance.
The Kauai Outdoor Painting Association organizes several workshops throughout the year and brings in accomplished plein-air (outdoor) artists from elsewhere. The four- to five-day workshops are limited to 15 people and are attended by people from around the world. The one-day attendance fee is $125.
Two unique resources for visitors on the Big Island are the Donkey Mill Arts Center, a former coffee mill owned by the Kona Coffee Cooperative farmers, and the Volcano Art Center. Both sites sponsor exhibitions and workshops.
The Donkey Mill Arts Center recently hosted a lunch and papermaking session for a group traveling from the Smithsonian. Its regular programs feature Japanese woodblock printing, Chinese brush painting, basketry and clay raku.
A studio pass for $15 allows visitors to spend a day creating ceramics, printmaking or paper making with some initial instruction provided. Weekend workshops range from around $90 to $125 with a free lecture given by the instructor on Fridays before the workshops. During the school year, children can attend an art class on all mediums from 2 to 5 p.m.
Visitors can also stop in at seven art galleries located in the town center of Holualoa just minutes away.
Nestled 4,000 feet up the active Kilauea volcano, the Volcano Art Center offers a mix of arts and craft classes specializing in glass and woodworking. Farther up at the summit of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the art center’s gallery represents the work of more than 250 artists, the majority from Hawaii.
The center can customize programs, including transportation and catering, if desired, for groups of all ages.
“We do it quite often, for family reunions, school groups and alumni,” noted Marilyn Nicholson, executive director.
“We can also take a program to them” in the Volcano region, she added, or offer tours of visual artists’ studios in the area.
Whether Hawaii visitors find inspiration from ancient lava beds, sugarcane fields or any of the other beautiful island settings, next trip recommend that your clients pursue their artistic inclinations a local art center.
An elderly woman walks into the renovated arts center in Kamuela and exclaims, “Oh, I went to school here...in 1921.”
Hawaii is replete with arts and cultural attractions that have strong ties to the community. The most prominent draw a large share of the visitor industry, but many lesser known or overlooked places have just as much to offer. Whether it is the architectural legacy of a famous Hawaii resident, an ancient Hawaiian temple, the alternative gallery scene or a revitalized arts town, there are as many ways to connect to the arts and culture of Hawaii as there are cultures and art forms to absorb.
KAHULUI, Maui — At the first World Conference on Hula in 2001, Hokulani Holt-Padilla sat among the elders of hula, awestruck.
“To hear what they had to say, to see them in person, to enjoy their stories and experiences, gave me a greater appreciation of hula discipline as well as creativity,” said Holt-Padilla, a kumu hula (hula master) in her own right. “It taught me more about how time and place affect the evolution of hula. I came away believing more than ever that there must always be a place where traditional hula is maintained, no matter how it eventually evolves as an art form.”
The inaugural conference convened in Hilo, on the Big Island. This year, from July 24 to 30, it’s Maui’s turn to host the prestigious event, which takes place only once every four years. During the week, clients can learn about Hawaii’s hallowed dance through workshops, presentations, excursions, performances and hands-on experiences.
“The Maui community sees this as a wonderful opportunity to welcome people interested in hula and Hawaiian culture, to open our doors, and to practice hookipa (hospitality),” said Holt-Padilla, one of the conference coordinators.
This isn’t your cellophane-skirt Hollywood-style hula we’re talking about. Instead, the conference addresses the dance as a truly cultural and historical experience. However, that doesn’t mean clients need to know how to dance hula or speak Hawaiian in order to benefit from the conference, stressed Holt-Padilla.
“The conference offers learning opportunities for people who have had no exposure to hula,” she said. “A participant can take trips to outlying areas, hear lectures on Hawaiian history and literature, view and participate in demonstrations of cultural practices and learn how to sing Hawaiian songs and dance hula.”
At the same time, the conference provides new insights for clients who may already be well versed in things Hawaiian, even someone as tuned into the culture as the highly esteemed Holt-Padilla. Recalling her experience at the 2001 conference, she said, “It was stimulating for me to see such excitement and hear the discussions of the participants. The thoughts and ideas, the realizations, the many new pieces of information that were being discussed — all of it was very moving.”
A prolific composer of mele (songs) and oli (chants), and the cultural programs director at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center, the Maui-raised Holt-Padilla mounts major dramatic hula productions like “Tales of Maui the Demigod” and “Maui Moonlight Serenade.” But she also channels her energies toward keeping the culture alive for the next generation. She co-founded Maui’s Hawaiian language immersion preschool, for instance, and she served as a program coordinator for Maui’s center for gifted and talented native Hawaiian children.
In the midst of her many projects, Holt-Padilla is making sure Maui gets its moment in the sun as host of the World Conference on Hula.
“This time around, we plan to focus on information that stems from Maui,” said Holt-Padilla. “In Hawaii and the rest of the world, Maui does not readily come to mind when people think of hula traditions. Bringing Maui’s information and experience to conference participants is an important goal. Perhaps then, more Maui songs and dances will be done throughout the world, because people will have a personal experience and reference with the places and people of our island.” Presenters during the conference include luminaries from Hawaii’s cultural, intellectual and artistic fields. Besides Holt-Padilla, clients can mingle with and learn from Cliff Pali Ahue, Manu Boyd, Hailama Farden, Kaipo Frias, Leinaala Kalama Heine, Pualani Kanahele, Kekuhi Kanahele, Robert Kaupu, Manu Meyer, Kathy Holoau Ralar, Lisa Raymond, Alicia Smith, Piilani Smith and Vicky Holt Takamine.
“It’s a very rare occasion when all of these people come together in one place,” Holt-Padilla said. Members of Maui’s tourism industry are looking forward to the conference, expected to draw 2,500 people to the island for one to two weeks.
“Like all other conferences, the World Conference on Hula will bring more visitors to our hotels, restaurants, shopping centers and other businesses,” said Holt-Padilla. “We anticipate that revenues during this time will be upward of several million dollars.”
The conference registration fee itself isn’t commissionable to travel agents, but travel agents can benefit from the commissions paid on related expenses such as hotel accommodations and rental cars.
THE DETAILS
The 2005 World Conference on Hula takes place at various Maui locations July 24-30.
The weeklong celebration of hula and Hawaiian culture features workshops conducted by 100 hula teachers, cultural practitioners and artisans, and evening hula performances. Some 2,000 hula teachers, students and enthusiasts are expected to participate.
While it’s open to all ages and abilities, most of the conference’s activities are geared toward adults, with specific programs designed for children.
Registration includes conference materials, lunches for five days, evening performances, one evening meal, excursions and shuttle service to conference venues.
Several Maui hotels are setting aside room blocks for conference participants. The conference Web site provides a link to accommodations that are available during the week.
Rates for early registration by March 1 are $325 per adult, $225 per senior (60 years and older) and $150 per child (ages 5-12).
Registration after March 1 costs $375 per adult, $275 per senior and $200 per child. Evening performances (open to the public): $10 per person.
To book a trip to this incredible event please visit Travel Hawaii.
808-984-3363
www.hulaconference.org
Galleries of Makawao, Maui
A drive to the sleepy town of Makawao, perched along the slopes of Haleakala Volcano, affords a perfect getaway from the coastal resorts of Maui, as well as a great opportunity to step into the local arts scene. Over the last decade or so, 10 galleries have established themselves in the former cowboy town. Among them is the artist-owned Viewpoints Gallery, cooperatively run by about 15 artists.
“The difference with Makawao is that you are more likely to see an artist,” compared to the galleries that line Lahaina and Wailea, said painter Kari McCarthy of Viewpoints Gallery.
Viewpoints regularly arranges artist demonstrations on site and hosts a new exhibition every month. A fun time to be in the gallery is on “hanging day,” usually the Thursday preceding their monthly opening reception.
“A lot of chaos is going on with the artists hanging their paintings. We all drift in and out,” McCarthy said.
The openings, which take place on Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., attract a local arts crowd. McCarthy, who also publishes “Art Guide Maui,” a comprehensive guide to the galleries and artist studios across Maui, added that one of the surefire crowd pleasers in Makawao is the Hot Island Glass studio and gallery. Visitors can watch through a protective shield as glass artists blow large pieces and platters as large as a foot-and-a-half wide.
“It’s amazing to watch. It’s a spectator sport,” she said.
Galleries of Makawao, Maui
808-572-5979
www.viewpointsmaui.com
Isaacs Art Center, Hawaii
Housed in a historic school building dating back to 1915, the Isaacs Art Center in Kamuela, outside Waimea, displays many Hawaiian art treasures and offers some works for sale. The renovated seven-room school house that once housed first- through seventh-grade classrooms, still has its original Douglas fir floors and sliding pocket doors, which doubled as blackboards.
Since the building’s relocation to the campus of the Hawaii Preparatory Academy, the art center’s mission has been twofold, said Director Bernard Nogues.
First, the center will display its permanent collection of 19th- and 20th-century Hawaiian artworks. The original works of art, represented by its collections, donations and consignments, include significant etchings, engravings, vintage furniture and koa woodwork. Its most famous painting is the “Lei Queen Fantasia,” a 10-foot by eight-foot oil painting by Madge Tennent created in 1934.
“She is one of the greatest artists on Hawaii,” said Nogues.
Its second objective is to raise money through its gallery offerings to fund scholarships to the academy, a boarding and day school for children kindergarten through grade 12. The center will also maintain a rotating exhibition space. Currently on display is Japanese art of the early 20th and late 19th century and classical Chinese furniture of the 19th century.
Isaacs Art Center, Hawaii
808-885-5884
www.hpa.edu
Historic Hanapepe, Kauai
“When you’re driving down Hanapepe Road, you have this feeling you’re going through an Old West town,” said Carol Bain of the Hanapepe Economic Alliance.
The town has gone through many evolutions since the first wave of Chinese immigrants came to work on the sugar and pineapple plantations in the early 1900s. Hanapepe became a sizable merchant and farmer town, with a distinctive plantation-style architecture. In the 1970s and 1980s, artists and craftspeople moved in and the town went through an arts renaissance.
This year the alliance introduced a 1½-mile historic walking tour of the town with a self-guided map. The map provides a history of Hanapepe’s commercial buildings, several of which are on the state and national historic registers. One building, currently a woodshop and gallery, has been a nightclub, a barbershop and even a bowling alley. A pinsetter at the bowling alley later became mayor of Kauai and the first mayor of Filipino descent in the United States.
The town now boasts 11 galleries, and for more than 10 years the galleries have opened their doors and lit up the streets to host the festive “Art Night in Hanapepe,” every Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
“There is a lot of diversity in terms of the types of art,” said Joanna Carolan, owner of Banana Patch Studio, with works ranging from watercolors, oils, batik, marble, basket weaving, ceramics and koa wood sculptures and furniture.
“No two galleries really have artwork that are similar,” she said, unlike some other popular gallery towns in Hawaii.
Historic Hanapepe, Kauai
808-335-5944
www.kauai.net/hanapepe/
Kahanu Gardens, Maui
Given the number of people who drive the famous Road to Hana, it is surprising how few turn off the curving highway to visit one of Hawaii’s most sacred places. Just outside the town of Hana resides the state’s largest heiau, an ancient Hawaiian temple, on the grounds of Kahanu Gardens.
Built from all kinds of stones in the area, including round river stones and lava flows, the terraced walls of Piilanihale Heiau rise to a height of 50 feet and stretch across nearly four acres. The heiau is believed to have been the home of Piilani, the first Maui chief to unite the entire island back in the 16th century. Unlike heiaus on the western side of the island, which were destroyed by missionaries, this heiau is nearly intact.
Visitors to the garden can meander through 50 acres of the property on a self-guided tour, following signs and a booklet, which takes about one to 1½ hours to complete. In addition to the heiau, the garden features Hawaii’s “canoe” plants, those brought to Hawaii by its Polynesian ancestors, such as taro, breadfruit and sugar cane.
“It’s more like a step back in time than a showy flower garden,” said Kamaui Aioni, director of the gardens.
Operated by the National Tropical Botanical Gardens, Kahanu Gardens is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The entrance fee is $10 per person. Children 12 and under are free.
Kahanu Gardens, Maui
808-248-8912
www.ntbg.org
Shangri La, Oahu
Certainly, many people have built their dream homes in Hawaii. Few, though, will ever exceed the lavishness of Shangri La, built by Doris Duke in 1937 on five oceanfront acres overlooking Diamond Head. One of the home’s more impressive features is a glass living room wall which can completely descend into the basement, powered by an old-fashioned elevator system.
“It was very avant-garde technology for back then,” said Shangri La’s executive director Deborah Pope.
Duke, a tobacco and energy heiress labeled the “richest girl in the world,” discovered Hawaii on her honeymoon after traveling through the Middle East and southern Asia. The 22-year-old fell in love with both Islamic art and Hawaii’s lifestyle. Her 14,000-square-foot residence, opened to the public for small group tours two years ago, reflects her lifelong passion for collecting Islamic art.
The most artistically significant piece, a 13th-century mihrab room, a niche that points Muslims toward Mecca, was acquired from Iran. A marble bathroom inlaid with semi-precious stones was modeled on the Taj Mahal. Entire rooms were imported from overseas, including a wealthy merchant’s home from Syria. The pool house, a scaled-down version of a mid-1600’s palace complex built in Iran, overlooks a 75-foot-long saltwater pool. The 16-foot deep end accommodates a hydraulic-lift diving platform; Duke having been an avid swimmer and athlete.
“I think what stands out most for visitors is the total mood and ambience as a whole,” said Pope. “You are not walking into a gallery with objects in cases and labels. It’s sort of an entry into seeing the Islamic world.”
Tours of the property start at the Honolulu Academy of Arts, Wednesday to Saturday, at 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. A mini-van ferries groups, limited to 12 people, to the residential neighborhood. Cost is $25 for adults and children ages 12-17 and includes admission to the academy. Advance reservations required.
Shangri La, Oahu
866-385-3849
www.shangrilahawaii.com
Book your vacations to any of these events by visiting Travel-Hawaii.com
Feb. 10-April 19: NEO RAUCH WORKS 1994-2000: THE LEIPZIGER VOLKSZEITUNG COLLECTION (Oahu).
An exhibition of artworks by one of Europe's most famous contemporary artists. Rauch has been called the coolest name in art and is known for his monumental paintings and drawings that critics say are a contemporary echo of American Pop or Soviet posters. Honolulu Academy of Arts (808) 532-8700
Feb. 22: CYRIL PAHINUI (Maui).
The award-winning slack-key guitarist appears with host George Kahumoku, Jr., to perform traditional Hawaiian songs and share authentic "talk-stories." Indoor Amphitheatre, Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua. 888-669-3858
Feb. 24-March 12: MISS SAIGON (Oahu).
Inspired by "Madame Butterfly" and transferred to a modern setting, this revolutionary musical that earned high praise in London, on Broadway and around the globe. Richardson Theatre, Fort Shafter. 808-438-4480
Feb. 24- March 27: EDDIE WOULD GO/QUEEN OF MAKAHA: RELL SUN (Oahu)
The Honolulu Theatre for Youth presents the stories of two Hawaiian surfers and role models, Eddie Aikau and Rell Sunn. Kumu Kahua Theatre. Downtown Honolulu. 808-839-9885
Feb. 25-March 3: TURANDOT (Oahu).
During Hawaii Opera Theatre's thrilling production, discover why Puccini's final work is regarded as the pinnacle of his career. Neal Blaisdell Concert Hall, Honolulu. 808-596-7858
March 2: THE ROYAL HAWAIIAN BAND (Oahu).
Established by King Kamehameha III in 1836, the band remains a symbol of Hawaii's rich monarchial past. Enjoy great Hawaiian music during a free concert featuring singers and hula dancers. Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, Waikiki. 808-922-2299
March 9-27: CABARET (Oahu).
In this Broadway musical, a female entertainer in Weimar Republic-era Berlin romances two men while the Nazi Party rises to power around them. Manoa Valley Theatre, Honolulu. 808-988-6131
March 11-13: HONOLULU FESTIVAL (Oahu).
Promoting cultural understanding, economic cooperation and ethnic harmony between the people of Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region. Various locations. 808-596-3327
March 12: KONA BREWERS FESTIVAL (Big Island).
Hawaii and mainland breweries serve 60 types of beer and chefs prepare culinary creations, with live music, hula and fire dancers rounding out the day. Luau grounds, King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel. 808-334-2739
March 12-13 :OCEAN ARTS FEST IN LAHAINA (Maui).
Lahaina celebrates Humpback Whales with a marine arts event at Banyan Tree. Local artists display their ocean and marine-life themed art for sale, Hawaiian musicians and hula troupes entertain, and kids have fun with art activities, games and a touch pool. Lahaina Visitor Center. 888-310-1117
March 12-Sept. 5: E KU MAU MAU, E KU EVERLASTING
(Oahu). An exhibit of the many aspects of Ku, the Hawaiian god of war, as told through museum collections and the pieces of invited contemporary artists. Bishop Museum, Honolulu. 808-847-3511
March 13: PARKER RANCH CENTER KUPUNA (SENIORS) FESTIVAL (Big Island).
Enjoy interactive family activities, entertainment, games and craft demonstrations that salute the older generation. Parker Ranch Center, Waimea. 808-885-7178.
March 19: NA MEA HAWAII HULA KAHIKO (Big Island).
See traditional hula and chant performed outdoors on the hula platform overlooking Kilauea Crater, with Hawaiian crafts demonstrations at Volcano Art Center Gallery. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. 808-967-8222
March 26: PRINCE KUHIO CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS (Kauai).
Festivities celebrate the birthday of one of Hawaii's most beloved monarchs. Commemorative ceremonies at his birthplace are followed by demonstrations, lectures, entertainment and a luau. Hyatt Regency Kauai Resort & Spa. 808-240-6369
March 27-April 2: MERRIE MONARCH FESTIVAL (Big Island).
A week-long festival of cultural events including Hawaii's most prestigious hula competition, starting with an outdoor party and ending with a parade through town. Edith Kanakaole Stadium, Hilo. 808-935-9168
April 1: SWINGTIME IN HAWAII (Oahu).
Hawaii International Jazz Festival's signature event highlights music during Hawaii's Territorial years and features local jazz greats alongside Grammy-nominated pianist Jessica Williams. Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort & Spa. 808-941-9974
April 12: BEAUX ARTS TRIO (Big Island).
This legendary ensemble has a well-established tradition of superb artistry, exacting musicianship and a complete classical portfolio that has made them a hallmark in chamber music. Kahilu Theatre, Waimea. 808-885-6868
April 15-16: INTERNATIONAL NIGHTS (Big Island).
Students from diverse backgrounds share a taste of their cultures with costumes, dances and music from around the world. University of Hawaii at Hilo Theater. 808-974-7310
April 28-May 8: HAWAII QUILT GUILD ANNUAL EXHIBTION (Oahu).
Featuring the best new quilts by contemporary Hawaiian quilters, this popular exhibition is the biggest of its kind in Hawaii. Art Center, Honolulu Academy of Arts. 808-532-8700
May 1: MAY DAY FESTIVALS (statewide).
Celebrated since 1927, this annual tradition perpetuating the custom of giving and receiving flowers includes lei-making contests, hula competitions, a king and queen and their royal court. On Oahu, there's an evening of Hawaiian song and dance under the stars at the Waikiki Shell. 808-692-5118.
May 12-14: 13TH ANNUAL WORLD FIREKNIFE DANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS (Oahu).
A North Shore town lights up during this annual test of fire-spinning champions from around the world, vying for the title of world's best. Polynesian Cultural Center, Laie. 800-367-7060
May 12-28: THE SECRET GARDEN (Oahu).
Bring the family to the musical version of the enchanting children's classic, presented by the Army Community Theatre. Richardson Theatre, Fort Shafter. 808-438-4480
May 14-29: INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF CANOES (Maui).
Master Carvers from across the Pacific create canoes from wood logs. Other festivities include cultural arts demonstrations, a parade down Front St. followed by a seaside Hawaiian music concert, and a launch of the completed canoes. Lahaina. 888-310-1117
May 19-21: MOLOKAI KA HULA PIKO (Molokai).
This celebration of the birth of the hula includes a variety of entertainment, food, arts and crafts, lectures and excursions to sacred sites. Papohaku Beach Park. 808-553-3876
May 26-29: POLYNESIAN FESTIVAL (Kauai).
Starting with a pageant and dinner at the Radisson Kauai Beach Resort at 6 p.m., the festival continues at the Kukui Grove Pavilion with entertainment, crafts, seminars, dance competitions and food. 808-335-6466
May 26-29: KAUAI MUSIC FESTIVAL (Kauai).
Top songwriters network with producers and publishers in forums, workshops, panel discussions and concerts. Hyatt Regency Kauai, with concerts at Kauai Community College Performing Arts Center. 808-634-6237
June 10-12: PAN-PACIFIC FESTIVAL-MATSURI IN HAWAII (Oahu).
This annual event is a cross-cultural exchange between the people of Hawaii, Japan, Mainland USA and other Pan-Pacific regions, with activities and concerts for all ages. 808-926-8177
June 11: KING KAMEHAMEHA CELEBRATION FLORAL PARADE (Oahu).
Colorful floats, marching bands and glamorous horseback riders decked out in flowers traverse the streets of Honolulu, ending at Kapiolani Park in Waikiki. 808-586-0333
June 15: FLAVORS OF THE REEF (Oahu).
An annual celebration highlighting Hawaii's multi-ethnic cultures. Outrigger Reef on the Beach, Waikiki. 800-688-7444
June 15-19: MAUI FILM FESTIVAL (Maui).
In its sixth year, this high-profile cinematic event showcases a variety of films, some for the first time ever. Celebrity appearances, Hawaiian music and an enormous outdoor movie screen add to the fun. Wailea Resort. 808-579-9996
June 23-26: DOLPHIN DAYS (Big Island).
The weekend features a charity golf tournament, luau, silent auction, dolphin-watching programs and the Great Waikoloa Food, Wine and Music Festival, all to raise funds for Hawaii Shriner's Hospital for Children and the Pacific Marine Life Foundation. Hilton Waikoloa Village. 800-HILTONS
June 24-25: KING KAMEHAMEHA HULA COMPETITION (Oahu).
An international cultural event which features 500 dancers from the continental U.S., Hawaii and Japan competing in traditional and contemporary hula styles. Neal Blaisdell Center, Honolulu. 808-536-6540
June 24-26: TASTE OF HONOLULU (Oahu).
Hawaii's vast outdoor food, wine, and entertainment festival provides tastes from top restaurants, fun and educational activities, cooking demonstrations and non-stop local entertainment. Downtown Honolulu. 808-536-1015
June 25-26: ANNUAL CULTURAL FESTIVAL (Big Island).
A major celebration in a beautiful historic setting, including traditional Hawaiian arts and crafts, canoe rides, Hawaiian Royal Court, Hawaiian food tasting and a hukilau (community fishing event). Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park, South Kohala. 808-328-2288
July 2: PINEAPPLE FESTIVAL (Lanai).
This annual event celebrates Lanai's rich pineapple plantation and ranch history. Residents and visitors enjoy local foods, craft and game booths, and exceptional entertainment. Dole Park, Lanai City. 800-947-4774
July 16: PRINCE LOT HULA FESTIVAL (Oahu).
In a beautiful shaded outdoor setting, here's the oldest and largest non-competitive hula festival in Hawaii. Moanalua Gardens, Honolulu. 808-839-5334
Mid-July: PACIFIC HANDCRAFTERS GUILD ANNUAL SUMMER FESTIVAL (Oahu).
The crowds gather each year to purchase island-made wares. Food and entertainment, a native Hawaiian plant sale, massage tent, bonsai demonstration and martial arts demonstration are also on hand. Thomas Square, Honolulu. 808-841-0171
July 23-31: KOLOA PLANTATION DAYS (Kauai).
A full week honoring the island's plantation history, with entertainment, sports, Hawaiian games, historic walks, crafts, a block party and parade. Various locations. 808-822-0734
Aug. 6-7: MAUI ONION FESTIVAL (Maui).
The sweet Maui product is feted during a weekend of chef demonstrations, cooking contests, tastings, a farmer's market, games, live music and an onion-eating contest. Whalers Village, Kaanapali Resort. 866-FUN-N-SUN
Aug. 19-21: SLACK KEY WORKSHOPS (Oahu).
Here's a hands-on opportunity chance to learn more about Hawaii's distinctive slack key guitar music with masters of the craft. Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach. 800-688-7444
Aug. 19-21: MADE IN HAWAII FESTIVAL (Oahu).
Offerings for 2005 include food, books, gifts, fashions, plants, arts, crafts and produce, along with live entertainment and Hawaii culinary artists. Neal Blaisdell Center, Honolulu. 808-533-1292
Aug. 21-Oct. 15: ALOHA FESTIVALS (statewide).
Hawaii's premier showcase, this celebration of music, dance and history aims to preserve unique island traditions. Event dates vary according to islands. 800-852-7690
Sept. 9-10: A TASTE OF LAHAINA (Maui).
Sample dishes from popular Maui County restaurants, listen to live local music, let the kids play in the games area, and sip a few in the beer and wine garden. Lahaina Recreation Park II Ballpark. 888-310-1117
Sept. 17: ALOHA FESTIVALS FLORAL PARADE (Oahu).
A cascade of flowers, floats, horseback riders and marching bands float through Honolulu, ending in Waikiki. 800-852-7690
Sept. 25: QUEEN LILIUOKALANI MUSIC FESTIVAL (Big Island).
Honoring Hawaii's last Monarch, the event features music, food and dance, a flower drop, multi-ethnic dancing, performances by 300 hula dancers and island entertainers. Queen Liliuokalani Park, Hilo. (808) 961-8706
Oct. 13: HAWAIIANA FESTIVAL (Kauai).
Highlights include a nature walk, island crafts demonstrations, local comedians, live music and an evening concert. Hyatt Regency Kauai. 808-240-6369
Oct. 20-30: HAWAII INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (statewide).
Dedicated to the advancement of understanding and cultural exchange among the peoples of Asia, the Pacific and North America through the medium of film. Various sites. 808-528-3456
Nov. 9-13: HAWAII'S BIG ISLAND FESTIVAL (Big Island).
A five-day showcase of all that makes the island unique, including fine wines and cutting-edge island cuisine, agriculture, fine arts, health and wellness, championship golf, history and Hawaiian culture. Various locations. 808-934-9044
Nov. 4-13: KONA COFFEE CULTURAL FESTIVAL (Big Island).
Hawaii's oldest food fest features over 30 events, like art exhibits, tastings, a cupping competition, a coffee picking competition, coffee recipe cooking contest, farm tours, sporting events and a parade. Various locations. 808-326-7820
Nov. 10-12: WORLD INVITATIONAL HULA FESTIVAL (Oahu).
Halau (troupes) from California, Mexico and Japan join with local dancers to share their love of hula, Hawaiian culture and language. Waikiki Shell. 808-735-7950
Dec. 9: NATIVE MEDICINAL PLANTS (Oahu).
Learn about the uses of Hawaii's native plants at this fascinating lecture and hands-on demonstration led by a Hawaiian medicinal plant expert. Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach. 800-688-7444
Dec. 11: NA MELE NEI ... THE MUSIC OF HAWAII TODAY (Oahu).
Showcasing a variety of island tunes, with a free Hawaiian music sing-along, on the second Sunday of every month. Ward Warehouse Stage, Honolulu. 808-596-8885
Dec. 22: KEIKI KALIKIMAKA (Oahu).
Fun holiday activities are designed especially for children, including Hawaiian-style ornament making, Santa's arrival on an outrigger catamaran and local holiday stories. Outrigger Reef on the Beach. 800-688-7444
Dec. 31: MOCHI (RICE CAKE) POUNDING FOR THE NEW YEAR (Big Island).
Traditional rice cakes are made the old-fashioned way, and everyone takes a turn at pounding the glutinous sticky rice for good luck. Fire building starts at 6 a.m. to steam the rice. Akiko's Buddhist Bed and Breakfast, Wailea. 808-963-6422
