Big Island Hawaiian Music Festival

323 Manono St, Hilo Civic Auditorium, Hilo, HI 96720

Description: Preserving Hawaii's traditional musical styles is the impetus behind the Big Island Hawaiian Music Festival, which features ukulele, steel guitar, slack key, and falsetto performances. Up-and-coming musicians play alongside seasoned professionals in a series of events that spans two days. Performances are a revelation of local culture, so come hear the simple, serene rhythms and melodies of native Hawaiian music at this unique festival.
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Hawai'i Island Festival

various locations, Big Island, HI 808-589-1771

Description: Approximately one million people experience traditional foods, culture, dancing, and music during this month-long festival. They also enjoy events like the ceremony-laden Royal Court Investiture, the Poke Contest, the Paniolo Concert, the Kupuna Hula Festival, and an arts and crafts demonstration. The festival is now over 60 years old, and locals anticipate the annual fun almost as much as tourists who flock to Hawaii. A truly unique blend of Asia, the Pacific, and the West. the event is billed as "30 days of Aloha."
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Hilo Chinese New Year Festival

Kalakaua St, Kalakaua Park, Hilo, HI 96720

Description: Big, bold, and bright, this February event rings in the Chinese new year with a dazzling array of sights, sounds, and tastes. Authentic dragon and lion dancers make their way from downtown to Kalakaua Park in a blur of rhythm and color. Live music, food booths, cooking demonstrations, plenty of firecrackers, and cultural exhibitions animate the park and entertain families all day. A perfect opportunity to educate yourself about Chinese culture, history, and tradition!
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Kona Chocolate Festival & Symposium

78-128 Ehukai Dr, Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa, Kailua Kona, HI 96740

Description: Highlighting Hawaii's cacao industry and benefiting local causes and projects, this delightful sugarfest satisfies even die-hard chocoholics. A whopping 25,000 free samples of chocolate, candy, and ice cream can be had, along with champagne and wine. Additional attractions are live music, a chocolate taste-off, chocolate body painting, dancing, and a silent auction. A gala dinner and a chocolate symposium are other welcome events.
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Kona Coffee Cultural Festival

various locations, Kona, HI 96740

Description: A narrow strip of land on the Big Island's western coast produces the world's entire supply of Kona coffee, and this festival sets aside ten days to celebrate the rich character of our national beverage. The cupping competition is by far the festival's most popular event; beans from the area's 600+ farms are evaluated by an international panel of judges. Other events include a coffee-picking contest, tastings, food booths, parades, a pageant, quilt exhibits, and a golf tournament. Farm tours are open to visitors wishing to better understand the journey from bean to cup.
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Merrie Monarch Festival

various locations, Hilo, HI 96720

Description: Hula competitions are unquestionably the focal point of this long-running Big Island tradition. For over forty years, Merrie Monarch has brought a week of culture, music, food, and dancing to Hilo. Both historical (Kahiko) and modern (Auana) versions of the hula ­ a Polynesian combination of dance and chanting ­ are performed in exhibitions and contests, culminating in group competitions at week's end. Hawaii's last king, David Kalakaua, is the monarch of the festival's moniker.
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Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai

72-100 Ka`upulehu Dr, Hualalai Resort, Ka`upulehu-Kona, HI 96740 808-325-8000

Description: Underlying volcanic soil lends a rolling, undulating character to the lush, par-72 course that hosts this Champions Tour event each January. Soft green fairways are dotted with white-sand traps and elegant palms on this Jack Nicklaus-designed creation. With a purse usually exceeding $1.8 million, the tournament is a high-stakes affair that makes for nail-biting viewing. Ticket prices are reasonable, and the Four Seasons Hualalai offers golf packages if you want to try your own hand at the course.
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Traditional Mochi Pounding

Wailea Village, Akiko's Buddhist Bed & Breakfast, Hakalau, HI 96710 808-963-6433

Description: The Japanese custom of mochi-tsuki, or rice-pounding, is difficult work, but devotees eager to honor the tradition attend this event faithfully. Starting at 6am, rice is steamed over a fire. After the rice has been cooked, attendees pound and soften the sticky mass using wet mallets; everyone takes a turn for good luck. The rice is then shaped into cakes and eaten. A hearty lunch refuels participants for the afternoon portion. Occasionally, Okinanwan drumming and arts and crafts booths accompany the festivities. The B&B is 15 miles north of Hilo.
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Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival

Church Row Park and other locations, Waimea, HI 96743

Description: Every February, delicate pink blossoms arrive in full force in Church Row Park. This spectacular natural display is inspiration for the Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival, which celebrates the blending of Japanese and Hawaiian cultures. Hanami, the tradition of viewing blooms, is observed, while displays of origami, bonsai, kimono art, and calligraphy entertain and educate. Parker Ranch Historic Homes hosts many of the events, including a tea ceremony, mochi pounding, and an arts and crafts exhibition.
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