Big
Island Calendar of Events
There are many wonderful
things to do on the Big Island of Hawaii. Here are just
a few highlighted events throughout the year:
January
PGA MasterCard
Championship - Held at Hualalai Resort Golf Club.
Contact 800-417-2770 for more info.
February
ANNUAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
- February 2, 2008. Held annually in
Kamuela town, this festival offers Oriental art displays,
crafts, and traditional music and tea ceremonies.
6TH ANNUAL HILO
CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL - February 16, 2008.
Downtown Hilo is transformed into a mini-Chinatown as
Asian product and international food purveyors pack
tents filled with the sounds, smells and sights celebrating
the Year of the Boar. Free!
March
KONA
BREWERS FESTIVAL - The Kona Brewers Festival
celebrates its 13th year on Saturday, March 8, 2008,
with 30 Hawaii and mainland breweries serving 60 types
of beer and chefs from 25 local restaurants preparing
tropical culinary creations. Toe-tapping bluegrass,
Hawaiian and rock music, a "trash fashion show"
and hula round out the day. The event raises funds for
environmental and cultural organizations. Call 808-331-3033
or www.KonaBrewersFestival.com
for more information. Contact: (808) 331-3033
KONA CHOCOLATE
FESTIVAL - A multi-day Symposium concluded with
an evening Gala, focuses on the chocolate industry in
Hawaii and highlights the talents of Hawai'i chocolatiers.
March 24 Contact: Chris Hecht (808) 640-5500
ANNUAL UKULELE
FESTIVAL - March 8, 2008. Kings' Shops at Waikoloa
Beach Resort. An evening of Hawaii's biggest ukulele
entertainers.
April
THE MERRIE MONARCH
FESTIVAL - A week-long festival of cultural events
including Hawaii's most prestigious hula competition
at Edith Kanaka`ole Stadium. Contact: Merrie
Monarch Festival (808) 935-9168
May
Saturday, May 5: May Day
- May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii. Celebrate this festive
holiday at the Kings' Shops. Browse among arts and crafts
tents and talk story with local artisans. Sample Hawaiian
food prepared by local chefs. Enjoy Hawaiian performing
arts.
3rd ANNUAL BIG ISLAND FILM
FESTIVAL - May 15 - 18, 2008 - Big Island Film
Festival will hold its third “Talk Story”
festival May 15 - 18, 2008 on the fabulous Gold Coast
of the Big Island of Hawaii as a result of the collaborative
effort of Big Island Film Festival, LLC, Waikoloa Beach
Marriott, Hilton Waikoloa Village and Waikoloa Beach
Resort.
The purpose of the Big Island Film Festival is to celebrate
new independent narrative films and independent narrative
filmmakers. This celebration will bring together residents,
visitors, filmmakers and industry professionals in an
entertainment event that will include movies, music,
parties, receptions, Filmmaker and Actor Salutes, an
Awards Brunch, Hawaiian culture, filmmaker seminars
and a charity golf tournament. These events are presented
at various sites on the Waikoloa Beach Resort property,
including the Marriott and Hilton resorts, King’s
Shops, and Waikoloa Beach Golf Course. Visit their website
at http://www.bigislandfilmfestival.com/details/about.htm
for more information
June
KAMEHAMEHA DAY
CELEBRATION - Tuesday, June 10, 2008, 5:00 p.m.
to 9:00 p.m. and Wednesday, June 11, 2008, Sunrise to
5:00 p.m. Hawi and Kapa'au, North Kohala. An annual
celebration in Kamehameha's birthplace. Includes a flower
parade, Pa'u riders, entertainment, food, arts and crafts.
Fun for the whole family. Free. For more information
visit their website at http://www.kamehamehadaycelebration.org.
DOLPHIN DAYS
- June 19 - June 22, 2008. An annual weekend
festival of events inspired by the playful dolphins
at the Hilton Waikoloa Village® Dolphin Quest Learning
Lagoon and designed to benefit two local charity organizations
through contributions of time and money. Dolphin Days
culminates with its signature event - The Great Waikoloa
Food, Wine & Music Festival. Visit their website
at http://www.dolphindays.com/
for more information.
July
Wednesday, July
4: 16th Annual Rubber Duckie Race & 4th of July
Extravaganza at the Kings' Shops Waikoloa. Enjoy
this fun-filled celebration at the Waikoloa Beach Resort
Kings' Shops. Event runs from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Enjoy
craft displays, face painting, popcorn and cotton candy.
Free entertainment and spectacular fireworks over Kings'
Lake.
George Na'ope
Kane Hula Festival, Friday, July 4 - Saturday, July
5 - Hilo Meishoin Hall, Olona Street, Hilo.
This 2nd annual hula festival brings the best male dancers
to compete on stage in Hilo Music, food, craft and special
guests. Fee: $15 per day. Visit their website for more
information: http://www.humumoolelo.com.
August
Hawaiian International
Billfish Tournament, July 28 - August 1, 2008-
The best charter skippers in Kona Hawaii fish with some
of the best anglers in the world. Visit their website
for more info.
56th Annual Hilo
Orchid Society Show & Sale, Friday, August 8 to
Sunday, August 10, 2008, Edith Kanaka'ole Multi-purpose
Stadium, Hilo. Experience Hawaii's largest orchid show
featuring exquisite displays created by amateurs and
experienced growers. Offering unique plant and product
sales not typically found in retail garden stores. Fee:
$4 daily donation suggested; children free, group discounts
available. For more info contact 808-933-9772.
September
Aloha
Festival Ho'olaulea at Waikoloa Kings' Shops
- Celebrate the Hawaiian culture with a fantastic mix
of Hawaiian arts and crafts, hula performances, food
and live entertainment. Come experience Hawaii's rich
cultural heritage at Kings' Shops.
Mauka Food and
Fun Festival, Saturday, September 13, 2008 10:00 a.m.
to 3:00 p.m. Kona Historical Society, Kalukalu
Historic Site, Kona. Celebrate multi-ethnic ranching
lifestyle of Old Kona. Featuring Portuguese stone oven
bread baking, music, food demonstrations, crafts, games
and delicious food. Visit their website at http://www.konahistorical.org.
October
IRONMAN TRIATHLON -
this extreme event is considered the world's top triathlon
with competitors from all over the world. The race includes
a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike race, and a 26.2-mile
marathon. This year's event will be on Saturday, October
11, 2008. Contact 808-329-0063 for more information.
November
MOKU O KEAWE INTERNATIONAL
FESTIVAL, Wednesday, Sunday, November 5 - 9, 2008 Waikoloa
Beach Marriott Resort, Waikoloa. A 5-day Hawaiian cultural
celebration with workshops, hula competitions, exhibits
arts and crafts an concerts. Fees vary. For more information
visit their website at http://www.mokuokeawe.org.
December
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE DISPLAY
at the Mauna Lani Hotel and Bungalows.
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