Hot Hawaiian Festivals

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

08 Jul 2006 01:15 PM

My neighbors leave for Hawaii tomorrow. I am so jealous. They will be visiting Oahu and the Big Island of Hawaii. Initially, they were planning their trip for August, but they found a great deal on-line and changed their travel dates to take advantage of it. Knowing that I grew up in Hawaii, they asked me to put a list together of local cultural events that I would recommend they attend. Unfortunately, that was when we thought they would be visiting during the month of August. Long story short, I created a list detailing August events, but now they won't be using it. I figure someone can benefit from my list, so I have decided to post it here. You may not be planning a trip now, but perhaps, these ideas will inspire you to visit the Hawaiian Islands in the near future. (If you do, let me know and I'll make another list.)

Obon Festivals

Throughout the month of August, Buddhist temples on Oahu celebrate the Obon tradition. (Actually, the event takes place on all the major islands, but the more elaborate festivities occur at the temples on Oahu.) Obon traditions were brought to Hawaii by Japanese immigrants and evolved into a social and cultural event designed to honor their ancestors through an evening of music and dance. The festival's highlight is the bon (folk) dance that usually includes a large fire that festival-goers dance around.

Dragon Boat Festival

This annual event, rich in culture and color takes place in mid-August at Ala Moana Beach Park, located directly across famed Ala Moana Shopping Center on the outer fringes of Waikiki. Dragon boat teams from around the world race in extravagantly decorated dragon boats across a 500-meter course. During the festival the park also hosts a variety of ethnic food booths, crafts, entertainment and cultural exhibits.

Made in Hawaii Festival

This popular three-day celebration that takes place each August is held at Honolulu's Neal Blaisdell Center. It highlights unique and varied products made in Hawaii. More than 400 exhibitors offer native products from art, clothing, home furnishings, jewelry, and toys to fresh produce, plants, and authentic Hawaiian handicrafts. It is the ideal place to pick up souvenirs to take back to family and friends or to find a wonderful authentic Hawaiian keepsake to remember your trip to the Islands. There are also free cooking demonstrations. Also, and a number of the state's highly acclaimed chefs are on hand to provide free food samples. In addition, there are also live performances by some of Hawaii's most popular musicians.

Annual International Festival of the Pacific

This festival takes place in Hilo, Hawaii, located on the windward side (eastern side) of the Big Island of Hawaii. It celebrates Japanese influences on Hawaii's culture. Festival highlights include a Lantern Parade that travels along the streets of downtown Hilo, a major food festival, craft demonstrations, and a Japanese tea ceremony which takes place at an authentic Japanese teahouse located at Hilo's Liliuokalani Park. Admission is free.

Ka Hoolaa O Na Alii

This festival takes place at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park located on the Big Island of Hawaii; specifically at Halemaumau Crater, the home of the goddess of volcanoes. This Hawaiian festival includes a colorful ceremony where royal monarchs are adorned with Hawaiian symbols to the sounds of ceremonial chant and hula honoring Hawaii's noble heritage.

Also, keep in mind that Hawaii observes Admission Day on the third Friday in August. It is a state holiday, which means that public transportation runs on a holiday schedule and all county and state buildings are closed. The holiday celebrates the day that Hawaii became the nation's 50th state.

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Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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