Black Meetings & Tourism - Festivals And Events On Oahu

Cultural Festivals
Festivals And Events On Oahu
Music, Entertainment, Culture, and Cuisine Enrich Visitor Experience! Discover the island’s rich culture and diversity at one of the many festivals and events occurring throughout the year. Oahu’s festivals and events provide visitors and locals an opportunity to embrace the multi-cultural heritage, deep traditions and customs that are special to Oahu. Whether it is a cultural festival highlighting Hawaii’s diverse people and their origins, an energetic concert series, or a culinary event featuring the island’s top chefs, there is sure to be something for everyone. Below is a listing of notable festivals and events (all are subject to change without notice): May 27-30, 2010 Na Hoku O Hawaii Music Festival The Na Hoku O Hawaii Music Festival focuses on the colorful diversity of Hawaiian music. From workshops to concerts, each night is filled with music and entertainment. Music ranges from falsetto, slack-key guitar and group performances to ukulele workshops and guest speakers. Enjoy musical performances from artists like Cyril Pahinui, Makaha Sons, Na Leo, John Cruz, Henry Kapono, and many more. The festival culminates with the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards – the biggest awards show for Hawaiian music. www.nahokuohawaiimusicfestival.com May 27-30, 2010 Rainbow Film Festival The festival’s mission to educate and raise community awareness about gay and lesbian culture, arts and lifestyle is presented through independent films shown at the Doris Duke Theatre. Locally submitted films are also featured and supported by the festival. www.hglcf.org July 4, 2010 Ala Moana Center Fireworks For the 19th consecutive year, Ala Moana Center will present locals and visitors with one of the largest and most spectacular fireworks shows in the country. In addition to the fireworks, Ala Moana will offer a weekend’s worth of live entertainment and a mall-wide shopping savings pass. www.alamoanacenter.com or (808) 955-9517 July 18, 2010 40th Annual Roy Sakuma Ukulele Festival Hawaii Local ukulele legend Roy Sakuma and his sponsors are helping to keep the ukulele alive with the largest festival of its kind in the world, attracting thousands. A free two-hour concert showcases the finest ukulele players, along with national celebrities, Hawaii’s top entertainers, and an ukulele orchestra of more than 800 students, mostly children. The festival benefits Ukulele Festival Hawaii, a charitable non-profit organization. www.roysakuma.net or (808) 732-3739 May 1-2, 2010 Lei Day Celebration On May 1, a celebration including entertainment, food booths and a lei making contest takes place at the beautiful Queen Kapi‘olani Park and Bandstand in Waikiki and is followed by an honoring of Hawaii’s ali‘i at Mauna Ala and Kawaiahao on May 2. This year marks the 81st anniversary of the celebration of Lei Day in Hawaii. May 12-15, 2010 World Fire Knife Competition Competitors from around the world come to the Polynesian Cultural Center every year to vie for the title of world’s best fire knife dancer. See who can brave the flaming nifooti while twisting, turning and performing innovative routines never seen before. The stunning visual displays keep spectators on the edge of their seats. www.polynesia.com or (808) 293-3333 May 31, 2010 Lantern Floating Hawaii Ceremony Every year on Memorial Day, thousands of people gather at Magic Island at Ala Moana Beach Park at sundown to honor ancestors and loved ones who have passed away. More than 1,100 candlelit lanterns are set afloat on the ocean, a traditional Buddhist rite originating in Japan. The ceremony also combines local and Japanese culture with unique performances of hula dance, taiko drumming and songs by the Japanese Shomyo Choir. www.lanternfloatinghawaii.com June 11-13, 2010 Pan Pacific Festival-Matsuri in Hawaii This special three-day celebration begins with Hawaiian festivities on Friday evening, including a block party where tens of thousands enjoy entertainment and food. The celebration includes a hula festival held at Ala Moana Center, where spectators have the rare opportunity to see hula groups from Japan perform with Hawaiian hula halau (troupes). The event culminates with a grand parade along Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki. www.pan-pacific-festival.com or (808) 926-8177 June 12, 2010 94th Annual King Kamehameha Floral Parade This colorful celebration honors the reign of King Kamehameha, who was responsible for uniting the Hawaiian Islands under his rule in 1795. The parade features brightly decorated floats, energetic marching bands and traditional pau riders, who represent a Hawaiian royal court on horseback. The parade traverses the streets of Honolulu, from Downtown through Waikiki, and ends with an awards presentation, craft demonstrations and food booths at Kapiolani Park. June-August Obon Dances and Festivals Buddhist temples throughout the island celebrate the Obon tradition, which was brought to Hawaii by Japanese immigrants and has evolved into a social and cultural event. Experience a part of Oahu’s rich culture, which is designed to honor ancestors through an evening of dance, music and merrymaking. Dances and festivals are held at different temples on various dates throughout the summer. July 17, 2010 Prince Lot Hula Festival This all-day festival held in the beautiful Moanalua Gardens features hula halau (troupes) gracing the hula mound for spectators to enjoy. The festival showcases Native Hawaiian culture through crafts, kapa making, lauhala weaving, lomilomi massage, traditional Hawaiian games, and more. www.mgf-hawaii.org or (808) 839-5334 July 17-18, 2010 13th Annual Haleiwa Arts Festival Summer Event Experience a broad spectrum of traditional, contemporary and ethnic arts at Haleiwa Beach Park in the historic town of Haleiwa. This event includes visual artists, musicians, singers, dancers, demonstrations, storytelling, student art displays, historical trolley tours, children’s arts and crafts. Browse and purchase unique works by artists of all ages and cultural backgrounds. www.haleiwaartsfestival.org or (808) 637-2277 July 30-31, 2010 Hawaii All-Collectors Show Don’t miss the opportunity to find the perfect gift from Hawaii at the Hawaii All-Collectors Show at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. This annual collectibles and antiques show and sale features more than 200 booths with one of the largest selections of Hawaiiana under one roof. www.ukulele.com or (808) 941-9754

Cultural Festivals

Festivals And Events On Oahu

Music, Entertainment, Culture, and Cuisine Enrich Visitor Experience! Discover the island’s rich culture and diversity at one of the many festivals and events occurring throughout the year. Oahu’s festivals and events provide visitors and locals an opportunity to embrace the multi-cultural heritage, deep traditions and customs that are special to Oahu. Whether it is a cultural festival highlighting Hawaii’s diverse people and their origins, an energetic concert series, or a culinary event featuring the island’s top chefs, there is sure to be something for everyone. Below is a listing of notable festivals and events (all are subject to change without notice):

May 27-30, 2010
Na Hoku O Hawaii Music Festival
The Na Hoku O Hawaii Music Festival focuses on the colorful diversity of Hawaiian music. From workshops to concerts, each night is filled with music and entertainment. Music ranges from falsetto, slack-key guitar and group performances to ukulele workshops and guest speakers. Enjoy musical performances from artists like Cyril Pahinui, Makaha Sons, Na Leo, John Cruz, Henry Kapono, and many more. The festival culminates with the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards – the biggest awards show for Hawaiian music. www.nahokuohawaiimusicfestival.com

May 27-30, 2010
Rainbow Film Festival
The festival’s mission to educate and raise community awareness about gay and lesbian culture, arts and lifestyle is presented through independent films shown at the Doris Duke Theatre. Locally submitted films are also featured and supported by the festival. www.hglcf.org

July 4, 2010
Ala Moana Center Fireworks
For the 19th consecutive year, Ala Moana Center will present locals and visitors with one of the largest and most spectacular fireworks shows in the country. In addition to the fireworks, Ala Moana will offer a weekend’s worth of live entertainment and a mall-wide shopping savings pass. www.alamoanacenter.com or (808) 955-9517

July 18, 2010
40th Annual Roy Sakuma Ukulele Festival Hawaii
Local ukulele legend Roy Sakuma and his sponsors are helping to keep the ukulele alive with the largest festival of its kind in the world, attracting thousands. A free two-hour concert showcases the finest ukulele players, along with national celebrities, Hawaii’s top entertainers, and an ukulele orchestra of more than 800 students, mostly children. The festival benefits Ukulele Festival Hawaii, a charitable non-profit organization. www.roysakuma.net or (808) 732-3739

May 1-2, 2010
Lei Day Celebration
On May 1, a celebration including entertainment, food booths and a lei making contest takes place at the beautiful Queen Kapi‘olani Park and Bandstand in Waikiki and is followed by an honoring of Hawaii’s ali‘i at Mauna Ala and Kawaiahao on May 2. This year marks the 81st anniversary of the celebration of Lei Day in Hawaii.

May 12-15, 2010
World Fire Knife Competition
Competitors from around the world come to the Polynesian Cultural Center every year to vie for the title of world’s best fire knife dancer. See who can brave the flaming nifooti while twisting, turning and performing innovative routines never seen before. The stunning visual displays keep spectators on the edge of their seats. www.polynesia.com or (808) 293-3333

May 31, 2010
Lantern Floating Hawaii Ceremony
Every year on Memorial Day, thousands of people gather at Magic Island at Ala Moana Beach Park at sundown to honor ancestors and loved ones who have passed away. More than 1,100 candlelit lanterns are set afloat on the ocean, a traditional Buddhist rite originating in Japan. The ceremony also combines local and Japanese culture with unique performances of hula dance, taiko drumming and songs by the Japanese Shomyo Choir. www.lanternfloatinghawaii.com

June 11-13, 2010
Pan Pacific Festival-Matsuri in Hawaii
This special three-day celebration begins with Hawaiian festivities on Friday evening, including a block party where tens of thousands enjoy entertainment and food. The celebration includes a hula festival held at Ala Moana Center, where spectators have the rare opportunity to see hula groups from Japan perform with Hawaiian hula halau (troupes). The event culminates with a grand parade along Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki. www.pan-pacific-festival.com or (808) 926-8177

June 12, 2010
94th Annual King Kamehameha Floral Parade

This colorful celebration honors the reign of King Kamehameha, who was responsible for uniting the Hawaiian Islands under his rule in 1795. The parade features brightly decorated floats, energetic marching bands and traditional pau riders, who represent a Hawaiian royal court on horseback. The parade traverses the streets of Honolulu, from Downtown through Waikiki, and ends with an awards presentation, craft demonstrations and food booths at Kapiolani Park.

June-August
Obon Dances and Festivals
Buddhist temples throughout the island celebrate the Obon tradition, which was brought to Hawaii by Japanese immigrants and has evolved into a social and cultural event. Experience a part of Oahu’s rich culture, which is designed to honor ancestors through an evening of dance, music and merrymaking. Dances and festivals are held at different temples on various dates throughout the summer.

July 17, 2010
Prince Lot Hula Festival
This all-day festival held in the beautiful Moanalua Gardens features hula halau (troupes) gracing the hula mound for spectators to enjoy. The festival showcases Native Hawaiian culture through crafts, kapa making, lauhala weaving, lomilomi massage, traditional Hawaiian games, and more. www.mgf-hawaii.org or (808) 839-5334

July 17-18, 2010
13th Annual Haleiwa Arts Festival Summer Event
Experience a broad spectrum of traditional, contemporary and ethnic arts at Haleiwa Beach Park in the historic town of Haleiwa. This event includes visual artists, musicians, singers, dancers, demonstrations, storytelling, student art displays, historical trolley tours, children’s arts and crafts. Browse and purchase unique works by artists of all ages and cultural backgrounds.
www.haleiwaartsfestival.org or (808) 637-2277

July 30-31, 2010
Hawaii All-Collectors Show
Don’t miss the opportunity to find the perfect gift from Hawaii at the Hawaii All-Collectors Show at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. This annual collectibles and antiques show and sale features more than 200 booths with one of the largest selections of Hawaiiana under one roof. www.ukulele.com or (808) 941-9754