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2008 Featured Events

Come dance, sing, eat and be merry at one of O‘ahu’s many festivals and events this year! Whether you want to immerse yourself into O‘ahu’s unique arts and culture scene, sway to a distinctly island rhythm or whet your palate with the tastes of Hawaii, there is something for everyone to enjoy on O‘ahu, the true Gathering Place of Hawai‘i. Below is a listing of notable festivals and events (all are subject to change without notice):

Music & Entertainment
April 2-6, 2008
Blue Planet’s Music/Arts Festival & Concert
This inaugural event takes place at Honolulu’s stunning Waikīkī Shell at the foot of iconic Diamond Head. The outdoor stage will feature an impressive roster of performers, including rock, country, pop, and Hawaiian artists. The festival will be powered entirely by sustainable energy, setting the standard for combining mission with methodology as it leads the way in the new world of sustainability and clean, secure energy. The Blue Planet Foundation will also encompass exhibits on Native Hawaiian culture, energy-related technological innovations and ways in which attendees can adopt sustainability into their everyday lives.
www.blueplanetfestival.org

April 19-20, 2008
Kokua Festival
Local music sensation Jack Johnson hosts his annual Kokua Festival on Earth Day weekend at the Waikīkī Shell. Last year’s festival featured an incredible music lineup including Jack Johnson, Eddie Vedder, young troubadour Matt Costa, and local island favorites. The popular event benefits the Kokua Hawai‘i Foundation and promotes eco-friendly living. Food booths, products and services from green companies, alternative energy demonstrations, interactive games and crafts for kids, and information from environmentally active groups from around the islands are also featured.
www.kokuafestival.org or (310) 313-7200

May 2-11, 2008
Hawai‘i Romance Festival
Romance seekers from near and far are invited to enjoy the sounds of love as Broadway stars, chart-topping recording artists and talented Hawai‘i musicians join the Matt Catingub Orchestra of Hawai‘i for live performances, romantic dinners, a movie screening, and other incredible events. The 10-day Hawai‘i Romance Festival highlights various forms of music inspired by romance, including rhythm & blues, pop, jazz, and Hawaiian, and will feature famous musicians Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight, Aaron Neville, and more.
www.mcooh.com or (808) 533-4165

July 27, 2008
38th Annual Roy Sakuma ‘Ukulele Festival Hawai‘i
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 audiences of thousands. The free two-hour concerts showcase the finest ‘ukulele players, along with national celebrities, Hawai‘i’s top entertainers, and an ‘ukulele orchestra of more than 800 students, mostly children. The festival benefits ‘Ukulele Festival Hawai‘i, a charitable non-profit organization.
www.roysakuma.net/ukulelefestival/index.htm or (808) 732-3739

August 13-16
26th Annual Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival
Slack key guitar originated in Hawai‘i in the 19th century with Hawaiian paniolo (cowboys), and is continuing to gain popularity today, with slack key collection albums having won Grammy awards in the Best Hawaiian Music category for the last three years. The Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival, founded in 1982, celebrates the cultural importance, perpetuates, and preserves the unique acoustic guitar art form, “Kī hō‘alu,” which means “loosen the key.” The festival features performances by well-known slack key musicians and Grammy winners including Ledward Ka‘apana, Cyril Pahinui and Keoki Kahumoku.
www.slackkeyfestival.com or (808) 226-2697

October
28th Annual Hawai‘i International Film Festival (HIFF)
Established as the premier international film event in the Pacific, HIFF showcases features and documentaries from Asia, the Pacific Islands and Hawai‘i, and all films depict their region/culture in a culturally accurate way. HIFF is a statewide event and the only one of its kind in the U.S. It has more than one dozen screening sites on six Hawaiian Islands and draws an audience of 65,000 or more from around the state, the nation and the world.
www.hiff.org or (808) 528-3456

November
7th Annual ‘Ukulele Guild of Hawai‘i’s Exhibition & Conference
The ‘Ukulele Guild of Hawai‘i is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation, perpetuation and promotion of the ‘ukulele as a significant musical instrument. This annual two-day event includes ‘ukulele exhibitions, workshops and performances from notable musicians including local legend Roy Sakuma.
www.ukuleleguild.org

Arts & Culture
March 14-16, 2008
Honolulu Festival
The annual Honolulu Festival celebrates cultures from across the Pacific. This three-day celebration of art, music, dance, and crafts is filled with spectacular sights and sounds, including aboriginal dance performances, cultural demonstrations and a vibrant parade through Waikīkī.
www.honolulufestival.com or (808) 926-2424

Early April
Hawai‘i International Spring Film Festival
The Hawai‘i International Spring Film Festival, showcasing 20 independent feature films, is held at the Signature Dole Cannery Theatres. Expect the very best and latest in independent and global cinema. This Spring Festival has grown exponentially over the years and has become just as popular and successful as the main Fall Festival.
www.hiff.org or (808) 528-3456

May 1-2, 2008
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 Waikīkī and is followed by an honoring of Hawai‘i’s ali‘i at Mauna ‘Ala and Kawaiaha‘o on May 2. This year marks the 81st anniversary of the celebration of Lei Day in Hawai‘i.

Mid-May
16th Annual 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 (808) 293-3333

May 26, 2008
Lantern Floating Ceremony
Every year on Memorial Day, thousands of people gather together at Magic Island at Ala Moana Beach Park to honor ancestors and loved ones who have passed away. More than 1,100 candle-lit lanterns are set afloat on the ocean, a traditional Buddhist rite originating in Japan. The ceremony also combines the local culture of hula with the Japanese Shomyo Choir and Taiko drums.
www.lanternfloatinghawaii.com

June 6-8, 2008
Pan Pacific Festival-Matsuri in Hawai‘i
This special three-day celebration begins with Hawaiian festivities on Friday evening, including a block party where last year, more than 40,000 people enjoyed the 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 hālau. The event culminates with a grand parade along Kalākaua Avenue in Waikīkī.
www.pan-pacific-festival.com or (808) 926-8177

June 11, 2008
92nd 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 pa‘u riders, who represent a Hawaiian royal court on horseback. The parade traverses the streets of Honolulu, from Downtown through Waikīkī, and ends with an awards presentation, craft demonstrations and food booths at Kapi‘olani Park.

June – August
Obon Dances and Festivals
Buddhist temples throughout the islands celebrate the Obon tradition, which was brought to Hawai‘i by Japanese immigrants and has evolved into a social and cultural event. Experience a part of O‘ahu’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 18-19, 2008
Hawai‘i All-Collectors Show
Don’t miss the opportunity to find the perfect gift from Hawai‘i at the Hawai‘i 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

July 19, 2008
Prince Lot Hula Festival
This all-day festival held in the beautiful Moanalua Gardens showcases hula hālau (troupes) gracing the hula mound for spectators to enjoy. The festival is immersed in Native Hawaiian culture and features crafts, kapa making, lauhala weaving, lomilomi massage, traditional Hawaiian games, and more.
www.mgf-hawaii.org or (808) 839-5334

July 23-24, 2008
11th Annual Hale‘iwa Arts Festival Summer Event
Experience a broad spectrum of traditional, contemporary and ethnic arts at Hale‘iwa Beach Park in the historic town of Hale‘iwa. This event includes visual artists, musicians, singers, dancers, demonstrations, storytelling, student art displays, historical trolley tours, and arts and craft activities for children. Browse and purchase unique works by artists of all ages and cultural backgrounds.
www.haleiwaartsfestival.org or (808) 637-2277

August 15-17, 2008
Made in Hawai‘i Festival
Enjoy this three-day celebration highlighting the unique products of Hawai‘i. More than 400 exhibitors offer everything made in Hawai‘i from art, clothing, food, home furnishings, jewelry, toys, fresh produce, and plants, to authentic Hawaiian handicrafts.
www.madeinhawaiifestival.com or (808) 533-1292

August 30-31, 2008
26th Annual Okinawan Festival
The Hawai‘i United Okinawa Association presents the largest ethnic festival in the state of Hawai‘i. A parade through Waikīkī featuring entertainers from Okinawa and Hawai‘i kicks off the three-day festival at Kapi‘olani Park celebrating Okinawan culture with food, entertainment, arts, crafts, and cultural activities. On Sunday evening, all are welcome to help cap off the festivities by participating in Hawai‘i’s largest traditional Japanese Obon dance.
www.okinawanfestival.com or (808) 676-5400

August 30 – September 30, 2008
Aloha Festivals
This premier showcase celebrates Hawai‘i’s music, dance, history, and is intended to preserve the islands’ unique traditions. It is Hawai‘i’s largest festival and the only statewide celebration in the nation. Over the past 60 years, the festival has grown to encompass 300 events on six islands spanning a two-month period. O‘ahu festivities include a floral parade, Kapolei Mele, Waikīkī Ho‘olaule‘a, O‘ahu Falsetto Contest, and more.
www.alohafestivals.com or (808) 589-1771

First Friday of every month
First Fridays
This free event invites all ages to downtown Honolulu’s galleries and studios to view work by various artists. More than 20 galleries participate, and the evening includes live music, street entertainment, wine tasting and antique stores. Following the free gallery walking map, guests can also stop along the way and experience the many bars, clubs and restaurants that make downtown a unique destination.
www.chinatownhi.com or (808) 521-2903

Last Friday of every month
ARTafterDARK
Offering a new twist on pau hana (happy hour), the Honolulu Academy of Arts presents an evening that invigorates the senses with a combination of food, art, music, dancing, and drinks. Every event’s theme is based on around the museum’s current feature exhibition and provides a fun and socially active way to view art in a festive atmosphere.
www.artafterdark.org

July, September and December 2008
Pacific Handcrafters Guild Festivals
Discover some of Hawai‘i’s finest artisans at the Pacific Handcrafters Guild Summer, Fall and Winter Festivals at Kaka‘ako Waterfront Park. The two-day festivals of fine arts and crafts feature pottery, wood, clothing, glass, jewelry, seed leis, Japanese style bags, polymer clay art, folk art, metal sculpture, miniature Hawaiian hula ornaments, and more. Food from local restaurants is available with entertainment provided by the island’s musicians throughout the weekend events.
www.pacifichandcraftersguild.com or (808) 254-6788

Cuisine
May 3, 2008
6th Annual Waikīkī SPAM Jam
The Waikīkī SPAM® Jam is an exciting annual street festival that takes place on Kalākaua Avenue in Waikīkī. The event celebrates the unusually high consumption of SPAM® in Hawai‘i and features a variety of Honolulu’s finest restaurants serving up SPAM®-inspired creations. Two entertainment stages provide non-stop entertainment ranging from hula dancers to local musicians, and the event even includes a “Mr. or Mrs. SPAM®” contest to honor the most SPAM®-crazed fan on O‘ahu. Proceeds from the event benefit the Hawai‘i Food Bank.
www.spamjamhawaii.com

May 17, 2008
5th Annual Wahiawā Pineapple Festival
Join the local community at the 5th Annual Wahiawā Pineapple Festival and discover the rich history of pineapple in Wahiawā and Hawai‘i. Highlights include delectable cuisine by renowned Chef Alan Wong, pineapple-themed recipes from Roy’s Restaurants and 3660 on the Rise, and trolley tours of Wahiawā town.
www.hawaiipineapplefestival.com or (808) 227-8229

June 10, 2008
Garlic & Ginger Festival of Hawai‘i
Formerly known as the Garlic Festival of Hawai‘i, this event also features ginger, a locally grown product. Many great restaurants – Roy’s, Sansei, Waikīkī Parc, Side Street Inn, Dynasty, Gordon Biersch, Tropic Diner, Pacific Club, and 3660 On the Rise provide some of their most delicious dishes. Highlights of the festival include garlic ice cream, garlic massages, a wine tent, martini bar, Budweiser station, silent auction, a fresh produce tent, Garlic & Ginger Lover’s Store, and logo items. The event benefits the American Red Cross-Hawai‘i Chapter and Palama Settlement. http://garlicfestivalhawaii.com or (808) 545-4195

August
Joy of Sake Festival
Join visiting brewers from Japan and sake enthusiasts from Hawai‘i and Japan to sample this year’s newly released fall sakes. More than 250 sakes, including gold and silver award winners from 2008’s U.S. National Sake Appraisal, will be featured. The Joy of Sake is the largest sake tasting held outside of Japan and offers a rare opportunity to experience great sakes in peak condition.
www.joyofsake.com

September 13, 2008
Taste of the Arts
The annual event held in Honolulu’s downtown/Chinatown Arts District showcases local restaurants. Celebrity chefs display their talents with live demonstrations while local jazz musicians jam on the event’s stage. The event brings together an upscale crowd of food, wine and art lovers.