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Native Hawaiian Festivals

Oahu is blessed to be the home of Aloha. Throughout the year, there are opportunities to feel the spirit of the islands and its history through one of Oahu's many Native Hawaiian Festivals. Celebrate local Native Hawaiian artists in the month of May with Maoli Arts Month, be mesmerized at the Prince Lot Hula festival as you watch the elegance and power of the traditional dance of the islands, and delight in the colorful pageantry of the Aloha Festivals, a state-wide celebration with a parade, block party and many more signature events. Learn more about Native Hawaiian Festivals.

MAJOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN FESTIVALS ON OAHU

MAY
MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS - May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii. Every May 1st the scent of fragrant tropical flowers fill the air. The state-wide celebration includes entertainment, food booths and a lei making contest that takes place at the beautiful Queen Kapiolani Park and Bandstand in Waikiki and is followed by an honoring of Hawaii's royalty at Mauna Ala and Kawaiahao on May 2. Learn more.

MAOLI ARTS MONTH
May is Maoli Arts Month on Oahu. A month-long celebration of Native Hawaiian arts with gallery walks in Downtown Honolulu, a Native Hawaiian Arts Market and Festival, a Wearable Art Show as well as Native Hawaiian art demonstrations.

JUNE
KING KAMEHAMEHA FESTIVAL 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.

JULY
PRINCE LOT HULA FESTIVAL - This all-day festival held in the beautiful Moanalua Gardens showcases hula halau (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. For more information please visit www.mgf-hawaii.org

UKULELE FESTIVAL - Local ukulele legend Roy Sakuma and his sponsors help to keep the ukulele alive with the largest festival of its kind in the world, attracting audiences of thousands. The 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. For more information please visit www.roysakuma.net/ukulelefestival/index.htm

SEPTEMBER
ALOHA FESTIVALS - This premier showcase celebrates Hawaii's music, dance, history, and is intended to preserve the islands' unique traditions. It is Hawaii'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. Oahu festivities include a floral parade, Kapolei Mele, Waikiki Hoolaulea, Oahu Falsetto Contest, and more. For more information please visit www.alohafestivals.com