Big Island

Event Overview: Volcano's ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon and 5K Run 2026

The Volcano's ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon and 5K Run 2026 is confirmed for July 2026 in Volcano Village, Hawaiʻi Island (Big Island), with the specific race date listed as TBA July 2026 by Paradise in Hawaii and RunGuides (the 2025 edition was held on July 26). Registration is officially open at ohialehuahalf.com with confirmed 2026 pricing:

• Half Marathon: from $75 (early bird) to $110 (race weekend)
• 5K: from $30 (early bird) to $60 (race weekend)

The online registration deadline is July 21, 2026.

What to Expect: Running Through Extraordinary Landscapes

The Big Island of Hawaiʻi boasts dramatic terrain, but the landscape surrounding Volcano Village, perched at approximately 3,700 feet of elevation on the slopes of Kīlauea, is unmatched. The air is cooler and often misty, while the forest is a dense native ʻōhiʻa lehua canopy. The ancient volcanic soil beneath the trails adds to the uniqueness of this environment, with the world's most active shield volcano always in sight.

The Volcano's ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Runs celebrate this landscape and foster community. With a race size of 100 to 500 participants, it remains intimate and genuine, attracting runners not just for competition, but for the unparalleled experience of running through a native Hawaiian forest with breathtaking views of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.

Confirmed 2026 Race Details and Registration Pricing

The official race website ohialehuahalf.com and multiple race planning sources confirm the following for 2026:

• Location: Volcano Village, Hawaiʻi Island, Big Island, HI
• Race Month: July 2026 (specific date TBA; the 2025 race was July 26)
• Online Registration Deadline: July 21, 2026
• Distances Offered: Half Marathon (13.1 miles) and 5K
• Race Start and Finish: Volcano Village, near The Volcano School
• Finish Line Closes: 11:00 am (4-hour cut-off for half marathoners)

Confirmed 2026 Registration Pricing

All prices are before any processing fees:

CategoryEarly Bird (Feb 5 to 18)Standard (Feb 19 to June 8)Late (June 9 to July 21)Race WeekendHalf Marathon$75$90$100$1105K$30$40$50$60 Key race policies to know:

• No refunds or transfers are permitted.
• Runners may change distance at packet pick-up (no refund for downgrading, pay the difference for upgrading).
• Half marathon finishers receive a finisher's medal.
• All runners receive a finisher's shirt (while supplies last).

The Course: What You Actually Run

The course design is refreshingly straightforward and geographically meaningful.

Half Marathon Course

The half marathon begins and ends in Volcano Village, running up Wright Road through the native ʻōhiʻa forest, with an elevation change of approximately 500 feet. It is an out-and-back course, where you run uphill to the turnaround point and then return downhill to the finish.

Wright Road climbs through one of the most intact native ʻōhiʻa lehua forests on the Big Island. The ʻōhiʻa lehua tree is culturally and ecologically significant, producing the brilliant red pompom flower that is the official lei flower of Hawaiʻi Island. Running through this healthy ʻōhiʻa forest in late July, with blooming flowers overhead and native birds calling, makes for an unforgettable experience.

The course also offers scenic views of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa from higher elevation sections, providing an awe-inspiring backdrop as you run.

The half marathon features four aid stations along the route, stocked with water and Gatorade.

5K Course

The 5K route follows rolling hills near the race start area and includes one aid station. This distance is more accessible for newer runners, families, and visitors wanting the Volcano Village experience without the full 13.1-mile commitment.

The ʻŌhiʻa Lehua: The Tree That Names This Race

The ʻōhiʻa lehua is known as "the tree of life of the Hawaiian forest." It is typically the first tree to colonize new lava fields, growing from volcanic rock and creating the foundation for diverse native ecosystems. The ancient Hawaiian legend speaks of the blossoms as lovers transformed by Pele, with the act of picking the blossom causing rain.

Running through a native ʻōhiʻa forest adds a profound layer of meaning to the race, especially in light of the Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD) crisis affecting the region's native trees. Supporting community events that celebrate this ecosystem is a meaningful act of solidarity with efforts to protect what remains of these forests.

Volcano Village: The Community Behind the Race

Volcano Village is a small artistic settlement located on the edge of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, home to approximately 2,500 to 3,000 residents. The race is organized by a volunteer crew from the local community, highlighting the importance of community support in its success. Packet pick-up occurs at the race start area near The Volcano School, with specific parking instructions to respect local venues.

The village offers a variety of restaurants and cafes that serve well for post-race recovery meals, including the popular Thai Thai Restaurant and Kilauea General Store.

Packet Pick-Up and Race Day Logistics

Based on confirmed race structure from past editions and the official FAQ:

• Packet Pick-Up: Available the day before the race and on race morning.
• Race Weekend Registration: Available at $110 (half marathon) or $60 (5K).
• Parking: Along the road near The Volcano School; do NOT park inside the school or in front of the Volcano Art Center.
• Aid Stations: One for 5K runners; four for half marathoners.
• Results: Posted in real-time on the official timer's webpage during the race; updated on the main website afterward.

Practical Travel Tips for Combining the Race with the Big Island

Getting to Volcano Village

Volcano Village is located approximately:

• 45 minutes from Hilo International Airport (ITO) heading southwest on Hawaiʻi Belt Road (Route 11)
• 2 to 2.5 hours from Kailua-Kona heading east and south on Route 11

A rental car is essential for navigating this part of the Big Island, as public transit is limited.

Where to Stay Near the Race

Volcano Village offers several highly regarded accommodations that are minutes from the race start. The Volcano House Hotel inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park provides stunning views of the Kīlauea caldera, while the village features numerous bed-and-breakfast properties and vacation rentals, including the Kilauea Lodge.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park: The Essential Companion to Race Weekend

No runner should leave without spending at least a day inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The park is located just minutes from Volcano Village and includes attractions such as the summit of Kīlauea, the Kīlauea Iki Trail, the Thurston Lava Tube, and the Chain of Craters Road. The park entrance fee for 2026 is $35 per vehicle for 7 days, separate from race registration.

The proximity of the race to the national park creates a multi-day itinerary, allowing runners to enjoy both the forest and volcanic landscapes during their stay.

Verified Information at a Glance

Event Name: Volcano's ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon and 5K Run 2026

Event Category: Annual community trail/road running event (half marathon 13.1 miles and 5K)

Confirmed Race Month: July 2026 (specific date TBA; check ohialehuahalf.com for confirmation)

Confirmed Location: Volcano Village, Hawaiʻi Island (Big Island), HI (start and finish near The Volcano School)

Online Registration Deadline: July 21, 2026

Half Marathon Pricing: $75 early bird / $90 standard / $100 late / $110 race weekend

5K Pricing: $30 early bird / $40 standard / $50 late / $60 race weekend

Finish Line Cut-Off: 11:00 am (4-hour cut-off for half marathon)

Finisher's Medal: Half marathon only

Finisher's Shirt: All runners (while supplies last)

Official Website: ohialehuahalf.com

If you are a runner looking to experience the unique environment of a native Hawaiian forest at 4,000 feet of elevation, register before July 21 at ohialehuahalf.com and book your Volcano Village accommodation early. This race offers an experience unlike any other on the Big Island.

Every summer on Hawaiʻi Island — the Big Island — a unique cultural phenomenon unfolds that has been a part of the island's fabric for over 140 years. From Hilo to Kona, communities gather under the warm Hawaiian night sky, dancing in circles around a central yagura tower. This tradition, known as the Obon Festival, honors the spirits of ancestors who, according to Buddhist belief, return to the living world during this season. The Obon Festival season on Hawaiʻi Island 2026 spans from mid-June through September, with around 27 bon dances scheduled across the island.

"You don't need to be Buddhist, Japanese, or Hawaiian. You just need to show up."

What Obon Is: The Buddhist Festival of Ancestors

Understanding the Cultural Significance

Obon (お盆) is a deeply significant Buddhist festival in the Japanese tradition. It is a multi-day observance where ancestors' spirits are believed to visit their living relatives. Key practices include:

• Lanterns hung at homes and temples to guide the ancestors' spirits back to their families.
• Bon odori (bon dancing) — communal circle dances welcoming the returning spirits.
• Grave visits and food offerings at family altars and memorial sites.
• Toro nagashi (floating lanterns) — paper lanterns released onto water bodies to guide spirits back.

In Japan, Obon traditionally occurs August 13–16. However, in Hawaiʻi, the celebration extends from June through September, allowing communities to attend multiple festivals throughout the summer.

The Big Island Obon Season 2026: The Confirmed Schedule

Anticipating the Island-Wide Celebrations

The 2026 Big Island Obon schedule follows a staggered temple-by-temple pattern. The 2025 season featured 27 bon dances, and the 2026 season is expected to match this number. Although the 2026 dates will be confirmed in May, the 2025 schedule provides a reliable guide:

June — The Season Opens

Kickstarting the Festivities

The Obon season begins with a series of events across the island:

DateTemple / EventLocationNotes June 14Honomu Henjōji Mission (Odaishisan)Honomu, Hamakua Coast4:00 PM start June 15Obon Festival at Old Kona AirportKailua-Kona, West Hawaii4:00 PM start — Kona Hongwanji & Daifukuji Soto Mission joint event June 21Pāpaʻikou Hongwanji MissionPapaikou, Hamakua Coast7:00 PM June 28Puna Hongwanji MissionPuna District, East Hawaii7:00 PM July — The Season's Heart

A Month of Vibrant Celebrations

July brings the heart of the Obon season with dances across the island:

DateTemple / EventLocationNotes July 5Kohala Hongwanji Mission Community DanceKamehameha Park, Kohala7:00 PM July 12Kona Daifukuji Soto MissionKona, West Hawaii3:00 PM start July 12Hilo MeishoinHilo, East Hawaii7:00 PM July 12Paʻauilo Hongwanji MissionPaauilo, Hamakua7:00 PM July 19Keʻei Buddhist Church (Kona Hongwanji)Keei, South Kona7:00 PM July 19Honokaʻa Hongwanji Buddhist TempleHonokaa, Hamakua7:00 PM July 19Honpa Hongwanji Hilo BetsuinHilo, East Hawaii7:00 PM July 26Hilo Hongwanji Mission (Odaishisan)Hilo, East Hawaii7:00 PM July 26Kona Hongwanji MissionKailua-Kona, West Hawaii7:00 PM August — The Peak

Reaching the Height of Celebration

August marks the peak of the Obon festivities:

DateTemple / EventLocationNotes August 2Taishoji Soto MissionHilo area, East Hawaii7:00 PM August 2Kurtistown Jodo MissionKurtistown, Puna7:00 PM August 8Life Care Center ObonHilo6:00 PM start August 9Hilo Higashi Hongwanji MissionHilo, East Hawaii7:00 PM August 9Hāmākua Jodo MissionHamakua Coast7:00 PM August 9Kona Koyasan DaishijiKona, West Hawaii7:00 PM August 16Hakalau Jodo MissionHakalau, Hamakua Coast7:00 PM August 16Kamuela Hongwanji MissionWaimea (Kamuela), North Hawaii7:00 PM August 23Hāwī Jodo MissionHawi, North Kohala7:00 PM August 23Hōnōhina-Papaʻaloa Obon at Hōnōhina HongwanjiHonohina, Hamakua2:00 PM start August 23Hilo Daijingu Natsu MatsuriHilo, East Hawaii7:00 PM August 30Pāhoa Kaikan at Pāhoa YBA HallPahoa, Puna3:00 PM start September — The Season Closes

Bringing the Festivities to a Close

The final bon dance of the season marks the end of the Obon festivities:

DateTemple / EventLocationNotes September 13Pāhala Nāʻālehu ObonPahala Hongwanji, Kaʻū District7:00 PM Total: 27 bon dances across 27 different temple and community venues on Hawaiʻi Island — from the first weekend of June through mid-September.

Note: The 2026 specific dates will be confirmed by temples in May 2026. Dates shown are based on the 2025 schedule and are the most reliable reference available. Check the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi and Big Island Now for confirmed 2026 dates as they are published.

The Celebration of Life: Opening the Big Island Obon Season

A Multicultural Gathering in Hilo

The 22nd Annual Celebration of Life at Reeds Bay Beach Park, Hilo is the event that officially opens Hawaiʻi Island's Obon season in 2026. This free community-wide lantern floating memorial attracts more than 2,000 participants. It blends Native Hawaiian traditions with Japanese Obon customs, creating a multicultural expression of the Obon spirit. The floating lanterns released onto the waters of Reeds Bay at the event's close are a visually stunning and emotionally resonant experience.

The Obon Festival at Old Kona Airport: June 15, 2026

A Visitor-Friendly Bon Dance Experience

The Obon Festival at Old Kona Airport is a joint event organized by Kona Hongwanji Mission and Daifukuji Soto Mission. Held at the Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area, it is the most accessible and visitor-friendly bon dance on the Big Island. The former airport runway, now a public park on the ocean edge, provides a dramatic and photogenic setting with the Pacific Ocean as the backdrop.

The Rissho Kosei-kai Hawaii Dharma Center is among the Kona area Buddhist organizations participating in the summer Obon tradition.

The Kohala Obon: The Visitor Favorite

An Authentic Experience in a Historical Setting

For visitors staying along the Kohala Coast resort corridor, the Kohala Hongwanji Mission bon dance at Kamehameha Park, Kohala on July 5 is highly recommended. The historical plantation-era community of Kohala provides an authentic and community-rooted setting for the bon dance, contrasting with the resort-oriented atmosphere of the oceanfront hotels.

What Happens at a Bon Dance: The Format

Understanding the Rituals and Traditions

Every Big Island bon dance follows a traditional format maintained for over 140 years:

• The Yagura Tower: A raised wooden platform decorated with paper lanterns, serving as the focal point for the dance and music.
• Taiko Drumming: The Japanese ceremonial drum sets the rhythm for the circle dancing.
• Bon Odori (Circle Dancing): Simple, repetitive movements designed for everyone to participate.
• Food Booths: Offering a variety of Japanese-Hawaiian fusion foods, these booths are a key part of the experience.
• Lanterns: Paper lanterns create a warm, inviting atmosphere, lighting up the night sky.

The Buddhist Traditions of Hawaiʻi Island: The Temple Communities

A Rich Tapestry of Cultural Heritage

The Big Island's bon dance network reflects the diversity of Japanese Buddhist traditions brought to Hawaiʻi by plantation-era immigrants:

• Jōdo Shinshū (Hongwanji): Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin, Kohala Hongwanji, Kona Hongwanji, Papaikou Hongwanji, Puna Hongwanji, Pahala Hongwanji
• Jōdo Shū: Hamakua Jodo Mission, Hawi Jodo Mission, Hakalau Jodo Mission, Kurtistown Jodo Mission
• Sōtō Zen: Daifukuji Soto Mission (Kona), Taishoji Soto Mission
• Shingon (Koyasan): Kona Koyasan Daishiji
• Odaishisan (Shingon affiliate): Honomu Henjoji Mission, Hilo Hongwanji Mission (Odaishisan)
• Jōdo Shinshū (Higashi Hongwanji): Hilo Higashi Hongwanji Mission

These traditions converge during the Obon season, honoring ancestors through dancing, drumming, and lantern light.

Obon and the Big Island's Japanese Heritage

Preserving Cultural Roots Through Generations

The Japanese community's presence on Hawaiʻi Island dates back to the sugar plantation era of the 1880s. The temple communities hosting the annual bon dances are the living memory of those plantation communities. The Hamakua Coast has a dense concentration of Obon events, reflecting the historical Japanese settlement pattern in the sugar-growing district.

Planning Your Big Island Obon Season Experience

The Most Visitor-Accessible Events by Region

Kona / West Hawaii (staying at Kailua-Kona or Kohala Coast resorts):

• June 15 — Old Kona Airport Obon Festival — the most accessible Kona bon dance.
• July 5 — Kohala Hongwanji at Kamehameha Park — worth the short drive from the resort strip.
• July 12 — Kona Daifukuji Soto Mission (3:00 PM start — earliest daytime event).
• July 26 — Kona Hongwanji Mission

Hilo / East Hawaii (staying in Hilo):

• July 19 — Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin — the largest and most established Hilo temple bon dance.
• August 9 — Hilo Higashi Hongwanji Mission
• August 23 — Hilo Daijingu Natsu Matsuri — the summer festival combining Japanese shrine traditions with Obon elements.

Hamakua Coast (day trip from Hilo or Waimea):

• June 14 — Honomu Henjioji (4:00 PM start — pairs with a morning visit to Akaka Falls State Park, 5 minutes from Honomu).
• June 21 — Papaikou Hongwanji
• August 23 — Honohina Hongwanji (2:00 PM start — the earliest bon dance of the late-season calendar).

Waimea / North Hawaii:

• August 16 — Kamuela Hongwanji Mission — the most centrally located event for visitors based in Waimea.

Kohala Peninsula:

• August 23 — Hawi Jodo Mission

The Full Obon Season Picture: Hawaiʻi Island Compared to Other Islands

A Unique Cultural Experience Across the Hawaiian Islands

The Big Island's Obon season is the most geographically distributed of any Hawaiian island, with 27 events spanning a land mass larger than all other Hawaiian islands combined:

IslandApproximate Bon Dance CountSchedule Source Hawaiʻi Island (Big Island)~27 events, June–Septemberbigislandnow.com OʻahuMultiple events, June–Octoberoahubondance.com MauiSeveral events, AugustMaui temples KauaʻiSeveral events, AugustKauai temples Oʻahu's full bon dance calendar covers events through October, including the MegaBon and the Autumn Matsuri. The Big Island's season is notable for starting earlier and covering more geographically spread community locations than any other island.

Practical Tips for the Big Island Obon Season 2026

Maximize Your Experience with These Tips

• Confirm 2026 dates at jcchawaii.org/resources/obon and bigislandnow.com — temples typically confirm and publish their 2026 dates in May 2026.
• Most dances start at 7:00 PM — arrive by 6:30 PM to find parking, get food from the booths, and settle before the dancing begins. The few events with earlier starts are noted in the schedule above.
• All events are free to attend — the food booths are the fundraising mechanism for the temple, not the entry. Bring cash for food and drinks.
• Dress comfortably — casual summer clothing is perfectly appropriate. Yukata (summer kimono) are welcomed and many Japanese-Hawaiian families wear them, but they are not required.
• Jump in and dance — first-time visitors are explicitly welcomed into the dance circle. The movements are simple and the circle is forgiving.
• The Hamakua Coast bon dances are the most community-authentic and least visitor-oriented — arriving at a Papaikou or Honomu bon dance as one of perhaps a handful of non-local visitors gives the most genuine immersion.
• Combine Honomu Henjioji (June 14, 4:00 PM) with a morning visit to ʻAkaka Falls State Park — the 442-foot waterfall is 5 minutes from Honomu village.
• The Hilo Daijingu Natsu Matsuri (August 23) combines Japanese Shinto shrine festival traditions with Obon elements.

Getting to Bon Dance Events on the Big Island

Transportation Tips for Exploring the Island's Obon Season

Hawaiʻi Island's 27 bon dance locations span a 150-mile ring road — a rental car is essential for reaching the full range of temple events across Hilo, the Hamakua Coast, Honokaa, Waimea, Kohala, Kona, and Kaʻū:

• Hilo events — accessible from downtown Hilo, walkable from central Hilo accommodations.
• Kohala Coast to Kohala town (July 5) — approximately 20 to 30 minutes inland from the resort strip.
• Kona events — accessible from central Kailua-Kona, Old Kona Airport is walking distance from Alii Drive hotels.
• Hamakua Coast events — 30 to 60 minutes north of Hilo along Highway 19; Honomu is approximately 12 miles from Hilo.
• Waimea (Kamuela) — approximately 1 hour from both Hilo and Kona via Saddle Road or Highway 19/270.

Flights to Hawaiʻi Island:

• Hilo International Airport (ITO) — served by Hawaiian Airlines from Honolulu (30 min).
• Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) — served by Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, United, Delta, American from mainland US and Honolulu.
• Interisland connection: Hawaiian Airlines operates multiple daily flights between Honolulu and both Hilo and Kona.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Things People Always Want to Know

When is the Obon Festival season on the Big Island in 2026?

Mid-June through September — approximately 27 events from June 14 through September 13.

Do I need to be Buddhist or Japanese to attend?

No — all bon dances are open to everyone. "You don't need to be Buddhist, Japanese, or Hawaiian. You just need to show up".

Are they free to attend?

Yes — free entry, with food and drinks available at temple booths for purchase.

What time do they start?

7:00 PM for most events — with some starting at 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM, or 6:00 PM as noted in the schedule.

Where do I find the confirmed 2026 schedule?

jcchawaii.org/resources/obon and bigislandnow.com — published in May 2026.

Which is the best event for first-time visitors?

Old Kona Airport Obon (June 15) for Kona visitors, Kohala Hongwanji (July 5) for Kohala Coast resort guests, and Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin (July 19) for Hilo visitors — the three most accessible and most visitor-welcoming events on the calendar.

Verified Information at a Glance

• Season: Mid-June through September 2026
• Number of events: Approximately 27 bon dances
• Admission: Free
• Start time: Mostly 7:00 PM; select events at 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, 6:00 PM
• Format: Taiko drumming, bon odori circle dancing, paper lanterns, food booths
• Opening event: Celebration of Life, Reeds Bay Beach Park, Hilo — free, 2,000+ participants, lantern floating
• First bon dance: Honomu Henjoji — June 14, 4:00 PM
• Final event: Pahala Nāʻālehu Obon — September 13
• 2026 schedule publication: May 2026
• Schedule sources: jcchawaii.org/resources/obon / bigislandnow.com
• Kohala Coast visitor pick: Kohala Hongwanji, July 5, Kamehameha Park
• Kona visitor pick: Old Kona Airport Obon, June 15, 4:00 PM
• Hilo visitor pick: Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin, July 19
• Nearest Airports: Hilo International (ITO) / Ellison Onizuka Kona International (KOA)
• Best For: Japanese culture travelers, Buddhist heritage visitors, cultural festival enthusiasts, family travelers, photography enthusiasts, Hawaiʻi community culture visitors, food tourism visitors, first-time Big Island visitors, Japan diaspora cultural researchers, IsleRush Hawaiʻi Island editorial

The Aloha Festivals, a month-long celebration of Hawaiian culture, is a beacon of tradition and community spirit. Since 1946, it has honored the islands' rich heritage through music, hula, and chant. The 2026 edition marks the 80th anniversary, themed "80 Years of Aloha: Our Culture, Our Stories, Celebrating Our Island Home," and promises a milestone year for communities across Hawaiʻi.

"Aloha Festivals is not just an event; it's a gift to locals and visitors alike, sustained by volunteers and community support."

The Story of Aloha Festivals

80 Years of Living Hawaiian Culture

Established in 1946, Aloha Festivals emerged in the post-war era as a cultural renewal act, asserting Hawaiian identity. Its roots trace back to King Kalākaua's 1880s cultural revival, embodying the modern continuation of that spirit. The festival's unique characteristics include:

• Completely free to attend — a community gift supported by volunteers.
• Volunteer-driven — organized by dedicated community members.
• Community-rooted — events are locally organized, not tourist-focused.
• 80 years of continuity — a testament to deep community investment.

The 2026 Experience

Confirmed Statewide Framework

The official Aloha Festivals website confirms the 2026 Oʻahu programme and statewide timing:

• Royal Court Investiture & Opening Ceremony: September 5, 2026, 4:00–6:00 PM, Helumoa Gardens, Waikīkī.
• 72nd Annual Waikīkī Hoʻolauleʻa: September 19, 2026, 6:00–10:00 PM, Kalākaua Avenue.
• 78th Annual Floral Parade: September 26, 2026, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM, Kalākaua Avenue.

Into the Spirit of Neighbor Islands

Festivals of Aloha Beyond Oʻahu

Beyond Oʻahu, the Festivals of Aloha brings the spirit to neighbor islands. While Maui Nui's schedule is confirmed, the Big Island's programme is yet to be published. Confirm details at:

• alohafestivals.com
• Full statewide events calendar

The Big Island's Cultural Calendar

A Year of Festivals and Celebrations

The Big Island hosts a rich cultural calendar alongside Aloha Festivals:

MonthEventLocationNotes February 7Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage FestivalWaimeaJapanese heritage, taiko, mochi March 7Laupahoehoe Music FestivalHamakua CoastHawaiian music, ocean backdrop March 14Kona Brewers FestivalKailua-KonaCraft beer, island cuisine, music April 5–11Merrie Monarch FestivalHiloWorld's premier hula competition April 23–25Big Island Chocolate FestivalWaikoloaBean-to-bar, chocolatiers, cacao farms May 1Hilo Lei Day FestivalHiloLei-making, hula, Hawaiian music May 9Hilo Chocolate FestivalHiloCacao, artisan chocolate May 14–17Big Island Jazz & Blues FestivalHiloLive music, multi-day June 5–7Hawaiʻi Kuauli Pacific & Asia Cultural FestivalKailua-KonaPacific and Asian cultural exchange June 11King Kamehameha Day Parade & HoʻolauleʻaKailua-KonaRoyal procession, hula, hoʻolauleʻa June–SeptObon Festival SeasonIsland-wideBuddhist summer bon dances SeptemberFestivals of Aloha — Big IslandTBC80th anniversary Aloha Festivals October 16–17Hawaiʻi Food & Wine FestivalKohala Coast16th annual, James Beard chefs Late OctoberIronman World ChampionshipKailua-KonaWorld triathlon championship November 6–15Kona Coffee Cultural FestivalKailua-Kona10-day 100% Kona coffee celebration The Merrie Monarch Festival

The Big Island's Premier Cultural Celebration

The Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, April 5–11, 2026, is the world's most prestigious hula competition, drawing the finest hālau hula from across Hawaiʻi and the US mainland. It includes:

• The world's most prestigious hula competition — both kahiko (traditional) and ʻauana (modern) styles.
• A week-long celebration with cultural workshops, a hoʻolauleʻa, and a parade.
• Held annually since 1964, honoring King David Kalākaua, who revived hula.
• Tickets: From approximately USD $100, selling out months in advance at merriemonarch.com.

Laupahoehoe Music Festival

The Hamakua Coast's Gift

The Laupahoehoe Music Festival on March 7, 2026, on the Hamakua Coast provides a dramatic natural setting for live Hawaiian music and local food. Held at Laupahoehoe peninsula, the festival supports the Laupahoehoe Community Public Charter School and carries deep historical significance due to the 1946 tsunami.

The Aloha Festivals 80th Anniversary Context

A Celebration of Resilience and Heritage

The 2026 edition marks the 80th Annual Aloha Festivals, celebrating eight decades of cultural resilience through Hawaii's transitions. The theme, "80 Years of Aloha: Our Culture, Our Stories, Celebrating Our Island Home", encourages communities to connect their celebrations to the festival's historical arc.

The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival

November 6–15, 2026

The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival is the longest-running coffee festival in the United States. Its 10-day programme includes:

• 10 days of programming — from farm tours and cuppings to parades and cultural performances.
• Many events are free — making it an affordable culinary travel experience.
• The cupping competition — evaluates Kona's finest coffees, offering an educational experience for coffee enthusiasts.
• Located in the Kona coffee belt — known for producing celebrated domestic coffee.
• Website: konacoffeefest.com

The Ironman World Championship

Late October 2026

Held annually in Kailua-Kona, the Ironman World Championship is a globally recognized sporting event:

• 2.4-mile ocean swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile run along the Queen K highway.
• Spectator access is free — the Alii Drive finish line area offers an emotionally charged viewing experience.
• The combination with the Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival creates an exceptional October travel window.

Practical Tips for the Aloha Festivals Big Island 2026

• Confirm the schedule at alohafestivals.com — the Big Island events were TBC at time of research.
• All events are free — bring cash for food vendors and craft stalls.
• Oʻahu Waikīkī Hoʻolauleʻa (September 19) is the largest annual block party — a must-see if traveling in September.
• September on the Big Island is shoulder season — less crowded, with eased accommodation rates.
• Pair with Obon season's close — the Pahala Hoʻolauleʻa Obon (September 13) in Kaʻū can be combined with the Aloha Festivals opening.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Things People Always Want to Know

When is Aloha Festivals 2026?

September 2026 statewide — Oʻahu programme runs September 5 to September 26, 2026. Big Island programme TBC at alohafestivals.com.

Which edition is 2026?

The 80th Annual Aloha Festivals — themed "80 Years of Aloha: Our Culture, Our Stories, Celebrating Our Island Home".

Is it free?

Yes — every event is completely free to attend.

What is the Hoʻolauleʻa?

A community block party — the Waikīkī Hoʻolauleʻa (September 19) is the largest annual block party on Kalākaua Avenue.

What is the Floral Parade?

The 78th Annual Floral Parade (September 26) features horseback riders, performance groups, and floats along Kalākaua Avenue.

Where do I find the Big Island schedule?

alohafestivals.com/events — the full statewide events calendar.

Verified Information at a Glance

• Event: Aloha Festivals 2026 — 80th Anniversary
• Theme: "80 Years of Aloha: Our Culture, Our Stories, Celebrating Our Island Home"
• Founded: 1946
• Format: Free, volunteer-driven, community-supported
• Oʻahu Programme (confirmed):
• Royal Court Investiture: September 5, 2026, 4:00–6:00 PM, Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Waikīkī
• 72nd Annual Waikīkī Hoʻolauleʻa: September 19, 2026, 6:00–10:00 PM, Kalākaua Ave
• 78th Annual Floral Parade: September 26, 2026, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM, Kalākaua Ave
• Big Island Festivals of Aloha 2026: September 2026 — exact dates TBC
• Admission: Free
• Official Website: alohafestivals.com
• Events Calendar: alohafestivals.com/events
• Big Island Companion Events: Obon Season (Jun–Sept), HFWF Big Island (Oct 16–17), Ironman (late Oct), Kona Coffee Cultural Festival (Nov 6–15)

On a single Saturday each fall at the ʻImiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo, the Big Island's most unique science and culture institution opens its grounds to the entire community for a free celebration rooted in one of the Hawaiian lunar calendar's most powerful seasons. The 4th Annual ʻIkuwā Festival 2026 is confirmed for Hawaiʻi Island in September/October 2026 (TBC) — an event that has grown from its debut to welcoming 3,000 participants at its 3rd edition in 2024, and that stands as the Big Island's most thoughtfully layered intersection of indigenous Hawaiian cultural practice, community science education, environmental awareness, and living aloha.

"ʻIkuwā Festival stands as the Big Island's most thoughtfully layered intersection of indigenous Hawaiian cultural practice, community science education, environmental awareness, and living aloha."

The 2026 Experience

A Celebration Rooted in Hawaiian Tradition

Multiple Hawaiʻi events guides place the ʻIkuwā Festival in the September/October 2026 window on Hawaiʻi Island — specifically listed as "ʻIKUWĀ Festival, Hawaiʻi Island, TBC Sep 2026" in the comprehensive Hawaii Admirer statewide events calendar. The 2025 edition was held on September 28, 2025 at ʻImiloa Astronomy Center. The 2024 edition was held on October 20, 2024 — both confirming a late September to late October window depending on the Hawaiian lunar calendar alignment for the year.

Confirm the exact 2026 date at:

• imiloahawaii.org — the official ʻImiloa Astronomy Center website and the primary source for all ʻIkuwā Festival programme and date announcements
• ʻImiloa Astronomy Center: 600 ʻImiloa Place, off Komohana and Nowelo Streets, Hilo, HI 96720

The Story of ʻIkuwā

The Hawaiian Season That Speaks the Loudest

ʻIkuwā (pronounced ee-KOO-wah) is one of the months in the traditional Hawaiian lunar calendar — the season of the year when the natural world of the Hawaiian islands speaks loudest:

• The word ʻIkuwā means "the noisy time" or "the time of resounding voices" — named for the dramatic environmental transformation that marks this season in Hawaiʻi
• The seas roar — the North Pacific winter swells begin building in ʻIkuwā, pushing the first major ocean energy of the season against Hawaiʻi's shores
• The skies crackle — thunder and electrical storms become more frequent as the trade wind season transitions toward the winter weather patterns
• The forests come alive with sound — migratory birds arrive, native forest birds become more vocal, insects intensify, and the natural soundscape of the Hawaiian upland forest shifts into a richer, more complex register

ʻIkuwā in the traditional Hawaiian calendar is not just a time marker — it is a reminder of the human community's interdependence with the natural world — the land (ʻāina), the sea (kai), and the sky (lani) that sustain all life in the Hawaiian islands. The festival is built entirely around this foundational understanding.

The Festival's Mission and Spirit

Connecting People, Land, Sea, and Sky

The ʻIkuwā Festival is described by ʻImiloa Astronomy Center as a celebration of:

• "The connections between people, communities, and the natural resources and landscapes that the island's people call home"
• "Our interconnectedness to land, sea and sky"
• The living relationship between the Hawaiian cultural calendar and the natural rhythms of the islands — a relationship that indigenous Hawaiian knowledge systems have mapped with extraordinary precision across centuries of observation and practice

Each year the festival also carries a specific thematic focus aligned with a current environmental or cultural priority:

• 2024 (3rd Annual): "Ka Makahiki o Nā Manu Nahele" — the Year of the Forest Birds, recognizing the critical conservation status of Hawaiʻi's native forest bird species and calling the community to action around their protection
• 2025 (4th Annual/2026 4th Annual): Theme TBC — confirm at imiloahawaii.org as the event approaches

The annual thematic focus connects the ancient seasonal calendar to a living contemporary issue — giving each edition of the festival its own specific environmental or cultural conversation while maintaining the consistent spiritual and educational core.

What to Expect

A Day of Culture, Science, and Community

The ʻIkuwā Festival is held as a single-day, completely free community event at the ʻImiloa Astronomy Center grounds in Hilo. The programme covers the full range of Hawaiian cultural practice, community science, and family activities:

Cultural Performances

• Hula performances — the 2024 edition featured performances from Hilo's Hālau Unulau and other hālau, whose presentations of both kahiko (traditional) and ʻauana (modern) hula connect the festival's cultural celebration to the living practice of Hawaiʻi's most iconic performing art
• Mele (Hawaiian song) — live musical performances in the Hawaiian language tradition, connecting the festival's community to the mele that describes the ʻIkuwā season and the natural world it honors
• Oli (Hawaiian chant) — including the Keiki Oli (Chant) Challenge — a youth-oriented chant competition that puts the next generation of Hawaiian cultural practitioners on stage in a celebratory and encouraging format

Makahiki Games

Makahiki is the traditional Hawaiian season of peace, sport, and ceremony — a four-month period in the Hawaiian lunar calendar during which warfare was forbidden and the community gathered for athletic competition, religious observance, and collective celebration. The ʻIkuwā Festival incorporates Makahiki games — traditional Hawaiian athletic contests including ʻōʻō ihe (spear throwing), uma (arm wrestling), hāpuku (wrestling), huki (tug of war), and hōlua (land sledding simulations) — as a living demonstration of the physical culture that the Hawaiian calendar's seasons framed and organized.

Planetarium Programmes

ʻImiloa Astronomy Center's signature Maunakea Skies planetarium — one of the finest full-dome digital planetarium theatres in the Pacific — runs special programming during the ʻIkuwā Festival connecting the Hawaiian star navigation tradition (wayfinding by the stars across the open Pacific) with modern astronomical science conducted at the Maunakea Observatories. The planetarium is the physical and conceptual heart of ʻImiloa's year-round programme — the place where the two knowledge systems (indigenous Hawaiian and Western astronomy) that the center is dedicated to honoring in conversation with each other are most vividly brought into the same frame.

Waʻa (Canoe) Activities

Traditional Hawaiian waʻa (outrigger canoe) activities are incorporated into the festival programme — connecting the ʻIkuwā season's relationship to the sea with the most foundational technology of Polynesian Pacific navigation, the vessel that carried the Hawaiian people's ancestors across 2,000 miles of open ocean from the Marquesas to the Hawaiian archipelago.

Community Booths, Crafts, and Vendors

The festival grounds are filled with community activity booths covering crafts, environmental education, native plant cultivation, cultural demonstrations, and the full range of Big Island community organizations whose work connects to the festival's land-sea-sky framework. Food vendors and artisan craft stalls complement the educational programming — a market-within-festival format that brings Hilo's community economy into the celebration.

ʻImiloa Astronomy Center: The Festival's Home

Where Culture and Science Intersect

ʻImiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaiʻi is one of the most intellectually ambitious and most architecturally distinctive cultural institutions on the Big Island — a science and culture center built around the deliberate conversation between indigenous Hawaiian knowledge systems and Western astronomy, with a particular focus on the Maunakea Observatories that sit atop the Big Island's highest peak and that represent the most powerful concentration of astronomical research infrastructure in the Northern Hemisphere.

The center's three distinctive titanium-clad cone structures — inspired by the forms of Maunakea's cinder cones — house the planetarium, exhibit galleries, and educational programming spaces that make ʻImiloa the primary institutional home of the Big Island's science-culture conversation. ʻImiloa's mission statement — to "connect Hawaiʻi's unique cultural and natural heritage with astronomy and science exploration" — is enacted directly through the ʻIkuwā Festival, which takes that institutional mission into the community in its most accessible and most celebratory format.

ʻImiloa Astronomy Center:

• Address: 600 ʻImiloa Place, off Komohana and Nowelo Streets, Hilo, HI 96720
• Website: imiloahawaii.org
• Setting: UH Hilo's University Park of Science and Technology, on the edge of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo campus

The ʻIkuwā Festival in the Big Island September/October Calendar

A Unique Cultural Highlight

The ʻIkuwā Festival's late September to late October placement puts it at the heart of the Big Island's most culturally rich seasonal transition:

EventDateLocation Aloha Festivals / Festivals of AlohaSeptember 2026 (TBC)Island-wide Queen Liliʻuokalani Canoe RaceSeptember 2026 (TBC)Kailua-Kona ʻIkuwā FestivalSeptember/October 2026 (TBC)ʻImiloa Astronomy Center, Hilo Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival — Big IslandOctober 16–17, 2026Kohala Coast Ironman World ChampionshipLate October 2026Kailua-Kona The ʻIkuwā Festival stands completely apart from the other October events in its character — where the Food & Wine Festival is luxury culinary tourism and the Ironman is global athletic spectacle, ʻIkuwā is a free, community-organized, culturally grounded celebration of Hawaiian knowledge and environmental relationship that connects visitors to the Big Island's indigenous intellectual tradition in a way no other event does.

Why the ʻIkuwā Festival Matters: The Maunakea Context

A Sacred and Scientific Intersection

The ʻIkuwā Festival's location at ʻImiloa — the institution most directly engaged with the cultural and scientific significance of Maunakea — gives it a layer of meaning that connects it to one of the most important conversations in contemporary Hawaiʻi. Maunakea (13,796 feet above sea level) is simultaneously:

• The most sacred mountain in the Hawaiian tradition — a piko (navel, connection point) between the sky and the earth, associated with Wākea (the sky father) and the deepest genealogical narratives of the Hawaiian people
• The finest astronomical observing site in the Northern Hemisphere — whose combination of altitude, isolation, stable atmosphere, and distance from light pollution makes it the location of choice for the world's most powerful telescopes, including the Keck Observatory, Subaru Telescope, and the controversial Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project

ʻImiloa was created specifically to hold this tension productively — to create a space where indigenous Hawaiian knowledge and Western science could be in genuine conversation rather than opposition — and the ʻIkuwā Festival is the most publicly accessible annual expression of that institutional commitment. Attending the festival gives visitors a direct engagement with the intellectual and cultural conversation that is most alive in contemporary Hilo — a conversation that is happening nowhere else in the world in quite the same way.

Hilo: The Festival City

A Vibrant Cultural Hub

Hilo — the Big Island's largest city and county seat on the rainy east coast — is the most authentically Hawaiian urban community in the state, a city whose character is shaped more by its Japanese, Filipino, Native Hawaiian, and Portuguese heritage communities than by its tourism economy:

• ʻImiloa Astronomy Center is approximately 2 km from downtown Hilo, near the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo campus
• Hilo Farmers Market — the most celebrated farmers market in all of Hawaiʻi, held every Wednesday and Saturday at the corner of Mamo and Kamehameha Avenue in downtown Hilo, a direct engagement with the Big Island's extraordinary agricultural diversity
• Rainbow Falls (Waiānuenue) — a 24-meter waterfall 3 km from downtown, where the Wailuku River drops into a natural lava cave pool rimmed by wild ginger and guava
• Liliʻuokalani Gardens — the largest ornamental Japanese garden outside of Japan, a 30-acre Meiji-era formal garden on Hilo Bay whose cultural history reflects the depth of the Japanese community's roots in the Big Island's plantation history
• Banyan Drive — the ring road around the Waiakea Peninsula lined with massive banyan trees planted by visiting celebrities in the 1930s, whose canopy creates one of the most atmospheric urban walking environments in Hawaiʻi

Getting to ʻImiloa Astronomy Center, Hilo

Conveniently Located for Easy Access

ʻImiloa Astronomy Center, 600 ʻImiloa Place, Hilo, HI 96720:

• From downtown Hilo: Approximately 5 to 10 minutes by car (approximately 3 km) via Komohana Street
• From Hilo International Airport (ITO): Approximately 10 to 15 minutes by car (approximately 6 km)
• From Kailua-Kona: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes via Saddle Road (Highway 200) — the most dramatic cross-island drive in Hawaiʻi, passing through the volcanic saddle between Maunakea and Maunaloa at 7,000 feet elevation
• From Kohala Coast resorts: Approximately 1 hour 30 to 2 hours via Saddle Road

Flights to Hilo:

• Hilo International Airport (ITO) — Hawaiian Airlines from Honolulu (HNL) approximately 45 minutes, multiple daily departures

Practical Tips for the ʻIkuwā Festival 2026

Make the Most of Your Festival Experience

• Confirm the exact date at imiloahawaii.org/event-calendar — typically announced 4 to 6 weeks before the event. The 2025 edition was September 28; the 2024 edition was October 20
• The festival is completely free — including planetarium shows during the festival day. Bring cash only for food vendors and artisan stalls
• Arrive early — ʻImiloa's parking is limited and the festival draws 3,000+ participants from across the island
• Bring children — the Keiki Oli Challenge, Makahiki games, craft booths, and hands-on science activities make ʻIkuwā one of the most genuinely family-friendly free events on the Big Island
• The planetarium programmes during the festival are the most accessible entry point into ʻImiloa's core mission — the combination of Hawaiian star navigation and Maunakea astronomy in a full-dome immersive format is unlike anything available elsewhere in Hawaiʻi
• Pair with a Maunakea summit visit — the Maunakea Visitor Information Center (at 9,200 feet elevation) is approximately 40 minutes from Hilo, open daily, and offers free stargazing on clear evenings. A daytime ʻIkuwā Festival at ʻImiloa combined with an evening at the Maunakea VIS gives the most complete Big Island astronomy and indigenous sky knowledge experience possible in a single day
• Rain gear — Hilo is the rainiest city in the United States at sea level. October in Hilo averages significant rainfall. Pack a light rain jacket for the outdoor festival elements

Frequently Asked Questions

The Things People Always Want to Know

When is the ʻIkuwā Festival 2026?

September/October 2026 — exact date TBC. The 2025 edition was September 28, 2025; the 2024 edition was October 20, 2024. Confirm at imiloahawaii.org.

Is it free?

Yes — completely free to attend, including planetarium programmes during the festival.

What is ʻIkuwā?

The Hawaiian lunar calendar season of noisy, resounding voices — when seas roar, skies crackle, and forests come alive with sound. The season that marks the transition from the warm, dry, trade wind months to the louder, wilder, stormier winter season.

Who organizes it?

ʻImiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaiʻi, located at 600 ʻImiloa Place, Hilo, HI 96720, on the UH Hilo campus.

How many people attend?

Approximately 3,000 participants at the 2024 (3rd Annual) edition.

Which edition is 2026?

Expected to be the 5th Annual ʻIkuwā Festival (2022 inaugural, 2023 2nd, 2024 3rd, 2025 4th, 2026 5th).

Verified Information at a Glance

• Event Name: ʻIkuwā Festival 2026 (expected 5th Annual)
• 2026 Date: September/October 2026 — TBC
• 2025 Date (reference): September 28, 2025
• 2024 Date (reference): October 20, 2024
• Venue: ʻImiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaiʻi, 600 ʻImiloa Place, Hilo, HI 96720
• Organizer: ʻImiloa Astronomy Center
• Official Website: imiloahawaii.org
• Admission: Free
• Attendance: ~3,000 participants (2024)
• Format: Single-day community festival — hula, mele, oli, Makahiki games, planetarium, waʻa, crafts, vendors
• Keiki highlight: Keiki Oli (Chant) Challenge
• Annual theme: Environmental/cultural focus — 2024 theme was Year of the Forest Birds
• Named for: ʻIkuwā — the Hawaiian lunar calendar month when seas roar, skies crackle, forests come alive
• Nearest Airport: Hilo International Airport (ITO) — approximately 10–15 minutes
• October Calendar Companions: Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival Big Island (Oct 16–17), Ironman World Championship (late Oct)

Every Labor Day weekend, the waters of Kailua Bay in Kailua-Kona transform into the most competitive and most culturally resonant outrigger canoe racing venue on the planet. The 52nd Annual Queen Liliʻuokalani Long Distance Outrigger Canoe Race 2026 is officially confirmed for September 3–7, 2026 in Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi Island — the world's largest outrigger canoe race. Organized by the Kai ʻOpua Canoe Club, it draws crews from across Hawaiʻi, the US mainland, and the international Pacific paddling community to compete across multiple race formats in the deep blue waters of the Kona coast.

"The world's largest outrigger canoe race returns to Kailua-Kona for its 52nd annual edition."

The 2026 Experience

Confirmed Details and Exciting Prospects

Every official source — the official qlcanoerace.com website, the Kai ʻOpua Canoe Club (kaiopua.org), and the official Facebook page — confirms the same dates for this iconic event:

• Event: 52nd Annual Queen Liliʻuokalani Long Distance Outrigger Canoe Race
• Dates: Thursday September 3 – Sunday September 7, 2026
• Hotel block window: Monday August 31 – Wednesday September 9, 2026
• Location: Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi Island, HI
• Organizer: Kai ʻOpua Canoe Club
• Official Website: qlcanoerace.com
• Instagram: @qlcanoerace
• Registration: Open — qlcanoerace.com
• Official hotel: King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel — special group rate from USD $276/night

The Story of the Race

World's Largest Outrigger Canoe Race

The Queen Liliʻuokalani Long Distance Outrigger Canoe Race holds the title of the world's largest outrigger canoe race — a distinction earned through five decades of consistent growth and the event's central position in the global outrigger paddling calendar:

• Hundreds of crews from across Hawaiʻi, the US mainland, Canada, Japan, Tahiti, New Zealand, Australia, and Pacific island nations participate.
• The race attracts paddlers ranging from world-class elite competitors to community recreational crews — the most democratically structured elite sports event in Hawaiʻi.
• The 52nd edition in 2026 marks over half a century of continuous annual racing — one of the longest-running outrigger canoe events in the world.

Into the Waters

Race Formats and Exciting Challenges

The QL races span multiple canoe formats across the five-day event window:

• OC-6 Long Distance: The flagship event — six-person outrigger canoe over a long ocean course.
• OC-4 (8-Person Relay): Four-person canoe with relay format.
• 6-Person Iron: Non-stop OC-6 without crew changes — the ultimate endurance format.
• 9-Person Glass: Nine-person fiberglass canoe category.
• Double Hull (OC-2): Two-hull tandem canoe racing.
• Small Boat: Smaller single and double canoe categories.

"The OC-6 Long Distance race is the marquee event — a course that takes crews from the Kailua-Kona pier along the dramatic lava coastline of the Kona shore."

Cultural Significance

Honoring Queen Liliʻuokalani

The race is named for Queen Liliʻuokalani — the last sovereign monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, who was deposed in the American-backed overthrow of 1893 and remains one of the most beloved and culturally significant figures in Hawaiian history. Naming the world's largest outrigger race after the queen connects the competitive event to the deeper cultural tradition of outrigger canoe paddling — the technology and practice that carried the Polynesian ancestors of the Hawaiian people across the largest ocean on earth, and that remains the most physically direct connection between contemporary Hawaiians and their Pacific seafaring heritage.

The race is organized by Kai ʻOpua Canoe Club — one of the oldest and most respected canoe clubs in Hawaiʻi, based in Kailua-Kona, whose stewardship of the Queen Liliʻuokalani races for over 50 years represents one of the most sustained acts of cultural preservation through sport in the entire Hawaiian community.

Spectator Experience

A Visual and Cultural Feast

For non-paddling visitors, the Queen Liliʻuokalani races offer one of the most spectacular free spectator experiences available in all of Hawaiʻi:

• Kailua Pier and Alii Drive: The most accessible spectator vantage point, where crews launch, the bay fills with canoes at race start, and the finish line brings competitors back into the heart of Kona's oceanfront strip.
• The race start: When hundreds of OC-6 crews launch simultaneously from Kailua Bay, the visual spectacle of the massed canoe departure is one of the most dramatic sporting spectacles in Hawaiʻi.
• The finish line atmosphere: On Alii Drive as crews complete their ocean course is the most emotionally charged and most community-celebratory element of the entire week — the combination of paddlers' exhaustion, the crowd's energy, and the cultural weight of the event produces a finish line atmosphere that is uniquely moving.
• The festival atmosphere: Surrounding the race — the canoe staging areas, the club tents, the food vendors, and the paddling community's reunion culture give the entire Labor Day weekend a festive community character that extends well beyond the races themselves.

The Setting of Kailua-Kona

A Historic and Vibrant Backdrop

Kailua-Kona — the Big Island's primary west coast town, built on the edge of an ancient Hawaiian royal community whose heiau, fishponds, and burial sites are embedded in the same landscape as the resort hotels and dive shops — gives the Queen Liliʻuokalani races their most fitting possible home:

• Kailua Bay: The most historically significant harbor on the Kona coast — the landing place of the first Western contact with the Big Island's west shore, and the community center around which Hawaiian and later American commercial and cultural life organized.
• Alii Drive: The oceanfront promenade that runs south from the Kailua Pier past the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel — is the most animated and most continuously interesting street in West Hawaii, lined with restaurants, dive operators, surf shops, and the outdoor tables that make it the social center of Kona's community and visitor life.
• King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel: The official race hotel, built on the site of Kamakahonu — the final royal compound of King Kamehameha I — is the most historically layered accommodation on the entire Kona coast. The reconstructed Ahuʻena Heiau (the royal temple) sits on the hotel's grounds, a living reminder of the royal heritage that the Queen Liliʻuokalani race's name honors.

Calendar Highlights

September's Rich Event Landscape

The September 3–7 window places the QL races at the heart of the Big Island's most event-rich month:

EventDateLocation Queen Liliʻuokalani Canoe RacesSeptember 3–7, 2026Kailua-Kona ʻIkuwā FestivalSeptember/October 2026 (TBC)ʻImiloa, Hilo Aloha Festivals / Festivals of AlohaSeptember 2026 (TBC)Island-wide Obon Season close — Pahala ObonSeptember 13, 2026Pahala, Kaʻū The Labor Day weekend timing of the QL races — always centered on the US federal Labor Day holiday — means the race falls consistently in the first full weekend of September, making it one of the most reliably plannable events in the Big Island calendar.

Getting There

Travel Logistics for Participants and Spectators

Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi Island, HI:

• Nearest airport: Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) — approximately 15 to 20 minutes north of Kailua-Kona town by car.
• From Kohala Coast resorts: Approximately 20 to 30 minutes south by car.
• From Hilo: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes via Saddle Road (Highway 200).
• From the US mainland: Direct flights to KOA on Alaska Airlines, United, Delta, American, and Hawaiian Airlines from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Denver, Phoenix, Dallas, Chicago, and New York.
• From Honolulu: Hawaiian Airlines interisland — approximately 35 to 40 minutes to KOA.

Official race hotel: King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel — special group rate USD $276/night for the August 31 – September 9, 2026 window. Book at qlcanoerace.com.

Practical Tips

Maximize Your Race Experience

• Register at qlcanoerace.com — registration is open now for crews and individual event participants.
• Book accommodation immediately — Kailua-Kona hotels fill for Labor Day weekend, especially the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel whose group rate block is limited.
• Spectators: position at Kailua Pier for race starts and at the Alii Drive finish area for finishes — both locations are free to access and give the best unobstructed views of the racing action.
• The race week builds across five days — arriving Thursday September 3 for the opening events and staying through the weekend gives the full experience of the race's building momentum and community atmosphere.
• Combine with the Pahala Obon (September 13) — the last bon dance of the Big Island's 27-event Obon season falls one week after the QL races close, giving a West/South Big Island cultural itinerary that combines canoe racing with the most community-rooted Buddhist summer tradition in Hawaiʻi.
• Manta ray night dives — the famous Garden Eel Cove manta ray night dive is 15 minutes from Alii Drive, available every calm evening, and is the most memorable post-race evening activity in Kona.
• Water conditions in early September are typically excellent on the Kona coast — calm morning seas, afternoon trade wind chop, warm water, and exceptional visibility for snorkeling and diving.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Things People Always Want to Know

When is the Queen Liliʻuokalani Canoe Race 2026?

Thursday September 3 – Sunday September 7, 2026 — fully confirmed at qlcanoerace.com.

Which edition is 2026?

The 52nd Annual Queen Liliʻuokalani Long Distance Outrigger Canoe Race.

What is the world record claim?

It is the world's largest outrigger canoe race — confirmed by the race organizers and internationally recognized in the global paddling community.

Who organizes it?

Kai ʻOpua Canoe Club, Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi Island.

What race formats are offered?

OC-6 Long Distance, OC-4 (8-Person Relay), 6-Person Iron, 9-Person Glass, Double Hull, and Small Boat.

Where do I register?

qlcanoerace.com — registration is currently open.

What is the official race hotel?

King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel — special group rate USD $276/night for August 31 – September 9, 2026. Book via qlcanoerace.com.

Is it free for spectators?

Yes — spectator access along Kailua Pier and Alii Drive is free.

Verified Information at a Glance

• Event: 52nd Annual Queen Liliʻuokalani Long Distance Outrigger Canoe Race
• Dates: Thursday September 3 – Sunday September 7, 2026 — fully confirmed
• Hotel block window: August 31 – September 9, 2026
• Location: Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi Island, HI
• Organizer: Kai ʻOpua Canoe Club
• Official Website: qlcanoerace.com
• Instagram: @qlcanoerace
• Race formats: OC-6, OC-4, 6-Person Iron, 9-Person Glass, Double Hull, Small Boat
• Title: World's largest outrigger canoe race
• Named for: Queen Liliʻuokalani — last sovereign monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi
• Registration: Open at qlcanoerace.com
• Official hotel: King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel — USD $276/night group rate
• Spectator access: Free — Kailua Pier and Alii Drive
• Nearest airport: Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) — 15–20 min
• September calendar companions: ʻIkuwā Festival (Sep/Oct TBC), Aloha Festivals (Sep TBC), Pahala Obon (Sep 13)

The largest food festival in Hawaiʻi returns for its 16th annual edition — and the Big Island gets the opening weekend. The 16th Annual Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival (HFWF26) kicks off on the Island of Hawaiʻi on October 16–17, 2026, followed by Kāʻanapali, Maui (October 23–25) and Oʻahu (November 5–8) — three weekends, three islands, one of the most respected culinary festivals in the entire Pacific.

"Mark your calendars for May 23 when the full lineup is revealed and tickets officially go on sale for the Sixteenth Annual Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival"

The Story of HFWF

Founded by Culinary Pioneers

The Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival was co-founded by two of Hawaiʻi's own James Beard Award-winning chefs — Alan Wong and Roy Yamaguchi. They are the figures most responsible for defining and elevating the Hawaiʻi Regional Cuisine movement, transforming the island's food identity from a tourist-oriented generic international menu to a distinct culinary tradition rooted in locally sourced, farmer-and-fisherman-connected, Pacific-influenced cooking.

Fifteen annual editions have built the HFWF into the most prestigious and economically significant food event in the Pacific:

• 200+ award-winning chefs, winemakers, sommeliers, mixologists, and culinary industry leaders participate across the three-island festival
• ~10,000 visitors across all three weekend editions
• ~$25 million in visitor spending generated annually
• ~$5 million raised for culinary education, sustainability, and cultural preservation
• The largest food festival in Hawaiʻi — by participant count, economic impact, and culinary prestige

The Big Island Experience

A Festival with Authentic Flair

The Big Island edition of HFWF is described by seasoned attendees and travel writers as the most "authentic and distinctive" of the three island weekends. The Kohala Coast's extraordinary resort landscape, the proximity to the Big Island's extraordinary agricultural and aquacultural resources, and the slightly more intimate scale compared to Oʻahu combine to produce the most genuinely Hawaiʻi-feeling culinary festival experience:

• Best for: Travelers who want "authentic + distinctive vibes — not just luxury, but experience"
• Most memorable when the island itself matters as much as the event
• Locally sourced ingredients from the Big Island's ranches, farms, and ocean are the defining culinary material of the weekend

The Kohala Coast: The Festival's Home

An Idyllic Setting for Culinary Celebration

The Big Island events are held in the Kohala Coast resort corridor — the dramatic lava-field coastline on the island's dry northwest shore that hosts Hawaiʻi's most prestigious luxury resort strip. The resorts that have historically hosted HFWF Big Island events include:

• Fairmont Orchid Hawaiʻi — Kohala Coast's most acclaimed luxury hotel and one of the most frequent HFWF Big Island venue partners
• Mauna Kea Beach Hotel — the original Rockefeller-commissioned luxury resort on the Kohala Coast, whose combination of iconic mid-century architecture, priceless Pacific art collection, and spectacular beach setting makes it one of the most atmospherically beautiful event venues in the entire Pacific
• Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection — the most recently renovated resort on the coast, whose grounds include ancient Hawaiian fish ponds, petroglyphs, and volcanic landscape trails alongside its luxury pool and beach facilities
• Waikoloa Beach Marriott and the Waikoloa Resort area — the broader Waikoloa resort complex at the south end of the Kohala strip

Specific 2026 Big Island venue assignments will be confirmed when the full lineup is announced on May 23, 2026.

The Festival Format

Individual Events, Not One Package

The single most important logistical fact about HFWF — the one that trips up most first-time attendees — is that there is no all-access weekend pass. Every event is ticketed and purchased separately:

• Grand tastings — large-format walk-around tasting events featuring dozens of chef stations, wine and spirits pours, and the full festival's culinary breadth in a single venue
• Collaboration dinners — intimate seated dinners at resort restaurants where visiting and local chefs cook together in a structured multi-course format, typically 20 to 50 guests, the most exclusive and most personally engaging format the festival offers
• Wine and spirits seminars — focused educational sessions led by winemakers, sommeliers, and spirits producers
• Chef-driven specialty experiences — cooking demonstrations, farm-to-table lunches, ocean-to-table experiences, and format-specific events that change year to year

All Big Island events require individual tickets — purchased at hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com from May 23, 2026 onwards.

The Big Island's Culinary Resources

Why This Island Stands Out

The Big Island is the most agriculturally and culinarily diverse island in the Hawaiian archipelago — a combination of climatic zones, elevations, and land types that produces an extraordinary range of locally grown and locally harvested food:

Farming and Agriculture

• Waimea (Kamuela) — the highland ranching community at 2,600 feet elevation in the shadow of the Kohala Mountains, home to Parker Ranch (one of the largest ranches in the United States) and the most concentrated community of specialty farms and producers in Hawaiʻi. Waimea's cool, moist climate produces world-class tomatoes, salad greens, root vegetables, and berries that supply the top restaurant kitchens across the island
• Puna District — the Big Island's most productive tropical agricultural zone, producing papayas (the Big Island supplies the majority of Hawaiʻi's commercial papaya production), bananas, macadamia nuts, and the volcanic soil-grown produce that defines the island's tropical food culture
• Kona Coffee — the Kona coast's volcanic hillside belt between 800 and 2,000 feet elevation produces the most celebrated coffee in the United States, a premium single-origin coffee whose combination of volcanic soil, afternoon cloud cover, and careful hand-harvesting gives it a flavor profile unmatched in domestic production. 100% Kona coffee is one of the most prized culinary ingredients on the Big Island festival table
• Big Island Chocolate — the Puna district's cacao farms produce the raw material for Hawaiʻi's burgeoning artisan chocolate industry, with producers like Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory farming and processing single-origin Big Island chocolate from tree to bar
• Macadamia nuts — Hāmākua Coast macadamia orchards produce the most buttery and most richly flavored macadamia nuts in the world

Ocean and Aquaculture

• Kona deep-sea aquaculture — the Kona coast's deep offshore waters support the most sophisticated open-ocean aquaculture operations in the United States, producing moi (Pacific threadfin), kampachi (Hawaiian amberjack), and abalone in conditions whose quality and traceability are unmatched in domestic seafood production
• Kona coffee-smoked fish — the culinary intersection of the Kona coffee tradition and the island's fishing culture, a Big Island-specific flavor profile that regularly appears on HFWF menus
• Poke — the Big Island's ahi tuna poke tradition is the original form of what has become a global food trend; the island's direct-from-boat ahi quality gives HFWF Big Island chefs access to the freshest and most flavorful raw tuna in the festival's three-island programme

The Chef Lineup

Announced May 23, 2026

The 2026 Big Island chef roster had not been announced at time of research — the full lineup goes public on May 23, 2026 alongside ticket sales. Based on 15 previous editions, the Big Island weekend consistently features:

• Alan Wong and Roy Yamaguchi — the co-founders regularly appear at Big Island events in addition to their co-founding roles
• Top mainland US and international chefs — the HFWF invitation list typically includes James Beard Award winners and nominees from New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and international culinary capitals
• Leading Big Island and Hawaiʻi chefs — the resident culinary talent of the Kohala Coast resort restaurants alongside Hilo and Kona's most acclaimed independent chefs
• Winemakers and sommeliers — the wine programme has historically featured producers from Napa Valley, Burgundy, Tuscany, and New Zealand alongside Hawaiʻi's own Maui Wine

For the confirmed 2026 Big Island lineup: Follow @hawaiifoodandwinefestival on Instagram and check hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com from May 23, 2026.

The Three-Island Festival

Choosing the Right Weekend

The strategic question for prospective HFWF26 attendees — which island weekend to attend — has a clear answer depending on traveler type:

IslandCharacterBest For Island of Hawaiʻi (Big Island)Authentic, distinctive, Kohala Coast settingTravelers who want the island experience as much as the food Kāʻanapali, Maui (Oct 23–25)Luxury focus, premium resort settingLuxury travel priority, maximum resort amenity Oʻahu (Nov 5–8)Easiest access, most hotel depth, largest event scaleFirst-time HFWF visitors, urban culinary scene lovers The travel guide consensus: pick one island and do it well — attempting all three in a single year means three inter-island flights, three hotel changes, and the diminishing returns of festival fatigue.

October on the Big Island

The Perfect Festival Season

October is one of the finest months of the year on the Kohala Coast:

• The dry season — the Kohala Coast's already low annual rainfall drops further in October, giving the festival weekend near-certain sunshine and the low humidity that makes the volcanic landscape glow
• The whale watching season approaches — humpback whales begin arriving in Hawaiian waters in November/December, but late October on the Kohala Coast sometimes produces the first sightings of the season
• Water clarity is at peak — the summer trade winds have calmed, the ocean swell is minimal, and snorkeling and diving visibility in the Kohala Coast's pristine reef systems reaches its annual best
• Manta ray night dives — the Kohala Coast's famous manta ray night dive at Garden Eel Cove (near the Kona airport) and Manta Village (off the Sheraton Kona) operates year-round but October's calm seas make for the most comfortable and most reliably spectacular manta encounters

The Big Island HFWF and the Broader October Calendar

Events to Pair with the Festival

The HFWF Big Island weekend on October 16–17 sits within a rich October Hawaiʻi Island event calendar:

EventDateLocation Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival — Big IslandOctober 16–17, 2026Kohala Coast, Hawaiʻi Island Ironman World ChampionshipLate October 2026Kailua-Kona (confirmed annual) Aloha FestivalsOctober 2026Statewide The Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona — the most famous triathlon event in the world — runs in late October and is a potential companion event for the athletically inclined HFWF visitor who combines the festival's culinary indulgence with the Ironman's extraordinary athletic spectacle.

Getting to the Kohala Coast

Travel Logistics for Attendees

Kohala Coast, Hawaiʻi Island, HI:

• Nearest airport: Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) — approximately 25 to 35 minutes south of the Kohala Coast resort strip by car
• From Hilo (ITO): Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes via Saddle Road (Highway 200)
• From the US mainland: Direct flights to KOA from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Phoenix, Denver, Chicago, Dallas, and New York on Alaska Airlines, United, Delta, American, and Hawaiian Airlines
• From Honolulu (HNL): Hawaiian Airlines interisland — approximately 40 minutes to KOA or 45 minutes to ITO

Accommodation strategy for HFWF Big Island:

• Stay at or near the festival resort venues — Kohala Coast resort accommodation gives the most convenient access to event venues and eliminates the long-distance driving that is the Big Island's most significant logistical challenge
• Book immediately after May 23 ticket announcement — Kohala Coast resort availability on October 16–17, 2026 will compress rapidly once tickets go on sale and attendees begin booking

Practical Tips for HFWF26 Big Island

Maximize Your Festival Experience

• Set a May 23, 2026 reminder — the full lineup and ticket sales launch on that date at hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com. The most sought-after collaboration dinners and intimate events sell out within hours of going on sale
• Buy individual events, not a package — there is no all-access pass. Decide which format (grand tasting vs. collaboration dinner vs. seminar) best matches your priorities and buy those specific tickets
• Most events are 21+ — important for families or groups that include under-21 travelers
• Stay 3 to 4 nights — the optimal Big Island HFWF visit is 3 nights (Thursday arrival, Sunday departure) giving the full two festival days plus arrival and departure day exploration
• Pair with a Kohala cultural activity — the Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site (15 minutes north of Waikoloa) is the most significant Hawaiian cultural site on the Kohala Coast and the most historically resonant way to balance the culinary focus of the festival weekend with the island's deeper indigenous history
• Waimea farmers market pre-festival — the Waimea Town Market (Saturday mornings in Waimea, 30 minutes inland from the Kohala Coast) gives the HFWF visitor a direct engagement with the same farm community whose products appear on festival menus
• The collaboration dinners are the best value — smaller, more intimate, more chef-interactive than the grand tastings, the seated collaboration dinners are the most memorable and most personally engaging format the festival offers

Frequently Asked Questions

The Things People Always Want to Know

When is the Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival on the Big Island in 2026?

Friday October 16 – Saturday October 17, 2026 — fully confirmed.

Which edition is 2026?

The 16th Annual Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival.

When do tickets go on sale?

May 23, 2026 — full lineup and tickets announced simultaneously at hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com.

Where are the Big Island events held?

Kohala Coast resort corridor, Hawaiʻi Island — specific venue assignments confirmed on May 23.

Is there an all-access pass?

No — all events are ticketed individually. No single pass covers the full weekend.

Who founded the festival?

James Beard Award-winning chefs Alan Wong and Roy Yamaguchi — two of Hawaiʻi's most celebrated culinary figures.

What is the economic impact?

Approximately $25 million in visitor spending and $5 million raised for culinary education and sustainability annually.

Are events 21+?

Most events are 21+ — confirm age requirements for specific events at the time of purchase.

Verified Information at a Glance

• Event Name: 16th Annual Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival — Island of Hawaiʻi
• Big Island Dates: Friday October 16 – Saturday October 17, 2026 — fully confirmed
• Location: Kohala Coast resort corridor, Hawaiʻi Island
• Full 3-Island Dates: Big Island Oct 16–17 / Maui Oct 23–25 / Oʻahu Nov 5–8
• Ticket Launch: May 23, 2026 — full lineup + tickets at hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com
• Format: Individual ticketed events — grand tastings, collaboration dinners, wine seminars, specialty experiences
• Age Restriction: Most events 21+
• Co-Founders: Alan Wong and Roy Yamaguchi — James Beard Award winners
• Participants: 200+ chefs, winemakers, sommeliers, mixologists
• Annual Impact: ~$25M visitor spending, ~$5M raised for culinary education
• Official Website: hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com
• Phone: (808) 738-6245
• Email: info@hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com
• Instagram: @hawaiifoodandwinefestival
• Facebook: @HawaiiFoodandWineFestival
• Nearest Airport: Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) — 25–35 min to Kohala Coast

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The Pacific Ocean provides a breathtaking backdrop as the 29th Annual Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival – Kona Style unfolds at the Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa. This festival offers four hours of soulful, authentic Hawaiian music, celebrating a tradition as ancient as the Big Island's first cattle ranchers. Set for Sunday, October 18, 2026, this event is free, outdoors, and open to all.

"The most soulful and most distinctively Hawaiian music on earth — free, outdoors, open to everyone."

The Story of Slack Key Guitar

Hawaiian Tradition with Global Recognition

Ki-hoʻalu, or slack key guitar, is a unique acoustic guitar tradition born in Hawaiʻi. The term means "to loosen the key", referring to the practice of detuning the guitar strings to create open tunings with a rich harmonic resonance. This tradition traces its roots back to the early 19th century when Spanish and Mexican vaqueros brought guitars to Hawaiʻi. The local musicians embraced the instrument, developing unique tunings and techniques that became a family and community tradition.

• Spanish and Mexican vaqueros introduced guitars to Hawaiʻi in the 19th century.
• Hawaiian musicians created open-string slack tunings and unique playing techniques.
• Initially a private tradition, slack key was shared within families and communities.
• The 1970s Hawaiian cultural renaissance brought slack key into the public eye.

The 2026 Experience

A Day of Music and Culture

The 29th Annual Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival – Kona Style promises an exceptional musical journey. Twelve artists will perform, showcasing the full range of the contemporary slack key tradition. The lineup will be confirmed by June 1, 2026, and published at facebook.com/slackkeyfestivals.

• 12 artists perform sequentially with solo sets of 15 to 20 minutes each.
• 4 hours of continuous live music from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
• Outdoors at the Outrigger Kona Resort, offering a stunning oceanfront setting.
• Refreshments and island food available from local vendors.
• Island crafts from artisan vendors complement the music programme.

Into the Woods at the Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa

A Venue with a View

The Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa, located at 78-128 Ehukai Street in Kailua-Kona, is renowned for its stunning location above the ocean at Keauhou Bay. This venue offers a perfect blend of world-class Hawaiian music and breathtaking natural beauty. Keauhou Bay is also famous for its manta ray feeding grounds, making it a unique spot for combining cultural and natural experiences.

"Combining the afternoon Slack Key Festival with an evening manta ray snorkel at Keauhou gives the October 18 visit its own complete arc from culture to nature."

The Legacy of Grammy Recognition

Celebrating a Musical Heritage

The slack key guitar tradition has earned significant recognition, including a dedicated Best Hawaiian Music Album category at the Grammy Awards in 2005. This acknowledgment highlights the tradition's evolution from a private practice to a celebrated art form. Many Grammy winners and nominees regularly participate in the festival circuit, offering a Grammy-caliber experience at a community-friendly price.

• The Grammy Awards recognized Hawaiian music with a dedicated category in 2005.
• Regular festival participants include multiple Grammy winners and nominees.
• The tradition is recognized by the Smithsonian Institution and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Practical Tips for Festival Day

Getting the Most Out of Your Experience

• Tickets ($20–$25) — Purchase at the Ki-Hoʻalu Foundation Facebook page or at the gate.
• Arrive early — Doors open before the 1:00 PM start. Arrive by 12:30 PM for the best seating.
• Bring sunscreen and a hat — The outdoor setting is sunny and exposed.
• Combine with a manta ray snorkel — Book an evening snorkel at Keauhou Bay for a full day of activities.
• Full artist lineup — Published after the June 1, 2026, music deadline.
• Follow @slackkeyfestivals on Facebook for updates and news.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Things People Always Want to Know

When is the Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival – Kona Style 2026?

Sunday October 18, 2026, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM — fully confirmed.

Which edition is 2026?

The 29th Annual Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival – Kona Style.

Where is it held?

Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa, 78-128 Ehukai Street, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740.

What is the admission price?

$20 – $25.

Who organizes it?

Ki-Hoʻalu Foundation — Milton Lau, Show Director.

How many artists perform?

12 artists across the 4-hour show.

Is there a free version on another island?

Yes — the 35th Annual Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival – Maui Style on June 28, 2026 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center is completely free.

What is ki-hoʻalu?

The Hawaiian name for slack key guitar — meaning "to loosen the key" — a uniquely Hawaiian open-tuning guitar tradition born from the vaquero cowboys of the Big Island's Waimea ranching community.

Verified Information at a Glance

• Event: 29th Annual Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival – Kona Style
• Date: Sunday October 18, 2026, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM — fully confirmed
• Venue: Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa, 78-128 Ehukai Street, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
• Admission: $20 – $25
• Artists: 12 performers across 4 hours
• Organizer: Ki-Hoʻalu Foundation — Milton Lau, Show Director
• Facebook: facebook.com/slackkeyfestivals
• Music artist deadline: June 1, 2026
• Maui companion event: 35th Annual – Maui Style, June 28, 2026, Maui Arts & Cultural Center — Free
• Nearest airport: Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) — 20–25 min
• October calendar companions: Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival Big Island (Oct 16–17), Ironman World Championship (late Oct)
• Best for: Hawaiian music lovers, slack key guitar enthusiasts, acoustic guitar tradition travelers, Grammy music culture visitors, Big Island cultural heritage travelers, Kona coast visitors, families, kanikapila Hawaiian music culture enthusiasts, Na Hoku Hanohano Award fans, IsleRush Hawaiʻi Island island editorial