Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Pacific Islands Arts Festival at Thomas Square,
across from Honolulu Academy of Arts, Honolulu.
More than 100 artists and handicraft artisans, entertainment, food, and demonstrations fill the
day. Admission is free. Call
&
808/696-6717.
Mid-January.
FEBRUARY
Narcissus Festival,
Honolulu. Taking place around the Chinese New Year, this cultural festival in-
cludes a queen pageant, cooking demonstrations, and a cultural fair. Call
&
808/533-3181.
Sand Castle Building Contest,
Kailua Beach Park. Students from the University of Hawaii School
of Architecture compete against professional architects to see who can build the best, most un-
usual, and most outrageous sand sculpture. Call
&
808/956-7225.
Punahou School Carnival,
Punahou School, Honolulu. This event has everything you can imagine
in a school carnival, from high-speed rides to homemade jellies. All proceeds go to scholarship
funds for Hawaii's most prestigious high school. Call
&
808/944-5753.
Early to mid-February.
Buffalo's Big Board Classic,
Makaha Beach. This contest involves traditional Hawaiian surfing,
long boarding, and canoe-surfing. Call
&
808/951-7877.
Depending on surf conditions, it can be
held in February or March.
MARCH
St. Patrick's Day Parade,
Waikiki (Fort DeRussy to Kapiolani Park). Bagpipers, bands, clowns,
and marching groups parade through the heart of Waikiki, with lots of Irish-style celebrating all
day. Call
&
808/536-4138
(O'Toole's Pub). March 17.
Prince Kuhio Day Celebrations.
On this state holiday, various festivals throughout Hawaii celeb-
rate the birth of Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, who was born on March 26, 1871, and elected to
Congress in 1902. Call
&
808/240-6369.
March 26.
APRIL
Easter Sunrise Service,
National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl Crater, Honolulu.
For a century, people have gathered at this famous cemetery for Easter sunrise services. Call
&
808/532-3720.
April 8, 2012.
MAY
Outrigger Canoe Season.
From May to September, canoe paddlers across the state participate in
for this year's schedule of events.
Lei Day Celebrations,
various locations. May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii, celebrated with lei-making
programs/leiday
for Oahu events. May 1.
World Fire-Knife Dance Championships & Samoa Festival,
Polynesian Cultural Center, Laie. Juni-
or and adult fire-knife dancers from around the world converge on the center for one of the most
amazing performances you'll ever see. Authentic Samoan food and cultural festivities round out
Lantern Floating Hawaii,
Magic Island at Ala Moana Beach Park, Honolulu. The Shinnyoen
Temple's ceremonial floating of some 700 lanterns takes place at sunset, representing an appeal
