Oahu in Depth - Honolulu, Waikiki and Oahu - page 68

for peace and harmony. Hula and music follow the ceremony. Call & 808/942-1848 or go to
www.lanternloatinghawaii.com . Memorial Day weekend.
Memorial Day, National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl Crater, Honolulu. The
armed forces hold a ceremony recognizing those who died for their country, beginning at 9am.
Call & 808/532-3720. Last Monday in May.
JUNE
King Kamehameha Celebration. This state holiday (officially June 11, but celebrated on weekend
closest to June 11) features a massive floral parade, hoolaulea (party), and much more. Call &
808/586-0333 or go to www.kamehamehadaycelebration.org . Most events in 2012 will be held
June 9 to 10.
King Kamehameha Hula Competition, Neal Blaisdell Center, Honolulu. This is one of the top hula
competitions in the world, with dancers from as far away as Japan. It's held the third weekend in
June. Call & 808/586-0333 or go to www.hulacomp.com . Mid- to late June.
JULY
Fourth of July Fireworks, Desiderio and Sills Field, Schofield Barracks. A free daylong celebra-
tion, with entertainment, food, and games, ends with a spectacular fireworks show. Call & 808/
655-0110. July 4.
Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Race, starts on Molokai and finishes on Oahu. Some 70 parti-
cipants, from an international field, journey to Molokai to compete in this 32-mile race, considered
to be the world championship of long-distance paddleboard racing. The race begins at Kepuhi
Beach on Molokai at 7am and finishes at Maunaloa Bay on Oahu around 12:30pm. Call & 808/
638-8208. Mid- to late July.
Ukulele Festival, Kapiolani Park Bandstand, Waikiki. This free concert features a ukulele orches-
tra of some 600 students, ages 4 to 92. Hawaii's top musicians all pitch in. Call & 808/732-3739
or go to www.roysakuma.net . Late July.
Queen Liliuokalani Keiki Hula Competition, Neal Blaisdell Center, Honolulu. More than 500 keiki
(children) representing 22 halau (hula schools) from the islands compete in this dance fest. The
event is broadcast a week later on KITV-TV. Call & 808/521-6905. Late July.
Hawaii State Farm Fair, Bishop Museum, Honolulu. The annual state fair is a great one: It fea-
tures displays of Hawaii agricultural products (including orchids), educational and cultural exhibits,
entertainment, and local-style food. Call & 808/847-3511 or go to www.bishopmuseum.org .
Late July or early August.
Transpac Yacht Race. This international yacht race is held during July in odd-numbered years
only (2013, 2015, and so on). Sailors from the United States, Japan, Australia, New Zealand,
Europe, and Hawaii race from Long Beach to Honolulu. They then participate in a series of races
around the state. Call & 808/944-9666 or go to www.transpacrace.com .
AUGUST
Duke's OceanFest Hoolaulea, Waikiki. Nine days of water-oriented competitions and festivities
celebrate the life of Duke Kahanamoku. Events include the Hawaii Paddleboard Championship,