January
Sony Open in Hawaii, Waialae Country Club, tel. 808-523-7888, www.SonyOpenInHawaii.com. Over 144 of the world's leading professional golfers participate in this weeklong event.
Turtle Bay Championship, www.turtlebaychampionship.com. Visit Turtle Bay Resort or call tel. 808-545-1588 to find out more about the first full-field event of the PGA Champions Tour on the Arnold Palmer Course at Turtle Bay Resort.
Mike Stewart's International Pipeline Pro, tel. 808-396-2326. This annual body boarding competition spotlights the worlds best body boarders at Banzai Pipeline on O`ahu's North Shore.
February
NFL Pro Bowl, www.NFL.com, tel. 808-486-9300. This competition puts the best football players from the NFC and the AFC at the Aloha Stadium.
SBS Open at Turtle Bay Resort, www.SBSOpen.com, or call tel. 808-792-9333. The tournament is sponsored by the Seoul Broadcasting System.
The Annual Great Aloha Run raises money for various charities. This 8.15-mile run/walk features entertainment along the route and a party at the finish. The run starts at Aloha Tower and ends at Aloha Stadium.
Chinese New Year Celebration, tel. 808-533-3181, www.chinesechamber.com. If you're here in mid-February, come celebrate the Chinese New Year at the only Chinatown in Hawaii.
March
Annual Honolulu Festival, tel. 808-926-2424, www.honolulufestival.com. This two-day festival includes Japanese plays, street performers, food booths, Sumo, kite making, bon dancing, cultural arts demonstrations and a parade in Waikiki.
Waikiki Artfest at Kapi`olani, tel. 808-696-6717, www.icb-web.net/haa. This artfest features made-in-Hawaii products from 75-100 artisans and fine artists. Held at Kapi`olani Park near the Waikiki Bandstand, the two-day festival is open from 9 am to 4 pm.
April
Sail With The Stars - Sunset/Full-Moon, tel. 808-306-7273, www.sailhawaii.com. Held during April and May, Sail With The Stars allows visitors to escape on a 21/2- to three-hour semi-private sailing charter.
Annual Hawaii Invitational International Music Festival, www.worldofpagentry.com. Held for two weeks in Waikiki, the festival has participants from Hawaii, the mainland and around the world playing in the largest Spring Break festival on O`ahu. High school, junior high, college band and pageantry units compete.
May
May 1 is Lei Day in Hawaii – a very big deal in the islands. Schools hold huge celebrations where students participate in presentations that celebrate the Islands. In Honolulu, thousands of residents convene to celebrate at the Waikiki Shell amphitheatre. Buying and giving a lei can convey congratulations, welcome, gratitude or a simple hello.
The Annual May Day Concert with the Brothers Cazimero, tel. 808-597-1888, is also held on May 1. This concert is arguably the most celebrated May Day festivity on O`ahu, featuring a Brothers Cazimero concert under the stars at the Waikiki Shell. Another Waikiki Artfest at Kapi`olani, tel. 808-696-6717, www.icb-web.net/haa, is held in April. This artfest features made-in-Hawaii products from 75-100 artisans and fine artists. Held at Kapi`olani Park near the Waikiki Bandstand, the two-day festival is open from 9 am to 4 pm.
June
Annual Pan-Pacific Hula Festival, tel. 808-535-9099, www.pan-pacific-festival.com. This festival brings Japanese pageantry, culture and arts to Hawaii with a block party that includes hula and musical performances as well as an arts and crafts fair.
Annual King Kamehameha Hula Competition, tel. 808-536-6540. Over 20 dance groups from the Mainland, Japan and Hawaii compete for two days in both traditional and contemporary dance styles.
July
Annual Hawaii International Jazz Festival,www.hawaiijazz.com, tel. 808-941-9974. Four nights of world-class jazz bringing together local, national and international artists and students.
Annual Tinman Triathlon, www.tinmanhawaii.com, tel. 808-595-5317. This triathlon includes a 750-meter swim, a 40-kilometer bike ride and a 10-kilometer run in and around O`ahu's most spectacular areas.
Prince Lot Hula Festival, www.mgf-hawaii.org , tel. 808-533-1292. This festival is Hawaii's oldest and largest non-competitive hula exhibition. During this one-day festival, na halau (hula schools) perform outdoors at Moanalua Gardens under the monkeypod trees. The festival honors Prince Lot, who revived the hula after missionaries banned it.
The Waikiki Annual Ukulele Festival, tel. 808-732-3739, at Kapi`olani Park Bandstand, brings many of the finest ukulele players in the world to O`ahu. The festival is free to the public.
August
Wild Dolphin Discovery by Sail and Snorkel Charters, www.sailhawaii.com, tel. 808-306-7273. From May through November, guests sail into the secret underwater world of the Hawaiian spinner dolphins with a marine biologist team on a unique marine safari. The trips are limited to four–12 passengers per charter.
Made in Hawaii Festival, www.madeinhawaiifestival.com, tel. 808-533-1292.This popular three-day festival, held at the Neal S. Blaisdell Exhibition Hall, has unique made-in-Hawaii items such as books, fashions, plants, arts, crafts and produce. There is also live music and showcases by Hawaii's top culinary artists.
September
Aloha Festivals, www.alohafestivals.com, tel. 808-589-1771. Opening Ceremonies at `Iolani Palace. Traditional hula and chants introduce the O`ahu Royal Court on the grounds of `Iolani Palace. This is the official beginning of the island-wide Aloha Festival that last from September until October. The 10-day festival is held across the Hawaiian Islands and showcases Hawaii's music, dance, history and culture.
During the Waikiki Ho`olaule`a part of the festival, the streets of Waikiki are closed off and booths offer a variety of local foods and entertainment.
The Downtown Ho`olaule`a kicks off the Aloha Week festivities, offering a variety of Hawaii's best foods and local entertainment.
October
Princess Kaiulani Commemoration Week, tel. 808-922-5811. An entire week of festivities in Waikiki is devoted to honoring Ha-waii's most beloved princess.
Annual Princes Kaiulani Keiki Hula Festival, tel. 808-922-5811. Children age five to 12 from halau (hula schools) all across the island come to perform in this annual event.
November
The World International Hula Festival, tel. 808-486-3185, www.worldhula.com, is held at the Waikiki Shell in mid-November. More than 400 dancers from Japan, Mexico, Samoa, Alaska, Hawai`i, and other locales prove that hula has become an international phenomenon.
Hawaii International Film Festival, www.hiff.com, tel. 808-550-8457. This annual festival showcases films from North America, Asia and the Pacific Rim. Events include film screenings, discussions, workshops, symposiums, special awards and media events.
A Birthday Celebration for a King, www.iolanipalace.org, tel. 808-522-0822. Celebrate with The Friends of `Iolani Palace during the annual commemoration of King Kalakaua's Birthday.
December
The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, www.triplecrown-ofsurfing.com, is held during November and December and is the pinnacle of professional big-wave surfing.
Annual Honolulu Marathon, www.honolulumarathon.com, tel. 808-734-7200. This 26-mile scenic course includes spectacular views along world-famous Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head.
Christmas With the Brothers Cazimero, tel. 808-792-2000, is a festive tradition for those in Honolulu. Held in early December at the Blaisdell Center Concert Hall, the brothers celebrate the holidays with Maestro Matt Catingub and the Honolulu Symphony.
Candy Cane Land, Bishop Museum, www.bishopmuseum.org, tel. 808-847-3511. The museum turns into a magical Christmas dreamland where children of all ages can get together for train rides, live entertainment, make-and-take crafts, food and beverages and a chance to meet Santa Claus.
