Fun things to do in Hawai‘i

A curated list of the best upcoming events in Hawai‘i Island, Kaua‘i, Maui, and O‘ahu.

Hawai‘i Island

Hawaiian Cultural Festival

FREE! July 20 Enjoy live music, hula performances, and learn-by-doing exhibits and traditional crafts at this 40th annual event. Pack a picnic or buy food and nonalcoholic beverages there. Sun protection, a rain jacket, and a chair or ground mat are recommended. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park’s Kahuku Unit, Kaʻū (a 60-minute drive from the park’s main entrance).

Mauna Lani Culinary Classic

August 29–September 1 Celebrate Hawai‘i Island’s bounty with James Beard Award–winning chefs, renowned winemakers and mixologists, and Māla‘ai, the culinary garden of Waimea Middle School. Events include chef-led master classes, beachside tastings, and gourmet meals (the closing Culinary Classic Dinner pairs 7 courses with wine; kamaʻāina, $275). Tickets for classes start at $35. Mauna Lani, Kohala Coast.

Talk Story on the Land at Māhukona

FREE! September 7 Part of the Talk Story on the Land series of guided hikes, this 0.75-mile walk on uneven terrain transports guests hundreds of years back in time at Māhukona, a 642-acre, historically significant land parcel. Acquired by the nonprofit Hawai‘i Land Trust in December, it’s protected in perpetuity for coastal trail access and traditional Hawaiian practices. Some 175 archaeological sites have been identified here, including a heiau dedicated to the study of non-instrument navigation. Māhukona Navigational and Ecological Complex, North Kohala.

Kaua‘i

Kaua‘i Mokihana Festival

September 22–28 This immersion in Hawaiian culture features a hula competition (solo and group dancers); a composers’ contest and concert; a craft fair of Hawai‘i-made and other products; workshops on oeoe (bamboo whistle) and ipu hōkiokio (nose flute); and a virtual religious service with music in English and Hawaiian. Admission to the craft fair is free; fees for other activities were still to be determined as of this writing. Various venues, Līhu‘e and Kapa‘a.

Maui

Seussical

July 19–21, 26–28; August 2–4 Laugh at the antics of Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, Mayzie LaBird, and other quirky Dr. Seuss characters who star in a musical comedy based on books by the famed author and cartoonist that have been kids’ bedtime favorites since the 1930s. Tickets start at $25. Historic ‘Īao Theater, Wailuku.

Altered Earth

FREE! August 27–October 19 This invitational exhibition spotlights 10 acclaimed ceramic artists from Hawai‘i and the mainland. Learn how the artists select clays and glazes and oversee the firing processes for their works, which include sculptures, vases, and vessels. Schaefer International Gallery, Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Kahului.

Movie Night Under the Stars at Sugar Beach Events

Monthly One weekend evening each month, family-friendly flicks such as The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Elf are screened under the stars on an oceanfront lawn. Food and beverages are available for sale; the menu changes to complement the movie’s theme (no outside food or drinks are allowed). Bring a light jacket, blankets, and beach chairs. $5 per person (online ticket reservations recommended). Sugar Beach Events, Kīhei.

Mixology Month

FREE! August 1–31 It’s ʻōkole maluna (bottoms up) all month long! Sip specially priced cocktails and mocktails, cheer on competitors in the Battle of the Bartenders, and attend a concert honoring the late Don Ho. Born on August 13, 1930, the legendary crooner headlined a show at this shopping center for 7 years, beginning in 1963. International Market Place, Waikīkī.

Honolulu Intertribal Powwow

September 21–22 View performances of hoop and other traditional Native American dances; try Navajo frybread, made fresh on-site; and stop by the education tent to learn about issues of concern to Indigenous peoples. Artists from various tribes in Arizona, California, New Mexico, Washington state, and Canada will be selling their handmade wares. $5 per day; free for keiki 3 and under. Bishop Museum, Honolulu.

Hawaii Geek Meet

FREE! September 22 Astronomers, drone pilots, armored knights, Lego masters, ham radio enthusiasts, Star Wars stormtroopers—as this gathering proves, “geeks” have a wide range of skills, talents, and interests. Talk story, play with toys and gadgets, make new friends, and pick up a fun hobby. Magic Island, Honolulu.

FREE! indicates free admission to the event, but additional fees may be required. Be sure to designate a driver if you plan to drink alcohol.