The start of a new year is a great opportunity for clients to plan their 2026 travel. These spring and summer events across the Hawaiian Islands provide engaging options to add to upcoming itineraries, featuring local food, culture, entertainment, and island experiences suited to a wide range of interests.

Kaua‘i
Celebrating the island’s craft beer scene, the Kaua‘i Brewers Festival features tasting booths, food offerings, live music, and yard game tournaments, such as Portuguese horseshoes and cornhole. Attendees can also sample a variety of local beers and dishes.  Join the second annual Kauaʻi ‘Ukulele Festival which showcases a diverse roster of local musicians, from established artists to rising talents. The program features performances, workshops, and cultural activities, giving guests opportunities to learn, participate and deepen their appreciation of the ‘ukulele.  

O‘ahu
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Honolulu Festival is one of Hawai‘i’s premier cultural events. The three-day festival showcases the rich, vibrant cultures of Hawai‘i and its Pacific Rim neighbors through arts, entertainment, educational programs and activities, craft fairs, and a grand evening parade through Waikīkī. The festival concludes with the colorful Nagaoka Fireworks show over Waikīkī Beach. Guests can also attend the City and County of Honolulu’s official Lei Day event at Kapi‘olani Park in Waikīkī, honoring the tradition of lei-making with pageants, competitions for Lei Queen, and the crafting of fragrant flower lei. Lei are one of Hawaiʻi’s most iconic symbols of aloha and have been celebrated across the Hawaiian Islands on Lei Day since 1927. 

Maui
The 30th East Maui Taro Festival is a family-friendly event that highlights the many uses of kalo (taro) and offers opportunities to learn about Hawaiian culture and agriculture through demonstrations, hands-on activities, and local food. Check out the inaugural Wailuku Film Festival, a new event at the historic ‘Īao Theatre and Maui Academy of Performing Arts, that aims to support and revitalize the island’s film community. It will spotlight homegrown talent and indigenous storytellers, with categories such as student films, Hawai‘i productions, indigenous narratives, and water-sports cinema. 

Hawai‘i Island
Celebrating its 62nd year, the world’s premier annual hula festival, Merrie Monarch, honors King Kalākaua and his contributions to the revitalization of hula. While the prestigious three-night hula competition is the festival’s centerpiece, the weeklong celebration invites the broader community and visitors alike to experience Hilo through craft fairs, local art markets, cultural demonstrations, and other events happening throughout the town. The Hawai‘i Kuauli Pacific & Asia Cultural Festival is a four-day festival at the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Resort that spotlights the Island of Hawai‘i and its significance as a cultural melting pot. Attendees can enjoy food, fashion, hula, a fireknife competition, and cultural workshops.