The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) recently highlighted the most interesting festivals to pitch to clients heading to the Aloha State in 2018.
And here’s what we found:
Clients looking to experience Hawaii's aloha spirit and mix of cultures should seek out the Honolulu Festival on Oahu (March).
The three-day event celebrates the cultures of Hawaii and its Pacific Rim neighbors, concluding with an evening Grand Parade through Waikiki and the Nagaoka Fireworks Show over the resort area's beaches.
Kauai-bound clients will want to attend the events of the Prince Kuhio Celebration (March) spotlighting Hawaiian culture, or the multicultural, agricultural and sporting events of Koloa Plantation Days (July).
Clients looking to catch talented local musicianship will want to add Hawaii Island's Great Waikoloa Ukulele Festival (March) or the Ukulele Festival Hawaii (July) on Oahu into their itineraries.
On Maui, the Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival "Maui Style" (June) honors the Hawaii-born open-tuned finger-picking guitar style and boasts performances from some of its most proficient musicians.
Travelers interested in the Hawaiian dance form hula will want to plan their time in the Islands around the Moku O Keawe International Hula Festival (March) on Hawaii Island, or Eo E Emalani I Alakai Festival (October) on Kauai.
Molokai Ka Hula Piko (June) is a unique hula festival celebrating the oral traditions of Molokai's earliest Hawaiian residents, which regard the island as hula's birthplace.
Encourage art enthusiasts and movie buffs heading to Oahu to check out the Hawaii International Film Festival (November) and Haleiwa Arts Festival Summer Art Fest (July). Maui-bound clients will enjoy the Maui Film Festival (June), which screens much of its slate of films outdoors and under the stars.
Clients looking to sample some liquid aloha should include one of Hawaii's multiple beverage-focused culinary festivals in their schedule. Fans of local-grown java will love the Kau Coffee Festival (May) and Kona Coffee Cultural Festival (November) - both on the Hawaii Island. Craft-beer lovers will enjoy the island's Kona Brewers Festival (March) and, on Maui, the Maui Brewers Festival (May).
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