Big
Island Calendar of Events
There are many wonderful
things to do on the Big Island of Hawaii. Here are just
a few highlighted events throughout the year:
January
PGA MasterCard
Championship - Held at Hualalai Resort Golf Club.
Contact 800-417-2770 for more info.
February
ANNUAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
- February 2, 2008. Held annually in
Kamuela town, this festival offers Oriental art displays,
crafts, and traditional music and tea ceremonies.
6TH ANNUAL HILO
CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL - February 16, 2008.
Downtown Hilo is transformed into a mini-Chinatown as
Asian product and international food purveyors pack
tents filled with the sounds, smells and sights celebrating
the Year of the Boar. Free!
March
KONA
BREWERS FESTIVAL - The Kona Brewers Festival
celebrates its 13th year on Saturday, March 8, 2008,
with 30 Hawaii and mainland breweries serving 60 types
of beer and chefs from 25 local restaurants preparing
tropical culinary creations. Toe-tapping bluegrass,
Hawaiian and rock music, a "trash fashion show"
and hula round out the day. The event raises funds for
environmental and cultural organizations. Call 808-331-3033
or www.KonaBrewersFestival.com
for more information. Contact: (808) 331-3033
KONA CHOCOLATE
FESTIVAL - A multi-day Symposium concluded with
an evening Gala, focuses on the chocolate industry in
Hawaii and highlights the talents of Hawai'i chocolatiers.
March 24 Contact: Chris Hecht (808) 640-5500
ANNUAL UKULELE
FESTIVAL - March 8, 2008. Kings' Shops at Waikoloa
Beach Resort. An evening of Hawaii's biggest ukulele
entertainers.
April
THE MERRIE MONARCH
FESTIVAL - A week-long fesitval of cultural events
including Hawaii's most prestigious hula competition
at Edith Kanaka`ole Stadium. Contact: Merrie
Monarch Festival (808) 935-9168
May
Saturday, May 5: May Day
- May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii. Celebrate this festive
holiday at the Kings' Shops. Browse among arts and crafts
tents and talk story with local artisans. Sample Hawaiian
food prepared by local chefs. Enjoy Hawaiian performing
arts.
3rd ANNUAL BIG ISLAND FILM
FESTIVAL - May 15 - 18, 2008 - Big Island Film
Festival will hold its third “Talk Story”
festival May 15 - 18, 2008 on the fabulous Gold Coast
of the Big Island of Hawaii as a result of the collaborative
effort of Big Island Film Festival, LLC, Waikoloa Beach
Marriott, Hilton Waikoloa Village and Waikoloa Beach
Resort.
The purpose of the Big Island Film Festival is to celebrate
new independent narrative films and independent narrative
filmmakers. This celebration will bring together residents,
visitors, filmmakers and industry professionals in an
entertainment event that will include movies, music,
parties, receptions, Filmmaker and Actor Salutes, an
Awards Brunch, Hawaiian culture, filmmaker seminars
and a charity golf tournament. These events are presented
at various sites on the Waikoloa Beach Resort property,
including the Marriott and Hilton resorts, King’s
Shops, and Waikoloa Beach Golf Course. Visit their website
at http://www.bigislandfilmfestival.com/details/about.htm
for more information
June
DOLPHIN DAYS
- June 19 - June 22, 2008. An annual weekend
festival of events inspired by the playful dolphins
at the Hilton Waikoloa Village® Dolphin Quest Learning
Lagoon and designed to benefit two local charity organizations
through contributions of time and money. Dolphin Days
culminates with its signature event - The Great Waikoloa
Food, Wine & Music Festival. Visit their website
at http://www.dolphindays.com/
for more information
July
Wednesday, July
4: 16th Annual Rubber Duckie Race & 4th of July
Extravaganza at the Kings' Shops Waikoloa. Enjoy
this fun-filled celebration at the Waikoloa Beach Resort
Kings' Shops. Event runs from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Enjoy
craft displays, face painting, popcorn and cotton candy.
Free entertainment and spectacular fireworks over Kings'
Lake.
August
Hawaiian International
Billfish Tournament, July 28 - August 1, 2008-
The best charter skippers in Kona Hawaii fish with some
of the best anglers in the world. Visit their website
for more info.
September
Aloha
Festival Ho'olaulea at Waikoloa Kings' Shops
- Celebrate the Hawaiian culture with a fantastic mix
of Hawaiian arts and crafts, hula performances, food
and live entertainment. Come experience Hawaii's rich
cultural heritage at Kings' Shops.
October
IRONMAN TRIATHLON -
this extreme event is considered the world's top triathlon
with competitors from all over the world. The race includes
a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike race, and a 26.2-mile
marathon. This year's event will be on Saturday, October
11, 2008. Contact 808-329-0063 for more information.
November
BIG ISLAND FESTIVAL-
Food Festival featuring various top chefs on the island.
December
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE DISPLAY
at the Mauna Lani Hotel and Bungalows.
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