HAWAI'I – The Hawaiian Islands are unlike anywhere else in the world. Beyond the beautiful scenery and tropical climate, it is the aloha spirit that stems from the state's traditional Hawaiian culture, that makes the Hawaiian Islands so unique. The Hawai'i Tourism Authority (HTA) honors and perpetuates the Hawaiian culture and community by supporting vital programs and initiatives that help to preserve and promote the 'ōlelo Hawai'i (Hawaiian language), hula, music, art and other cultural traditions and customs.

Guided by the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association (NaHHA), the lead organization for the Hawaiian Culture initiative in the State Tourism Strategic Plan, the HTA's efforts are focused on continuing to bridge the Hawaiian culture and community with the visitor industry. HTA's initiatives include the Native Hawaiian Signature Events Program, Kūkulu Ola: Living Hawaiian Culture Program, Ma'ema'e Tool Kit and other various community partnerships.

The Native Hawaiian Signature Events Program is a series of major events that highlight the Hawaiian culture, which residents and visitors can enjoy every year. They include:

June 11, 2013

King Kamehameha Celebration (O'ahu, Maui, Kaua'i, Hawai'i Island)

This month-long celebration honors the king famous for uniting the Hawaiian Islands. Statewide festivities include a ho'olaule'a (celebration), statue decorating ceremony, hula competition, and floral parades. http://ags.hawaii.gov/kamehameha/

July 20, 2013

Prince Lot Hula Festival (O'ahu)
This all-day festival, held in the beautiful Moanalua Gardens, features hālau hula (hula schools) gracing the hula mound for spectators to enjoy. Dancers will perform on one of the few remaining pā hula (hula mounds) in Hawai'i. http://www.moanaluagardensfoundation.org/

September 21-28, 2013

Aloha Festivals (O'ahu)

Aloha Festivals is Hawai'i's premier cultural showcase, a celebration of Hawai'i's music, dance and history intended to preserve the unique island traditions. This year's theme is Mele 'Ailana:  Celebrate Island Music. This long-standing event is a favorite among residents and visitors. http://www.alohafestivals.com.

March 2014

Prince Kūhiō Celebration (Kaua'i)
Held annually to honor the birthday and birthplace of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole, one of Hawai`i's most beloved monarchs. This Hawaiian prince was noted for his many achievements and contributions. www.princekuhio.net

April 20-26, 2014

Merrie Monarch Festival (Hawai'i Island)

Considered by many as the world's premier hula competition, the Merrie Monarch Festival is a weeklong cultural festival that concludes with its prestigious three-day hula competition.  Featuring female soloists and group hālau hula (hula schools) from around the world, the typically sold-out event showcases dancers competing in both kahiko (ancient) and 'auana (modern) forms of hula. www.MerrieMonarchFestival.org

In addition to the HTA's Native Hawaiian Signature Events Program, the Hawaiian Islands are home to attractions and other events unique to each island that help to perpetuate and promote the Hawaiian culture.

Statewide

May 2013

Mele Mei

The 3rd annual Mele Mei is a month-long celebration of Hawai'i's music, language and culture, featuring some of Hawaii's best musicians, including the Nā Hōkū Hanohano award winning artists and Lifetime Achievement Award honorees during various events throughout the month, statewide. http://www.melemei.com/

O'ahu

Bishop Museum

Bishop Museum is Hawai'i's largest museum dedicated to studying and preserving the history of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. Originally designed to house the extensive collection of Hawaiian artifacts and royal family heirlooms of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, great-granddaughter of King Kamehameha I, the museum is now the premier natural and cultural history institution of the Pacific. It is also designated as a Heritage Site of Hawai'i. http://www.bishopmuseum.org/

'Iolani Palace

As the only official state residence of royalty in the United States, 'Iolani Palace is a national historic landmark and Heritage Site of Hawai'i. A walking tour of the Palace offers visitors an opportunity to experience the lifestyle of Hawai'i's last two monarchs and learn about an important period of Hawai'i's history. http://www.iolanipalace.org/

Maui County

November 2013

Nā Mele O Maui (Maui)

The 40th AnnualNā Mele O Maui Song & Art Competition showcases the Hawaiian language, music and art through the talent of Maui County's youth. The competition features traditional songs sung in Hawaiian and raises scholarship funds for the participants. http://kaanapaliresort.com/40th-annual-na-mele-o-maui-song-art-competition/

November 8-10, 2013

Hula O Nā Keiki (Maui)

Every year, Kā'anapali Beach Hotel hosts Maui's only keiki (children) solo hula and chant competition featuring dancers from 5 to 17 years old. The weekend-long event also features hula and Hawaiian chanting workshops, arts and crafts displays and traditional food and entertainment. http://hawaiiculture.com/cms/View.aspx/Show/HulaONaKeiki

April 2014

Celebration of the Arts (Maui)

Held annually during Easter weekend, the Celebration of the Arts at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua pays tribute to the people, arts and traditions of Hawai'i. Festivities include hula performances, arts and cultural workshops, keiki (children) crafts, entertainment by local musicians, and a Hawaiian luau. www.celebrationofthearts.org.

January 2014

Ka Moloka'i Makahiki Festival (Moloka'i)

This exciting annual cultural festival preserves Hawaiian traditions through activities including competitive games, lectures, arts and crafts, traditional ceremonies, food and local entertainment. http://molokaievents.com/

May 2014

Ka Hula Piko Festival (Moloka'i)

Translating to “a celebration of the birth of hula,” the Ka Hula Piko Festival showcases traditional Hawaiian dance, chanting and lectures every May. Residents and visitors can enjoy entertainment, food and handcrafts made by local artisans. http://molokaievents.com/

Kaua'i

October 12, 2013

Eō E 'Emalani I Alaka'i

Since its inception in 1988, Eō E 'Emalani I Alaka'i (also known as the Emalani Festival) invites kumu hula (hula masters) and their dancers each year to create an outdoor event dedicated to telling the story of Hawai'i's beloved Queen Emma and her inspiring legacy as a humanitarian leader. http://www.kauaifestivals.com/festivals/eo_e_emmalani_i_alakai_festival_.html

The Kaua'i Museum

Celebrating its 53rd year, The Kaua'i Museum helps to educate and promote the indigenous and immigrant culture and history of Kaua'i and Ni'ihau through exhibits, publications and educational programs Every month, the museum presents the “Hawaiian Pāʻina First Friday and Storytelling” which includes award-winning culinary favorites by Kaua'i chef Mark Oyama, traditional Hawaiian lore as told by kūpuna (elders), Hawaiian lei-making and other activities for residents and visitors to participate. http://www.kauaimuseum.org/  

Hawai'i Island

September 2013

Hawai'i Island Festival – 30 Days of Aloha

Throughout the month of September, Hawai'i Island celebrates Hawaiian culture and traditions with various events featuring music, dance and other activities. Signature events include a Poke Contest and the Kindy Sproat Falsetto and Storytelling Contest. http://hawaiiislandfestival.org/

September 7-8, 2013

Ipu Cultural Festival

This annual festival celebrates one of Hawai'i's traditional cultural hula and musical implements, the ipu (gourd drum). Kumu (teachers) and cultural practitioners share their knowledge of the history and heritage of the ipu to raise awareness of the implement through demonstrations, classes and an ipu farm tour. http://hawaiigourdsociety.com/

November 7-9, 2013

Moku O Keawe International Festival

The Moku O Keawe International Festival annually attracts hālau hula (hula schools) from around the world to participate in a showcase of different interpretations of the hula. The event also includes workshops and cultural classes at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. http://mokif.com/

All of the above events are subject to change without notice. For a complete listing of Hawai'i's festivals and events visit www.gohawaii.com/events.

In 2013, the HTA is supporting 13 organizations through its Kūkulu Ola: Living Hawaiian Culture program, which was created to strengthen the relationship between the visitor industry and the Hawaiian community, nurture the Hawaiian culture by creating visitor experiences, activities and marketing programs that are respectful and accurate, and support Hawaiian programs and cultural practitioners, craftsmen, musicians and other artists that preserve and perpetuate the Hawaiian culture. For a list of Hawaiian Culture organizations supported by this program, visit http://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/programs/hawaiian-culture/

The recently launched Ma'ema'e Tool Kit is an online resource guide that offers essential information to promote the Hawaiian Islands. It includes geographical, historical, cultural, experiential and basic information about Hawai'i, in addition to a language tool that offers auto-correct diacritical spelling options for Hawaiian words. Through the development of tool kits and awareness education, the resource is intended to generate authentic promotional materials and media coverage to market Hawai'i to the world. www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/maemae

Hawai'i Tourism Authority provides additional support for Hawaiian culture programs by partnering with organizations like 'Aha Pūnana Leo, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the Hawaiian language community. This year, 'Aha Pūnana Leo is celebrating its 30th anniversary and is recognized for their efforts toward revitalizing and ensuring the survival of the Hawaiian language through Pūnana Leo Hawaiian language immersion preschools in Hawai'i.

For images, please visit the Hawaiʻi's image library at kb.hvcb.org/ImageLibrary.   Register under “public”.

Established in 1998, the Hawai'i Tourism Authority, the state's tourism agency, is responsible for strategically managing tourism to optimize benefits for Hawai'i that integrates the interest of visitors, the community and visitor industry. Tourism is our state's leading economic driver and largest employer and the HTA continually works to ensure its sustainability well into the future. For more information on the HTA, please visit www.hawaiitourismauthority.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter (@HawaiiHTA).