OAHU FESTIVALS 2004

There is always something happening on O`ahu. Any time of year, whichever month it may be, you’ll find a season (and we aren’t talking about the weather) in full swing or a festival celebration just waiting to happen! You’ll be immersed in the diversity of Hawaii’s melting pot of ethnicities, cultures, and the arts! It’s always time to come celebrate on The Island of O`ahu!

* Start the year off with a bang in downtown Honolulu’s Chinatown. Every year in January, O`ahu’s Chinatown pulls out all the stops for a cultural explosion (literally) to ring in the Chinese New Year. In 2004 be sure to join them in welcoming in the Year of the Monkey. For information on the Chinese Cultural Plaza Chinese New Year celebration contact (808) 533-3181.

* Hawaii’s Opera Theatre Season takes off in the month of January and continues to dazzle and impress, past seasons have included three grand operas, for the entire six-weeks before concluding in the month of March. Backed by a reputation for artistic excellence, the Hawaii Opera Theatre attracts talent internationally in parts of Europe and Asia as well as from the mainland. For information on upcoming seasons call (808) 596-7858.

* Honolulu Festival, March 2004 The City of Honolulu is a vibrant, culturally diverse and historically important part of the Island of O`ahu. Honolulu’s diversity of culture is reflected in the festival named after this cosmopolitan city. Held every year in the month of March, the Honolulu Festival celebrates the diversity of the Asia Pacific culture. Established in 1994, the festivities include plays from Japan, street performers, bon-dancing, and a parade in Waikiki. For plans for 2004′s festival, contact the Honolulu Festival Foundation at (808) 926-2424 or visit their website at www.honolulufestival.com

* May 1st, 2004 May Day is famous for Island festivities that include flowers, lei and hula competitions, a king and queen and their royal court and an evening of Hawaiian song and dance under the stars at the Waikiki Shell. This annual tradition known as May Day has been celebrated in downtown Honolulu since 1927 and continues to perpetuate the custom of giving and receiving lei. For more festival information contact Naomi Carter (808) 692-5118.

* King Kamehameha Celebrations, June 20-21, 2003 The Hawaiian people consider King Kamehameha, unifier of the Hawaiian Islands to be one of the greatest heroes of their race, and during the month of June, there is a celebration to prove it! Today a life-like statute of the great warrior is draped with floral leis kicking off the celebration. Festivities that follow include a floral parade, hula competitions and a block party held on the streets of Waikiki. For information on upcoming events contact (808) 536-6540.

* 2nd Annual Honu Festival at Turtle Bay Resort, June 21 & 22, 2003 features a weekend of fun with family activities including arts and crafts, turtle races for the keiki (children) and the adults, a mountain bike race and of course great food and entertainment on the Bay View Lawn of the newly renovated Turtle Bay Resort. For more information call Sweetie Nelson at Sheila Donnelly & Associates (808) 949-4131.Or visit www.turtlebayresort.com

* Taste of Honolulu, June 20-22, 2003 literally a feast of festivities! What would a celebration be without delicious food and tasty spirits? Not only does this festival have the best tasting food from the most popular restaurants and chefs on all of O`ahu, but imagine dining outdoors under a tropical sky in this featured outdoor festival. Hawaiian entertainment, wine tasting, and out door cooking lessons adds to the fun. Call (808) 536-1015 for more details. Or visit their website at www.taste808.com

* The Hawaii International Jazz Festival, July 18th & 19th, 2003 is celebrating it’s10th year with a line up of summer concerts featuring international and local artists that have performed in past festivals as well as completely new talent. The Festival is set to air nationally on Jazz Alley TV, an affiliate with Viacom, PBS, CNN and worldwide affiliates. Free Jazz education classes will be open to the public at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center. For more information call the Festival office at (808) 941-9974 or check out their website at www.Hawaiijazz.com

* Annual Prince Lot Hula Festival, July 19 2003 Imagine if there wasn’t a way to share with the legacy of our past with our children. When the missionaries banned the ancient art of hula dancing from the Hawaiian culture, they were preventing the Hawaiian people from sharing the story of their lives with future generations. Prince Lot is known for reviving the hula after the missionaries banned it in old Hawaii, defining the Hawaiian culture of present day. Hula dancers from all of the islands gather in his honor at Moanalua Gardens for a celebration of song and dance. Contact (808) 839-5334 for more information.

* 33rd Annual Ukulele Festival, July 27, 2003 a three-hour long FREE concert featuring the finest ukulele players in the world takes place at the Kapiolani Bandstand. Don’t miss the ukulele orchestra of more than 800 children scheduled to perform. Contact (808) 732-3739 for details. Next year’s festival date is set for July 25, 2004.

* Made in Hawaii Festival, August 16-18, 2003 is a shopper’s dream. Hawaii’s finest products and crafts are all for sale in one giant marketplace! And there is no better time to shop since Christmas is right around the corner! Showcased at the Neal S. Blaisdell Exhibition Hall call, (808) 533-1292 for more information.

* Aloha Festivals, September 12-21, 2003. One of the largest and most popular celebrations this island has to offer! A truly cultural experience with many of Hawaii’s most popular attractions offering “Ohana” (family) days for a hands-on cultural occasion. A true celebration of Aloha, this themed annual Hawaiian festival includes block parties in downtown Honolulu and Waikiki, floral parades, a Royal Ball, great multicultural food including Pacific Rim cuisine, arts and crafts and local entertainment around every corner. Pick up an Aloha Festival ribbon and wear it to al the events. For more information contact the Aloha Festivals office at (808) 589-1771 or visit their website at www.alohafestivals.com

* The Honolulu Symphony Pops Season, September 2003 through May 2004 is sure to delight with it’s unique collection of talented artists. Contact (808) 538-8863 for upcoming performances.

* Princess Kaiulani Commemoration Week, October 12-18, 2003 including the Annual Princess Kaiulani Keiki Hula Festival, October 18, 2003 Princess Kaiulani is honored as Hawaii’s most beloved princess during a week full of festivities. The hula competition showcases children ages 5-12 years of age from halau (hula schools) across the island come to perform. For details contact (808) 922-5811.

* Hawaii International Film Festival, October 31 through November 9th, 2003 showcases films from Asia, the Pacific and North America. Established in 1981, the Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) promotes an understanding and cultural exchange among the peoples of Asia, the Pacific and North America through the medium of film. Events include film screenings, symposiums, and special awards. For current information visit their website at www.hiff.org or call (808) 528-3456.

January 7, 2004   Posted in: Hawaii