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Embark on a transformative journey to the Hawaiian Islands this spring. Immerse yourself in Hawai’i’s first culture, its indigenous Hawaiian culture, which makes our islands a place like nowhere else in the world. Your days exploring Hawaiʻi will unveil opportunities to connect with its living traditions, be serenaded by its local musicians and performers, and embark on cultural adventures promising to awaken your knowledge and sense of wonder. Read on, discover and participate in the array of unique experiences awaiting you.
Book a stay at one of these new luxurious hotels
Unveiled in February, the Grand Wailea’s Kilolani Spa (Maui) honors the stargazers of early Hawaiʻi who looked to the skies to navigate their ocean course. Drawing inspiration from the kaulana mahina — Hawaiian lunar calendar — which divides each month into three helu pō, or moon phases, Kilolani aims to create what the resort calls “space for healing, rejuvenation and restoration.” The spa’s programming evolves in tandem with the current anahulu (10-day period) and features native botanicals, holistic bodywork treatments and mindfulness practices enhanced by modern wellness methods. www.GrandWailea.com.
Hotel Wailea (Maui) recently debuted its Land, Sea, Air experience, which aims to capture Maui on all three levels. Designed for couples, the exclusive experience offers a romantic getaway celebrating the beauty of Maui. www.HotelWailea.com
Land – Explore the island at leisure in a 1957 Porsche 356 Speedster reproduction, with a picnic basket packed with snacks and beverages curated by Hotel Wailea Executive Chef Ryan Cruz keeping you energized and hydrated throughout the day.Sea – Discover Maui aboard a classic Columbia 57-foot sailing yacht on a private, two-hour sunset sail. The voyage, reserved solely for Hotel Wailea guests, offers panoramic coastline and sunset views as well as bites and sips.Air – Experience a helicopter flight along Maui’s north coast featuring bird’s-eye views of waterfalls and sea cliffs. Passengers will land within a Hāna-area rainforest to explore its lush vegetation and enjoy a picnic prepared by Executive Chef Cruz with champagne and wine selections.
Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel (Oʻahu) and Cirque du Soleil will announce the title, theme, show schedule and debut date for their anticipated Hawai’i-inspired show this spring. The Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber will be home to the new Cirque du Soleil experience led by co-creators Simon Painter (The Works Entertainment) and Neil Dorward (The Illusionists, Circus 1903), with cultural direction by Aaron Salā, Ph.D. www.CirqueDuSoleil.com
The Renaissance Honolulu Hotel and Spa (Oʻahu) opened in February 2024. This is the Renaissance brand’s first Hawai’i location and one of the first new hotels constructed in Honolulu in 25 years. Situated in the city’s vibrant Ala Moana neighborhood, the 39-story hotel’s rooms and suites spotlight floor-to-ceiling glass windows and contemporary design. Other highlights of the new property include a Sky Terrace and Renaissance Spa complete with traditional Japanese ofuro soaking tubs, Himalayan salt saunas, a fitness center with LifeFitness equipment, and a glass-enclosed yoga space. www.Marriott.com
The healing power of horses is at the heart of Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort’s (Maui) Unbridled Retreat. The July 24 through 28 retreat, led by Equine Coach Devon Combs, aims to provide what the resort describes as “a path to clarity, mindfulness and sustainable well-being” through Combs’ “unique synergy with horses and expert, intuitive coaching.” The four-night equine experience at the adults-only wellness enclave also includes a horseback ride, massage, sunset sail, complimentary daily classes, empowerment encounters and round-trip travel from Honolulu to Lāna’i on Lāna’i Air. www.FourSeasons.com
Enjoy incredible culinary experiences
Fresh fruit from Hawaii – courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Authority
The Veranda, located within the Moana Surfrider (O’ahu), is hosting an enchanting twist on its traditional Afternoon Tea, partnering with Paradise Monarch to host a Butterfly Keiki Tea every second Saturday of the month until the end of spring. Keiki (kids) will step into the captivating realm of the Butterfly Dome surrounded by enchanting butterflies and participate in a butterfly release under the Moana Surfrider’s iconic banyan tree. They’ll also learn about how their efforts contribute to plant pollination and enhancing Hawai’i’s biodiversity.
Partnering with her friend and baker, Katherine Yang, James Beard Award-winning chef-owner Robynne Maii of Fête is readying a spring opening for Mille Fête (O’ahu), a bakery concept featuring new treats and some of her restaurant’s most popular desserts.
Sushi Gyoshin OMAKASE by Hiroshi Tsuji (Oʻahu) is a new 16-course omakase restaurant. Prepared by Chef Hiroshi Tsuji, each dish honors traditional sushi. The fish served at Sushi Gyoshin are sourced from Hawaiʻi and Japan’s famed Tsukiji Market. The restaurant’s omakase menu includes small plates and intricate sushi creations.
Tasting Kaua’i’s (Kauaʻi) new Waimea Walking Food Tour offers two-and-a-half hours of walking, tasting local food, and learning about the rich history and lifestyle of the island’s west side. Following the tour, participants are encouraged to visit the lookouts of Waimea Canyon State Park — also known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific — and check out Kōke’e State Park.
Experience local art and culture
Strumming a ukulele – courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Authority
Debuting in March in the J.M. Long Gallery, the Bishop Museum’s (Oʻahu) new exhibition, “Corned Beef & Kalo,” was curated by Healoha Johnston, the museum’s director of cultural resources and curator for Hawaiʻi and Pacific arts and culture. It features the works “Pisupo lua afe (Corned Beef 2000)” by Michel Tuffery and “KALO” by Bernice Akamine, bringing together both contemporary artworks to, according to the museum, “consider how artists make visible issues related to agricultural subsistence, environmental sustainability and everyday life where food imports and structured land use intertwine.”
Presented by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) and Kilohana by CNHA, a new version of the renowned Waikīkī hula show once put on by Kodak debuted at the Waikīkī Shell in February. Running Sundays through Thursdays, the free, open-to-the-public Kilohana Hula Show (Oʻahu) will highlight mele (songs) honoring Waikīkī and feature dancers from six award-winning hālau hula (hula groups) from across Hawai’i. CNHA is working with Rick Barboza, Native Hawaiian plant specialist and co-owner of Hui Kū Maoli Ola, on reintroducing Native Hawaiian plants to the Waikīkī Shell venue.
Timbers Kauaʻi (Kauaʻi) is offering new cultural programming aimed at immersing guests in the rich heritage and history of the island. Guests can learn the art of ti kūpeʻe (ti-leaf bracelet making) typically used in hula as adornments, and ‘ohe kāpala, the Hawaiian art of bamboo stamping, typically utilized for printing designs on paper or fabrics. Timbers Kaua’i also offers Hawaiian language, ‘ukelele and lei-making lessons.
Plan an exciting outdoor adventure
Visitors and tour operators headed to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (Island of Hawaiʻi) should expect delays in the months ahead as a two-year Disaster Recovery Project commences to repair, improve and remove damaged buildings and infrastructure at the summit of Kīlauea volcano. Delays should be expected at the park’s entrance station, coinciding with temporary area closures and limited parking availability. The project will also include the removal of the former Thomas A. Jaggar Museum — which was damaged during the 2018 Kīlauea eruption and summit collapse — a new roundabout near the park’s entrance station to improve safety, and a new USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory facility near Kīlauea Military Camp on the park’s grounds.
The Twin Fin Hotel (Oʻahu), in partnership with Beach Candy Waikiki and the Jamie O’Brien Surf Experience, recently launched the new Jamie O’Brien School of Surf Waikiki. Housed in the oceanfront hotel’s ground-level storefront, the Jamie O’Brien School of Surf Waikiki is a new venture from Oʻahu resident, professional surfer, filmmaker and Banzai Pipeline surf competition champion Jamie O’Brien. The school specializes in family and group surf lessons, with all surf experiences conceptualized and designed by O’Brien and led by local instructors selected for their ocean knowledge and surf skills.
The County of Hawai’i County Department of Parks and Recreation has reopened Kaūmana Caves (Island of Hawaiʻi) in Hilo to the public. The caves, a destination for locals and visitors, had been closed since September 23, 2023, due to a rock fall. For more information on Kaūmana Caves, call the Department of Parks and Recreation administration office at (808) 961-8311. Kualoa Ranch (Oʻahu) recently launched a new three-hour deluxe semi-private UTV tour. Offered six-times daily, the guided tour utilizes Kawasaki off-road UTV vehicles for a behind-the-scenes adventure to the backcountry of the ranch’s Kaʻaʻawa and Hakipuʻu valleys unreachable by other vehicles and tours. Guides customize the tour’s narration to guests’ Kualoa interests, sharing stories of Hollywood movies filmed in the valley, its historic places, Hawaiian legends, and valley farming, aquaculture and ranching.
The Umauma Experience (Island of Hawaiʻi) now offers a family-friendly Triple-Tier Waterfall Rappel and River Tour for adventure seekers interested in immersive experiences. Guests on the tour rappel alongside the triple-tier waterfalls of Umauma Stream and can swim or float in water tubes. All needed gear is provided, and no experience is necessary. The Umauma Triple-Tier Waterfall Rappel and River Tour is operated by Island Mountain Guides LLC on the Umauma Falls property.
Attend one or more of these festive events
The coastline of Maui – courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Authority
Kauaʻi ‘Ukulele Festival (April 14, 2024) — World-class music festival that unites music enthusiasts globally to commemorate the transformative influence of music. This festival is situated in the heart of Līhuʻe with ample complimentary parking available. The festival’s roster showcases a diverse array of skilled local musicians, ranging from established to up-and-coming talents.
28th Annual East Maui Taro Festival (Maui, April 20, 2024) — This annual celebration in Hāna pays tribute to kalo/taro, the essential sustenance of the Hawaiian community, featuring music, hula performances, food stalls offering taro-based dishes, and cultural demonstrations.
17th Annual Waimānalo Kanikapila (Oʻahu, April 20, 2024) —This annual event honors Cyril Lani Pahinui and his father, Gabby Pahinui, two iconic figures in Hawaiian music, and celebrates the musical legacy of the Waimānalo community. Initiated by Cyril Pahinui in 2007, the Waimānalo Kanikapila is reminiscent of the musical gatherings from his childhood, attracting over 100 musicians and thousands of fans. The festival offers unforgettable performances and all-star jams by some of Hawai’i’s greatest musicians. Support for the event is generated through the sale of t-shirts, available both at the event and online.
54th Annual Maui Marathon and Half Marathon (Maui, April 21, 2024) — The Maui Marathon is one of Hawai’i’s longest consecutively-held running events and claims to be the oldest marathon west of the Mississippi River. Runners can participate in a full marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K or a newly added full marathon relay. All runners will participate in a special memorial during the race, offering lei to be placed on the Lahaina Memorial on the Lahaina Bypass.
11th Annual Big Island Chocolate Festival (island of Hawaiʻi, April 26-27, 2024) — Check out this festival for everything from chocolate cooking demos and a unique tequila and chocolate pairing event to a grand gala. The festival is presented by the Kona Cacao Association with a mission of promoting Hawai’i Island’s cacao industry. All festival events happen at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa.
Waikīkī SPAM JAM® (Oʻahu, April 27, 2024) — The 20th annual Waikīkī SPAM JAM® will celebrate Hawai’i’s ongoing love for, of course, SPAM®, with local Waikīkī restaurants offering creative SPAM® dishes. Attendees will find food and retail booths, custom festival T-shirts, arts and craft vendors, keiki activities and appearances by SPAMMY™ characters and friends. The event benefits Hawai’i Foodbank — the state’s largest nonprofit feeding those in need — the Waikīkī Community Center, and the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaiʻi.
Lei Day Celebration (O’ahu, May 1, 2024) — As one of Hawai’i’s most emblematic symbols of aloha, lei — and the crafting of lei — have been celebrated in the Hawaiian Islands on Lei Day since 1927. The City and County of Honolulu’s official Lei Day event is held at Kapi’olani Park in Waikīkī, honoring lei and the traditions surrounding it with festivities, including pageants and competitions for lei queen and the crafting of colorful, fragrant flower lei.
8th Annual World Whale Film Festival 2024 (Maui, June 6, 2024) — A non-profit dedicated to safeguarding the ocean and its inhabitants, the Pacific Whale Foundation calls upon filmmakers and artists to participate in the Annual World Whale Film Festival (WWFF), which serves as a platform to raise awareness about various ocean-related issues, including marine wildlife conservation, indigenous ecological knowledge, environmental stewardship, and solutions for ocean preservation and human well-being. In response to the Maui wildfires of 2023, the WWFF will introduce a new category focusing on climate change and natural disasters.
43rd Kapalua Wine and Food Festival (Maui, June 6-9, 2024) — One of Hawai’i’s longest-running culinary festivals, the Kapalua Wine and Food Festival annually celebrates the delicious pairing of great food and great wine with a four-day culinary extravaganza. The festival’s aim is to explore trends in the gastronomic world, bringing together winemakers, master sommeliers, chefs and industry insiders for themed tastings, seminars and gala evening culinary events.
13th Annual Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture (Oʻahu, June 6-16, 2024) —The Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture (FestPAC) is the world’s largest celebration of indigenous Pacific Islanders. For the first time, the 13th annual celebration will convene in Hawaiʻi on the island of O’ahu. More than 2,500 delegates including artists, cultural practitioners, scholars and officials from over 20 nations will gather on Oahu for 10-days of cultural exchange, appreciation and celebration at various venues across the island. The theme for FestPAC Hawaiʻi 2024 is “Ho’oulu Lāhui: Regenerating Oceania,” honoring the traditions that FestPAC works to perpetuate with an eye toward the future. FestPAC serves as a platform for Pacific Island nations to showcase their rich heritage and artistic talents.
41st Annual Pan-Pacific Festival (Oʻahu, June 7-9, 2024) — After a five-year hiatus, the Pan-Pacific Festival Foundation is thrilled to announce the return of the festival to Honolulu. The Pan-Pacific Festival began in Hawai’i in 1980 as a cultural exchange between the state and Japan. Visiting participants from Japan were invited to enjoy the familiarity of Japanese music, crafts, traditions and foods, while Hawai’i residents and other visitors were offered opportunities to gain a deeper appreciation of Japanese sensibilities and cultural heritage. Today, the festival features events held throughout Waikīkī showcasing Japan’s pageantry and includes a ho’olaule’a (celebration) block party, art fair and hula performances, culminating with a grand parade on Waikīkī main street Kalākaua Avenue.
Ka’ū Coffee Festival (Island of Hawai’i, June 8, 2024) — Though coffee had been farmed in the island of Hawai’i’s Ka’ū district for generations dating back to the 1800s, the area’s beans and roasters only began earning notice on the global specialty-coffee scene in the early 2000s, winning numerous international awards. Held each spring, the Ka’ū Coffee Festival celebrates the district’s now firm standing as a world-class coffee-growing region and honors the farmers, roasters, gatherers and rich agricultural landscape that have all played a role in its renown.
King Kamehameha Day Celebrations (June 11, 2024) — Celebrated across the state of Hawaiʻi on June 11, the Kamehameha Day holiday honors Kamehameha I, the island of Hawai’i chief who united the Hawaiian Islands under his rule in 1810. Festivities span across Kaua’i, O’ahu, Maui, Moloka’i and the island of Hawai’i and include lei draping ceremonies, parades, pā’u (skirted) riders on horseback representing the Hawaiian royal court to other special gatherings with ʻono (delicious) food and family-friendly activities, residents and visitors alike come together in celebration of the great aliʻi nui (king).