The Sony Open in Hawaii is a Friends of Hawaii Charities event, that is the first full field event of the 2009 PGA TOUR. It takes place on the island of Oahu at the Waialae Country Club. Past champions include Vijay Singh, Ernie Els and Jerry Kelly. An important golfing event in Hawaii. $15 per day advance, $20 at gate
The event raises money for local Hawaiian charities. Since 1999, over $5 million has been raised.
Humpback whales migrate to the warm ocean waters of Hawaii each winter to mate and give birth. The majority of whales are found off the coast of Maui from late November to mid-May. It takes a big celebration to honor these 40-ton marine mammals, which is why the Maui Whale Festival takes place during the entire month of February, complete with a Run for the Whales, a Parade of Whales, a free "Whale Day" festival-in-the-park, special talks and slideshows and more. To learn more, visit the website of the nonprofit Pacific Whale Foundation, the organizer of the Maui Whale Festival.
Be a part of the NFL's season-ending party at the Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii and watch the league's best players battle to determine the superior Conference. The best players at their positions from the AFC face their counterparts from the NFC in the Leagues All-Star Game NFL Pro Bowl at the Aloha Stadium, 11:30 a.m. (HST). Ticket purchase at Ticketmaster and Aloha Stadium (808-486-9555) or go to www.Ticketmaster.com or nfl.com.
Volcano Art Center, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. - Second 2009 Na Mea Hawai'i Hula Kahiko performance! See traditional hula and chant performed outdoors on the hula platform overlooking Kilauea Crater, featuring Beamer-Solomon Halau o Po'ohala under the direction of kumu hula Hulali Solomon Covington. Hawaiian crafts demonstrations at Volcano Art Center Gallery from 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Free (Park entrance fees apply). Call (808) 967-8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.
The Honolulu Festival is Hawaii's premier cultural event, promoting understanding, economic cooperation and ethnic harmony between the people of Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region. Each year, the Festival draws thousands of new and returning spectators who are looking for an experience beyond Hawaii. Through educational programs and activities sponsored by the Honolulu Festival Foundation, a nonprofit organization, the Festival continues to successfully share the rich and vibrant blend of Asian and Hawaiian cultures with the rest of the world.
Now a weeklong event, the festivities honor the birthday and birthplace of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, one of Hawaii's most beloved monarchs. Held in Poipu, the events are free and include Native Hawaiian cultural teaching and demonstrations on coconut frond weaving and lei making as well as a guided hike on the Makawehi sand dunes. The festivities also include commemorative ceremonies featuring dance, chant, and the offering of hookupu (gifts) and winds down on Sunday with the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa hosting the Prince Kuhio Celebration Luau. For more information, visit PoipuBeach.org.
The mission of the annual Kona Chocolate Festival is to entertain both visitors and residents of the Big Island, showcasing the creative talents of fine Big Island chefs, chocolatiers, ice cream and candy makers. Providing a means to highlight cacao farming and support the chocolate industry in Hawaii and raise funds to support education opportunities in video production and the culinary arts on Hawaii Island.
The weeklong festivities begin with a Ho‘olaule‘a (music festival) on Moku Ola (Coconut Island) on Easter Sunday and continue all week with free noonday entertainment at the Hawaii Naniloa Resort and the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel on Banyan Drive. On Wednesday, there is a free exhibition night at the Edith Kanaka`ole Tennis Stadium that begins at 6:00 PM. Thursday is the solo Miss Aloha Hula Competition, Friday and Saturday are the group Kahiko (ancient) and ‘Auana (modern) hula competitions. There are arts and craft fairs on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at several locations and the big Merrie Monarch parade winds through downtown Hilo at 10:30 AM on Saturday morning. Except for the hula competition, the events are free.
A Hawaiian cultural event which focuses on Kalo, Taro, the staple food of Hawai'i. All-day festival features local musicians, hula halau, 20 food booths, each featuring a kalo dish, Arts & Crafts, Info Tent and the Ag Tent with a popular Farmers Market; hands-on poi-pounding is a highlight for visitors and locals alike.
