Hawai’i’s Fun Family-Friendly Fests

Thinking of an ‘ohana (family) vacation in the Hawaiian Islands in 2024?

Well, the Islands are definitely ready for you. Bring yourselves and the kids. Invite some of the cooler members of the extended family to come along. Plan a mother-and-daughter or father-and-son adventure. Choose an island. Choose two. The island of Hawai‘i, O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i, Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i will welcome you warmly with fantastic family adventures, whether you want to learn about the Hawaiian culture or our Islands’ multitude of cultures; or simply wish to discover something or someplace you never imagined you’d find here.

We’ve spotlighted many of these family experiences and adventures in previous newsletters. This time out, however, our bring-the-family spotlight shines on a few of our favorite annual Hawai‘i festivals and events that are not only entirely family friendly but offer one or more things to pique every member of the clan’s individual interests. From Hawaiian cultural festivals at two island of Hawai‘i National Park Service sites to a celebration of all things grown and raised on Maui and a 10-day celebration of a Kaua‘i plantation town’s historical and modern-day awesomeness, here’s a selection of festivals and events your full ‘ohana will appreciate checking out.

Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park Cultural Festival

Island of Hawai‘i — June

Among the many missions of Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park is preserving aspects of the day-to-day lives of early Hawaiians and sharing them with visitors. The oceanside park’s annual Hawaiian cultural festival goes a step further, spotlighting the modern-day perpetuation of Hawaiian culture and inviting cultural practitioners to share their ‘ike (knowledge) with attendees. The fest’s two days are packed with so much for guests of all ages — hula performances, food tastings, hikes, hukilau (fishnet pulling), kapa (beaten tree bark) cloth- and lei-making classes, Hawaiian games and activities among them — your whole family will find lots to do and enjoy. The festival also hosts Hawaiian crafters and artisans for demonstrations, workshops and conversations. For maximum enjoyment, plan on spending much of the day at one of the fest’s two days of activities.

Kōloa Plantation Days

Kaua‘i — July

You won’t find a festival on Kaua‘i more jam packed with stuff the whole family will enjoy than Kōloa Plantation Days. You want a variety of activities? Kōloa Plantation Days has got a full-on, three-day paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) rodeo competition, a colorful town parade, plantation-life storytelling sessions and history-rich guided tours of the south shore town of Kōloa. The fest also has spirited family fun runs and walks, ho‘olaulea (celebrations) big on favorite Kaua‘i cuisine, group hikes and trail walks, multiple sports events, and opportunities to participate in Hawaiian cultural games and craft making. And all 10 days of Kōloa Plantation Days celebrate the multicultural and agricultural roots of Kaua‘i’s sunny south shore and town of Kōloa, founded in 1835 with the opening of Hawai‘i’s first sugar plantation. Check out one day or all 10!

Aloha Festivals

O‘ahu — September

Planning a family vacation on O‘ahu for September? Think about checking out the main events of Aloha Festivals, one of the state’s longest-running cultural celebrations. Festival events spotlight Hawaiian culture and Hawai‘i’s multicultural mix of customs and traditions with three big events. The Royal Court Investiture and Opening Ceremony introduces Aloha Festivals’ 2024 royal court with hula, oli (chant) and mele (song) at The Royal Hawaiian Hotel’s Coconut Grove and Royal Hawaiian Center’s Royal Grove. The Aloha Festivals’ Waikīkī Ho‘olaule‘a annually brings thousands of residents and visitors to Waikīkī’s main thoroughfare, Kalākaua Avenue, for an evening block party filled with music and entertainment, food, unique crafts, hula and more. The Aloha Festivals’ culminating Floral Parade winds through Waikīkī showcasing a colorful, flower-bedecked procession of elegantly dressed pā‘ū (horseback) riders, floats, marching bands and more. Aloha Festivals endures largely via the love and care of volunteers working with small budgets and much aloha. If you can make it to Waikīkī, don’t miss it.

Maui AgFest and 4-H Livestock Fair

Maui — June

Bring the family early and bring ‘em hungry for the Maui AgFest and 4-H Livestock Fair just to be sure you get a taste of everything awesome at this celebration of all-things-edible grown, raised and produced on island. You’ll find food booths and cooking demonstrations big on Maui-grown and -ranched ingredients, vendor booths packed with fresh-from-the-farm and made-on-Maui food products, and more, all celebrating the fertile partnerships between Maui’s farmers, food producers and chefs. Don’t miss the fest’s Grand Taste competition where Maui chefs individually cook up an original dish utilizing their favorite island-grown or -raised ingredient and you‘ll get to taste them all. Hosted by the Maui County Farm Bureau, Maui AgFest’s additional highlights include its 4-H livestock fair and exhibits, fun activities for the kids, and lots of talk-story opportunities to gain interesting Maui ag knowledge and learn about the importance and coolness of grown-and-raised in Hawai‘i produce and product to life and agricultural sustainability in our Islands.

Pu‘ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site Ho‘oku‘ikahi Hawaiian Cultural Festival

Island of Hawai‘i — August

Pu‘ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site preserves one of the last major stone heiau (temples) constructed in Hawai‘i. Its construction ordered in 1790 by King Kamehameha I to honor his family war god, Kūkā‘ilimoku, Pu‘ukoholā Heiau is an important structure in Hawaiian history and culture. Celebrating the Hawaiian culture and its perpetuation, this annual festival — held oceanside at Pelekane Beach, just downslope Pu‘ukoholā and Mailekini Heiau in Kawaihae — is filled with traditional Hawaiian arts and crafts workshops and demonstrations in ulana lau hala (pandanus leaf weaving), lei making, pounding kapa (bark cloth), making ‘ohe hano ihu (bamboo nose flutes) and kuiki (quilting). Attendees can also take holo wa‘a (canoe rides), try out traditional Hawaiian games or catch live Hawai‘i music performances. Please note, however, that there are no food or beverage booths at this event so make sure to bring your own lunch and lots of water — the Kawaihae area is near always dry, sunny and hot.

Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture

O‘ahu — June

Happening in Hawai‘i only in 2024, Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture is one of the world’s largest annual celebrations of Pacific Islander cultures dedicated to preserving and sharing traditional arts and serving as a platform for modern Pacific Island artists to express their creativity and address contemporary issues facing their cultures. Hosted by an array of Pacific Island nations since its 1972 founding, Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture touches down in Hawai‘i this summer for 11 days and more than 50 programs and events, including live performances, films, storytelling sessions, cultural workshops, hands-on, demonstrations and more. Its full schedule of events and venues are still being finalized but are expected to be held across O‘ahu and especially at the Hawai‘i Convention Center on the edge of Waikīkī in Honolulu. Stay up to date with festival goings-on by visiting the Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture’s website.