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.
****more on Oahu's Festivals****
