What’s Happening on Kauai Summer 2013

Summer is just around the corner and that means lots of Kauai activities island wide.  What to do with our guest visiting Kauai? What to do on vacation on Kauai? Here is a list to get you started. For up to date events check out the  Kauai Calendar.

We will be adding more events as they come our way.

May

May 10th  MOTHER’S DAY ORCHID SOCIETY SHOW
A beautiful annual show with hundreds of orchids on display and for sale. Friday afternoon and evening, Saturday all day at the Kukui Grove Shopping Center, Lihue. For more information call Lea Ingram (808) 823-6921.

 May 11 May Day By The Bay

This event, May 26, 2012, is presented by the Hanalei Hawaiian Civic Club and is sponsored by HTA and the County of Kaua’i. Our budget exceeds our grant amount so any extra support will allow us to continue to keep May Day by the Bay a viable vehicle to increase awareness of Hawaiian music and culture in our community.

24th -26thKAUAI POLYNESIAN FESTIVAL

The Kamanawa Foundation presents the 12th annual Kaua`i Polynesian Festival on Memorial Day weekend May 24-26, 2013 at Vidinha Stadium soccer field on Kapule Highway (Lihu`e) from noon through the evening each day. Join us for Tahitian, Maori, Samoan and Hawaiian entertainment, “Polynesian Experience” (hands-on arts and crafts activity), Polynesian Farmer’s Market, solo and group dance competitions, Hawaiian games, food booths, workshops, and moremuch more all day at the soccer field next to Vidinha Stadium on Kapule Highway (Lihue). Attendance fees vary. For more information call Kapu Kinimaka-Alquiza at (808) 335-6466.

May 26  BANANA POKA ROUNDUP and PEDAL TO THE MEADOW

The Banana Poka Round Up, that plucky mountain event that celebrates Kauai’snatural environment, steps into its third decade of forest fun for the whole family in Kōkeʻe State Park’s lush Kanaloahuluhulu Meadow.
Sponsored by Hui o Laka since 1989, the 24th annual Round Up includes severalnew features, including being the finish line for the second annual Pedal to the Meadow bike race, a Kekaha-to-Kōkeʻe race that begins at 7:00 am Sunday morning

May 30th Annual Love Life Dance Festival

There will be 2 shows of the All-Styles Dance Showcase at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall on Thursday, May 30.  More than 80 dancers from 4 years old through adult will give performances at 5pm and 7:30pm.  Local creative vendors will have items for sale.

May 31 – June 1st Kauai Family Music Festival

Two fun days full of free entertainment , local Hawaiian music, poi pounding demonstrations, fire knife dancing and local fresh food.

June

June 1st   HAENA HANALEI FUN RUN

Run or walk one of the world’s most beautiful courses, and enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast at the finish! The 8 mile course begins at the end of the road in Ha’ena at Ke’e Beach, then traverses the scenic stretch of road, and one-lane bridges, along the breathtaking North Shore towards Hanalei town, ending at the historic Hanalei Pier.

June 2nd  TASTE OF HAWAII – THE ULTIMATE SUNDAY BRUNCH

The largest, oldest, and best food and beverage tasting event in Hawaii. Over 50 chefs from all over the Hawaiian islands converge to prepare signature dishes. For one admission ticket, you can enjoy food prepared by 50 of Hawaii’s best chefs, imbibe at any or all of 15 beverage stations (beer, fine wines, water, soft drinks, coffee and specialty coffee drinks and smoothies), listen to 14 musical groups perform throughout the afternoon and shop a large silent auction. All set within the beautiful park-like grounds of Smith’s Tropical Paradise. Proceeds support Rotary projects all over the world. For tickets or more information call (808) 246-0857.

June 26th -29th  ANNUAL RED CLAY JAZZ FESTIVAL
A wine, beer, and pupu event plus the evening concert. Jazz acts, eat, drink and be merry. For more information call (808) 245-SING (7464).

July

July 4th  The Kauai Hospice 24th Annual Concert in the Sky  on July 4, 2013 at Vidinha Stadium, will again be the largest 1 day event on Kauai. We expect that over 6,000 people will attend and that of the ticketed attendees, 40% will be visitors from out of state.

We will provide both visitors and residents with a local style Independence Day celebration with Hawaiian entertainment by local musicians and halau dancers. This event will be a shining example of the kind of event that public/private partnerships can achieve. It will provide opportunities for interaction between residents and visitors with a unique experience as this is the largest aerial fireworks event on Kauai on the 4th of July. Visitors will get to celebrate our national holiday with the local cultural experiences of music and dance.

July 10 -13  KAUAI MUSIC FESTIVAL
A four-day celebration of the art of song writing, offering seminar style instruction for small groups of songwriters, lectures, panel discussions, song writing contest, demo recordings, festival marketplace and two major concerts. America’s top performing songwriters will be there. Events to take place at the Hilton Kauai Beach Resort in Lihue. For more information call (808) 634-6237.

July 19-28 Koloa Plantation Days

Koloa Plantation Daysis a celbration every year that brings together the many ethnic groups that came to Hawaii to work on sugar plantations, and the Hawaiians who welcomed them.  Enjoy the festivities that are celebrated through music, dance, costumes, and food throughout this nine-day festival.

July 27th  Hanalei  Bay Swim Challenge

Join Namahana Canoe Club and participants of all ages and experience from around the world will take the plunge July 27, 2013, for the Seventh Annual Hanalei Bay Swim Challenge (formerly Namolokama Open Water Swim). Join them!!  Hanalei Bay in the summer – with its warm, clear, gentle waters and sandy bottom – provides the perfect venue for four races for different ages and abilities. Sign up by July 12th and the entry fee is only $10 for the Pier Keiki (children) Races and $30 for older competitors in the 1000 and 3000 meter races. To Register visit www.hanaleibayswimchallenge.com

August

August 9 KAUAI CHANNEL RACE

This race begins at Ko’Olina Marina and Resort on Oahu and ends 78 miles later at the Nawiliwili Harbor,Kauai. Organized by the Nawiliwili Yacht Club on Kauai, the race begins at 7 AM on Friday, July 31 with the first boat arriving Nawiliwili that afternoon. The boats will be greeted when they arrive Nawiliwili on Friday. On Saturday, August 1 the Nawiliwili Yacht Club will host an awards party with pupus and dancing. For more information call Rear Commodore Terry Wells 808-828-1011.

August 3-4   HEIVA I KAUAI
The annual Heiva I Kauai Iorana Tahiti in Lihue is an International Tahitian dance competition, taking place over several days, with solo and group performances, plus traditional and contemporary drumming categories. The Heiva begins with a Blessing, Opening Ceremony and Tamaraa honoring visiting dignitaries and the participating competitors. The program includes the Mr./Miss Heiva I Kauai Pageant. This is a colorful introduction to the festivities that follow, which include dinner and a show. For more information call (808) 822-9447.

August 10 2013 SAND FESTIVAL & CONTEST

This fun day on Hanalei Bay is one of  sand castle/sculpting contest and music festival each year on Kauai. The idea is to encourage amazing sand sculpture, relaxation, exercise and enjoying a fun day the beach.

September

September 27-29   KAUAI POW WOW
Over 200 Native Americans from across America and many friends join in a celebration of cultural exchange with the people of Kauai, accompanied by visiting youth drum groups. Native American and Native Hawaiian-made crafts, clothing, food, musical instruments and hands-on activities. Native American dancing all day. Friday evening; all day Saturday and Sunday. Kapaa Beach Park. For more information call (808) 828-1294