World-Class Food Festivals for Hawaii

Thursday, October 07, 2010

Hawaiian.  Japanese.  Chinese.  Fillipino.  There are many cultures that make up Hawaii today.  German.  Portuguese.  Puerto Rican.  And as each culture migrated to Hawaii over the years, they brought with them their favorite foods.  That could be translated to mean that people in Hawaii eat very well.  Here is a list food festivals held throughout the year celebrating a cornucopia of culinary delights--taro, onion, Spam, mango, coconut, coffee and even sake and locally brewed beer.

Please note that events are subject to change without notice.

FEBRUARY 2010

♦ February 12, 2010
Eat Dessert First (Kauai) – Satisfy your sweet tooth at this annual scholarship fundraiser for the Zonta Club of Kauai. Held at the Terrace Restaurant at Kauai Lagoons Golf Club, there’s lots of delicious desserts and goodies to choose from along with a silent auction and live entertainment. For more information, call 808-651-0823.

MARCH 2010

♦ March 13, 2010
Kona Brewers Festival (Hawaii’s Big Island) – Having completed its 15th year in existence, what began as a celebration for the opening of Kona Brewing Co. has become an annual festival encompassing all Hawaii’s brews and others worldwide.  Guests can sample over 60 types of ales and lagers and island–style cuisine from top Hawaii chefs while enjoying the picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean from the shores of Kailua Bay at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. For more information, visit KonaBrewersFestival.com.

APRIL 2010

♦ April 23-25, 2010
Spring Food & New Products Show (Oahu) – This two-day exhibition displays various collections from local and mainland merchants, from new products to gadgets, services, food, crafts, plants, and more. Guests can also enter to win prize and trip giveaways all weekend long. For more information, visit PacificExpos.com.

♦ April 24, 2010
Waikiki Spam Jam (Oahu) – This annual street festival celebrates Spam, the Hormel Foods product so loved by the people of Hawaii. Great for all ages, the event takes place in the heart of Waikïkï and features local restaurants offering unique Spam dishes, entertainment stages, and Hawaiian crafters. For more information, visit SpamJamHawaii.com.

♦ April 24-25, 2010
East Maui Taro Festival (Maui) – This two-day event in Häna includes ono grinds (great food) showcasing the different uses of taro. Celebrating what is considered the main staple of the native Hawaiian diet, visitors can experience poi-making demonstrations, hula performances, live music, and other cultural activities. For more information, visit TaroFestival.org.

MAY 2010

♦ May 1, 2010
Whalers Village Maui Onion Festival – Celebrate the “sweet” Maui Onion with a weekend of fun, food, and cooking demonstrations at the Whalers Village in the Käanapali Beach Resort. Participate in the onion-eating contest, amateur and professional cooking competitions, check out the art exhibits, listen to music, and walk through the farmers’ market. For more information, visit WhalersVillage.com.

♦ May 27-29, 2010
Hawai‘i Food & Wine Paradise (Oahu) – Get lost in paradise for four days enjoying fine cuisine, wine, spirits, and entertainment. The events held at the magnificent Ko Olina Resort on the westside of Oahu and Halekulani Hotel in Waikïkï features Hawai‘i’s top chefs serving some of the best that the islands’ cuisine and agriculture have to offer. For more information,visit HawaiiFoodandWineParadise.com.

JUNE 2010

♦ June 6, 2010
Taste of Hawaii (Kauai) – Dubbed the “Ultimate Sunday Brunch,” Taste of Hawaii is an extraordinary, upscale culinary garden party held at Smith’s Tropical Paradise in Wailua. Enjoy food prepared by Hawaii’s chefs, imbibe at numerous beverage stations (beer, fine wines, water, soft drinks, coffee, and specialty coffee drinks and smoothies), and enjoy live entertainment all day. Voted “Best Community Event” on Kauai for four years running, the event is also a fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Kapaa. For more information, visit TasteOfHawaii.com.

♦ June 19, 2010
Taste of Wailea (Maui) – The Maui Film Festival at Wailea presents the annual Taste of Wailea, a show–stopping culinary affair featuring the unprecedented talents of Maui’s finest chefs. The event is held on the manicured lawns of Wailea Golf Club’s Gold and Emerald courses. For more information, visit MauiFilmFestival.com or call 808-579-9224.

♦ June 24-27, 2010
Kapalua Wine and Food Festival (Maui) – The longest-running and most prestigious festival of its kind in Hawaii, celebrating the art of fine food and wine with a four-day culinary extravaganza. Inspired by innovation and excellence,the Kapalua Wine and Food Festival explores some of the most exciting trends in the gastronomic world. Festival host and Master Sommelier Fred Dame brings together world-renowned winemakers, top master sommeliers, celebrated chefs and industry insiders in fun, themed tastings, seminars, and evening gala events. Cooking demonstrations, wine tasting seminars, and winemaker dinners are but a few of the highlights of this trendsetting event. For more information, visit Kapalua.com.

AUGUST 2010
♦ August 19, 2010
The Joy of Sake (Oahu) – This is the largest sake-tasting event held outside Japan, with over 270 sakes on display. The samples guests enjoy are also submitted as entries to the U.S. National Sake Appraisal, a rigorous blind tasting with ten judges from Japan and the U.S. Honolulu’s finest restaurants are also represented as local chefs prepare sushi and other tantalizing dishes to complement the sake. For more information, visit JoyofSake.com.

♦ August 20-22, 2010
Made In Hawaii Festival (Oahu) – Popular among visitors and residents alike, more than 400 exhibitors offer everything that is made in Hawaii, from art to clothing, food, home furnishings, jewelry, toys, fresh produce, plants, and Hawaiian handicrafts. Attendees enjoy free cooking demonstrations and live musical performances. The event is held at the Neal S. Blaisdell Exhibition Hall
and Arena. For more information, visit MadeInHawaiiFestival.com.

♦ August 28-29, 2010
Greek Festival (Oahu) – This annual attraction celebrating Greek food, live music, and culture is held at the McCoy Pavilion at Ala Moana Beach Park and is sponsored by the St. Constantine and St. Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral.  For more information, visit GreekFestivalHawaii.com.

♦ August TBD
Mango Festival (Hawaii’s Big Island) – This attraction dedicates an entire day to the fruit that grows so abundantly in the Hawaiian Islands. The celebration begins at the Keauhou Farmers Market with a Mango Experience featuring presentations, mango-themed arts and crafts, and lots of mango-flavored delights. Later in the evening, the Keauhou Beach Resort prepares a Mango-Inspired Dinner complete with mango-infused cocktails. For more information, visit KeauhouFarmersMarket.com.

♦ August TBD
The Joy of Food and Wine (Oahu) – A food lovers and wine connoisseurs delight held at the luxurious Halekulani Hotel in Waikïkï, this event features a collection of the world’s finest wines paired with the exquisite French culinary creations of Chef Yves Garnier. For more information, visit Halekulani.com.

♦ August TBD
Honolulu Wine Festival (Oahu) – Hawaii’s local community led by restaurant owner and Master Sommelier Chuck Furuya come together to benefit Lupus Hawaii at this annual wine showcase at the Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki. Guests can sample more than 175 different wines from all over the world, attend lectures in art and wine history, and participate in a silent auction and a live wine auction. For more information, call 808-538-1522.

SEPTEMBER 2010

♦ September 10, 2010
Mealani’s A Taste of the Hawaiian Range (Hawaii’s Big Island) – Indulge your appetite as local chefs invent mouth-watering dishes that showcase Hawaii’s diverse agriculture. Chefs create dishes using locally grown, range–fed meats and complemented by fresh Big Island vegetables. For more information, visit CTAHR.Hawaii.edu/Taste.

OCTOBER 2010

♦ October 2-3, 2010
Kauai Coconut Festival – This annual event highlights the cultural, social, and historical importance of the coconut. There is something for everyone at the festival with entertainment, cultural displays, cooking demonstrations, and unique coconut foods. For more information, visit KBAKauai.org.

♦ October 10, 2010
Hawaii Fishing and Seafood Festival (Oahu) – The Pacific Island Fisheries Group presents an action-packed day with events for fishing fanatics, seafood lovers, and the entire family at Honolulu’s Fishing Village at Pier 38.  Demonstrations and workshops are held throughout the day for various fishing and fishing-related activities: shoreline whipping, fish printing, and spin casting for the kids. Hawaii’s top restaurants will also be serving up special seafood dishes for the day. For more information, visit FishToday.org.

♦ October TBD
Chopsticks and Wine (Oahu) – This wine and food tasting affair is one of the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce’s premier fundraising events.  Sample signature dishes from some of Hawaii's most notable restaurants and complement them with some of the many selections of wine, beer, and sake.  For more information, visit HonoluluJapaneseChamber.org.

NOVEMBER 2010

♦ November 5-14, 2010
Kona Coffee Cultural Festival (Hawaii’s Big Island) – Hawaii’s oldest food festival features over 50 events in Kona including coffee plantation and mill tours, Grand Parade, the Miracle Mile Race, a golf tournament, art exhibits, and a recipe contest. For more information, visit KonaCoffeeFest.com.

♦ November TBD
Molokai Business & Food Expo – Held at the Lanikeha Community Center, top chefs from Maui, Molokai and Länai create their own recipes using Molokai products. Many other Molokai businesses participate in this expo from products, services, farmers, crafters, merchants, retail, construction and more to display their entrepreneurship and sell their local products. For more information, visit MolokaiChamber.org or call 808-553-2808.