Spotlight: Hawaii’s Big Island
Nov. 4-13: Kona Coffee Cultural Festival. Here’s a perky way to honor the Big Island’s prized agricultural product. Now in its 41st year, the festival brings together locals and visitors for such community events as coffee cupping, bean picking, farm tours, a lantern parade and the Miss Kona Coffee pageant. A festival button allows guests to attend most events. Kona. (808-326-7820, www.konacoffeefest.com)
Island of Hawaii (Big Island)
Nov. 4-23: Big Island Fall Arts Festival Exhibit. Now in its 35th year, the exhibit allows clients to meet Hawaii’s best artists on Nov. 4 at an opening reception. The show runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily. East Hawaii Cultural Center, Hilo. (808-961-5711, www.ehcc.org)
Nov. 19-20: Christmas in the Country. The holiday season in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park starts this weekend and continues with artist appearances and glittering displays. Clients can purchase handcrafted goods offered only during this time of year. Volcano Art Center Gallery. (808-967-7565, www.volcanoartcenter.org)
Kauai
Nov. 7: Waimea Historic Walking Tour. On this free, two-hour journey, guides discuss how the agricultural landscape changed from taro to rice to corn and share details about the last king of Kauai, the missionaries and other famous citizens of Waimea. Mondays at 9:30 a.m. West Kauai Visitor Center. (808-338-1332, www.wkbpa.org)
Nov. 13: Garden Island Range and Food Festival. Attendees graze their way through samples of dishes crafted from local products and meet dozens of Kauai farmers and ranchers. Kilohana Pavilion, Lihue. (808-338-0111, www.kauaifoodfestival.com)
Nov. 20: Hawaiian Slack-Key Guitar Festival, Kauai-Style. Fifteen of the finest slack-key guitarists come together for the 19th year of this melodic celebration. Kauai Beach Resort, Lihue. (808-226-2697, www.slackkeyfestival.com)
Maui County
Nov. 4-6: Hula O Na Keiki. During this children’s solo hula competition, young dancers showcase contemporary and traditional hula and chant. The event’s arts and crafts, workshops and continuous performances appeal to lovers of Hawaiian culture. Kaanapali Beach Hotel. (808-667-0101, www.kbhmaui.com)
Nov. 18: Wailea Food and Wine Celebration. At this annual benefit for arts education, guests sample wines and taste some of the Maui’s best local restaurants, in a setting overlooking a koi pond. Anuhea Room, Hotel Wailea. (808-572-6560, www.huinoeau.com/happenings)
Nov. 21-23: EA Sports Maui Invitational. College basketball’s best compete during this high-profile, early-season tournament. The championship round of this year’s 28th annual line-up includes teams from Duke, Georgetown, Kansas, Memphis, Michigan, Tennessee, UCLA and host Chaminade. Lahaina Civic Center. ([email protected]; www.mauinivitational.com)
Oahu
Oct. 28-Nov. 10: HIC Pro Surfing Contest. Hawaii’s highest-rated surfers battle it out for a golden ticket to the upcoming Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. Competition is held on the three biggest days of waves during the mammoth winter surf of Oahu’s North Shore. (808-258-8533, www.triplecrownofsurfing.com)
Nov. 10-12: World Invitational Hula Festival. During this 20th annual celebration of Hawaiian hula, culture and language troupes from Hawaii are joined by dancers from the mainland U.S. and such countries as Canada, Mexico, Germany, France and Korea. Waikiki Shell, Waikiki. (808-486-3185, www.worldhula.com)
Nov. 26: Holiday Craft Fair. This annual showcase occurs on the grounds of Honolulu’s oldest missionary homes and features locally-made fine art, jewelry, quilts, ceramics, woodcarvings, clothing and more, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Mission Houses Museum, Honolulu. (808-447-3923, www.missionhouses.org)
