SPOTLIGHT: MAUI
Nov. 3-9: Restaurant Week Wailea. During this week-long fundraiser, 21 Wailea Resort restaurants offer three-course price-fixed dinner menus for $29, $39 or $49 per person, and some feature wine pairings at reduced rates. It’s a great way to savor the cuisine of Maui’s most accomplished chefs while supporting a good cause: the Maui Food Bank.
www.wailearesortassociation.com
HAWAII ISLAND
Nov. 1-10: Kona Coffee Cultural Festival. Here’s a perky way to honor Hawaii Island’s prized agricultural product. Now in its 43rd year, the festival brings together locals and visitors for energizing, open-to-the-public events such as coffee cupping, bean picking, farm tours, a lantern parade and the Miss Kona Coffee pageant. A festival button allows guests to attend most of the activities, held all around Kona.
www.kona coffeefest.com
Nov. 23-24: Christmas in the Country. The holiday season in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park starts this weekend and continues on subsequent weekends. The Volcano Art Center is a great place to peruse island-inspired gifts, one-of-a-kind ornaments and an invitational wreath exhibit.
www.volcanoartcenter.org
KAUAI
Nov. 1: Friday Art Night. In the hamlet of Hanapepe — dubbed Kauai’s Biggest Little Town — galleries and retail stores stay open into the cooler evening hours, and the town lights up with a party atmosphere. Each Friday from 6-9 p.m., clients can meet local artists and shop owners, listen to live music, savor snacks and purchase local crafts as they stroll down Hanapepe Road.
www.hanapepe.org
Nov. 4: Waimea Historic Walking Tour. This free two-hour journey back in time takes place in one of the most historic towns in Hawaii. Guides discuss how the agricultural landscape changed from taro to rice to sugar and share fascinating details about the last king of Kauai, the missionaries and other famous citizens of Waimea. Join them on Mondays at 9:30 a.m. at the West Kauai Visitor Center.
www.wkbpa.org
MAUI
Nov. 25-27: Maui Invitational. College basketball’s best players dunk and dribble during a high-profile early-season tournament. The line-up during this year’s 29th annual hoop-fest includes teams from University of Arkansas, Baylor, Cal, Dayton, Gonzaga, University of Minnesota, Syracuse and Chaminade. Lahaina Civic Center.
www.mauinivitational.com
OAHU
Nov. 2: Pacific Rim Jazz Festival. Big-name artists take to the stage for seven hours of live jazz at this star-studded event. Featured entertainers include Sheila E, Bobby Caldwell, Keiko Matsui, Mindi Abair, Brian Simpson, Spencer Day, Gregg Karukas, Michael Paulo, Jackiem Joyner, Rene Paulo, Jimmy Borges, Ginai and Al Waterson. Hawaii Convention Center.
www.pacificrimjazzfestival.com
Nov. 12-23: Reef Hawaiian Pro. This event is the first stop of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing and attracts top professional surfers from around the globe. The competition is held during the four days when the surfing conditions are best. Spectators watch top wave-riders in the mammoth winter surf of Oahu’s North Shore. Alii Beach Park, Haleiwa.
www.triplecrownof surfing.com
