SPOTLIGHT: HAWAII ISLAND
3.10: Kona Brewers Festival. This frothy fundraiser features four hours of tastes and sips from 36 chefs and 36 brewers. Entertainment includes Hawaiian musicians and the environmental awareness-raising Trash Fashion Show. Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel plays host.
www.konabrewersfestival.com
KAUAI
3.2-4: Slack Key Guitar Concerts. With its mountains and seascapes, the north shore town of Hanalei provides an inspiring backdrop for ongoing slack key guitar concerts. Offered Friday and Sunday afternoons, they mix music with island-style storytelling.
www.mcmasterslackkey.com
3.17: Anahola Prince Kuhio Celebration. Culture takes center stage during this day-long gathering timed with a cherished monarch’s birthday. Crowds assemble in Anahola Beach Park for live music and hula, food and craft booths and health and wellness exhibits.
www.kauaifestivals.com
MAUI
3.10-11: Whale and Ocean Arts Festival. Honoring the humpbacks that migrate to Hawaii each winter, this free bash in Lahaina’s Banyan Tree Park presents marine-themed art, live tunes, hula dancers, lei-making and fascinating facts from whale experts.
www.visitlahaina.com
3.17: Jake Shimabukuro. No one plays ukulele quite like this plucky virtuoso, who explores every string and fret to its fullest. Audiences are dazzled by his fast fingerwork and wide-ranging repertoire. Catch him at Castle Theater, Maui Arts and Cultural Center.
www.mauiarts.org
OAHU
3.2: First Friday. Downtown Honolulu is the place to party on the first Friday of each month. Art studios and boutiques keep their doors open late, street performers entertain passersby, and live music helps to usher in the weekend on the right note.
www.firstfridayhawaii.com
3.9-11: Honolulu Festival. Hawaii is known for its melting pot of cultures. This popular festival celebrates that concept to the hilt with free presentations of arts and dances from Australia, Tahiti and other countries. A parade and fireworks show in the heart of Waikiki add to the good vibes.
www.honolulufestival.com
