July 2009 Cultural Festivals & Events for Maui, Oahu, Hawaii, Kauai

Headed to the Hawaiian Islands this July? Check out this July 2009 list of events and explore Hawaii’s rich culture.

MAUI

Makawao Paniolo Parade (July 4 at 9 a.m.) – 44^th annual parade showcasing Maui’s best Paniolo, themed “Na Paniolo Maoli No,” which translates to “The Original Cowboys!”  Makawao Town, Upcountry Maui.  For more information, call (808) 572-9565.

Keiki Hula Festival (July 26 – 27) – A free event, this festival showcases Maui’s keiki in the spirit of song and dance at this 10^th annual hula festival, complemented with Hawaiian artisans and crafters.  Lahaina Cannery Mall.  Call (808) 661-5304 or visit www.lahainacannery.com.

See this post for July 4th Events on Maui

OAHU

8th Annual Korean Festival (July 11) – Experience Korean culture from the past and the present.  See live Korean dance performances, taekwondo (Korean martial arts) demonstrations, and cultural exhibits of Korean artifacts and memorabilia.  Taste savory, mouth-watering samplings of Korean cuisine, including favorites such as kalbi (BBQ shortribs), bibim gooksoo (spicy mixed noodles), and kim chi fried rice.  Listen to the sound of sogochum (Korean drum dance) and live singers performing traditional and popular Korean songs.  Come and experience Korea!  Kapi‘olani Park & Bandstand.  For more information, please visit www.hkccweb.org.

Japanese artist Yoshihiro Suda’s exhibition (July 11 – October 25) – Suda is internationally known for his installations of delicate carved and painted wooden plant life.  Suda’s sculptures of indigenous Japanese plants and flowers are meticulously created with surprising realism and in true-to-life scale that, at times, borders on the miniscule.  This will be Suda’s first solo exhibition in the United States.  Contemporary Museum.  Call (808) 526-0232 or visit www.tcmhi.org.

32^nd Annual Prince Lot Hula Festival (July 18) – Each year on the third Saturday in July, dancers from all of the islands converge at Moanalua Gardens.  The Prince Lot Hula Festival is the largest non-competitive hula event in Hawai‘i.  It honors Prince Lot Kapuaiwa who reprised the once banned hula in the district of Moanalua and features various h?lau from O‘ahu dancing both hula kahiko (ancient hula) and hula ‘auana (modern hula) on one of the few remaining pa hula (hula mounds) in Hawai‘i.  Call (808) 839-5334 or visit www.mgf-hawaii.org.

Hale‘iwa Arts Festival (July 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., July 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) – This is the 12^th Annual Summer ArtFest that features approximately 140 juried visual artists with original works and limited editions.  The ArtFest will also include performance arts, storytelling, cultural history tours, arts demonstrations and displays, and a host of hands-on children’s activities.  Hale‘iwa Beach Park.  For more information, visit www.haleiwaartsfestival.org.

38th Annual Ukulele Festival (July 19) – Many of the finest ukulele players in the world converge at the Kapiolani Bandstand in Waik?k? to share their musical talent during a free concert.  Hawai‘i’s top entertainers, national celebrities, and a ‘ukulele orchestra of more than 800 children will perform from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.  Call (808) 732-3739 or visit www.roysakuma.net.

“Moonlight Mele” concert series (July 30) – Two crowd-pleasing musicians will take on the Great Lawn at Bishop Museum for this month’s Moonlight Mele – Darren Benitez and Hoku Zuttermeister.  Darren is known for his falsetto Hawaiian music as well as his upbeat cachi-cachi hits.  He will be followed by Hoku Zuttermeister, who won six Na H?k? Hanohano Awards last year for his solo CD ‘Aina Kupuna.  Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for Museum Members and 6:00 p.m. for General Admission.  Advance tickets are $15 General; $10 for Bank of Hawai‘i Customers/Employees, Bishop Museum Members, and Military; keiki 3 and under are free.  General tickets purchased the day of the event are $20.  For more information, call (808) 847-3511 or visit www.bishopmuseum.org.

Independence Day Celebrations (July 3-4) – See this list of July 4th events and fireworks on Oahu.

HAWAII’S BIG ISLAND

Hawai‘i Volcanoes Cultural Festival (July 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) – Held in the special setting of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, this popular annual festival helps preserve and perpetuate the Hawaiian culture and traditional arts.  Featuring Hawaiian music, hula, crafts sales and demonstrations by local artists and practitioners.  Free. For more information, call (808) 985-6153 or visit www.fhvnp.org.

Big Island Hawaiian Music Festival (July 18 – 19 from noon to 6 p.m. on both days) – The Festival honors the Hawaiian musical heritage by promoting and perpetuating authentic Hawaiian musical traditions.  Celebrating its 20^th anniversary, visitors from around the world experience world class musicians in slack key, falsetto, ‘ukulele and more.  Master musicians share their love and their craft through a series of talk story sessions, feeling like an old fashioned jam session.  The festival features more than 12 hours of unforgettable performances.  Hilo High School Auditorium.  Call (808) 935-9085 or visit www.ehcc.org for more information.

See this post for July 4th Fireworks and Celebrations on Hawaii’s Big Island

KAUAI

‘Ohana Saturday at Kaua‘i Museum (July 4) – Admission is free for the whole family with special presentations.  Call (808) 245-6931 for more information.

Kaua‘i Music Festival (July 29 – August 1) – The Kaua‘i Music Festival is a four day celebration of the art of songwriting.  At the festival, attendees learn songwriting from some of the best songwriters and Grammy-winning producers.  Music of the participants will be heard in small group seminars and in the songwriting competition.  Hilton Kaua‘i Beach Resort.  Call (808) 634-6237 or visit www.kauaimusicfestival.com.

See this post for a listing of Kauai’s July 4th Fireworks and Celebrations

Mahalo to the HVCB for providing this helpful list.