things to do in hawaii

Summer brings about many things to enjoy: mangoes, vacation, sunshine, sand and surf. Presented by HawaiiHealthGuide.com and The Sanctuary of Mana Ke’a Gardens, on Saturday, July 31, the Hawaii Healing Garden Mango Festival is taking place on the Garden Lawn of the Keauhou Beach Resort. The event is free to the public and kicks off at 10:00 a.m.

This Mango Festival is showcasing a non-stop entertainment lineup on two separate stages as well as a mango grafting demonstration, presentations by special guest chef Hector Wong, a display of mango pickles, jams/ chutneys ripe for the picking and sampling.

Performers include: Ka Pa Hula Na Wai Iwi Ola dancers; the Kahikina Nahenahe ukulele group; Aunty Tutu’s Lindsey Ohana & Friends playing flute and harp; an eco-fashion show featuring apparel and accessories from Divine Goods; mango songs by Stuheart; and a special musical performance by Bolo Mikiela Rodrigues on his trademark “ukeitar.”

For more information on the Mango Festival, visit HawaiiHealthGuide.com.

Okay, we’ll be the first to admit that we love music in all forms, but our singing is probably best reserved for the privacy of a relaxing shower or the occasional car ride. The same cannot be said for the incredibly talented musicians and songwriters gearing up for the annual Kauai Music Festival kicking off on Wednesday, July 28.

The four-day festival celebrating the craft of songwriting is an event not to be missed. Participants can learn to write music and songs from some of the best in country as well as consult – one-on-one – with award-winning songwriters, GRAMMY-winning producers and other top musicians.

Have an amazing tune (or twelve) that you can’t wait to perform live? Participants can also share their music in small groups, or enter the songwriting competition and allow their music to be heard by the best of the best in the industry. The seeds of future show business success could be laid here!

Festival and concert attendance is limited, so book your spot now before it’s too late!

For schedules, a list of performers, details on contest entries and to sign up to participate in the festival, visit http://kauaimusicfestival.com.

… and don’t leave us out! We’d love to hear your amazing musical creations, as well. Send us links to your best work … you never know who might be listening!

Image Courtesy kauaifestivals.com

Calling all amateur photographers! Do you think you’ve got what it takes to take home the grand prize at this year’s Maui Photo Festival? If your answer is a resounding “yes” (and you’re a Maui County high school student) then you just might be capable of earning one of ten scholarships to this year’s festival and workshops.

The Maui Photo Festival & Workshops will be held August 25 – 29 at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa. The yearly festival celebrates digital photography through lectures, excursions and hands-on demonstration classes.

Admission to the festival is $495 ($395 educational rate), but burgeoning young photographers can earn their spot for free by submitting one image in up to three categories: lazy days of summer, up close and personal (macro photography) and dive right in (water pictures). Those seeking scholarships must also submit a 250-word essay on why they should be chosen (… and hurry! The deadline is August 1!).

Submissions from local residents will create the “Hawaii by Hawaii Photographers” multimedia show to be unveiled at an opening night reception on August 25 at 7:00 p.m.

Think you’ve got what it takes? Go for it! Send your digital entries to mauiphotocontest@gmail.com (hard-copy submissions should be sent to Maui Photo Festival, P.O. Box 185, Kahului 96733).

For more information, visit www.mauiphotofestival.com or call (808) 633-1339.

… and don’t forget to share your entries with us, too!

Image courtesy WomenInTech.com

As the picnic preparations are gearing up, the fireworks displays being set up and an entire nation counting down the days until the 234^th birthday of our fair country, just one thought comes to mind to those of us lucky enough to live in or be visiting Hawaii … pineapples.

That’s right, pineapples!

Tomorrow (Saturday, July 3, 2010) marks the 18^th Pineapple Festival on Lanai. An annual tradition – and one of the more unique ways to celebrate Independence Day – the festival began in 1976 when the Lanai Community Association received county funding for a Bicentennial event. What was originally dubbed “The Pineapple Jam,” has now become a favorite summer activity for local residents and tourists.

The 18^th Annual Pineapple Festival kicks off at 3:00 p.m. in Dole Park and ends at 8:00 p.m. Food, crafts, pineapple-themed activities, contests and live entertainment (including a live performance by Amy Hanaialii Gilliom from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.) will be readily available throughout the day.

For more information about the Pineapple Festival, check out http://lanaipineapplefestival.com/index.html.

Image Courtesy Lanai Pineapple Festival

The Fourth of July means a variety of different things to different people. For some, it’s a day marked for national reflection and pause, for others, it’s the perfect excuse to fire up the grill and gather together with family and friends for an outdoor celebration of freedom and independence. Still, there’s one activity that has become synonymous with “July 4^th” over the years – fireworks displays.

So, whether you’re grilling machine, are poised and ready to kick back and relax or are looking to fill your weekend with fireworks, check out our list of top picks for the holiday weekend below (and save a few hot dogs for us!).

Which Independence Day festivities will you and your family be checking out this year? Are there any we’ve left off our list of must-sees? Let us know!

Kauai

• 21^st Annual Concert in the Sky: An annual fundraiser for Kauai Hospice, this one-day event boasts the largest aerial fireworks show on Kauai. Gates open at 4:00 p.m. on July 4 with back-to-back live entertainment from John Cruz, Shilo Pa, The Quake, Halau Ka Lei Mokihana `O Leina`ala and more. Advance tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children aged 6 – 12 years (under 5 free). Tickets at the gate on July 4 are $15 for adults, $7 for children aged 6 – 12 years. For more information, call (808) 245-7277 or visit http://www.kauaihospice.org.

• 3^rd Annual Kekaha 4^th of July Celebration: Held at the H.P. Faye Park and Kekaha Neighborhood Center, this annual celebration kicks off in the wee hours of the morning with the Maximum Energy Max Agor Memorial Fun Run. If you’re not keen on strapping on your running shoes at 6:30 a.m., stop by around 10:00 a.m. for the start of the festivities – local entertainment, crafts, games and water rides for children are all on tap this year at the festival. Stick around for the fireworks display at 9:00 p.m.! For more information, visit http://www.kekaha4thofjuly.com/.

Oahu

• Aloha Tower July 3^rd Fireworks and Fun: Kick off the festivities a day early this year with fun, fireworks and freedom at the Aloha Tower Marketplace from 3:00 – 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 3. While visiting the Marketplace, be sure to check out the bounce houses, face painting, games and prizes for kids as well as free admission to the grand opening of the Aloha Lounge and Gallery. Live jazz performances kick off at 6:00 p.m., with a rock concert featuring Prevail and I Digress at 9:00 p.m. immediately following a fireworks display at 8:45 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.alohatower.com/1405/july-3rd-fireworks-and-fun/.

• 3^rd Annual Independence Day at Maunalua Bay: From 1:00 – 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 4, check out the Independence Day festivities at Maunalua Bay – non-stop live entertainment, face painting, food and games. Come early, because from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. only, the party includes miniature gold, canoe rides and a slew of giveaways! The grand finale fireworks spectacular kicks off at 8:00 p.m. For an entertainment lineup, list of activities and additional information, check out http://www.independencedayatmaunaluabay.org/.

• Ala Moana Center’s 4^th of July Spectacular: For nearly 20 years, Ala Moana Center has put on the largest fireworks display in the state. Promising an entire weekend of fun and entertainment, the 4^th of July Spectacular kicks off at noon on Saturday, July 3 with live performances from Marlene Baldueza, Eric Lee, KONA and the 11^th Army Band. The weekend’s grand finale, of course, kicks off at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 4^th with a fireworks show unlike any other in Hawaii (and be sure to tune your radio to KUMU 94.7 for the live soundtrack of the show!). For more information, check out http://www.alamoanacenter.com/july4.htm.

Maui

• Lahaina 4^th of July Concert in the Park: Tour historic Lahaina throughout the weekend and partake in holiday specials in many of the town’s ocean view restaurants and shops. A variety of bands are scheduled to play throughout the day on Sunday during a free concert on the Lahaina Library lawn starting at 5:00 p.m. A fireworks display presented by the Maui Chamber of Commerce kicks off at 8:00 p.m. – and can even be viewed from charter boats in Lahaina Harbor! For more information, visit http://www.visitlahaina.com.

• Pride of Maui 4^th of July Fireworks Cruise: Why stay on dry land when you can jet out to sea and enjoy dinner by candlelight and a fireworks show like no other on our nation’s birthday? The Pride of Maui offers live entertainment, an incomparable multi-course dinner and more than 1,500 square feet of unobstructed fireworks viewing from the vessel’s upper deck. At a price tag of $109.95 for adults and $89.95 for children, the investment may be a tad higher than other local activities, but the memories made on the open seas will be priceless. For more information and to make reservations, check out http://www.prideofmaui.com/trips/maui-cruise-4th-of-july.html.

Summer is finally here, and we all know what that means … vacation! Hawaii anyone?

Tanning oil, iced coffee and the inevitable sunburn (which we clearly could have avoided had we nixed the oil) have all worked their way back into our daily routines. And we don’t know about you, but when we think summer, the first thing that comes to mind is music. Great music. Outdoor rock concerts, a little bluegrass if you’re feeling sentimental, or even some “Glee”-tastic karaoke (stop rolling your eyes … you know you love it).

But for us, nothing hits the spot like some sweet jazz. Jazz lovers (like ourselves) should take particular note of some fantastic jazz events coming up this July in none other than one of the top vacay (that’s right, we just said vacay) hotspots – Honolulu.

On Thursday (and every Thursday), July 1st, Jazz Minds on Kapiolani Blvd. will feature top-notch live jazz performances from The Bentos starting at 9:00 PM, and let us tell you, this is something you do not want to miss.

On Friday, July 2nd, the Black Sand Jazz Trio will be playing at Chuck’s Cellar on Ka’iulani Ave. from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m., and – get this – it’s FREE! That same night, Dot’s Restaurant in Wahiawa is hosting “Friday Night Jazz” from 7:00 – 11:30 p.m., and being that this event is also free, it’s going to be a tough call to choose between the two. If you ask us, well, don’t. Check out both. Why not? Two jazz venues, one night, and you leave your wallet at home. Could Honolulu get any cooler? Unless we’re talking about the weather, we’re going to say “no.”

Are you a jazz fan like us? Are you a “Friday Night Jazz” regular? Tell us about it (and we’ll probably see you there)!

Image courtesy North Shore Surf Photos

Hawaii’s musical influence stretches far beyond our islands’ borders. The music of our fair state includes a myriad of styles, both traditional and modern, that touch every genre from native Hawaiian folk music to modern rock and hip hop. Perhaps best known around the globe as Hawaii’s most-recognizable sound, however, is ki ho’alu (or “slack-key guitar”), and this weekend, the incomparable sound returns to Maui.

On Sunday, June 27, the 19^th Annual Ki Ho’alu Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival, Maui-Island Style, kicks off at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Admission is free and performances run from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m.

For those unfamiliar with the Hawaiian style of guitar music, the sound of ki ho’alu (meaning “loosen the [tuning] key”) is typically achieved by detuning or “slacking” one or more strings of a classically tuned guitar until the six strings form a single chord. Historic accounts date slack-key guitar back to the late 19^th century when Mexican cowboys (“vaqueros”) taught Hawaiians the basics of playing guitar before leaving the islands, allowing Hawaiians to develop the unique style of music on their own. Today, ki ho’alu is celebrated as one of the world’s most unique guitar traditions.

Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to stretch out over the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Events Lawn and enjoy crafters from all across Hawaii, food from Maui restaurants and caterers, a one-of-a-kind guitar exhibit and performances from such top musicians as Makana, Brother Noland, George Kahumoku, Stephen Inglis, Kevin and Ikaika Brown, Dennis Kamakahi, Jeff Peterson, Bobby Moderow, Paul Togioka, LT Smooth, Donald Kaulia, Dwight Kanae, Patrick Landeza, Walter Keale and Chris Lau.

For additional details about the event, call the Maui Arts & Cultural Center box office at 242-7469 or visit www.mauiarts.org or www.slackkeyfestival.com. Additional festivals in additional locations will take place throughout the year.

Will you be attending the festival this year? Are you a killer ki ho’alu guitar player? We want to hear your story!

Image courtesy The Maui News; copyright Aubrey Hord

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when we mention “Hawaii” and “dance”? We’re willing to bet your answer starts with an “h” and ends with a … well, you get the idea. Most visitors to Hawaii might be surprised to know that there exists another form of dance – one just as culturally relevant and significant. In fact, beginning this month and continuing through August, it’s bon dance festival season!

So, what is a bon dance festival? It’s an annual Japanese Buddhist tradition that dates back more than 500 years in Japan. In Hawaii, the festivals act as a celebration of cultural heritage, spiritual remembrance and honors the spirits of family members that have passed away.

Bon dance festivals will be taking place at hongwanji missions and temples all across Hawaii more or less every weekend evening from now until late summer. In addition to sample an array of Japanese delicacies at each festival event, get ready to let loose and dance the bonodori (for those who need a quick lesson, the dance generally involves circling around a high wooden scaffold called a yagura)!

Hawaii Magazine features a complete list and schedule of bon dance festivals taking place this summer by island. Charge up those digital camera batteries, find your local festival and get your bon dance on!

Which festival will you be attending this year? We can’t wait to check out a few ourselves!

This Monday, February 15th is not only President’s Day, it’s also the Great Aloha Run – the 8.15-mile foot race from Aloha Tower to Aloha Stadium.

Enjoy the race, enjoy the holiday!

This is a new event and admission is FREE.  Every Friday from 4 to 9 pm, visitors can browse fresh produce stands and other booths and at 6:15 pm, see the nightly Changing of the Guard Ceremony. The King’s Village Shopping Center, located just behind Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa, is open daily from 10 am to 11 pm and has a variety of shops and restaurants. For more information call 237-6340.