The Hawai¡¯i Tourism Authority supports the state¡¯s cultural ambassadors through its Ho¡¯okipa Malihini Initiative, investing $1.9 billion to enrich local communities through 21 signature events.

The Signature Events program is one of HTA¡¯s destination stewardship programs, administered in partnership with Kilohana, a division of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement. HTA¡¯s Signature Events includes projects selected for their ability to protect and enhance Hawai¡®i¡¯s globally competitive brand in a coordinated and market-appropriate manner.

¡°These world-class festivals shine a global spotlight on our athletes, artists and unparalleled beauty, while invigorating our economy,¡± said Caroline Anderson, interim president and CEO of HTA. ¡°They highlight what makes Hawai¡®i special ¡ª our rich culture, diverse communities and a shared sense of place ¡ª creating memorable experiences for both our residents and visitors.¡±

Signature events include:

Culture and the Arts

• Aloha Festivals- the longest-running event for over 79 years features the Royal Court Investiture and Opening Ceremony, Waik¨©k¨© Ho¡®olaule¡®a and Annual Floral Parade. ?
• The 80th Anniversary of the End of WWII four-day celebration honors the last surviving veterans of the war, including seven who witnessed the 1945 Surrender Ceremony aboard the USS Missouri.
• The 63rd Annual Merrie Monarch Festival Broadcast showcases Hawai¡®i¡¯s premier hula celebration in Hilo April 2026.
• The 43rd Annual Pan-Pacific Festival- a three-day multicultural celebration with cultural performances, food and international exchange drawing participants from Japan, Asia and the Pacific.
• The Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest in Waik¨©k¨© honors Duke¡¯s legacy with cultural ceremonies, traditional surfboard making and sports competitions. ?
• The Hawai¡®i Food and Wine Festival- the state¡¯s premier culinary event, showcasing Hawai¡®i¡¯s chefs, farmers and food culture.
• The Hawai¡®i International Film Festival- the Pacific¡¯s premier cinematic event, showcasing global and Hawai¡®i-made films, with a strong representation of Native Hawaiian talent.
• The 30th Honolulu Festival celebrates the heritage and diversity of Hawai?i and the Pacific Rim through music, dance, art and cultural exchange. ?
• The 2026 King Kamehameha Celebrations mark the 154th annual holiday honoring King Kamehameha I through lei draping ceremonies, a floral parade and h¨­¡®olaule¡®a. ?
• The Mele Hula Festival- a multiday cultural event celebrating the integrated traditions of mele and hula. ?
• The Prince Lot Hula Festival- Hawai¡®i¡¯s largest noncompetitive hula showcase, celebrating 48 years of cultural preservation in a two-day event.?

Sports

• The Hawai¡®i Bowl, established in 2002 to promote the University of Hawai¡®i is one of two NCAA men¡¯s football bowl games that guarantees a home team berth when eligible. ?
• The 53rd Honolulu Marathon in December draws runners from Hawai¡®i and from around the world to challenge themselves on the 26.2-mile course.
• The Hoops in Hawaii Classic- a premier collegiate basketball tournament blending high-level competition with cultural programming and community engagement, supporting local youth athletes.
• The IRONMAN World Championship- a premier global endurance event that attracts top athletes from around the world, held in Kailua-Kona for over 40 years.
• The 2025 Maui Marathon, Hawai¡®i¡¯s longest-running marathon, returns to West Maui on April 27, supporting the region¡¯s recovery post-2023 wildfires. ?
• The Moloka¡®i 2 O¡®ahu Paddleboard World Championships- a 32-mile race across the Ka¡®iwi Channel, celebrating Hawai¡®i¡¯s paddling culture.
• The Moloka¡®i Hoe- a 41-mile ocean canoe race across the Ka¡®iwi Channel for men, celebrating Hawaiian culture, resilience and unity for over 70 years. ?
• The Na Wahine O Ke Kai World Championship Canoe Race- a 41-mile Ka¡®iwi Channel crossing celebrating the strength, leadership and heritage of women in Hawaiian canoe culture. ??
• The Southwest Maui Invitational- the premier early-season college basketball tournament in the U.S. ??
• The TransPacific Volleyball Championships- Hawai¡®i¡¯s largest indoor sports event, drawing over 360 teams and 25,000 attendees from across the Pacific.

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