SIZZLIN’ SPRING HAPPENINGS FROM THE ISLAND OF HAWAIʻI
SIZZLIN’ SPRING HAPPENINGS FROM THE ISLAND OF HAWAIʻI
Island of Hawai‘i Visitors Bureau Media Contact:
Cheyenne Gomez, (808) 539-3409, [email protected]
Island of Hawaiʻi (February 6, 2022) — This spring promises a season of revitalization and new beginnings in food, culture, local experiences and so much more on the island of Hawai‘i. As the slightly shorter days of winter give way to more daylight hours in the spring, you’ll have even more time to enjoy all the amazing things the island of Hawai‘i has to see and experience.
Read on to learn more about upcoming longtime popular local festivals and even more exciting new happenings on the island of Hawai‘i, all set for this spring.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Check out the 28th annual Kona Brewers Festival on March 11, hosted by the Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort. Held outdoors next to Kamakahonu Bay, the Kona Brewer’s Festival offers a unique Hawai‘i Island experience for beer and food lovers, spotlighting craft beers from local breweries and tasty eats alongside live entertainment and even a trash fashion show featuring haute couture crafted by local designers from recycled materials. As part of the festival’s zero-waste commitment, over 90% of the event’s waste is diverted from landfills by converting it into composted soil for local school gardens. For more information, call (808) 329-2911 or visit https://konabrewersfestival.com/.
The first annual Kona Steel Guitar Festival is coming to the Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa on March 23-25, bringing the Hawaiian steel guitar experience to Keauhou. Open and complimentary to the public, event highlights include a ho’olaule’a (celebration) featuring Hawaiian steel guitar masters, a “Learn to Play” workshop with hands-on steel guitar experience, open stage sessions featuring guest artists, performers and Hawaiʻi music groups from around the world, kani ka pila jam sessions and a vintage steel guitar exhibit. The lineup includes Alan Akaka, Pomai Brown, Al Greene, Jr., Bobby Ingano, Kapono Lopes, Patti Maxine, Greg Sardinha, Dwight Tokumoto, and Geronimo “Geri” Valdriz and many more NextGen guitarists. Bring your instrument to play along with the festival musicians or just come and enjoy the music. For more information, visit https://www.konasteelguitarfestival.com/ or contact Alan Akaka at [email protected].
The 60th annual Merrie Monarch Festival, set for April 9-15 in Hilo, is a weeklong Hawaiian cultural event renowned for its three-day hula competition, which invites some of the best hālau hula (hula schools) from Hawaiʻi and the continental U.S. — and even a few international hālau — to compete. The festival honors the ideals of Hawai‘i monarch King Kalākaua who during his rule sought to revitalize the perpetuation and practice of hula and other foundational elements of the Hawaiian culture. Tickets for the hula competition sell out months in advance, but you can watch all three days of it streaming live online wherever you are in the world. Many of the Merrie Monarch Festival’s other events — including a Hilo town parade and arts and crafts fairs featuring the creative works of local artisans and designers — are open to the public. For more information, visit https://www.merriemonarch.com.
The delicious flavors and aromas of chocolate “Indulge the Senses” at the 10th annual Big Island Chocolate Festival, happening April 28 and 29 at Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa. In-person activities include culinary demonstrations for the home cook, cacao growing and processing seminars by industry experts, a new VIP-PLUS pre-gala sunset & pūpū (appetizer) pairing and a festive evening gala with culinary booths, chocolate fountain, entertainment, dancing, silent auction and some surprises! Guests can enjoy unlimited wine, beer and a custom spritzer by Ola Brew, iced tea and coffee. All educational and gala tickets are sold online, including event room packages. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://bigislandchocolatefestival.com.
The Hāmākua Harvest Farm Fest happens on the first Sunday of Honoka‘a Western Week, a now 60-year Honoka‘a town community tradition. Spring dates for both events haven’t been announced, but the Hāmākua Harvest Farm Fest promises its traditional lineup of farming-related educational displays and workshops, live music, great food and farm-fresh produce from local growers. Honoka‘a Western Week’s schedule of events includes the Hawai‘i Saddle Club Rodeo, a Hawaiian paniolo (cowboy) parade, block party, saloon-girl contest and other activities celebrating Hawai‘i Island’s paniolo culture and history. For more information, visit http://hamakuaharvest.org/2022-farm-fest.
Though coffee had been farmed in the island of Hawai‘i’s Ka‘ū district for generations dating back to the 1800s, the area’s beans and roasters began earning notice on the global specialty-coffee scene in the early 2000s, winning numerous international awards. Held each spring, the Ka‘ū Coffee Festival celebrates the district’s now firm standing as a world-class coffee-growing region and honors the farmers, roasters, gatherers and rich agricultural landscape that have all played a role in its renown. Dates for the 2023 festival will be announced soon. For more information and to stay updated, visit https://www.kaucoffeefestival.com.
ACTIVITES
Consider yourself an aspiring photographer, a film fanatic or simply curious about the art and skill of capturing great images? Mauna Lani, Auberge Resort Collection’s artist residency with professional waterman and surf photographer Zak Noyle will likely interest you. Utilizing tips and cues from Noyle, participants capture the legendary Kohala Coastline while sailing toward the horizon in pursuit of the perfect shot. Set for March 12, 13, 15 and 16, with each session running from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the resort’s liquid lens activity with Noyle includes breakfast, lunch, and a tutorial and use of a Canon EOS camera with underwater housing. For more information, contact the resort concierge at (808) 885-6622 or at [email protected].
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel recently debuted new pickleball courts at its iconic Seaside Tennis Club. During their stay, guests can enjoy a casual game of pickleball alongside sweeping ocean views. For more information, visit https://www.maunakearesort.com/play/activities/tennis/.
Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort, situated on 13 beachfront acres adjacent to Kailua Bay and Pier, offers a range of island activities. One of these is the opportunity to explore the resort’s recently renovated Herb Kāne Gallery, home to an extensive collection of artwork and artifacts created by the late renowned Native Hawaiian artist and historian Herb Kawainui. Take advantage of a self-guided cultural tour in the largest single collection of work from the artist. For more information, visit https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/koacy-courtyard-king-kamehamehas-kona-beach-hotel/experiences/.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Mauna Kea Resort and The Westin Hāpuna Beach Resort guests and owners can now opt to travel sustainably in five Tesla Model 3 vehicles, avoiding rental cars and parking fees by utilizing the new Envoy Hawai‘i electric car-sharing service. With the new amenity, guests can reserve hourly or daily bookings, with free parking and EV charging included at no extra cost. The onsite EV rentals offer eco-friendly transportation to resort guests and reduce their carbon footprint. For more information, visit https://www.envoyhawaii.com/maunakea or contact Jason Burks at [email protected].
KUDOS AND ACCOLADES
Fairmont Orchid, a luxury resort located on the island of Hawai‘i’s Kohala Coast, recently announced the appointment of Isabel Chung as its new executive chef. Chung oversees all creative and strategic initiatives of the property’s culinary operations — including its AAA Four Diamond fine dining restaurant, Brown’s Beach House — and joins an elite circle of female chefs holding the executive chef title at Fairmont properties worldwide. She began her culinary career in 2001 at the Delta Bow Valley hotel in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and most recently served as executive chef at Fairmont Chateau Whistler since November 15, 2015. Chung studied culinary arts at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Calgary. For more information, visit https://www.fairmontorchid.com/blog/executive-chef-isabel-chung/.
Mauna Kea Resort — which encompasses the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, The Westin Hāpuna Beach Resort and Mauna Kea Residences — has introduced new resort-wide cultural programming for 2023. Recently named Mauna Kea Resort’s director of culture, Grayden Haʻi-Kelly is heading its cultural initiatives and has helped develop daily activities ranging from listening and learning Hawaiian mo‘olelo (stories) and oli (chants), to lessons in hula, ‘ukulele and lei-making. Mauna Kea Resort also recently hired a second Aloha Ambassador, Zayden “Mihiʻula” Mokiao, to join longtime Aloha Ambassador Healani Kimitete-Ah Mow. Mokiao oversees all cultural programming at The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort. For more information, visit www.maunakearesort.com.