The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA) is investing $1.9 million to support 21 major festivals and sports events across the state through its Signature Events program. Signature Events align with Hawai‘i’s brand, enrich Hawai‘i’s communities, create venues for resident-visitor interaction and attract attendees from beyond Hawai‘i.
“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 — our rich culture, diverse communities and a shared sense of place — creating memorable experiences for both our residents and visitors.”
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 include the following 21 projects, selected for their ability to protect and enhance Hawai‘i’s globally competitive brand in a coordinated and market-appropriate manner.
Culture and the Arts
Aloha Festivals, Hawai‘i’s longest-running cultural event for over 79 years, features the Royal Court Investiture and Opening Ceremony, Waikīkī Ho‘olaule‘a and Annual Floral Parade, attracting over 100,000 attendees annually. Organized by Aloha Week Hawai‘i.
The 80th Anniversary of the End of WWII will honor the last surviving veterans of the war, including seven who witnessed the 1945 Surrender Ceremony aboard the USS Missouri. The four-day commemoration features ceremonies, concerts, educational programs and air show activities. Organized by the USS Missouri Memorial Association/ Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.
The 63rd Annual Merrie Monarch Festival Broadcast will showcase Hawai‘i’s premier hula celebration in April 2026, live from Edith Kanaka‘ole Stadium in Hilo. Produced with Pono‘ī Productions and Hawai‘i News Now, the event will be streamed globally, highlighting the artistry and cultural richness of the hula competitions. Organized by the Merrie Monarch Festival.
The 43rd Annual Pan-Pacific Festival is a three-day multicultural celebration with cultural performances, food and international exchange drawing participants from Japan, Asia and the Pacific. Organized by the Pan-Pacific Festival Foundation.
The Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest in Waikīkī honors Duke’s legacy with cultural ceremonies, traditional surfboard making and sports competitions. Organized by ODKF Support/Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest.
The Hawai‘i Food and Wine Festival is the state’s premier culinary event, showcasing Hawai‘i’s chefs, farmers and food culture to a global audience. Organized by the Hawaiʻi Ag and Culinary Alliance.
The Hawai‘i International Film Festival is the Pacific’s premier cinematic event, showcasing global and Hawai‘i-made films, with a strong representation of Native Hawaiian talent drawing over 30,000 attendees annually. Organized by the Hawai‘i International Film Festival.
The 30th Honolulu Festival celebrates the heritage and diversity of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific Rim through music, dance, art and cultural exchange. Organized by the Honolulu Festival Foundation.
The 2026 King Kamehameha Celebrations mark the 154th annual holiday honoring King Kamehameha I through lei draping ceremonies, a floral parade and hō‘olaule‘a. Organized by the Kala Foundation.
The Mele Hula Festival is a multiday cultural event celebrating the integrated traditions of mele and hula. Created by Kāhuli Leo Leʻa, the festival features free public performances, educational workshops and a unique competition that judges both mele composition and hula presentation. Organized by Kāhuli Leo Leʻa.
The Prince Lot Hula Festival is Hawai‘i’s largest noncompetitive hula showcase, celebrating 48 years of cultural preservation. This two-day event features hula performances, mele, oli, educational workshops and a vibrant mākeke of local vendors. Organized by Moanalua Gardens Foundation.
Sports
The Hawai‘i Bowl, established in 2002 to promote the University of Hawai‘i, the Hawaiʻi Bowl is one of two NCAA men’s football bowl games that guarantees a home team berth when eligible. Televised on ESPN, it highlights Hawai‘i’s cultural richness and scenic beauty to millions. Organized by ESPN Productions.
The 53rd Honolulu Marathon takes place in December and draws runners from Hawai‘i and from around the world to challenge themselves on the 26.2-mile course that spans iconic O‘ahu landmarks, ending at Kapi‘olani Park. Organized by Honolulu Marathon Association.
The Hoops in Hawaii Classic is a premier collegiate basketball tournament that blends high-level competition with cultural programming and community engagement. It supports local youth athletes, promotes responsible tourism and drives economic impact through sports. Organized by College Tournaments Hawaii.
The IRONMAN World Championship is a premier global endurance event that attracts top athletes from around the world. Held in Kailua-Kona for over 40 years, the race is supported by more than 5,000 volunteers and promotes the “Live Aloha” initiative and the Pono Pledge. Organized by the World Triathlon Corporation.
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. With over 2,500 runners and 3,500 total visitors, it’s projected to generate over $10 million in economic impact. Organized by Valley Isle Road Runners.
The Moloka‘i 2 O‘ahu Paddleboard World Championships is a 32-mile race across the Ka‘iwi Channel, celebrating Hawai‘i’s paddling culture and drawing over 300 international athletes. Organized by Epic Sports Foundation.
The Moloka‘i Hoe is a 41-mile ocean canoe race across the Ka‘iwi Channel for men, celebrating Hawaiian culture, resilience and unity for over 70 years. Organized by the O‘ahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association Hawaiʻi.
The Na Wahine O Ke Kai World Championship Canoe Race is a 41-mile Ka‘iwi Channel crossing that celebrates the strength, leadership and heritage of women in Hawaiian canoe culture. Organized by the O‘ahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association Hawaiʻi.
The Southwest Maui Invitational is the premier early-season college basketball tournament in the U.S. First staged in 1984 and now hosted at the Lahaina Civic Center, the eight-team, three-day event is a centerpiece of ESPN’s Feast Week that attracts top collegiate programs while showcasing the island of Maui to a national audience. Organized by Kemper Sports Marketing.
The TransPacific Volleyball Championships is Hawai‘i’s largest indoor sports event, drawing over 360 teams and 25,000 attendees from across the Pacific. It combines elite youth competition with Hawaiian cultural experiences, generating a significant economic impact and college exposure for local athletes. Organized by 7Gen Culture.
The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA) is investing $1.9 million to support 21 major festivals and sports events across the state through its Signature Events program. Signature Events align with Hawai‘i’s brand, enrich Hawai‘i’s communities, create venues for resident-visitor interaction and attract attendees from beyond Hawai‘i.
“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 — our rich culture, diverse communities and a shared sense of place — creating memorable experiences for both our residents and visitors.”
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 include the following 21 projects, selected for their ability to protect and enhance Hawai‘i’s globally competitive brand in a coordinated and market-appropriate manner.
Culture and the Arts
Aloha Festivals, Hawai‘i’s longest-running cultural event for over 79 years, features the Royal Court Investiture and Opening Ceremony, Waikīkī Ho‘olaule‘a and Annual Floral Parade, attracting over 100,000 attendees annually. Organized by Aloha Week Hawai‘i.
The 80th Anniversary of the End of WWII will honor the last surviving veterans of the war, including seven who witnessed the 1945 Surrender Ceremony aboard the USS Missouri. The four-day commemoration features ceremonies, concerts, educational programs and air show activities. Organized by the USS Missouri Memorial Association/ Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.
The 63rd Annual Merrie Monarch Festival Broadcast will showcase Hawai‘i’s premier hula celebration in April 2026, live from Edith Kanaka‘ole Stadium in Hilo. Produced with Pono‘ī Productions and Hawai‘i News Now, the event will be streamed globally, highlighting the artistry and cultural richness of the hula competitions. Organized by the Merrie Monarch Festival.
The 43rd Annual Pan-Pacific Festival is a three-day multicultural celebration with cultural performances, food and international exchange drawing participants from Japan, Asia and the Pacific. Organized by the Pan-Pacific Festival Foundation.
The Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest in Waikīkī honors Duke’s legacy with cultural ceremonies, traditional surfboard making and sports competitions. Organized by ODKF Support/Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest.
The Hawai‘i Food and Wine Festival is the state’s premier culinary event, showcasing Hawai‘i’s chefs, farmers and food culture to a global audience. Organized by the Hawaiʻi Ag and Culinary Alliance.
The Hawai‘i International Film Festival is the Pacific’s premier cinematic event, showcasing global and Hawai‘i-made films, with a strong representation of Native Hawaiian talent drawing over 30,000 attendees annually. Organized by the Hawai‘i International Film Festival.
The 30th Honolulu Festival celebrates the heritage and diversity of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific Rim through music, dance, art and cultural exchange. Organized by the Honolulu Festival Foundation.
The 2026 King Kamehameha Celebrations mark the 154th annual holiday honoring King Kamehameha I through lei draping ceremonies, a floral parade and hō‘olaule‘a. Organized by the Kala Foundation.
The Mele Hula Festival is a multiday cultural event celebrating the integrated traditions of mele and hula. Created by Kāhuli Leo Leʻa, the festival features free public performances, educational workshops and a unique competition that judges both mele composition and hula presentation. Organized by Kāhuli Leo Leʻa.
The Prince Lot Hula Festival is Hawai‘i’s largest noncompetitive hula showcase, celebrating 48 years of cultural preservation. This two-day event features hula performances, mele, oli, educational workshops and a vibrant mākeke of local vendors. Organized by Moanalua Gardens Foundation.
Sports
The Hawai‘i Bowl, established in 2002 to promote the University of Hawai‘i, the Hawaiʻi Bowl is one of two NCAA men’s football bowl games that guarantees a home team berth when eligible. Televised on ESPN, it highlights Hawai‘i’s cultural richness and scenic beauty to millions. Organized by ESPN Productions.
The 53rd Honolulu Marathon takes place in December and draws runners from Hawai‘i and from around the world to challenge themselves on the 26.2-mile course that spans iconic O‘ahu landmarks, ending at Kapi‘olani Park. Organized by Honolulu Marathon Association.
The Hoops in Hawaii Classic is a premier collegiate basketball tournament that blends high-level competition with cultural programming and community engagement. It supports local youth athletes, promotes responsible tourism and drives economic impact through sports. Organized by College Tournaments Hawaii.
The IRONMAN World Championship is a premier global endurance event that attracts top athletes from around the world. Held in Kailua-Kona for over 40 years, the race is supported by more than 5,000 volunteers and promotes the “Live Aloha” initiative and the Pono Pledge. Organized by the World Triathlon Corporation.
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. With over 2,500 runners and 3,500 total visitors, it’s projected to generate over $10 million in economic impact. Organized by Valley Isle Road Runners.
The Moloka‘i 2 O‘ahu Paddleboard World Championships is a 32-mile race across the Ka‘iwi Channel, celebrating Hawai‘i’s paddling culture and drawing over 300 international athletes. Organized by Epic Sports Foundation.
The Moloka‘i Hoe is a 41-mile ocean canoe race across the Ka‘iwi Channel for men, celebrating Hawaiian culture, resilience and unity for over 70 years. Organized by the O‘ahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association Hawaiʻi.
The Na Wahine O Ke Kai World Championship Canoe Race is a 41-mile Ka‘iwi Channel crossing that celebrates the strength, leadership and heritage of women in Hawaiian canoe culture. Organized by the O‘ahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association Hawaiʻi.
The Southwest Maui Invitational is the premier early-season college basketball tournament in the U.S. First staged in 1984 and now hosted at the Lahaina Civic Center, the eight-team, three-day event is a centerpiece of ESPN’s Feast Week that attracts top collegiate programs while showcasing the island of Maui to a national audience. Organized by Kemper Sports Marketing.
The TransPacific Volleyball Championships is Hawai‘i’s largest indoor sports event, drawing over 360 teams and 25,000 attendees from across the Pacific. It combines elite youth competition with Hawaiian cultural experiences, generating a significant economic impact and college exposure for local athletes. Organized by 7Gen Culture.
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