Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce

Events & Activities

West Hawaii is home to an annual schedule of major monthly sporting, cultural, music, food and other events and festivals that draw thousands of participants and supporters from the local community as well as attract large numbers of off-island visitors.

Two sporting events, in particular, have helped put West Hawaii on the international map. One is the IronMan Triathlon World Championship held in October, which brings the world’s top triathletes here to compete for the title as top man and top woman in this now-famous endurance event consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run.

A second event is the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, founded in 1959 and held every August. The HIBT is one of the most prestigious international fishing tourneys, where angler teams from many countries compete along the Kona Coast to catch, tag and release the largest Pacific Blue marlin. Other sporting events include the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai Senior PGA Golf Tournament in January, the Queen Liliuokalani long distance canoe races, and the Kona Marathon.

Leading the way in cultural events is the Aloha Festivals each September, a month-long multi-event Hawaiian cultural heritage celebration showcasing, arts, music, hula, food and parades. Also on tap every November is the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, highlighting Kona’s gourmet crop with a week-long observance of art exhibits, tastings, farm tours and recipe contests. In early February is the Cherry Blossom Festival in Waimea, a celebration of the area’s Japanese heritage and viewing of the beautiful cherry blossoms on the trees at Church Row Park.

Other popular events include the Kona Brewers Festival in March; the Kamehameha Day Parade, Waiki’i Music Festival and Dolphin Days at the Hilton Waikoloa Village (all in June); and numerous choral, musical and other festive holiday events during the Christmas season.

There are numerous other smaller events, activities and happenings on tap for residents on a weekly and monthly basis – so many that it would be impossible to list, or take part in, them all.