Learn about one of Hawaii's chief exports at the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival. Attend pageants for "Miss and Little Miss Kona Coffee," watch an international lantern parade, sample tons of Hawaii-grown coffees, taste coffee-inspired recipes and tour working coffee plantations and mills. The festival takes place for just over a week in early November and is Hawaii's oldest food festival. First celebrated in 1980, it receives support from the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
Set in late November to commemorate Pearl Harbor Survivors and the attacks' anniversary, the Waikiki Holiday Parade takes place the Friday after Thanksgiving. The parade is non-competitive and draws dozens of high school marching bands, both local and from across the United States, as well as military bands and dignitaries. The parade travels 1.5 miles along the ocean, from Fort DeRussy to Kapiolani Park. In addition to the parade, spectators can view the USS Battleship Missouri, "adopt" a Pearl Harbor survivor, visit the USS Arizona memorial and attend events at the Polynesian Cultural Center. There are also coordinated Thanksgiving Day festivities at the Hawaiian Waters Adventures Park and the Dole Pineapple Plantation.
Held in Honolulu every November since 1992, the World Invitational Hula Festival attracts hula performers from around the world. Participants have hailed from the mainland USA and Alaska; from Holland, Germany and France; from Easter Island, the Pacific basin, New Zealand and the Orient; Central America, the Middle East and Africa. In addition to the performances, Hawaiian and hula-related vendors sell merchandise and visitors can even receive an authentic Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage while watching the program. Both single tickets and three-day passes are available.
For a taste of Hawaiian history and musical culture, visit the statue of King Kalakaua on November 16, to celebrate King Kalakaua's birthday. Since 1993, the city and county of Honolulu have sponsored a birthday celebration, organized by the Hawaii Freemasons and hosted by traditional Hawaiian musician, Palani Vaughan. King Kalakaua reigned in Hawaii from 1874 to 1891. He is a popularly celebrated figure, credited for supporting traditional Hawaiian arts and culture and for reviving hula after past rulers had banned the dance. Kalakaua is also remembered for his support of Japanese immigration to Hawaii. The statue, one site of the birthday celebration, is in a small park at the intersection of Kalakaua and Kuhio Avenues. Festivities continue at the Iolani Palace, where traditional Hawaiian cultural figures and artists perform.
