The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA) has made a significant investment of $1.9 million to support 21 major festivals and sports events throughout the state of Hawai‘i, an announcement revealed.
This funding is part of the agency’s ‘Signature Events’ program aimed at enriching local communities, fostering interactions between residents and visitors, and attracting attendees from outside Hawai‘i.
Caroline Anderson, the interim president and CEO of HTA, expressed, ‘These world-class festivals shine a global spotlight on our athletes, artists and unparalleled beauty, while invigorating our economy.’
Anderson emphasized that the events celebrate what makes Hawai‘i unique: ‘Our rich culture, diverse communities and a shared sense of place create memorable experiences for both our residents and visitors.’
The Signature Events program represents one of HTA’s essential destination stewardship initiatives, which is executed in partnership with Kilohana, a division of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement.
The project terms will take effect from July 1, 2025, until June 30, 2026. The selected events, showcasing Hawai‘i’s history, culture, food, and sports, also incorporate elements of ‘voluntourism’.
Event applicants were evaluated based on their capabilities to protect and enhance Hawai‘i’s globally competitive brand in a coordinated and market-appropriate manner.
Among the notable projects included in this initiative are:
**Cultural and Artistic Events:**
– The Aloha Festivals, recognized as Hawai‘i’s longest-running cultural event with over 79 years of history, includes the Royal Court Investiture, Waikīkī Ho‘olaule‘a, and an Annual Floral Parade. Each year, over 100,000 attendees participate, organized by Aloha Week Hawai‘i.
– Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the End of WWII, this event honors surviving veterans, featuring ceremonies, concerts, and educational programs over four days. The event is organized by the USS Missouri Memorial Association and Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.
– The Merrie Monarch Festival is celebrated through the 63rd Annual broadcast in April 2026, showcasing the premier hula celebration live from Edith Kanaka‘ole Stadium in Hilo. The event will be produced by Pono‘ī Productions and Hawai‘i News Now, organized by the Merrie Monarch Festival.
– Celebrating diversity and multiculturalism, the 43rd Annual Pan-Pacific Festival spans three days, featuring cultural performances and food, drawing participants from Japan, Asia, and the Pacific. This festival is organized by the Pan-Pacific Festival Foundation.
– The Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest in Waikīkī honors Duke’s legacy with ceremonies, traditional surfboard-making workshops, and sports competitions, organized by ODKF Support.
– Showcasing culinary excellence, the Hawai‘i Food and Wine Festival is the leading gastronomic event in the state. It highlights local chefs, farmers, and food culture to a global audience through the efforts of the Hawaiʻi Ag and Culinary Alliance.
– The Hawai‘i International Film Festival stands as the Pacific’s premier cinematic event, showcasing films from around the world and local talent, attracting over 30,000 attendees each year, organized by the Hawai‘i International Film Festival.
– Marking a milestone, the 30th Honolulu Festival celebrates the cultural heritage and diversity of Hawai‘i and the Pacific Rim through performances and cultural exchanges. It is organized by the Honolulu Festival Foundation.
– The 2026 King Kamehameha Celebrations honor King Kamehameha I through floral parades and ceremonies, organized by the Kala Foundation in its 154th year.
– Melding music and dance, the Mele Hula Festival promotes the traditions of mele and hula through free performances and educational workshops, organized by Kāhuli Leo Leʻa.
– The Prince Lot Hula Festival is the largest non-competitive hula showcase, celebrating cultural preservation over 48 years with performances and educational activities, organized by Moanalua Gardens Foundation.
**Sports-Related Events:**
– The Hawai‘i Bowl has been a part of promoting the University of Hawai‘i since 2002, guaranteeing home team berths when eligible. This NCAA football bowl game is organized by ESPN Productions.
– The 53rd Honolulu Marathon, taking place in December, draws international runners to its picturesque 26.2-mile course ending at Kapi‘olani Park, organized by the Honolulu Marathon Association.
– Blending competition and cultural programming, the Hoops in Hawai‘i Classic is a premier collegiate basketball tournament supporting local youth athletes and promoting responsible tourism under College Tournaments Hawai‘i.
– A hallmark of endurance, the IRONMAN World Championship attracts top athletes from around the globe to Kailua-Kona. For over 40 years, this event is organized by the World Triathlon Corporation and emphasizes the ‘Live Aloha’ initiative.
– The 2025 Maui Marathon, supporting recovery efforts from past wildfires, will take place in West Maui on April 27. Anticipating over 2,500 runners and 3,500 visitors, it aims for a projected economic impact exceeding $10 million. The marathon is organized by Valley Isle Road Runners.
– Celebrating paddling culture, the Moloka‘i 2 O‘ahu Paddleboard World Championships feature a 32-mile race across the Ka‘iwi Channel, hosted by Epic Sports Foundation and drawing over 300 international athletes.
– The Moloka‘i Hoe, celebrated for over 70 years, is a men’s 41-mile canoe race across the Ka‘iwi Channel promoting Hawaiian culture, organized by the O‘ahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association.
– The Na Wahine O Ke Kai World Championship Canoe Race highlights the strength of women in Hawaiian canoe culture over a 41-mile journey across the Ka‘iwi Channel, organized by the O‘ahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association.
– The Southwest Maui Invitational, the premier early-season collegiate basketball tournament held at the Lahaina Civic Center, draws significant national attention, organized by Kemper Sports Marketing.
– Lastly, the TransPacific Volleyball Championships, the largest indoor sports event in Hawai‘i, features over 360 teams and attracts 25,000 attendees, blending elite youth competition with Hawaiian cultural experiences, organized by 7Gen Culture.
The investment by HTA in these signature events represents a commitment to enhancing the cultural and economic landscape of Hawai‘i, ensuring that both residents and visitors alike can enjoy and participate in these unique celebrations.
image source from：mauinow
