2010 Events on the Big Island of Hawaii

JANUARY
Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai
Held at the Four Seasons Hualalai,this event features the world’s greatest golfers in a 54-hole competition. Visit the official website of the PGA Tour at www.pgatour.com/s/schedule/ for more information.

FEBRUARY
Annual Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival
Festival showcasing the annual blooming of Waimea’s cherry blossom trees, call 808-961-8706 for more information.

Panaewa Stampede
Annual rodeo includes bull riding, a bull run, “hula bulls,” roping, mugging and more, call 808-323-2388 for more information.

MARCH
Kona Brewer’s Festival
Annual event featuring microbreweries from around the world with beer tasting, food and entertainment. Call 808-331-3033 for more information.

Big Island International Marathon
Annual event featuring a 26.2 mile marathon along the coast of old Hawaii through tropical rainforests, past exotic waterfalls and black sand beaches with a finish at historic Hilo Bay. Call 808-969-7400 for more information

Kona Chocolate Festival
Annual event featuring over 25,000 samples of sweet chocolate desserts and savory chocolate appetizers from over 35 chefs, chocolatiers and ice-cream makers. Highlights include a chocolate taste-off competition, people’s choice award, chocolate body painting, champagne, wine and beer, dancing and a silent auction. Call 808-987-8722 for more information

APRIL
Merrie Monarch Festival
Held in Hilo, Hawaii's most prestigious hula competition features group contests in ancient and modern dances and a solo Miss Aloha Hula competition. Call 808-935-9168 for more information.

MAY
Lei Day/Month of the Lei in Hawaii Nei
Enjoy Hawaii's colorful Lei Day with a pageant at the Mo'ohea Bandstand in downtown Hilo, call 808-934-7010 for more information

Big Island Film Festival
Film festival dedicated to new narrative films and film makers held at the Waikoloa Beach Resort. Call 808-883-0394 for more information.

Honokaa Town Western Week and Rodeo
Annual celebration held in Honokaa Town includes a Paniolo barbeque, and giant Block Party featuring live country western music, a live auction and live Saloon Girl Contest. Call 808-885-5580 for more information

JUNE
Ford Honu Half-Ironman Triathlon
This event held at the Mauna Lani Resort highlights a 1.2 mile swim; 56-mile bike and 13.1 mile run. Call 808-329-0063 for more information

King Kamehameha Day Parade
Beautiful floral parade in Kailua-Kona honoring the great Hawaiian monarch. Call 808-884-5000 for more information.

Kona Marathon
West Hawaii Island’s premiere road race offering all four traditional road racing distances: marathon, 1/2 marathon, 10k and 5k. Compete or cheer on the runners in this competition that follows the run portion of the famous Ironman Triathlon. Visit www.konamarathon.com for more information and registration. Contact Royal Kona Resort for special room rates.

JULY
Annual Parker Ranch Rodeo
Annual Independence Day Rodeo at Parker Ranch Arena in Waimea, call 808-885-5669 for more information.

Kilauea Cultural Festival
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park serves as the backdrop for this special annual festival. Call 808-985-6011 for more information.

AUGUST
2nd Annual Don the Beachcomber Mai Tai Festival
SAVE THE DATE: The 2nd Annual Don the Beachcomber Mai Tai Festival will be held on August 14, 2010 at the Royal Kona Resort. Join us as bartenders from across the globe compete for the coveted title of World’s Best Mai Tai and 10K in cash prizes. In addition there will be plenty of local food, music and fun to be had by all ---Last year this “Festival of all Kona Festivals” saw over 500 attendees and was the talk of the town! Don’t miss out book your rooms now and get ready to enjoy the weekend as we celebrate Don the Beachcomber and the Mai Tai! Stay tuned, more information to come or contact liz@hawaiihotels.com for more information!

Third Eye Blind
On August 14, 2010 at 8pm at Royal Kona Resort best-selling rock band Third Eye Blind will perform live, acoustic and under the stars. Ticket prices $35 general admission and $50 VIP seating. Tickets available at www.groovetickets.com.

Annual Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament
The best charter skippers in Kona compete with some of the best anglers in the world at the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament. Call 808-329-6155 for more information.

SEPTEMBER
Queen Lili'uokalani Canoe Races
Annual long-distance canoe race attracts dozens of canoe halau (clubs) from Hawaii and all over the world. Call 808-329-0833 for more information.

Parker Ranch Round-up Club Rodeo
Two-day annual fundraising rodeo event hosted by Parker Ranch Arena in Waimea; call 808-885-5669 for more information.

A Taste of the Hawaiian Range
One of Hawaii's premier food festivals, this event held at Hilton Waikoloa Village provides a venue for educating the public on local agriculture Call 808-391-7459 for more information.

Queen Lili'uokalani Festival
Festival in Hilo celebrating the birthday of Hawaii's beloved Queen Lili'uokalani, the last reigning monarch of Hawaii, call 808-961-8706 for more information.

OCTOBER
Ford Ironman Triathlon World Championship
The top 1,800 triathletes from around the world meet in Kona for the greatest of all triathlon events, featuring a 2.4 mile ocean swim, a 112-mile bike course and a 26.2 mile run. Call 808-329-0063 for more information.

Waikoloa Women's Golf Challenge
This annual event hosted by the Waikoloa Beach & Golf Resort brings together female golfers from across the country for a three-day golf tournament on Waikoloa's world-class golf courses. Call 808-886-5524 for more information.

NOVEMBER
Black & White Night
Downtown Hilo's biggest strolling party with free live jazz music, a treasure hunt through town, store specials, sales, free food samples, and author and artist receptions, call 808-933-9772 for more information

Kona Coffee Cultural Festival
The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival's mission has been to preserve, perpetuate and promote Kona's 179-year coffee heritage. Call 808-326-7820 for more information.

DECEMBER
Invitational Wreath Exhibit
Exhibit of one-of-a-kind wreaths designed by various Big Island artists held at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Call 808-967-7565 for more information

Waimea Christmas Twilight Parade and All-Day Festival
Annual event in Waimea featuring a full day of activities all over town. Call 808-937-2833 for more information.

Mark Twain Festival
Festival in Ka’u celebrating Mark Twain's visit to Ka'u and Kilauea Volcano, for more information, call 808-896-1911.

The above information is subject to change without notice. It is recommended that you verify event details prior to or upon your arrival to the Islands. For more information please utilize the contact information provided or visit the Big Island Visitor’s Bureau website at www.bigisland.org