Pumpkin spice lovers, never fear: The Aloha State has also succumbed to the allure of this seasonal flavoring, and not just at Starbucks. You can find treats such as pumpkin butter mochi, pumpkin malasadas or pumpkin cream puffs at many bakeries, including Leonard’s Bakery in Honolulu, Two Ladies Kitchen in Hilo and Kauai Bakery in Lihue. You can even visit mainland-style pumpkin patches in Upcountry Maui and Oahu’s East Side Oahu. Aloun Farms, on Oahu’s West Side, throws an annual pumpkin festival the last three weekends in October that includes keiki (kids) and tractor rides, a petting zoo, live entertainment and other family-friendly activities. For more intriguing events not to miss this month in Hawaii, read on.
Feature Photo: Courtesy of Special Olympics Hawaii
Oahu
October, not June, is Pride Month in Honolulu. While the main events include a parade down Kalakaua Avenue and festival at the Waikiki Shell, visitors may also want to join the Pride 5K Run/Walk at Ala Moana Beach Park or witness Patrick Makuakane’s new free weekly hula show, “The Return of Kapaemahu,” at the Kuhio Beach Hula Mound.
Next to the hula mound stand the Healer Stones of Kapaemahu, four boulders placed here to honor the healing gifts of four dual male and female spirits (mahu) from Tahiti that visited the island in ancient times. Sometimes used as a derogatory word for gay men in modern times, reflecting Western biases, the term “mahu” has been reclaimed in recent years by Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners, along with the fascinating stories about the healers and the imposing stones their leader, named Kapaemahu, left in Waikiki to mark their legacy.
Here are highlights of other events around Oahu in October:

October 11
Ever want to legally rappel down a hi rise? Now’s your Ever want to legally rappel down a high-rise? Now’s your chance to do it for charity. Over the Edge takes place in early October, where you can rappel 40 stories down the side of the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa. Proceeds go towards the Special Olympics of Hawaii.
Dates TBD
After a day at the beach, a night at the movies can be just the ticket, especially if you’re seeing one of the 92 feature films, 114 shorts, 40 world premieres or 31 U.S. premieres of the 44th annual Hawaii International Film Festival. Most screenings take place just east of Waikiki at Consolidated Theatres Kahala.
Dates TBD
Chances are you’re not signing up for the annual Menehune Surf Contest at Haleiwa Beach, but it’s a cute-factor overload for spectators. Enjoy a day of watching the next generation hone their competition skills. Bring your sunscreen, beach chair and appetite: There are lots of great lunch spots to get take out in Haleiwa and spend the day chillin’ on this little slice of heaven. Oh, and this is not a typical tourist attraction, so please be respectful of local families cheering on their kids.
Maui
The northern end of Front Street in Lahaina, which largely escaped the 2023 fire, has welcomed another oceanfront restaurant into its fold. Nicknamed “the Kitchen Assassin,” chef-owner Alvin Savella serves a mix of Mexican, seafood, local and American cuisine at Coco Deck from 2 to 9 p.m. daily. NFL fans take note: Coco Deck opens at 7 a.m. on Saturday game days.
Here’s what else to watch or nosh on the Valley Isle this month:

Dates TBD
The islandwide cultural celebrations include three nights at the Four Seasons Resort Maui, including the first female falsetto contest in Hawaii, a hula showcase of Maui’s most prestigious troupes and a Hawaiian music concert. Park for free and take a shuttle to the resort from the Wailea Event Center off Wailea Ike Drive.
Dates TBD
Family fun at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center in Kahului includes made-in-Hawaii arts and crafts and ‘ono-licious island foods and free music throughout the day. Bring your own beach chairs and sunscreen to lounge and listen to the musicians at this annual event.
October 24-46
The acclaimed annual foodie extravaganza, which starts on Hawaii Island and moves to Oahu, introduces a pickleball tournament followed by a chefs’ BBQ at the Royal Lahaina Resort and Tennis Garden. Oenophiles and gourmets alike can indulge at Vita La Vino at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa.
Hawaii Island
About two weeks before the Ironman World Championship (see below), bicyclists accelerate their training along the Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway, swimmers start to rival snorkel boats in Kailua Bay and runners compete with cars along Ali‘i Drive, where some triathletes also stroll in their Speedos — a pet peeve of residents. For a variety of cultural reasons, walking around in skimpy swimsuits is frowned upon in Hawai‘i. (You can rock a Brazilian thong at a resort, but please put on a sarong or throw a towel on the barstool or chair before sitting down, mahalo!)
True exhibitionists will want to join the annual Kona Underpants Run in Kailua-Kona, begun as a protest against the “budgie smuggler” wearers in 1998 and now a popular pre-Ironman event and community fundraiser. The approximately 1.5-mile run/walk in Kailua-Kona invites participants to wear peek-a-book costumes — after pledging to be appropriately clad the rest of their time in town.
Here are more highlights for October on Hawaii Island:

October 11
The annual Ironman World Championship includes a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile marathon that starts and ends in Kailua-Kona. Along the way it showcases the rugged scenery of the Kona and Kohala coasts and the intensity of some 2,500 professional and amateur triathletes from around the world. Men and women now compete in alternate years; this year men will vie for the glory.
Dates TBD
Since 1998, the annual A Taste of Hilo has highlighted the island’s top chefs, restaurants, and beverage artisans. Guests can indulge in a variety of sweet and savory dishes and sample locally crafted beer, wine, and sake. This fundraiser ($75–$125) benefits the Hawai’i Community College culinary program.
Date TBD
Queens MarketPlace on the Waikoloa Beach Resort invites the whole family to get in costume and enjoy a well-lit trick-or-treating experience. Keiki can explore creepy decorations, monster music, and ghoulish goodies at giveaway stations throughout the mall, as well as visit participating stores for candies.
Kauai
The 180,000 Japanese immigrants who came to Hawaii to work in its sugarcane plantation between 1885 and 1924 also put down deep cultural roots across the islands. Today, customs like taking your shoes off before entering a house, bringing a distinctive specialty food back as a gift when you travel (omiyage) and munching on mochi and fresh ahi on New Year’s Day are considered part of the local lifestyle. To experience more Japanese culture, visit the free Kauai Japanese Matsuri Festival in Lihue, which includes mochi pounding, cosplay, dancing, origami, gyotaku (fish printing) and more.
Here are other fun and tasty events on Kauai this month:

February 16
One of Poipu’s most popular spots for dinner and sunset watching opens its oceanfront grounds for a monthly arts and crafts fair. More than 40 Kauai-based vendors bring their wares, including traditional Hawaiian crafts, jewelry, photography, artwork and snacks.
Date TBD
Kilohana Plantation hosts the annual celebration of the Garden Isle’s chocolate and coffee with samplings, educational displays and workshops, entertainment and exhibitor booths The free festival will also include farm tours, informational classes, workshops and demonstrations, live entertainment, a chocolate and coffee pampering station, a silent auction, children’s activities and more.
Every Wednesday
You don’t have to golf to enjoy Princeville’s Makai golf course. Every weekday you can take its scenic sunset golf cart tour, while on Wednesdays you can listen to live music and browse the stands of local artists and artisans on its Makai Lawn, fronting Ka Haku Road. Pick up drinks or lunch at Makai Grill for a picnic on the lawn.