From Veterans Day and Thanksgiving to the Native Hawaiian celebration of the season of Makahiki, November brings traditional festivities along with modern special events to the islands of aloha. Here’s what not to miss.
Featured photo: Eo E Emalani
Oahu
Despite the current government shutdown, the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor remains open to visitors, thanks to financial support from Pacific Historic Parks and the Battleship Missouri Memorial, Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. The museums and the battleship also remain open; visit the latter on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, for a free sunset ceremony marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. military.
Here are highlights of other events around Oahu this month:
November 1-2; 12
The 15th annual Hawaii Food & Wine Festival’s final week includes its signature wine event at Hawaii Convention Center Nov. 1, a matcha tea-inspired brunch at Hyatt Regency Waikiki Nov. 2 and later that day an elegant dinner tribute to the Japanese culinary principle of washoku — seasonal, balanced and respectful of nature — at Halekulani. Can’t make it? There’s also an online auction through Nov. 12 offering hotel stays, restaurant certificates and other items of interest to visitors, with proceeds benefiting culinary and agricultural education.
November 8-9
Immerse yourself in the legacy of the Nisei soldiers, the Japanese Americans whose segregated units fought some of World War II’s most epic battles, in a multimedia show featuring innovative cinematography, historic film and photography, live classical and Hawaiian music, and narration by filmmaker and Los Angeles news anchor Daniel Ono. McKinley High School, the alma mater of the late U.S. senator and Nisei veteran Daniel K. Inouye, hosts performances Nov. 8 and 9.
November 11
Waimea Valley celebrates the arrival of the Makahiki season—a time of more rain but also Hawaiian R&R—on Nov. 11 with a day of cultural ceremony and traditional Polynesian athletic competitions known as the Te Moana Nui Games. Bring a nonperishable food item to donate to the Hawaiian Foodbank and receive free admission.
Maui
What better way to prepare for the holidays than by buying local — and early? The Hawaiian Airlines Made in Maui County Festival at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului Nov. 7-8 showcases dozens of vendors of specialty foods, body care products, arts and crafts, clothing and accessories, and other gift ideas from Maui, Molokai and Lanai. Stage presentations, music and food trucks facilitate extended shopping.
Here are highlights of other events around Maui in November:
November 24-26
Hoops fans can cheer for their favorites among eight teams—Arizona State, Boise State, Chaminade, North Carolina State, Seton Hall, Texas, USC and Washington State—at the Southwest Maui Invitational Nov. 24-26 at the Lahaina Civic Center. The annual event includes a clinic led by Chaminade players Nov. 22 and a golf scramble at Kaanapali Golf Courses Nov. 23.
November 30
Founded by the late yoga guru and spiritual teacher Ram Dass, this annual fundraiser for the Maui Food Bank includes call-and-response chanting with music, meditation and spiritual reflection. Now led by Krishna Das, this year’s event takes place Nov. 30 at Napili Kai Beach Resort’s Aloha Pavilion.
November 22
Families can celebrate fall island-style at the Kula Harvest Festival Nov. 22. The benefit for Kula School features pony rides, a petting farm, food and craft vendors, a keiki (kids) fun zone, a country store and more.
Hawaii Island
Do you love a parade? Hilo hosts two and Kona offers one this month. The Hawaii Island Veterans Day Parade is one of the largest in the islands, starting at 10 a.m. Nov. 8 at Wailoa State Park in Hilo, while the Hilo Christmas Parade brightens downtown streets with illuminated floats and vehicles beginning at 6 p.m. Nov. 29. The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Lantern Parade, which honors the Japanese immigrants and other diverse cultures who have contributed to the region’s coffee industry, lights up Kailua-Kona’s historic Alii Drive from Kailua Pier to Hale Halawai County Pavilion starting at 6 p.m. Nov. 7.
Here are highlights of other events around Hawaii Island in November:
November 1-16
The vintage village of Holualoa is the setting for booths, stores and galleries selling coffee and coffee-themed arts and crafts, among other wares, during the 26th annual Coffee and Art Stroll. Part of the long-running Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, which brims with events Nov. 1-16, the stroll takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 9.
November 15
The fifth annual Blues & Brews Festival at the Kona Brewery complex Nov. 15 includes barbecue and other vendors as well as beer from Kona Brewing Co. and music from award-winning Hawaii-based performers Tavana, Lightning Larry Dupio, and Tomi Isobi & Blues Dogs. The evening event, starting at 5 p.m., is open to adults 21 and older, with the exception of children ages 10 and under who are accompanied by an adult.
November 8
Already out of another era, the plantation town of Honokaa travels even further back in time when it hosts the Honokaa Renaissance Faire Nov. 8. Entry and entertainment (historical and Hawaiian) are free, with sales of arts, crafts, food and drink. Huzzah!
Kauai
The Garden Island has a special connection with Queen Emma, who had a cottage in Lawai Valley and famously led a courtly retinue on horseback past Waimea Canyon and into what is now Kokee State Park. The Eo E Emalani Festival, held Nov. 1 at the park, commemorates her trek with an immersive experience that includes cultural protocol, the re-creation of the Queen’s arrival with her guide and hula dancer in tow, Hawaiian music, hula and more. It’s free to attend but a recommended VIP package ($64) includes monitored parking in Kekaha, an air-conditioned shuttle to Kokee, a reserved covered seat, T-shirt and a meal
Here are highlights of other events around Kauai in November:
November 23
The 33rd annual Hawaiian Slack Key Festival Kauai Style assembles top Hawaiian guitarists, vocalists and composers for an afternoon of melodic picking and strumming at Outrigger Kauai Beach Resort. The lineup from 1 to 5 p.m. includes Ledward Kaapana, George Kuo, Bobby Moderow, Michael Keale and more.
November 22
The Kauai Animal Education Farm in Kapaa offers Makahiki games, tractor rides, a petting zoo, children’s activities, live music and a food truck at its family-friendly Hauoli La Hoomaikai (“Happy Thanksgiving”) event from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 22. Proceeds benefit the care of some 170 rescued animals across 19 species at the farm, founded in 2016 and the only farm animal rescue on Kauai.
November 7-9
Meet the artists at the inaugural exhibition of their original paintings, sculptures and ceramics at the 16th annual Princeville Fine Arts Exhibit. The works are on view 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 7 and 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 8-9 at the Princeville Community Center’s Aloha Pavilion.