It’s October in the islands of Aloha — here’s what not to miss.
The 15th annual Hawaii Food & Wine Festival provides a smorgasbord of the islands’ vibrant culinary scene and diverse agriculture, with the help of celebrated visiting and local chefs—and the inspirational memories of the late chef behind San Francisco’s Slanted Door.
Hawaii Island starts cooking first, with Hawaiian-grown ingredients flavoring Italian cuisine at Cucina: From Mauka to Makai Oct. 18 at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Maui’s events include World of Wagyu, Wine & Whiskey at Sheraton Maui Oct. 25 and Southern Seafood Sunday Hosted by Aaron Sanchez at Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows Oct. 26. On Oahu, 13 elite chefs participate in Slanted and Phan-Tastic: A Celebration of Charles Phan at Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach Oct. 30. Feast, the next day’s food/travel/sustainability summit at Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort, comes with a tasting lunch honoring the founders of Hawaii Regional Cuisine.
Feature Photo: Compiled from Hawaii Food & Wine Festival Facebook
Oahu
October, not June, means Pride time in Honolulu. Highlights of this year’s Pride Honolulu calendar Oct. 15-19 include the official opening party Oct. 17 at Scarlet Honolulu nightclub and the Oct. 18 parade down Kalakaua Avenue, followed by a festival with live entertainment at the Waikiki Shell.
Here are highlights of other events around Oahu this month:
October 25
Learn about the culture, conservation and research involving Hawaii’s beautiful, endangered indigenous snails at the Bishop Museum’s family-friendly Kahuli Festival Oct. 25. Events include hands-on workshops, live displays of some of the 759 species of land snails, children’s activities, art exhibits, hula, music and a marketplace.
October 18
Support local artists and school art and music programs by attending the Art of Aloha, a fundraiser for Haleiwa Arts Festival Oct. 18 at the Hawaii Polo Club in Mokuleia. The adults-only evening features live music, dancing, a silent auction and chef-prepared small plates.
Through November 9
Walk through a picturesque pumpkin patch and sunflower fields, ripe for photo ops during Waimanalo Country Farm’s Fall Harvest Festival, which runs through Nov. 9. Afterward, buy a farm-fresh lunch—corn on the cob, kalua pork sliders and fresh lemonade among the options—or browse the market stand.
Maui
After several years’ absence, the venerable Maui County Fair returns to Kahului Oct. 2-5, kicking off with a parade and offering carnival rides, livestock and poultry exhibits, and contests for fiber artists, green thumbs, student artists and media. Hot top: Admission is free Oct. 5 for the first 2,000 attendees.
Here are highlights of other events around Maui in October:
October 18-25
The Festivals of Aloha bring a week of celebrations to Hana, starting with a parade, crafters’ fair and live music Oct. 18 and wrapping up with a music concert Oct. 25. In between are down-home affairs such as a fishing and lei contests, talent show, family beach day and sports nights.
October 24-26
Five of Maui’s most renowned hula halau (schools) and Hawaiian music bands Keauhou and Kuikawa present Hula Is the Heartbeat Oct. 25, part of a weekend of free performances and activities at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. Fashionistas in particular may appreciate the Oct. 24-26 popup store of iconic designer Manaola; other island artists and artisans showcase their wares in the Live Aloha Marketplace Oct. 24-25.
October 24-26
The Oskie Rice Memorial Rodeo features three days of paniolo (cowboy) competitions and entertainment at Makawao’s Oskie Rice Event Center Oct. 24-26. Family-friendly activities on Oct. 26 also include a pumpkin-pie eating contest, Halloween costume show and tractor rides.
Hawaii Island
The women’s Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona Oct. 11 will be the last time men and women triathletes vie for top honors separately, alternating between France and Hawaii. Next year marks the return of the pre-pandemic tradition of both genders competing on the grueling Kona-to-Kohala-and-back course that has hosted the annual race since 1979. Anyone with $30 to spare can register to join the fun-poking and fund-raising 2-mile Underpants Run Oct. 9. Founded in 1998 as a lighthearted reminder to Ironman participants to not wear Speedos in inappropriate places (which in Hawaii means anywhere but the pool or beach), the underwear-baring event has raised over $400,000 for community efforts.
Here are highlights of other events around Hawaii Island in October:
October 18
You don’t have to be in Ironman condition to participate in this annual benefit for local conservation efforts, but you do need to register in advance. The Oct. 18 Run for the Dry Forest at the Puuwaawaa forest reserve includes a 5K walk/run suitable for most people and a challenging 10K trail run up the cinder cone of the Puuwaa that includes 1,200 feet of elevation gain in the first 3 miles. A free, quarter-mile keiki (kids) run takes place after the adult events finish.
October 11-12
It’s easy to drum up excitement for this annual showcase of energetic rhythms and rhythmic energy. Taiko Festival 2025 brings together five troupes with distinctive takes on the Japanese and Okinawan tradition of choreographed drumming known as taiko for two performances at the University of Hawaii, Hilo, Oct. 11-12.
October 4 and 25
The Hamakua Sugar Company held its last harvest in 1994, but the Honokaa Heritage Center continues to celebrate diverse communities that formed during the island’s plantation era. The Hamakua Sugar Days Fair and Parade Oct. 4 in Honokaa include a colorful procession of floats and vehicles down Main Street, followed by a fair in Honokaa Complex Park offering local food, live music, cultural and educational displays, children’s activities, a “mutt contest” and a 5K/10K run on a nearby track. The center will also host Filipino Heritage Night Oct. 25, sharing traditional food, music and “talk story.”
Kauai
When you spend some time giving back, you also enjoy the gift of time with island residents. At Lydgate Beach, you can help clean up the children’s pond for 2 hours most Saturday mornings, then enjoy conversation, coffee and treats provided by the longtime volunteers of the Friends of Kamalani and Lydgate Park. Or sign up in advance to participate in the annual Friends’ Make a Difference Day community project Oct. 25.
Here are highlights of other events around Kauai in October:
October 6
The oceanfront lawn of the Kauai Shores Hotel in Kapaa hosts the Aloha Kauai Yoga & Peace Festival Oct. 4, a full day of classes, sound healing, qi gong, meditation and vendors. The festival concludes with ecstatic music and dance.
October 11
Support the lifesaving work of Kauai Humane Society and add a dash of fur and New Orleans-style fun to your itinerary at the Oct. 11 Paws for Celebration. The Mardi Gras-themed fundraising gala at its leafy shelter complex in Puhi includes live music, meet-and-greets with shelter animals, food and drinks, and live and silent auctions (the latter will be online, too.) Can’t make the gala? Book an appointment for a field trip with a shelter dog—Kauai Humane Society supplies all the supplies you need in a backpack, plus tips on which trails and beaches to visit.
October 15
Visiting the Kilauea National Wildlife Refuge is a highlight for many visitors—if they were informed enough to make a reservation in advance. Learn more about some of the endangered seabirds found there at a free talk by the Kauai Endangered Seabird Recovery Project at the Princeville Community Center Oct. 15, part of a “talk story” series called Princeville Moolelo.