Kaua’i’s largest and longest-running festival held in the plantation town of Waimea. The celebrations is hosted by the Historic Waimea Theater and Cultural Arts Center, a non-profit organization with a mission to provide benefits to local charity and non-profit groups in the community of West Kaua’i.
Please bring canned foods for Hawai’i Food Bank’s ORANGE & GREEN food bins at all events.
The 9-day festival begins President’s Day weekend and includes cultural and sporting events, live entertainment, food, and contests. Highlights of the week are listed below; follow the links for more info.
Opening weekend events at Waimea Historic Theater
- 02.17.24 – Saturday 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm. KAUA’I COCKTAILS & CUISINE @ the Historic Waimea Theater. A pirate themed event highlighted with “grog” and a Rum tasting. Come dressed the part and enter the costume contest for CASH prize. Must be 21+ to enter. Cost: $60 GA, $80 VIP.
- 02.18.24 – Sunday 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm. KING KAUMUALI’I LU’AU @ the Historic Waimea Theater. A cultural presentation by Kumu Hula Troy Lazaro & Halau Ka Pa Hula o Hinano in honor of Kaua’i’s favorite King Kaumuali’i. Cost: $40 GA includes a special meal.
- 02.19.24 – Monday 9:15 am – 5:00 pm. WAIMEA FILM FESTIVAL – HIFF HANA HOU @ the Historic Waimea Theater. Asian Pacific films and an encore of award-winning films & sleepers from the Hawaii International Film Festival 44. Cost: Tickets $10 at the Box Office. All Day Pass $30 All Day Pass (purchase online) includes special meal (served at 12:30 pm).
- Tickets: Tickets – 2024 Waimea Town Celebration – Eventeny
Weekday live music & contests at Hofgaard Park
- 02.20.24 – 02.22.24 Tuesday – Thursday 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. WEEKDAY MUSIC IN THE PARK & ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT CONTESTS with CASH prizes at Hofgaard Park. Family Friendly. Craft Vendors. FREE ENTRY.
Weekday entertainment at Waimea Historic Theater
- 02.21.24 – Wednesday 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm. TALES & TREATS @ the Historic Waimea Theater. Kanaka Maoli Storyteller MOSES GOODS and members of the Honolulu Theatre for Youth Ensemble spent 2022 working in the salt beds of Hanapepe to create this special new production: “THE PA’AKAI WE BRING.” The play follows a family with multiple generations of Kaua’i salt farmers and mixes in ancient stories, hula, and original songs. It is served with aloha and FREE treats from Gina’s Anykine Grinds Cafe and Super Duper II Ice Cream.
- 02.22.24 – Thursday 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm. AMBASSADOR OF ALOHA & MUSIC CONCERT @ the Historic Waimea Theater. The Neil Diamond cover band CHERRY CHERRY returns to Kaua’i to celebrate and honor our Ambassador of Aloha 2023 JIMMY OKADA who will be presented with the Malama Award for his service to our westside community. Cost: $20 GA.
Barrel racing at a rodeo photo by jlophoto via iStockphotos by Getty Images
Kauai Paniolo Showdown @ Friendship Do’s Ranch
02.22.24 to 02.24.24 – Thursday to Saturday. KAUA’I PANIOLO SHOWDOWN 2023 @ Friendship Do’s Ranch, Waimea Arena. Come and see Hawai’i’s best battle it out. All events are open to the public. Cost: Thu-Fri FREE. Saturday $10 (age 2+).
- Thu 7:00 pm – World’s Best Muley Roping
- Fri 8:30 am – Team Roping Qualifying Slack
- Fri 7:00 pm – Barrel Racing Qualifying Slack
- Sat 10:00 am – Po’o Waiu, Roping, Barrels, Double Mugging & MORE
Paniolo History
In 1793, King Kamehameha was gifted with five longhorns and placed a kapu (protection) over the cattle, allowing them to roam and multiply. Little did he know it would lead to a booming beef trade and a high demand for ranchers in Hawaii. Because of this, vaqueros, or Mexican cowboys, arrived on the Big Island and Maui to teach the locals how to corral. Thus began the culture of the Hawaiian cowboy, known to us now as the paniolo.The world “paniolo” allegedly comes from the Hawaiian version of the word “español,” as the Hawaiian language doesn’t use the “s” sound. A cross between Mexican and Hawaiian cultures, the paniolo had a key role in society: providing a large source of income and trade for the islands. Songs were even dedicated to them in which their Mexican-inspired ponchos, wide-brimmed hats, and affinity for the guitar were admired. But, times have changed since then. Today, the upcountry population of ranchers is quickly dwindling, along with the culture.
Final Weekend
- 02.23.24 – 02.24.24 FREE TWO-DAY HO’OLAULE’A CONCERT @ the Old Waimea Mill. Arguably the best annual concert on Kaua’i. Food booths, craft vendors, and Paradise Beverages / Koloa Rum Beer Garden. FREE admission.
- 02.23.24 – 02.24.24. Kaua’i’s largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament for all ages @ Waimea Canyon Park Bball Courts. Cost: $20/students and $40/adults.
- 02.24.24 – Saturday 7:00 am START. Na Heihei a Ola Fun Runs @ Waimea Plantation Cottages. This Fun Run (2K, 5K & 10K) attracts a mixed field of keiki to kupuna. Cost: $30/Adults, $25/Juniors (under 18). $40/ Late Registration. Register online or on Friday night at the Ho’olaule’a (by the Beer Garden) from 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm.
- 02.24.24 – 8:00 am START. Awards at 1:00 pm. Na’i’ole Long Distance Canoe Race @ Waimea Landing with traditional Hawaiian outrigger canoes racing along the Waimea shoreline.
- 02.24.24. Contests, contest, and more contests @ the Ho’olaule’a Big Stage and @ the old Waimea Mill Site.
- 11:30 am in front of the Ho’olaule’a Big Stage: Super Duper 2’s Ice Cream Eating Contest. FREE to participate.
- 1:00 pm on Saturday 2/24/24 @ the Ho’olaule’a Big Stage: Scotty’s Music ‘Ukulele Contest. FREE to participate.
- 2:00 p. – 6:00 pm. Lei Papale (Hat Lei) Contest Viewing @ the old Waimea Mill Site. CASH prizes. Drop off Sat 2/24 from 10 am to noon. Awards 6:00 pm.
More info: Waimea Town Celebration (waimeatowncelebration.com)
Canoe Race on Waimea Bay image via Waimea Town Celebration
Upcoming arts & entertainment events in Hawai’i
The following calendar lists music and art events in locations across the Hawaiian Islands.
See our Calendar of free and cheap things to do every day (hawaiionthecheap.com)
multiple locations
