Add to the List: Things to do in September in Hawaii

A hula competition, a jazz and wine festival, HawaiiCon and much more.

Oahu

65th Annual Waikiki Hoolaulea

September 23

Kalakaua Avenue is already a bustling street, but when the Aloha Festivals put on its annual block party, we see a wilder side of Waikiki. Performances by halau hula (hula troupes) will be accompanied by various genres of Hawaiian music and island cuisine will be found throughout the streets. Also, check out the floral parade on Sept. 30. alohafestivals.com.

Honolulu Oktoberfest 2017

September 29

Drink your way around the world at Honolulu’s own Oktoberfest. Hosted by Eat the Street for the past three years, the event dares you to sip from over 20 imported beers. A ticket to the event comes in the form of a limited-edition glass stein, which you’ll end up making good use of. Don’t forget to fill up on authentic German food and enjoy the live entertainment. Honolulu, streetgrindz.com. 

Maui

Ku Mai Ka Hula 2017

September 8–9

Halau hula from Japan, the continental United States as well as Maui and Oahu meet at Castle Theater to perform the art of hula during this two-day competition. Sept. 8 serves as a day of competition for solo dancers, while Sept. 9 is when groups will take the stage. Both male and female dancers will be performing kahiko (traditional) hula and auana (modern) hula. Kahului, mauiarts.org.

13th Annual Lahaina Town Cleanup

September 16

Keep the beautiful Lahaina town beautiful by working with other community members in this annual cleanup, which will cover the coastline from Puamana to Mala Wharf. Helpers will be treated to a complimentary lunch by Pacific’O with water provided by Tropic Water. It’s recommended that volunteers bring gloves, reusable water bottles and plenty of sunscreen. Kamehameha Iki Park, visitlahaina.com.

Molokai

Na Wahine O Ke Kai

September 24

This 41-mile interisland canoe race from Molokai to Oahu started in 1975 with two crews of brave wahine (women), who crossed the Kaiwi Channel in a race once restricted to men. In 2017, an expected 65 to 70 national and international crews will be participating in this unforgettable event. Maunaloa, Molokai, nawahineokekai.com.

Lanai

Fifth Friday Lanai

September 29

Held every fifth Friday in the middle of town at Dole Park, this community event features live music, food and drinks. Visitors from Maui can also purchase ferry packages that include a trip to Lanai’s popular cat sanctuary. Lanai City, Lanai, fifthfridaylanai.com.

Kauai

2017 Kauai Made & Kauai Grown Wholesale Tradeshow

September 15

Wholesalers and consumers of the Islands, unite! The Kauai Made & Kauai Grown Wholesale Tradeshow touches down on the Garden Isle in mid-September to promote all things Kauai-made and grown. Wholesale buyers can peruse the tradeshow offerings from 9 to 11 a.m., before it opens to the public. Lihue, kauaimade.net.

8th Annual Westin Princeville Jazz and Wine Festival

September 16

Spend an evening on Kauai’s beautiful north shore, loosening up with glasses of red and white wines, fare from Kauai’s top chefs and smooth sounds of jazz. Proceeds from the event’s silent auction will benefit the Kauai Lifeguards Association. Princeville, westinprinceville.com.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii Songwriting Festival

September 7–9

Hawaii’s music-making history is legendary, so it makes sense that there’s a festival entirely dedicated to the song writers of the Islands. In addition to workshops and networking opportunities, this year’s festival will feature Jason Mraz as the guest headliner. Ski-bi dibby dib yo da dub dub! Kohala Coast, hawaiisongwritingfestival.com.

HawaiiCon

September 14–17

Billed as the world’s first sci-fi, science, fantasy, tropical vacation convention, HawaiiCon puts down its stakes each year at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows, wowing crowds with its special guests and top-tier cosplayers. It’s a great chance for fans to get their geek (and tan) on. This year, HawaiiCon is celebrating the 40th anniversary of Star Wars—check it out, you must. Kohala Coast, hawaiicon.com.