Kauai Annual Events

January

Kauaian Days

"Celebrating our Unity, While Honoring our Diversity" is the theme of this weeklong festival at various locations around the island. Included in the events are entertainment, Hawaiian games for children, sporting events, workshops, dinners, and cultural festivities. Call tel. 808/338-0111. Mid-January.

Annual Burns Supper, Waimea

This is a birthday celebration of Scotland's most acclaimed poet, Robert Burns, on the grounds of Waimea Plantation Cottages. The Burns Supper celebrates this special man with food, Burns's poetry, and music. A fabulous dinner under the palms follows the pipes and drums. Call tel. 808/652-0616. Late January or early February at the Waimea Plantation Cottages.

February

Waimea Town Celebration

Waimea - This annual party on Kauai's west side celebrates the Hawaiian and multiethnic history of the town where Captain Cook first landed. This is the island's biggest 2-day event, drawing some 10,000 people. Top Hawaiian entertainers, sporting events, rodeo, and lots of food are on tap during the weekend celebration. Call tel. 808/337-1005; Weekend after Presidents' Day Weekend.

Captain Cook Fun Run

Waimea. The 2/5/10K runs, with a starting time of 7am, go through the old plantation town of Waimea. Call tel. 808/338-1332. End of February.

Kilohana Long-Distance Canoe Race

Waimea - Traditional Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe Racing along the Waimea shoreline is the first event of the Kauai canoe-racing season. Starting times for the races Saturday morning are 8am for single-person canoes, 9am for women, and 10:30am for men. The finish is around noon. Call tel. 808/338-1332. End of February.

March

Prince Kuhio Celebration of the Arts

Lawai - Celebrate the birth of Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, who was born on March 26, 1871, and elected to Congress in 1902. Kauai, his birthplace, starts the celebration at the memorial at Prince Kuhio Park in Lawai, and continues it with daylong festivities. Call tel. 808/651-6966 for details.

4th Annual Kauai Orchid and Art Festival

Hanapepe - Come and see the exotic displays of tropical orchids at the Garden Island Orchid Society's Spring Fantasy Orchid Show and view Kauai's top artists' work. Popular contemporary Hawaiian music will be offered along with workshops on various art activities. Downtown Hanapepe, late March. Call tel. 808/335-5944.

April

Annual Royal Pain

Lihue. The Kauai Historical Society presents its annual celebration of Hawaii's multiethnic heritage, with local entertainment and a great meal at the Kauai Marriott Resort and Beach Club. Call tel. 808/245-3373. End of April.

May

Kauai Museum Lei Day Celebrations

Lihue - May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii, celebrated with lei-making contests, pageantry, arts, and crafts. Call tel. 808/245-6931 for Kauai events.

Outrigger Canoe Season

Several locations - From May to September, nearly every weekend, canoe paddlers across the state participate in outrigger canoe races. Call tel. 808/261-6615, or go to www.y2kanu.com for this year's schedule of events.

June

Annual Taste of Hawaii

Kapaa - The Rotary Club of Kapaa holds its "Ultimate Sunday Brunch" at Smith's Tropical Paradise, 45971 Kuhio Hwy., Kapaa, where some 60 different chefs will show their culinary skills. Live music all day. Generally, it's the first Sunday in June. Call tel. 808/783-1407.

Obon Days & Festival

Koloa - This cultural festival honors the dead. Koloa Jodo Mission, 3480 Waikomo Rd., Koloa. Early June. Call tel. 808/742-6735.

King Kamehameha Celebration

Daylong festivities in Lihue feature entertainment, arts and crafts, and food. Call tel. 808/586-0333. Mid-June.

Garden Isle Artisan Faire

Lihue. Come browse through the array of handicrafts, products, and art by Kauai's artists in Lihue. There's Hawaiian music all day, and plenty of food to buy. Call tel. 808/586-0333. Mid-June.

Banana Poka Roundup

Kokee State Park - This forest education fair features music, workshops, crafts, children's activities, and exhibits on ridding Kauai's native forests of this invasive weed. Kokee State Park, Mile Marker 15, Kokee Rd., Kehaha. Late June. Call tel. 808/335-9975.