Waikiki Calendar: May – June 2014

May 6, 2014 | By Waikiki Magazine Team
Mele Mei features various performances and events throughout Waikiki. Photo: Courtesy Mele Mei

Mele Mei features various performances and events throughout Waikiki. Photo: Courtesy Mele Mei

MELE MEI
Throughout May
Mele Mei is a celebration of Hawai‘i’s music, language and culture. Events are held across the state throughout the month of May. Highlights include performances throughout Waikiki culminating in the Na Hoku Hanohano Music Festival and Awards, May 23 and 24 at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. www.melemei.com

LEI DAY CELEBRATION
May 1, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
In Hawai‘i, May Day is Lei Day, and as you can imagine, there are flowers and lei to be found everywhere. Head to Kapi‘olani Park to see the finest lei on display at the Lei Contest Exhibit between the park’s bandstand and shell; or browse through the crafts and food vendors’ offerings. Other events include story telling, Hawaiian games and lei-making lessons. (808) 768-3041; www1.honolulu.gov/parks/programs/leiday

WAIKIKI SPAM® JAM
May 3, 4-10 p.m.
It’s no secret that Hawai‘i loves Spam, and that delicious canned meat of musubi fame is the subject of this fun street festival that features culinary options from some of Hawai‘i’s most popular eateries, entertainment and lots of logowear. The best part? Proceeds benefit the Hawaii Food Bank. www.spamjamhawaii.com

VISITOR INDUSTRY CHARITY WALK
May 17
It’s probably the only walk at which you stand the chance of gaining weight. This charity walk, now celebrating its 36th year, is sponsored by the Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association. It is Hawai‘i’s largest single-day fundraising event by a non-profit. Last year, 14,700 walkers raised more than $1.71 million to support local charities throughout the state. How can you gain weight? Well, along the walk route, there are sponsored stations that offering up delectable goodies to munch on, as well as entertainment and activities. (808) 923-0407; www.charitywalkhawaii.org

NA HOKU HANOHANO MUSIC FESTIVAL
May 23-24
Two days of music workshops, performances and concert events culminate in the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. Known as Hawai‘i’s version of the Grammys, the awards show (held at the Hawai‘i Convention Center) celebrates the best of Hawaiian music—from traditional Hawaiian and instrumental, to reggae, alternative and jazz. www.nahokuhanohano.org

PAN-PACIFIC FESTIVAL
June 13-15
This international festival that brings the varied cultures and people of the Pacific in a dynamic cultural exchange is celebrating its 35th anniversary. Each day, take in the Performing Arts Showcases at the Waikiki Beach Walk Plaza Stage. The 14th Annual Pan-Pacific Hula Festival is held each day at the Kuhio Beach Hula Mound. On June 13, the Pan-Pacific Ho‘olaule‘a takes over Kalakaua Avenue from 7 to 10 p.m., and on June 15, the Pan-Pacific Parade makes its way from Fort DeRussy to Kapi‘olani Park from 5 to 7 p.m. (808) 926-8177 x 280; www.pan-pacific-festival.com

KING KAMEHAMEHA DAY PARADE AND HO‘OLAULE‘A
June 14, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
The state celebrates the birthday of King Kamehameha the Great, the first ali‘i to unite the islands with lei-draping ceremony, parades and even a state holiday. Take in the pageantry of a parade down Kalakaua Avenue complete with marching bands, floats bedecked in blooms and colorful equestrian units. It all ends with a ho‘olaule‘a (celebration) at Kapi‘olani Park. (808) 586-0333; www.hawaii.gov/dags/kamehameha

CLASSES

NA MELE NO NA PUA SUNDAY SHOWCASE
Every 3rd Sunday, 5-6 p.m.
Plaza Stage, Waikiki Beach Walk, (808) 931-3593

LOMILOMI HAWAIIAN MASSAGE
Mondays and Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-12 noon Building A, Level 1, Royal Hawaiian Center, (808) 922-2299

LEI MAKING CLASS
Mondays-Saturdays, 1-2 p.m.
Building A, Level 1, Royal Hawaiian Center, (808) 922-2299

HAWAIIAN QUILTING
Tuesdays, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Building A, Level 3, Royal Hawaiian Center, (808) 922-2299

HAWAIIAN ENTERTAINMENT
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 6-7 p.m. The Royal Grove, Royal Hawaiian Center, (808) 922-2299

‘UKULELE LESSONS
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 10-11 a.m. Pa‘ina Lanai Food Court, Royal Hawaiian Center, (808) 922-2299

ROYAL HAWAIIAN BAND
1st and 3rd Thursdays 1-1:45 p.m. The Royal Grove, Royal Hawaiian Center, (808) 922-2299

POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER PERFORMANCE
Thursdays and Saturdays, 11-11:45 a.m. The Royal Grove, Royal Hawaiian Center, (808) 922-2299

HULA LESSONS
Thursdays, 4-5 p.m.
The Royal Grove, Royal Hawaiian Center, (808) 922-2299

LEGENDS IN CONCERT MINI PERFORMANCE
Thursdays and Saturdays, 7 p.m. The Royal Grove, Royal Hawaiian Center, (808) 922-2299

ALOHA FRIDAY
Fridays, 4:30-6 p.m.
The Hyatt Regency Waikiki celebrates this Hawai‘i tradition at the property’s Great Hall with a fire knife dancer, hula, singing, Polynesian tattoo demos, lei making and more, (808) 923-1234

ROCKIN’ HAWAIIAN RAINBOW REVUE
Fridays, 7 p.m.
Super Pool, Hilton Hawaiian Village, 2005 Kalia Road, (808) 949-4321, Admission fee

HULA KAHIKO AT HELUMOA
Saturdays, 6-6:30 p.m.
The Royal Grove, Royal Hawaiian Center, (808) 922-2299

TORCH LIGHTING CEREMONY
Daily, 6 p.m.
Hilton Hawaiian Village, 2005 Kalia Road, (808) 949-4321

ISLAND CONTEMPORARY PERFORMANCE
Saturdays, 7:30-8:30 p.m.
The Royal Grove, Royal Hawaiian Center, (808) 922-2299