Among the most anticipated cultural events in Kona each year, the annual Hawaiian Cultural Festival will be held the weekend of June 29 through July 1, 2012 at Pu‘uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park.
Now in its 51st year, the festival transports visitors back to Old Hawai‘i, circa 1800s, providing a uniquely Hawaiian experience on the beautiful, seaside grounds of the park. The festivities begin on Friday with a hula performance by Kamakani Hali Ala O Puna from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Then on Saturday and Sunday, scheduled events include everything from canoe rides and lauhala weaving, to instrument making, lei making, food tasting, poi pounding and tapa clothing printing. Hawaiian practitioners dressed in traditional attire will honor the culture and traditions of the Hawaiian people, whether demonstrating the carving of a koa canoe, making kava beverages or weaving coconut frond creations. Visitors can take home craft items that they’ve made at the event during any number of group workshops held throughout the day.
The celebration’s grand finale, the hukilau involves dozens of people joining forces in and around the water at the Royal Canoe Landing. Visitors are invited to participate in this traditional fishing method that utilizes a long, sweeping net made of ti leaves.
Here at Holualoa Inn, our historic grounds include remnants of an ancient holua slide, historic trails and more than 30 acres of Kona coffee. Just a 25-minute drive to Pu‘uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park, our Hawaiian bed and breakfast in Kona provides the ideal home base from which to explore the wonders of West Hawai‘i and the Big Island.
Innkeeper Holualoa Inn