From August to mid-October, the Aloha Festivals take place across six of the islands, celebrating Hawaii's music, dance and history. More than 300 events make up the festivals and help to preserve the unique island traditions. On each island, celebrations commence with "Oahu", where a king, queen, prince, princess and attendants are chosen, all of them of Hawaiian descent. The investitures are wonderfully evocative occasions of much colour and ceremony including the blowing of conch shells and waving of feather standards. Around 30,000 volunteers help everything to run smoothly for the many festival visitors – usually approaching 1 million each year. Aloha Festivals incorporate the strong Pacific, Asian and Western cultural influences on the islands, epitomised by everything from Japanese Bon Dance to the traditional hula. Music, song, dance, traditional rituals and pageantry in native costume, floral parades, sports and competitions are among the many events.

Times
Various.