Oahu Festivals Welcome Visitors in 2022

February 9, 2022

Hawaiian girls dancing the hula at sunset, Maui

Now that Hawaii no longer requires fully vaccinated visitors to quarantine, a lot of the cultural festivals meeting professionals previously hitched their group travel to are back in play. 2022 on the island of Oahu in particular is looking to be a year replete with music, entertainment and—of course—food.

From half-marathons to local Spam showcases, Oahu’s list of what it has to offer is a long one. Take a look.

Do I Need to be Vaxxed?

Hawaii Safe Travels Program requires that unvaccinated domestic travelers from the United States and its territories observe a five-day mandatory , after which, travelers do not need to test, per the program’s website; travelers who have an up-to-date vaccination pass can bypass quarantine without a pre-travel test.

Hawaii is also in alignment with federal international requirements, which states that non-U.S. citizens traveling directly to Hawaii must present a vaccination record and a negative Covid-19 test (NAAT or antigen) within one day of boarding their flight. U.S. citizens flying to Hawaii have two options: if fully vaccinated, they must provide proof of vaccination and a negative test within one day of boarding; if not vaccinated, present a negative test within one day of boarding.

Those who arrive without a negative Covid test or vaccination record before departure will have to quarantine upon arrival. Masks are still required indoors, even for those fully vaccinated.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige announced Tuesday that boosters will no longer be required, citing declining Covid case numbers and hospitalizations.

He continued: “We looked at Hawaii’s robust vaccination rates and the continued push by businesses and organizations to get their employees vaccinated and boosted for the safety of their families and the community. At this time, we will also maintain the indoor mask mandate and other rules that have helped us manage this pandemic while reopening the economy.”

What’s Going On?

Held biannually in spring and fall, Hawaii International Film Festival showcases independent and short films dedicated to sharing Hawaiian, Asian, Pacific Islander and North American culture. Kawaii Kon, which takes place April 22-24, is a three-day convention that celebrates Japanese culture, Japanese anime and manga comics, is returning to Hawaii Convention Center.

Oahu’s We are Samoa Festival is Hawaii’s largest Samoan festival and celebration of the culture. Held May 4-11 at Polynesian Cultural Center, the festival’s main event is the World Fireknife Championship, created to pay tribute to the Samoan Warrior’s knife dance, ailao, attracting competitors from around the world. With a date yet to be announced, the Made in Hawaii Festival brings together more than 400 exhibitors from the world of Hawaii-made art, clothing, food, home decor, jewelry, toys, produce, plants and Hawaiian crafts.

The Island’s love for the meat product Spam runs deeper than you might have imagined, as evidenced by the Waikiki Spam Jam on April 23. On Kalakaua Avenue, local restaurants offer their specialty Spam dishes, complemented by entertainment and Hawaiian crafts makers.

Read More: Learn and Groove in Oahu

For sports and fitness enthusiasts and spectators, there’s plenty of activities to go around. World Surf League’s second Hawaii stop on its annual tour, Hurley Pro Sunset Beach, will be held Feb. 11-23 from the Banzai Pipeline to Sunset Beach; the contest includes men’s, women’s and junior divisions. For the aerobically inclined, there’s the 38th annual Hawaii Pacific Health Virtual Great Aloha Run, joining runners and joggers virtually from around the world Feb. 18-21. Hawaii’s largest half-marathon, The Hapalua, takes marathoners through Honolulu and around its Diamond Head State Monument, Leahi, and ends at Kapiolani Park.

The Haleiwa Metric Century Ride—100 kilometers or 62 miles—takes cyclists on the scenic route through Haleiwa towards Kaena Point, and past Waimea Valley, Sunset Beach and Kahuku. Another option? Honolulu Triathlon hits the ground May 15 at Ala Moana Beach Park.

More festivals are as follows.

Music Festivals

15th Annual Waimanalo Kanikapila and Live from Waimanalo Livestream, April 23

52nd Annual Ukulele Festival Hawaii, July 17

Hawaii Book and Music Festival, Fall 2022

Arts Festivals

Volunteer Week Hawaii 2022, April 17-23

Lei Day Celebration, May 1

Hawaiian Airlines May Day 2022, May 1

Kanaiaupuni—A Celebration of the Kamehameha Dynasty at Helumoa, June 4-12

Pan-Pacific Festival, June 10-12

150th Annual King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade, June 11