Join in the fun at Kauai’s oldest and largest festival. The Waimea Town Celebration celebrates the history and community of Kauai’s Westside with family fun events running from February Saturday 16th Sunday 24th.
Events featuring: live music, eating contests, cinema, hula, canoeing, rodeo, stories and songs, bike races, softball, fun run, basketball lei contest, and much more is on offer and we have the whole schedule to share with you below. Divided into two sections: entertainment and competitions and contests you’ll be sure to find something fun to entertain you and your family. To find out more about the Waimea Town Celebration click on the name to be taken to the website.
Entertainment Schedule:
Kaua‘i Cocktails & Cuisine – Japanese Whiskey
Saturday, February 16th – Historic Waimea Theater
6:30 pm to 10 pm – Kimberly Hope Mcdonough‘s Electric Violin & A Karaoke Singing Competition.
Sample Japanese whiskey, beer and sake and local cuisine from popular Kaua‘i food trucks. Must be 21 years or older for entry. Tickets available at the Box Office for $50 General / $75 for VIP or by calling 808-651-5744.
Hula For King Kaumuali‘i
Sunday, February 17th – Historic Waimea Theater
5 pm to 8 pm
A cultural presentation of hula and mele by Kumu Hula Troy Lazaro and Ka Pa Hula o Hinano honoring Kaua‘i‘s last king, Kaumuali‘i. Hawaiian food provided by Kilohana Canoe Club. $30/person includes show and meal: All ages welcome. Tickets available
at the Box Office or by calling 808-651-5744.
Waimea Film Festival – Hiff Hana Hou!
Monday, February 18th – Historic Waimea Theater
9:15 am to 8 pm
An encore of successful films featured at the 38th Annual Hawai‘i International Film Festival in Honolulu including MOANANUIAKEA: One Ocean, One People, One Canoe. Complete lineup and trailers can be found at waimeatheater.com. $10/film or $30/All Day Pass available at the Box Office or by calling 808-651-5744.
Film lineup:
9:15 am T-shirt Theater presents “Kipuka”
10:30 am Maui’s Hook
12:15 pm Moaninuiakea: One Ocean, One People, One Canoe
3 pm My Hero’s Shadow
4:45 pm August at Akikos
6:30 pm Stoke
Music in the Park
Tuesday 19th, Wednesday 20th, & Thursday 21st, February – Hofgaard Park 11am to 2 pm
Enjoy lunch from one of our Waimea Town merchants and food trucks or purchase crafts from local artisans while listening to traditional and contemporary LIVE Hawaiian music outdoors. Performances are free. Redondo‘s Hot Dog Eating Contest (Tues), Spam Musubi Eating Contest (Wed) and Kauai Kim Chee Eating Contest (Thu). Please call 808-651-5744 for more info.
Ambassador Of Aloha & Music Concert
Wednesday February 19th – Historic Waimea Theater 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
A traditional Hawaiian music concert with slack key artist LEDWARD KAAPANA and Kaua‘i‘s own WAILOA to honor this year‘s Ambassador of Aloha PATRICK “PADDY BOY” MALAMA for his contributions of aloha to our island community. $20 General Admission. Tickets available at the Box Office or by calling 808-651-5744.
Tales & Treats: Paniolo Stories & Songs from the Hawaiian Cowboy
Thursday, February 21st – Historic Waimea Theater 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Hawaiian storyteller Moses Goods, Kapono Nailiih and Chesley Cannon come to Waimea to explore a remarkable period in Hawai‘i‘s history. From Ikua Purdy winning the 1908 World Roping Championship to the way traditional Hawaiian values are integrated into the Paniolo lifestyle, this night of storytelling will reveal a remarkable time in Hawai‘i‘s history. Treats provided by Kuppycakes by J, Super Duper 2 and Gina‘s Anykine Grinds Cafe. All ages welcome. $10 General Admission tickets available at the Box Office or by calling 808-651-5744.
Heritage Of Aloha Ho‘olaule‘a
Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd, February – Waimea‘s Old Sugar Mill Site
5:30 pm – Midnight (Fri) & 10 am – Midnight (Sat)
Our 2-day finale includes continuous LIVE entertainment on a big stage, local food booths, games and rides for keiki, craft & merchandise vendors, a silent auction and a beer garden that includes wine and Kaua‘i‘s own Koloa Rum. Please be sure to purchase your souvenir festival t-shirt! FREE Admission: All ages welcome. Must be 21 years to enter Beer Garden. Please call 808-651-5744 for further info.
Competitions & Contests:
Mānā Time Trial – Bike Race
Sunday, February 17th- Macarthur Beach Park
8 am Start Time
The Mānā Time Trial is a competitive bicycle road race for cyclists and triathletes. This 10.8 miles TT starts and ends at MacArthur Park at Kekaha Beach and is open to ages 10 years and older. For additional info, please contact Mary Williamson at p2mKauai@gmail.com or visit pedaltothemeadow.com/mana-time-trial.
Slow Pitch Softball Tournament
Thursday to Sunday, February 21st to 24th – Waimea Athletic Field
5-9 pm (Thu & Fri), 8 am-5 pm (Sat), 8 am-2:30 pm (Sun)
Teams from across Hawai‘i compete in a double elimination tournament (ASA rules with a few modifications). Admission for spectators is FREE. Additional games at Faye Park in Kekaha. For additional info, please contact Laureen Naumu-Balocan at 808-482-0886 or lnbalocan@tmghawaiiltd.com.
Kauai Paniolo Showdown Rodeo
Thursday February 21st – High $ Roping 6 pm
Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd – The Friendship Do Ranch 9 am-Till Pau (Fri) & 9am-3 pm (Sat)
The largest traditional rodeo in all of the Hawaiian Islands features events like the Paniolo Po‘owalu and Double Mugging which are unique to Hawai‘i Rodeos. $5/Adult and $3/Child (5-12 years). For additional info, please contact Kimo Akita 639-8598.
Paniolo Hat Lei Contest
Saturday, February 23rd – West Kaua‘I Visitor Center 11 am-6 pm
Make lei appropriate for cowboy hats and enter 1 of 2 categories: “Most Beautiful” (use only fresh materials) and “Most Unique” (any material is acceptable). Awards will be given at 6 pm on Saturday. Lei become the property of the Visitor‘s Center and sold to benefit their programs. For additional info, please contact Aletha Kaohi at 808-338-1332.
3-On-3 Basketball Tournament
Friday 22nd & Saturday 23rd, February – Courts At Waimea Canyon Park 6-9 pm (Fri) & 9 am-4 pm (Sat)
This is the largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament on the island and benefits the Westside Basketball Club. The cost is $10/player (school division) and $25/player (adult division). Late registration is at 5 pm on Friday for adult male teams. Youth Teams‘ late registration is 8 am on Saturday. For additional info, please contact Dino Pabre at 808-286-2064.
Fun Run (10K, 5K, 2K Races)
Saturday, February 23rd – Waimea Plantation Cottages 7 am Start Time
The 42nd Annual Captain Cook Caper Run benefits Waimea High School‘s JROTC Program. Cost is $30/Adults and $25/Students (17 years and younger). Register online or at the Heritage of Aloha Ho‘olaule‘a (Old Waimea Mill Site) on Friday 22nd from 4:30-10 pm. Late Registration is $40. Check-in 5:30 to 6:30 am. Register online at: flpregister.com/en/401 or contact Major_Aguilar@hotmail.com.
WTC’s Long Distance Canoe Race
Saturday, February 23rd – Waimea Landing 8 am-Noon (Awards Ceremony At 1 pm)
Traditional Hawaiian outrigger canoes race along the Waimea shoreline competing in the Century (+300), Half-Century (+150) and Quarter Century (+75) Divisions for men, women and mixed crews. Lunch provided for all paddlers. Spectators enjoy FREE admission. For additional info, please contact Dana Miyaki at 808-332-7625
Super Duper 2‘s Ice Cream Eating Contest
Saturday, February 23rd – Old Waimea Sugar Mill Site Noon @Heritage Of Aloha Ho‘olaule‘a
Super Duper 2‘s Ice Cream Eating Contest is FREE to participate. Sign up at 11:30 am next to the big stage at the Heritage of Aloha Ho‘olaule‘a. Age categories are as follows: (1) 5 to 8 years old; (2) 9 to 15 years old; (3) 16 to 25 years old; (4) 26 to 35 years old; (5) 36 to 54 years old; and (6) 55+ years and older. For additional info, please contact Lisa Johnston at
808-652-7984.
Scotty‘s Music ‘Ukulele Contest
Saturday, February 23rd – Waimea‘S Old Sugar Mill Site 1:00 pm @ Heritage Of Aloha Ho‘olaule‘a
Rules are (1) 3 minutes maximum per song; (2) 1 song per entry; (3) Soloists only, no groups allowed; (4) Judged on presentation, tone, showmanship, difficulty of song and overall performance. Only ‘ukulele talent will be judged (not singing). Age groups: Up to 6th grade; 7th to 9th grade; 10th to 12th grade; and Adults. All entries will win a prize. ‘Ukulele awarded to 1st place winners AND to the “Best ‘Ukulele Picker” in memory of Byron Hahn-Morin. For additional info, please contact Carrie Newcomb at 808-634-0815.
