8 Days of Fun Celebrating Waimea Town
Aloha! Are you makaukau (ready) for a week-long celebration of fun? If you are visiting Kauai during the week of February 18th through the 25th, come to the westside and experience an 8-day festival of concerts, competitions, and cultural events beginning President’s Day weekend. This year marks the 46th annual Waimea Town Celebration!
Photo Courtesy of John Poehnelt
The Waimea Town Celebration, traditionally held in February, is a celebration of true plantation-era Hawaiian culture. It is a celebration of our mixed cultural heritage.
The festival, which now lasts eight days, first took place in 1978 and now holds the record of Kauai’s largest and longest-running festival. In addition, it is also the biggest fundraiser for the westside community. This annual event benefits local sports teams, churches, food vendors, and schools.
We kick off this year’s festivities with the Kaumuali’i Lu’au, which commemorates Kauai’s last beloved King with hula from Kumu Troy Lazaro and his Halau Ka Pa Hula O Hinano. Music and traditional lu’au food will tantalize your senses during the first weekend of the Waimea Town Celebration.
Then throughout the week, there will be events for all ages and interests, including the storytelling of Kauaiʻs salt beds, rodeos, long-distance canoe races, and 2k, 5k, and 10k runs.
With a stellar lineup of musicians and local performers, Waimea Town Celebration knows what to do to put on an amazing show! The two-day grand finale is equivalent to a giant street party equipped with Hawaiian music, shows, arts and crafts, food from the islands, and a beer garden for those 21 and over. Watch or participate in the fun. All are welcome!
A Closer look at some of this year’s events.
Monday, February 20th, 2023
9:15 am-5:00 pm
Want to experience a Movie at the Historic Waimea Theater? Monday, a repeat presentation of the Hawaii International Film festival will begin at 9 am and end at 6 pm.
$10 tickets are sold at the Box Office, and a $30 All Day Pass that includes a special meal (served at 12:30 pm) can be purchased online.
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023
6:30 pm-8:30 pm Members of the Honolulu Theatre for Youth Ensemble and Native Hawaiian Storyteller Moses Goods invested time last year learning and working in the salt beds located in
Hanapepe to produce this unique new piece, “THE PA’AKAI WE BRING.”
Ancient tales, hula, and original songs are all incorporated into the play, which centers
on a family of salt farmers from Kaua’i that spans several generations. This play
comes with free snacks from Gina’s Anykine Grinds Cafe and
Super Duper II Ice Cream both well-known Waimea-established businesses.
Thursday to Saturday
February 23rd-25th, 2023
Photo Courtesy of John Poehnelt
If you are interested in local family fun, look no further than the 2023 Kauaiʻs Paniolo (cowboy) Showdown. This event is located at the Friendship Doʻs Ranch in the Waimea Arena. Saturday showcases a traditional form of roping called Poʻo Waiu, a technique traditionally used for cattle roaming through densely forested areas. Bring your sunscreen and family for a day at the rodeo!
$10 Admission Fee only on Saturday for persons two years and older
Thursday 7:00 pm – World’s Best Muley Roping
Friday 8:30 am – Team Roping Qualifying Slack
Friday 7:00 pm – Barrel Racing Qualifying Slack
Saturday 10:00 am – Po’o Waiu (the poo waiu technique, Roping, Barrels, Double Mugging, and MORE