Hawaii is a melting pot of many cultures, and as many cuisines! This makes the Big Island a great place for a culinary adventure. There are also many annual culinary festivals organized that are a great addition to this adventure, and/or a fun day out, to sample the local delicacies and get to know Hawaii in yet another way!. Below we list a selection of annual culinary festivals on Hawaii. Contact information for every event is also shown.

February - Hawaii Avocado Festival

Go green! A festival to support local avocado growers and vendors. With free Guacamole, Hawaiian Cultural Performances, Local Agricultural Presentations, Healing Arts, Green Fashion, and Organic Treats, lots of fun and games for the entire family emphasizing Sustainability and Zero Waste. For more info visit their website.

March - Kona Brewers Festival

This annual festival promotes craft brewing an microbreweries in Hawaii. Expect about 60 craft beers from Hawaii and the U.S. Mainland, plus gourmet food. Also special Brewer's Dinner, Golf Tourney and Run for the Hops. For more info call 808-987-9196 or visit their website.

May - Ka'a Coffee Festival

If coffee gets you going, then go to this popular festival celebrating the bean in Hawaii Island’s beautiful Ka'u district.  Featuring a Coffee tasting presentation, a Ka'u coffee recipe contest, music, hula, farm tours and many stands offering local food, coffee and crafts!! Entry is free, for more info visit their website.

It is also possible (and a great excursion) to visit some Kona coffee farms yourself. More information: Visit a Kona Coffee farm yourself.

July -Hawaii Healing Garden Mango Festival

The Hawaii Healing Garden Mango Festival celebrates all things mango with a day filled with special events and activities including live music, hula and cultural performances, eco-fashion show, mango culinary arts, a mango tastings, and cooking demonstrations. For more info visit their website.

August - Don the Beachcomber Mai Tai Festival

This annual event attracts aficionados of this renown tropical mix cocktail from around the world! Bartenders compete for title of Best Mai Tai and a $10,000 cash prize, and you can also enjoy a farmers market, food from Big Island restaurants and live entertainment along with mai tai sampling.  For more info visit their website.

September - Breadfruit Festival

To tell the story of Hawai'i Island's long history with breadfruit ('ulu) with the intention of building upon this history to bring 'ulu back into common use. A Breadfruit Festival will be held on September 24, 2011, at Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden in South Kona. For more info visit their website.

September - Mealani's Taste Of Hawaii Range

Over 30 of the state’s top chefs dazzle diners with delectable dishes using grass-fed beef, pork, lamb, goat, mutton and wild boar—plus fresh island fruit and veggies. Attendees looking for culinary adventure can taste and enjoy all the cuts of grass-fed beef—everything from tongue to tail. The event originated in Waimea on the Big Island, where the paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) rides the range and greened-over volcanic cinder cones are dotted with grazing cattle. For more info, visit their website.

October - Kona Chocolate Festival

Starting with the spirit of Aloha, the Kona Chocolate Festival was a combination of traditional Hawaiian Luau – a gathering of community around food and music – and a traditional Southern Cook-off inspired by great chili cook-offs of the southern United States. The Kona Chocolate Festival is  an event that jams with music, brings the community together, and has a cook-off – and this cook-off is all about Chocolate!

During the Gala Benefit evening there is cultural entertainment, chocolate body art, chocolate fountain, chocolate Chefs, wine, champagne, and beer, and more chocolate than you can imagine. For more info visit their website.

Did you know Hawaii is the only state where cacao can be grown? More information: Locally grown and produced chocolate from the Big Island.

November - Kona Coffee Cultural Festival

Since its inception in 1970, the Festival has sought to preserve, perpetuate and promote Kona's unique 183-year coffee heritage. With nearly 50 events over 10 days there’s something for everyone, from coffee drinkers to connoisseurs to multi-generational families. Festival signature events include a Coffee & Art Stroll, Cupping Competition, Farm & Mill Tours, International Lantern Parade or explore Kona coffee country’s cafe’s, shopping and community with a self-guided driving tour brochure. For more info visit their website.

It is also possible (and a great excursion) to visit some Kona coffee farms yourself. More information: Visit a Kona Coffee farm yourself.