List of all annual sporting events on the Big Island of Hawaii. Find a local festival during your stay on the Big Island and get the true local experience.
January – PGA Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai
This event kicks off the PGA Championship Tour every year at the Hualalai Resort Golf Club. For more information call 800-417-2770 or visit their website.
February – Panaewa Stampede Rodeo
Check out rodeo Hawaiian-style at this weekend event featuring an amateur competition between cowboys, cowgirls, keiki and kūpuna. Enjoy paniolo (cowboy) demonstrations, Hawaiian musical entertainment, food and craft booths. For more info call 808-937-1004 or visit their website.
March – Big Island International Marathon
10.8 mile and 3.1 mile fun runs along the Pacific Ocean, through tropical rainforests, past rushing waterfalls and along black lava beaches to finish at the historic Hilo Bay front in one of the world most scenic marathons! For more info call 808-969-7400 or visit their website.
March – Annual Haili Volleyball Tournament
Players from around the United states frequent this popular event. You find can find Nationally ranked AA player but also novices in the many different teams. For more info call 808-961-3633 or visit their website.
April – Lavaman Triathlon Waikoloa
Features a 1.5k swim, 40k bike, and 10k run. It was voted the Best Post-Race Party in Triathlon! With finish line nutrition, finisher medal, massage provided by Hawaiian School of Massage, live music and prize giveaways. right on Waikoloa Beach. For more info visit their website.
June – Rohto Ironman 70.3 Hawaii
This half ironman triathlon around Honu is part of the official qualifier series for the Ironman World Championship held on the island in October. Athletes start the day with a swim in the crystal blue waters of Hapuna Beach State Park along the Kohala Coast of the Big Island. Then they take on the challenging 56 mile bike course on the legendary Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway. The day finishes with a 13.1 mile run through paradise. For more info visit their website.
June – Kona Marathon & Family Fun Runs
Since 1994. An estimated 1,800 runners of all ages and abilities will be competing for prize money, participating for health and enjoyment, and raising money for charity. The start and Finish are at the Keauhou Beach Resort just south of Kailua-Kona and you can compete in a complete marathon, 1/2 marathon, 10k, 5k, and a family run. For more info visit their website.
July – Parker Ranch Independence Day Rodeo
See real Paniolo (Hawaiian cowboys) in action at this rodeo! For info call 808-885-7311 or visit their website.
July – Hawaiian International Billfishing Tournament
This week long event is know as the “Grandfather of all big game fishing tournaments”!! It has been around more than 50 years now, and was first organized only 2 days after Hawaii officially became a state in 1959. For more info visit their website.
August – Lavaman Triathlon Keauhoa
Features a 1.5k swim, 40k bike, and 10k run, and is closed by the now famous beach party at the outrigger Keaohou beach resort. For more info visit their website.
August – Volcano Rain Forest Runs
Run at 4,000 feet, in the quaint village of Volcano, outside of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. All participants run through the village streets in the lush native rainforest, with the 1/2 Marathon continuing into the upper ranch lands with stunning views of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa volcanoes. All three runs are out and back courses. Start/Finish is at Cooper Center on Wright Road.
Feel the power of the Big Island of Hawaii while running on one of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea. For more info see www.rainforestruns.com.
September – Queen Liliuokalani Canoe Race
The Queen Lili’uokalani Long-Distance Canoe Races are the world’s largest outrigger canoe races. The event features single hull, double hull and individual races along with a torchlight parade, dance and luau awards ceremony. For more info call 808-334-9481 or visit their website.
October – Ford Ironman World Championship.
There is no bigger day for a triathlete than the day of the Ford Ironman World Championship. It is the race that defined the sport as it came of age, and continues to be the defining race for any avid triathlete. It features 2.4 mi. swim, 112 mi. bike and 26.2 mi. run. Every year, tens-of-thousands of triathletes apply for a place but only 1800 get to participate to get that coveted title: Iron Man! For more info visit their website.