Waimea Town Celebration: 9 days of events for every part of West Kauaʻi

The 48th annual Waimea Town Celebration begins Saturday and will be as fun as ever with long distance canoe races, storytelling, rodeos, films, concerts and eating contests.

The nine days of activities on the west side of Kauaʻi — for participants and spectators — is the largest and longest annual event on the island.

The celebration is hosted by the historic Waimea Theater and Cultural Arts Center as a way to bring the community of west Kauaʻi together with events focusing on heritage, diversity and inclusion of its kamaʻāina and malihini (newcomer).

The Waimea Theater will launch the celebration on Saturday, Feb. 15 with Kauaʻi Cocktails and Cuisine, a journey through Asian flavors, featuring an exquisite selection of spirits from Japan, Korea and China. 

Those who dress in this year’s theme, “The Orient,” could win a cash prize. The event runs from 6:30 to 10 p.m. General admission is $60 and VIP is $90. Attendees must be at least 21-years old. 

Next at the Waimea Theater will be a cultural presentation celebrating the legacy of Kauaʻi beloved King Kaumualiʻi on Sunday. It will feature the talents of kumu hula Troy Lazaro and Halau Ka Pa Hula o Hinano. The evening will be filled with beautiful songs and traditional hula that honor Hawaiian heritage and storytelling. 

The King Kaumualiʻi Luʻau and Show will run from 5 to 7 p.m. General admission tickets are $40 and include a special meal.

The Waimea Theater will then show a short documentary, “ALETHA,” which celebrates beloved kupuna Aletha Kaohi through her ʻohana, passions, projects and the invaluable life lessons she has shared on Monday, Feb. 17.

There will be a matinee show at 1 p.m. and another showing at 5 p.m., which will include a pāʻina (meal) to honor her life, impact and contributions to the community. 

On Wednesday, a night of aloha and celebration will honor Pastor Darryl Kua and his wife, Elizabeth, for outstanding contributions to the community. The couple will receive the prestigious Mālama Award for their service. The event will feature a performance by Nā Hōkū Hanohano award winner Mark Yamanaka.

Waimea Theater will also host Tales and Treats with master storyteller Lopaka Kapanui on Thursday, Feb. 20. While he shares Hawaiian tales of the islands with old and male, the stories will be complimented with themed desserts from local merchants.

Tuesday through Thursday, there will be free events — including eating contests, live music and craft vendors — at Hofgaard Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m each day.

There will be a spam musubi eating contest and live music by Kahalau on Tuesday, a hot dog eating contest and live music by Russel Wellington on Wednesday, and a kim chee eating contest and live music by Nick Castillo on Thursday. 

Do you love to eat? All ages are invited to spectate or participate in the “How-Fast-Can-You-Eat” contests for cash prizes.

The biggest community events take place on Feb. 21 and 22, and include the rodeo, races, a basketball tournament and the Hoʻolaulea.  

Kauaʻi Paniolo Showdown

Over 240 paniolo from across the island and the state will be competing in rodeo events on Friday and Saturday.

Slack (qualifying) rounds will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Friday and include:

• Open Roping
• #4.4 Roping
• Mix Roping
• Century Roping
• #5.5 Roping
• Barrel racing (begins at 7 p.m.)

The final rounds will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday with an opening ceremony featuring Mayor Derek Kawakami with all the events, which include:

• Po’o Wai U
• Open Roping
• Keiki Barrels
• Wahine Barrels
• #4.4 Roping
• Rescue Race
• Mix Roping
• Double Mugging (Section 1)
• Dummy Roping
• Century Roping
• Rawhide Race
• Double Mugging (Section 2)
• Keiki Breakaway Roping
• Wahine Breakaway Roping
• #5.5 Roping
• Ribbon Roping

The rodeo is open to the public, but will have a $10 admission fee on Saturday only. For more information on contestants, vendors and schedule, visit the Kauaʻi Paniolo Showdown website.

Kauaʻi’s Largest 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament 

The tournament will be at the Waimea Canyon Park basketball court from 6 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 21 and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Feb. 22.

Tournament fees are $20 for students and $40 for adults. For more information, contact Dino Pabre at 808-286-2064.

Na Heihei A Ola

A 2K, 5K and 10K Fun Run will begin at 6:30 a.m. at the Waimea Plantation Cottages on Feb. 22. Anyone can participate, from keiki to kupuna, runners and walkers. Registration can be found here.

Naʻiole Long Distance Canoe Race

Skilled paddlers honor Hawaiian tradition amidst the breathtaking Waimea shoreline for a day of teamwork, endurance and aloha spirit. The race begins at 8 a.m. at Waimea Landing with an awards ceremony to follow at 1 p.m.

Hoʻolaulea 

The 48th Annual Waimea Town Celebration Hoʻolaulea will be the main event with 22 hours of free admission and entertainment at the Old Waimea Mill on Friday and Saturday.

Attendees can enjoy food booths, unique craft vendors, fun keiki rides and plus delicious food booths, unique craft vendors, fun keiki rides, and the Island Distributing and Koloa Rum Beer Garden for people 21-years old and older.

The musicians lined up for Hoʻolaulea from 5 p.m to 10 p.m. Feb. 21:

• Maunalua: 7 to 7:45 p.m.
• Hammer House Band: 8 to 8:20 p.m.
• Loeka and Damon: 8:20 to 9 p.m.
• Miah Music: 9 to 9:45 p.m.
• Kealamauloa: 9:45 to 10:30 p.m. 
• Peni Dean: 10:45 to 11:30 p.m.

Hoʻolaulea will be from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. on Feb. 22 and features even more events before the live music, including:

• Lei Papale Contest: Drop off from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., viewing from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Waimea Mill Site. There will be awards for the most beautiful/freshest foliage and most unique/unique material. Entry for family heirlooms will be a people’s choice award.
• Ice Cream Eating Contest: Begins at noon and is free to participate with all ages welcome. Sign up with Super Duper at 11:30 am in front of the Ho’olaule’a Big Stage before the contest.
• Ukulele Contest: This will take place of the main stage at Hoʻolaulea, beginning at 1 p.m. A ʻukulele will be awarded to the winner. Entry forms can be found at Scotty’s Music or by visiting Scotty’s Music website.

Musicians featured for Hoʻolaulea on Feb. 22:

• Kolea: 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.
• Kawao: 7:30 to 8:15 p.m.
• Revival: 8:30 to 9:15 p.m.
• The Vitals: 9:30 to 10:15 p.m.
• Three Plus: 10:30 to 11:15 p.m.