When are the Hawaii State Holidays?

Here is a list of Hawaii State Holidays, with their dates, locations to celebrate, and a brief description of their cultural relevance in Hawaiian culture.


1. New Year’s Day

  • Date: January 1
  • Locations: Waikiki Beach, Ala Moana Beach Park, Kapiʻolani Park
  • Description: Celebrated with fireworks, family gatherings, and beach picnics, New Year’s Day in Hawaii symbolizes renewal and new beginnings, rooted in both Hawaiian and American traditions. Fireworks and cultural festivities light up Oahu’s beaches, a practice influenced by Chinese immigrants, who brought fireworks to ward off evil spirits.

2. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

  • Date: Third Monday in January
  • Locations: Waikiki (Martin Luther King Jr. Parade), Kapiʻolani Park
  • Description: This day honors the civil rights leader’s legacy of equality and justice. In Hawaii, it holds special meaning due to the state’s diverse population and multicultural harmony. Parades, speeches, and community events emphasize the values of inclusion and aloha spirit, which reflect Hawaii’s ethos of unity.

3. Prince Kūhiō Day

  • Date: March 26
  • Locations: Kapiʻolani Park, Waikiki Beach, Prince Kūhiō Park
  • Description: Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole is celebrated for his role in preserving Hawaiian culture and advocating for Native Hawaiian rights. As a U.S. Congressman, he introduced the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, which helped restore land to Native Hawaiians. Events include parades, canoe races, and hula performances, honoring his dedication to his people.

4. Good Friday

  • Date: Friday before Easter
  • Locations: Churches across Oahu
  • Description: A Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, Good Friday is a quiet, reflective day in Hawaii. Local churches hold services and processions. While not unique to Hawaii, the state’s Christian and Catholic communities, influenced by Portuguese and Filipino immigrants, observe this solemn day with reverence.

5. Memorial Day

  • Date: Last Monday in May
  • Locations: Punchbowl National Cemetery, Pearl Harbor Memorial
  • Description: Memorial Day honors fallen U.S. military service members. Hawaii’s role in World War II, with Pearl Harbor as a key site, makes this a deeply significant day. Ceremonies at Punchbowl and Pearl Harbor pay tribute to those who served, while local families visit gravesites to place leis and flowers.

6. Kamehameha Day

  • Date: June 11
  • Locations: Kamehameha Statue, Honolulu; Iolani Palace; King Kamehameha Parade
  • Description: This holiday celebrates King Kamehameha I, who unified the Hawaiian Islands in 1810. Events include floral parades, the draping of the Kamehameha statue in lei, and hula performances. Kamehameha’s leadership and vision are central to Hawaiian history, and this day honors his enduring legacy.

7. Independence Day

  • Date: July 4
  • Locations: Ala Moana Beach Park, Kailua Beach, Military Bases
  • Description: While primarily a U.S. federal holiday, Independence Day in Hawaii features local traditions, including beach parties and fireworks. Hawaii’s unique connection to the military, as the site of Pearl Harbor, makes the day resonate with both patriotism and remembrance.

8. Statehood Day (Admissions Day)

  • Date: Third Friday in August
  • Locations: Iolani Palace, Waikiki
  • Description: Marking Hawaii’s admission as the 50th U.S. state on August 21, 1959, this day is celebrated with cultural events and historical reenactments. While there is pride in statehood, it also spurs reflection on the loss of Hawaiian sovereignty, making it a day of mixed emotions for Native Hawaiians.

9. Labor Day

  • Date: First Monday in September
  • Locations: Beach parks, community events
  • Description: Labor Day is a day of rest and recreation in Hawaii. It honors the contributions of workers, many of whom were immigrants who labored in Hawaii’s sugar and pineapple plantations. It’s a time for family gatherings and barbecues, reflecting the spirit of aloha and community.

10. Discoverers’ Day (Indigenous Peoples’ Day)

  • Date: Second Monday in October
  • Locations: Bishop Museum, Iolani Palace
  • Description: Originally called Discoverers’ Day to honor Captain James Cook, the holiday has evolved into Indigenous Peoples’ Day, focusing on Native Hawaiian culture. Events emphasize the heritage, struggles, and contributions of Native Hawaiians, with cultural demonstrations, storytelling, and Hawaiian music and dance.

11. Veterans Day

  • Date: November 11
  • Locations: Punchbowl National Cemetery, Pearl Harbor Memorial
  • Description: Veterans Day in Hawaii is particularly poignant due to the state’s military history. Ceremonies at Punchbowl and Pearl Harbor honor veterans from all U.S. wars, and Hawaii’s active military presence makes this holiday resonate deeply with residents and visitors alike.

12. Thanksgiving Day

  • Date: Fourth Thursday in November
  • Locations: Community centers, churches
  • Description: Thanksgiving in Hawaii is celebrated with a blend of traditional and local foods, such as kalua turkey and poi. Volunteer opportunities abound, with community meals serving those in need, embodying the Hawaiian value of kākoʻo (supporting others). The day reflects the spirit of gratitude and family.

13. Christmas Day

  • Date: December 25
  • Locations: Honolulu City Lights, Waikiki Beach
  • Description: Christmas in Hawaii blends Christian traditions with local customs, including the iconic Honolulu City Lights, a festival that features a giant Christmas tree, light displays, and parades. Hawaiian carolers sing mele kalikimaka (Merry Christmas), and families gather for luau feasts, infusing island culture into the holiday season.

These holidays reflect a rich blend of both Hawaiian culture & general U.S. history, with multicultural influences making them significant not only in terms of tradition but also in preserving the unique cultural identity of the Hawaiian Islands.

Please expect everything from Lodgings to car rentals to be at premium pricing and possibly more limited availability during these dates.
Booking early can ensure better prices and availability guarantees.

#LO❤️EWaikiki #LoveWaikiki #Ohana 🥰

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