Cultural festival · Haleiwa, Oahu · 8 AM – 3 PM
Waimea Valley Makahiki Festival 2026
Hosted by Waimea Valley
Date
What to expect
Waimea Valley is managed by Hi'ipaka LLC, a nonprofit established following the Office of Hawaiian Affairs' acquisition of the property in 2006, and hosts the Makahiki Festival each November to mark the traditional Hawaiian period of the same name. Historically, Makahiki began when the Pleiades constellation rose at sunset and was observed as a season of peace, communal games, and the honoring of the god Lono. Coverage of the festival at the valley dates to at least 2017.
The centerpiece is the Te Moana Nui Games, a Polynesian athletic competition featuring coconut tree climbing, fruit-carrying foot races, stone lifting (hapai pohaku), and wrestling. A 2019 edition drew approximately 40 competitors from Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, and New Zealand. Visitors can also participate in traditional Hawaiian games — ulu maika (disc bowling), oo ihe (spear throwing), and moa pahee (dart sliding) — while local hālau perform hula and live music plays throughout the day. Local vendor booths are also part of the program.
Program highlights
- Hula performances by local hālau and live music throughout the day
- Visitor-participation traditional Hawaiian games: ulu maika, oo ihe, and moa pahee
- Free admission for active and retired military on Veterans Day
Plan your visit
Parking & access: Optional shuttle service available ($10 one-way, $20 round-trip).
Plan your weekend on Oahu
While you’re out for Waimea Valley Makahiki Festival, see who else is open — and meet the makers and farmers behind Hawai‘i’s markets.
Farmers markets this weekend
What’s worth a trip this weekend
One email a week: the makers worth seeking out, pop-ups, and Hawai‘i cultural events worth planning around.
Sources: source; source. Dates and times can change — confirm with the organizer before you go.