There are so many things to do while on vacation in Hawaii that it can often be hard for our visitors to decide how they’ll spend their time. From shopping and dining, to hiking and surfing or plain old beach lounging, the Aloha state has much to offer its visitors.
One of our favourite things to do on vacation though, is to immerse ourselves in the culture in order to get a feel for the everyday life of the locals. One of the best ways to do this is to check out area festivals and events. Much to the delight of our nearly 8 million visitors per year, Hawaii has several to choose from.
The Kokua Kailua Village Stroll is one such example. Hawaii natives love it because it’s a family friendly activity that brings the community together while supporting the local economy, and Hawaii vacationers are treated to the art, crafts, music and dining that make Hawaii so unique.
One Sunday each month, the scenic Ali’i Drive along the Kona coast closes the road to traffic and hosts the Kokua Kailua Village Stroll. Here is where you’ll find cafes, art galleries, specialty shops and unique one-of-kind treasures crafted by local artisans. Food vendors line the street as you stroll through the village to the melodic sounds of local musicians.
The event is highlighted with a free concert on the lawn of the Hulihe’e Palace. Once the vacation home of Hawaiian royalty, Hulihe’e Palace has since been turned in to a museum operated by the Daughters of Hawaii. Founded in 1903 solely for the purpose of preserving the memory and spirit of old Hawaii, the organization hosts a monthly concert series featuring local musicians. Concert goers bring their own mats or lawn chairs and the organizers will happily check them for you as you explore the tents and shops until the concert is ready to start at 4PM.
The Kokua Kailua Village stroll starts at 1 PM and wraps up at 6. To view the 2014 schedule and learn more about the event, visit the Historic Kailua Village website at: http://historickailuavillage.com/kokua-kailua
