Community-Based Organizations Statewide Selected to Present Authentic Experiences for Residents and Visitors
07-28-2026 Community Enrichment Program 26-17
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 28, 2026
HONOLULU — The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) today announced that 49 organizations will receive a total of $1.5 million to support 60 programs through its 2026 Community Enrichment Program. The funding supports community-based events and experiences that celebrate Hawaiʻi’s culture, natural resources and sense of place, while benefiting residents and visitors.
The Community Enrichment Program provides funding for unique, authentic experiences developed by communities for residents and visitors. Eligible projects include those focused on agriculture, culture, culinary arts, education, health and wellness, nature, sports and voluntourism.
“Community-based organizations play an important role in creating experiences that reflect the character and diversity of our islands,” said Caroline Anderson, interim president and CEO of HTA. “Through the Community Enrichment Program, we’re supporting initiatives that strengthen communities, celebrate local culture and create meaningful experiences for residents and visitors alike.”
The selected projects run from July through December 2026 and represent a diverse range of cultural festivals, agricultural events, educational programs, sporting events and community experiences across the state.
The organizations selected for the 2026 Community Enrichment Program are:
Statewide
| Dates | Project | Organization | Islands |
| July 17-19 and Aug. 22, 2026 | 8th Garden Island Boogie Board Classic and the 18th Hubb Keiki Fest | Kaikeha | Kauaʻi and Oʻahu |
| July-November 2026 | Hot Kūpuna Nights | Hawaiian Music Perpetuation Society | Oʻahu, Kauaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island |
| September-December 2026 | Hawaiʻi Stays with You: Voluntourism Expansion Program | Kanu Hawaiʻi | Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Maui and Hawaiʻi Island |
| Oct. 18 and Nov. 8, 2026 | Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival — Kona and Kauaʻi | Ki-Hoʻalu Foundation | Hawaiʻi Island and Kauaʻi |
| December 2026 | Mahiʻai2Visit | Hawaiʻi Agricultural Foundation | Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Maui, Lānaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island |
Hawaiʻi Island
| Dates | Project | Organization |
| August and November 2026 | Kahilu Fall Festival Series | Kahilu Theatre Foundation |
| July-September 2026 | Niaulani Nature Trail, Cultural Experiences and Forest Fair | Volcano Art Center |
| July-November 2026 | From Blossom to Barrel: Hawaiʻi Honey and Pollinator Experience | Bird and Bee Animal Sanctuary |
| July-December 2026 | Ke Kai Ola Open Houses and Volunteer Conservation Program | The Marine Mammal Center — Ke Kai Ola |
| Sept. 10-12, 2026 | Hawaiʻi Songwriting Festival 2026 | Hawaiʻi Songwriting Festival |
| Sept. 2-3, 2026 | Paniolo Preservation Society 25th Anniversary Celebration and Ka Mea Kanu ʻAi: Paniolo BBQ and Slack Key Celebration | Nā‘ālehu Theatre |
| Sept. 3-7, 2026 | 52nd Annual Queen Liliʻuokalani Long Distance Outrigger Canoe Race | Kai ʻŌpua Canoe Club |
| Sept. 19, 2026 | ʻUlu Festival | Friends of Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden |
| Nov. 6-7, 2026 | ʻAha Hawaiʻi Kuauli Workshop Series | Hawaiʻi Island Pacific and Asia Cultural Celebration |
| Nov. 6-15, 2026 | 55th Annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival | Kona Coffee Cultural Festival |
Kauaʻi
| Dates | Project | Organization |
| July 10-11, 2026 | Soto Zen Bon Festival | Kauaʻi Soto Zen Temple Zenshuji |
| July-December 2026 | Downtown Līhuʻe Night Market | Rice Street Business Association |
| July-December 2026 | Downtown Līhuʻe Annual Events | Rice Street Business Association |
| Aug. 1-2, 2026 | Heiva I Kauaʻi Tahitian Dance and Drumming Competition | Heiva I Kauaʻi |
| Sept. 6, 2026 | The 2026 Kauaʻi Marathon and Half Marathon | The Kauaʻi Marathon |
| Sept. 20-26, 2026 | Kauaʻi Mokihana Festival 2026 | Mālie Foundation |
| September-November 2026 | Olohena ʻĀINA Center: Connecting Visitors to Local Food | Mālama Kauaʻi |
| Oct. 18, 2026 | 2026 Kauaʻi Chocolate and Coffee Festival | Mālama Kauaʻi |
| Oct. 9-10, 2026 | Matsuri Kauaʻi 2026 (41st) | Kauaʻi Japanese Cultural Society |
| Nov. 7, 2026 | Eō Emalani I Alakaʻi | Historic Waimea Theater and Cultural Arts Center |
| Dec. 19, 2026 | 2026 Waimea Light Parade | Historic Waimea Theater and Cultural Arts Center |
Lānaʻi
| Date | Project | Organization |
| Sept. 26, 2026 | Lānaʻi Festivals of Aloha | Festivals of Aloha |
Maui
| Dates | Project | Organization |
| July 2026 | Mālama Pono | Pacific Whale Foundation |
| July and September 2026 | Hui Noʻeau Exhibitions: Celebrating the Visual Arts of Hawaiʻi | Hui Noʻeau Visual Arts Center |
| July, October and December 2026 | Hāna Arts Hōʻike — Summer Concert and Community Event Series | Hāna Arts |
| July-December 2026 | Reclaiming ʻĀina Momona: Restoring the Kapoho Loko Iʻa Kalo | Hawaiʻi Land Trust |
| July-December 2026 | E Kanu Kākou “Let’s Plant Together” | Auwahi Forest Restoration Project |
| July-December 2026 | Wailuku First Friday | Festivals of Aloha |
| Aug. 14, 2026 | Lahaina O-Bon Festival | Festivals of Aloha |
| Aug. 21-22, 2026 | Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival | Festivals of Aloha |
| Sept. 5, 2026 | Lā ʻUlu Breadfruit Day 2026 | Maui Nui Botanical Gardens |
| Sept. 11-12, 2026 | Lights for Lahaina | Aloha Amplified |
| Sept. 18-19, 2026 | Celebration of the Arts | Festivals of Aloha |
| Sept. 27, 2026 | ʻUkulele Festival 2026 | Maui Arts and Cultural Center |
| Oct. 17-24, 2026 | Hāna Festivals of Aloha | Festivals of Aloha |
| October-December 2026 | Mahalo Quest Series | Aloha Amplified |
| Dates | Project | Organization |
| July 17-18, 2026 | 2026 Molokaʻi Holokai Hoʻolauleʻa | Youth in Motion |
| Sept. 25, 2026 | Molokaʻi Canoe Festivals Presents Kulāia 2026 | ʻAha Kukui O Molokaʻi |
| Oct. 9, 2026 | Molokaʻi Festivals of Aloha | Festivals of Aloha |
Oʻahu
| Dates | Project | Organization |
| July 18-19, 2026 | The 5th Annual Lūʻau — Hawaiʻi’s Largest Grass Volleyball Tournament | Lanikai Athletic Club |
| July 23-26, 2026 | 2026 Honua Finals: The World Cup of Interscholastic Surfing | CUE Collaborative |
| Aug. 1, 2026 | Legacy Stories | Hawaiʻi Theatre Center |
| Aug. 8, 2026 | 22nd Annual Korean Festival | Hawaiʻi Korean Chamber of Commerce Foundation |
| Aug. 22, 2026 | Chinatown Building QR Code Project | Chinese Chamber of Commerce Foundation |
| Aug. 29-30, 2026 | 50th Annual Honolulu Intertribal Powwow | Hoʻopili Tribal Council |
| August and September 2026 | Carnival of the Nearly Extinct Animals | Ocean Music Action |
| August-December 2026 | Hotel Street Art Hui: Steps and Stories | Hawaiʻi Arts Alliance |
| Sept. 5-6, 2026 | 44th Okinawan Festival | Hawaiʻi United Okinawa Association |
| Sept. 25-27, 2026 | Intimate Korea: 2026 Korean Independent Film Showcase in Hawaiʻi | Now Production Films |
| Sept. 25-27, 2026 | Honolulu Century and the Ride Aloha Festival | Hawaiʻi Bicycling League |
| Oct. 17-18, 2026 | Lea Salonga in Concert with HSO | Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra |
| Nov. 5, 2026 | FEAST Summit | Hawaiʻi Ag and Culinary Alliance |
| Nov. 14-15, 2026 | 2026 Kāne Cup Volleyball Tournament | Lanikai Athletic Club |
| Nov. 21, 2026 | Skyline Stations of Abundance at Honouliuli | City and County of Honolulu |
| Dec. 12-13, 2026 | 2026 Hawaiʻi ʻUkulele Festival | Kala Foundation |
# # #
High-resolution images are available here.
About the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority
The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority is the state agency responsible for representing the Hawaiian Islands around the world — and for holistically managing tourism in a sustainable manner consistent with community desires, economic goals, cultural values, preservation of natural resources and visitor industry needs. HTA works with the community and industry to mālama Hawaiʻi — care for our beloved home. For more information about HTA, visit hta.hawaii.gov or follow @HawaiiHTA on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and X.
Media Contact:
Jill Radke
Public Affairs Officer
Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, State of Hawai‘i
Phone: 808-973-2255
Email: [email protected]