Break out your leis and sandals this May for the Fourth Annual Puna Music Festival on Hawai‘i Island, where top local and international performers come together for a week of music, culture and community. Running May 4–10, the festival transforms the Puna district into a lively hub of slack key guitar, harmonica, and Hawaiian drums. The program blends performances with hands-on experiences, including food vendors, workshops, drum-making sessions, hula classes, and storytelling with featured artists such as Leilehua Yuen and Manu Josiah. An open mic night on May 9 invites visitors and locals to share poems, songs, and stories, creating an inclusive atmosphere that celebrates island creativity and tradition.
Later in the month, from May 19–26, Honokaa Western Week honors Hawai‘i’s ranching history and the legacy of the paniolo cowboys. The festival features the Hawai‘i Saddle Club Annual Scholarship Rodeo and a festive downtown Paniolo Parade, along with a block party full of live music, food, and family-friendly contests. Events range from banjo and fiddle competitions to stick horse races and saloon girl performances, plus lighthearted contests like Most Handsome Cowboy. Honokaa Western Week offers an entertaining, authentic look at the island’s ranching culture while providing activities for all ages.
Both festivals highlight Hawai‘i’s diverse cultural landscape—one focused on musical traditions and communal arts, the other celebrating the island’s ranching roots and spirited local pageantry. Visitors can expect a warm, welcoming environment with chances to learn new skills, taste regional foods, and connect with performers and participants who preserve and evolve these traditions.
Whether you attend for the music, the history, or the community spirit, May on Hawai‘i Island is packed with events that bring people together to celebrate place, talent, and heritage. From intimate workshops and storytelling circles to parade floats and rodeo action, these festivals make it easy to experience the island’s vibrant culture up close.
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