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February 2026 is a magical time to visit the Big Island of Hawai'i, where the month is brimming with a rich mix of culture, tradition, and natural splendor. Known for its diverse landscapes and vibrant community, the Big Island offers a variety of events and festivals that invite residents and visitors to celebrate its unique heritage. From the stunning blooms of cherry blossoms in Waimea to the year-round Hilo Farmers Market and the vibrant art scene in South Kona, February showcases the island's deep cultural roots and artistic talents.
Whether you're a history enthusiast, an art lover, or a nature aficionado, the Big Island's February calendar is packed with opportunities to connect with the heart and soul of Hawai'i. Let's dive into the top events and festivals this February, each promising an unforgettable experience.
Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival
The Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival is one of the Big Island’s most beloved events, heralding spring with spectacular blooming cherry trees at Church Row Park. This annual celebration honors Japanese culture and traditions with mochi pounding demonstrations, sake tastings, bon dancing, and traditional tea ceremonies. Local crafts and food vendors offer handmade jewelry and authentic cuisine. A complimentary shuttle service connects all the festival venues in Waimea.
This annual self-guided tour takes visitors through the studios of South Kona’s talented artists. The tour encompasses painting, sculpture, pottery, and jewelry-making, with artists offering live demonstrations and original works for purchase. The scenic drive through South Kona, past coffee farms and ocean views, adds to the experience.
When: Late February 2026
Where: South Kona
More Info: SOKO Artists
Hilo Farmers Market
The Big Island’s famous Hilo Farmers Market operates year-round but is especially vibrant in February with fresh tropical fruits and flowers in abundance. Open Wednesday and Saturday, the market features over 200 vendors offering local produce, prepared foods, crafts, and flowers. It’s consistently rated one of the best farmers markets in Hawaii.
When: Wednesdays and Saturdays year-round
Where: Downtown Hilo
More Info: Hilo Farmers Market
February on the Big Island of Hawai’i showcases the island’s diversity, creativity, and community spirit. From the delicate cherry blossoms in Waimea to the bustling Hilo Farmers Market and the vibrant art scene in South Kona, there’s something for everyone. These events provide a window into the island’s deep cultural roots and natural beauty.
Trade winds are strong right now, with high surf hitting the south shore today. Windward areas are seeing frequent showers through the weekend.
South-facing beaches have dangerous surf today through Sunday—stay out of the water unless you're an experienced swimmer. East-facing shores will build rough water by Sunday or Monday. The bigger picture is a tropical system, Fausto, heading our way. It's weakening but should arrive near the islands by Tuesday or Wednesday as a tropical storm or weaker system, bringing strong winds, rough seas, and heavy rain. The exact track is still uncertain, so check the forecast daily.
Get your beach time and water activities in today through early next week on the leeward side, where conditions stay calmer. Be ready to shift plans by midweek when conditions turn rough.
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Windy conditions across Maui right now, with trade winds gusting strong. South-facing shores have high surf today and will see another big swell Saturday and Sunday—the water's dangerous unless you're an experienced ocean swimmer.
Through the weekend, windward areas will get frequent showers while trade winds stay gusty. The bigger picture arrives midweek: Hurricane Fausto is weakening as it moves toward the islands and should reach Maui as a tropical storm or weaker system Tuesday or Wednesday. That'll bring rough seas, strong winds, and heavy rain. Track and timing are still uncertain, so check updates daily.
Hit the leeward beaches and snorkel south Maui coasts today through early next week, but stay out of windward and south-facing waters through Sunday.
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Windy conditions dominate right now with strong trade winds pushing across the island. South-facing shores have high surf today—dangerous water if you're not an experienced swimmer.
Through the weekend, those south shores see another big swell Saturday and Sunday, and east-facing shores will build dangerous conditions by Sunday or Monday. Windward areas get frequent showers. A tropical system—the remnants of Hurricane Fausto—is weakening and headed toward the islands as a tropical storm or weaker system by Tuesday or Wednesday, bringing rough seas, strong winds, and heavy rain midweek. Timing and track are still uncertain, so check updates daily.
Leeward beaches on the Kona side stay your best bet today through early next week, but avoid the water on the windward and south shores through Sunday.
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Strong trade winds are pushing showers across windward areas through the weekend. On Kauaʻi, expect frequent showers on the windward side.
High surf is running on south-facing shores today and will build again Saturday and Sunday—stay out of the water unless you're an experienced swimmer. East-facing shores will also see dangerous swell by Sunday or Monday. Hurricane Fausto is weakening as it moves toward Hawaii. By Tuesday or Wednesday it should reach the islands as a tropical storm or weaker system, bringing rough seas, strong winds, and heavy rain. Track and timing are still uncertain, so check updates daily through midweek.
Beach time on leeward shores works through early next week. Plan water activities for today, but be ready to shift if Fausto's track becomes clearer—conditions will deteriorate by midweek.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out
Created with AI from this HawaiiGuide page and read by a computer-generated voice. Double-check fees, hours, and reservations on the full page before you head out. Hawaiian pronunciation is tricky for synthesized speech and a few words may land slightly off; mahalo for your patience as we keep refining.
Mele and Kani are computer-generated voice options chosen for clarity and warmth.
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