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March 2026 Events and Festivities
March on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi brings the Laupāhoehoe Music Festival, Prince Kuhīō Day celebrations, and excellent conditions for exploring Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The island’s unique combination of culture, music, and natural wonders makes March a wonderful month to visit.
Note: The Kona Brewers Festival, which historically takes place in March, has been rescheduled to April 4, 2026 after a Kona low storm disrupted the original March date. See our Big Island Events in April guide for details.
Here are the top events and festivals on the Big Island in March 2026.
Laupāhoehoe Music Festival
The Laupāhoehoe Music Festival is a paniolo-themed day of live Hawaiian music, hula, food, and craft vendors at the scenic Laupāhoehoe Point Beach Park on the Hāmākua Coast. The 2026 lineup features Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award–winning artists Kalaʻe and Kalena alongside LCPCS music students and other local performers. The festival supports the Laupāhoehoe Community Public Charter School and the Laupāhoehoe Train Museum. It is a family-friendly, alcohol- and drug-free event.
When: Saturday, March 7, 2026, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Where: Laupāhoehoe Point Beach Park
More Info: Laupāhoehoe Music Festival
Prince Kuhīō Day
The Big Island commemorates Prince Kuhīō Day with cultural events and community celebrations. Local organizations host lei draping ceremonies, Hawaiian music performances, and educational programs honoring the prince’s legacy and his contributions to the Hawaiian people.
When: March 26, 2026
Where: Various locations
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Spring Programs
As spring approaches, the national park expands its ranger-led programs, including guided hikes along the Kīlauea Iki Trail, After Dark in the Park evening presentations, and cultural demonstrations. March offers comfortable hiking weather and the possibility of witnessing volcanic activity.
When: Throughout March 2026
Where: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
More Info: NPS – Hawaiʻi Volcanoes
March 2026 on the Big Island features the popular Kona Brewers Festival, Prince Kuhīō Day celebrations, and excellent conditions for exploring Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. It’s a wonderful month to experience the island’s unique combination of culture, craft, and natural wonders.
From live Hawaiian music to Prince Kuhīō Day ceremonies and the ranger-led programs at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, the Big Island in March offers a rich mix of culture and the outdoors.
We hope you find this helpful guide to planning your March 2026 on the Big Island. As always, mahalo, and best wishes for your visit!
Trades are breezy right now with scattered showers on the windward side and mountains; the leeward coast stays mostly dry. Tomorrow stays breezy with the same pattern.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The exact track is still uncertain. If it comes closer, expect heavier rain over a longer stretch; if it stays farther out, impacts will be shorter and lighter. Winds will increase late this week, with potential gusts over 70 miles per hour on the highest summits.
Plan your leeward beach time and snorkeling for today through Tuesday. Save summit drives and offshore water sports for after Saturday, and check updates daily as this develops.
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Trade winds are pushing across Maui right now and staying breezy through tomorrow. Windward slopes and peaks will see scattered showers; the leeward side stays mostly dry. Rough seas mean a Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The track remains uncertain. Late this week, winds will increase across Maui, with summit gusts potentially exceeding 70 mph on Haleakala. The Big Island—especially Hilo and Puna—faces the highest risk of heavy rain and flooding if the storm tracks close.
Leeward beaches and snorkeling work best today through Tuesday. Avoid summit hikes and offshore water sports Thursday through Saturday.
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Trades are kicking today with moderate wind and rough seas. Windward slopes will see scattered showers; the leeward side stays mostly dry. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The track remains uncertain, but the Big Island faces the highest risk of heavy rain and flooding, especially in the Hilo and Puna areas. Summit winds could exceed 70 mph late in the week. Check forecasts daily as the situation develops.
Leeward snorkeling and beach time work well through Tuesday. Save summit drives and windward hikes for today or tomorrow, and avoid offshore water sports and high elevations Thursday through Saturday.
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Voice
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Trades are steady now with scattered showers on the windward side and ridges; the leeward coast stays mostly dry. Through Tuesday it stays breezy with rough seas around Maui and the Big Island, where a Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The exact track is uncertain. Winds will increase across the eastern islands late this week, with potential for summit gusts over 70 mph on Maui and the Big Island if the storm intensifies.
Get your beach and snorkel time in today and tomorrow on the leeward coast. Avoid summit hikes and offshore water sports Thursday through Saturday as conditions deteriorate. The track could shift significantly—check updates daily.
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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