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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!
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.
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