May is one of the best months to visit Hawaii. Not only are you between busy travel seasons so you don't have to compete with the crowds, but the weather is warmer and drier than earlier months although not as hot as July or August. Celebrate May in Hawaii by joining in the many festivities and enjoy all that Hawaii has to offer.
World Fireknife Dance Championships
Take a break from the beach in the evening to go the Polynesian Cultural Center, on the north shore of Oahu. Year round, it is a popular spot which shows recreations of villages and life from cultures all across the Pacific. May is the annual World Fireknife competition where contestants from Hawaii, Samoa, Tahiti and other locales compete.
Bus transportation can be arranged from hotels; the PCC is a 35 or 45 mile drive from Waikiki, depending on the route.
Polynesian Cultural Center
55-370 Kam Hwy,
Laie, Hawaii 96762;
(808) 293-3333
http://polynesia.com
Say Goodbye to the Humpback Whales
May marks the end of whale season in Hawaii when the humpback whales return to colder waters to feed after having given birth in Hawaii. One of the best places in the Islands to see humpback whales is on Maui which is also home to the Pacific Whale Foundation, a nonprofit organization which studies humpback whales and offers whale watching tours. The last whale tours at the foundation end around mid-May.
Pacific Whale Foundation
300 Maalaea Road #100
Wailuku, Hawaii 96793
(808)-244-8392)
Hike/Kayak the Na Pali Coastline
The Na Pali is a piece of coastline in Kauai inaccessible by road. Aside from hiking or going by boat, it can only be accessed by helicopter. Throughout winter the rain and winds make it a rough trip to the Na Pali coastline. However, with May comes the beginning of summer with drier weather and calmer waters. Take advantage of the weather by doing a multiday hike or kayak of this spectacular piece of coastline.
See the Moku Hawaii Outrigger Canoe Association Regatta
If you enjoy paddling and you happen to be on the Big Island in May, definitely consider staying for the Moku Hawaii Outrigger Canoe Regatta at Hilo Bay. The Regatta consists of some 2500 paddlers from 13 canoe clubs in a series of over 30 different races. Be sure to look at the canoes themselves as they are made from exotic Koa wood.
Moku o Hawaii Canoe Racing Assn.
PO Box 574, Hilo, HI 96720
http://www.mokuohawaii.org/
About The Author
Shiromi Nassreen is a British writer. She holds a B.A. in theatre studies from Rose Bruford College of Speech & Drama and has been writing professionally for three years. She writes primarily travel and outdoor articles on Hawaii. Her articles have appeared in Dysfunkshion Magazine as well as Illusion Television and Matador Travel.
