With the holidays in full swing and Thanksgiving and Christmas fast approaching, why not experience something completely different this season? Take a trip to Hawai’i and immerse yourself in the vibrant traditions of the Makahiki Festival — a celebration you may have never heard of.

What Is the Makahiki Festival?

Featured in the 131st edition of the KHTS Destination Series, the Makahiki Festival marks the Hawaiian New Year. Long before Christmas was celebrated in Hawai‘i, islanders observed Makahiki — their own winter holiday.

The word Makahiki can mean “year,” “new year,” or refer to the four-month-long season that heralds the new year in the traditional Hawaiian calendar. 

In ancient times, as the old year drew to a close, priests from temples on each island watched the western skies for the rising of Makali‘i (the Pleiades star cluster), which appears in October. When Makali‘i became visible, the priests would declare that the next new moon marked the start of Makahiki season — a time when warfare and most work were set aside for celebration, games, and sports.

Event Details

Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Location: Waimea Valley, O‘ahu

The Makahiki Festival is a day of ceremony, culture, and friendly competition, featuring:

• The Te Moana Nui Games, traditional Polynesian sports competitions
• Local vendors and artisans
• Live music and entertainment

Tickets:

• $5 for all Kama‘āina (ages four and over)
• $10 for general admission
• Free admission for all active and retired military (in honor of Veterans Day)

Makahiki Māoloha Food Drive

In the true spirit of Makahiki — a season of giving, gratitude, and community — festivalgoers are invited to support the Hawai‘i Foodbank in two ways:

• In-person: Donate a non-perishable food item at the event for one free admission (one per donated item).
• Online: Make a monetary donation to help provide nutritious meals for families in need.

2025 Festival Schedule

• 8:00–8:45 AM — Athlete Check-In / Weigh-Ins
• 9:00 AM — Opening Ceremony at Heiau (Entrance Parking Lot)
• 9:30 AM — Coconut Tree Race at the Main Lawn (Tauma Haʻari)
• 11:00 AM — Fruit Carrying Race (Timau Ra‘au) from Hale Hoʻike to Upper Meadow
• 12:30 PM — Stone Lifting (Amora‘a ‘Ōfa‘i)
• 2:00 PM — Wrestling (Taputo)
• 3:30 PM — Tahiti Mana Performance & Awards Ceremony (Amphitheater)
• 4:30 PM — Festival Concludes

Celebrate the season Hawaiian-style — with tradition, community, and the spirit of aloha.

Click here to view last week’s destination. 

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.