Honoka‘a’s Western Week: Fun for the Whole Family
Get ready to kick up your heels! Honoka‘a Western Week, one of the most popular events of the year along the Big Island’s Hamakua Coast, is happening May 17-25!
People love living in Honoka’a because of its small town charm with its historic main street, quaint stores and restaurants. (Check out my previous blog post about enjoying the benefits of living in Honoka‘a or the many fine homes available, including this exceptional historic Honoka‘a home.)
Conveniently located between Waimea and Hilo, Honoka‘a is the largest town along the entire Hāmākua Coast and serves as a commuter bedroom for both those towns. But every May, folks from across the island beat feet to Honoka‘a for the annual Western Week.
Celebrating the century-old paniolo heritage of the region, Western Week is one of the biggest annual events along the Hāmākua Coast. Now in its 59th year, Western Week festivities take place May 17 to 25 with events for the whole family, including a parade, stick horse racing for the kids, a chili cook off, a rodeo, western movies at Honoka‘a Peoples Theater, and even a saloon girl contest!
The action starts on Sunday, May 17 with one of my favorite events – a parade along Mamane Street – Honoka‘a’s main drag. Come early and check out the craft fair before the parade at the old Andrade Building where local vendors will showcase their wares.
On Friday, May 22, Mamane Street closes down for its popular block party. This is a fun event featuring country-style music, a steak fry fundraiser, as well as the entertaining Saloon Girl and Cowboys Got Talent contests.
During Memorial Day weekend the 59th Annual Hawai‘i Saddle Club Scholarship Rodeo takes place at the newly renovated Honoka‘a arena. It’s a wonderful opportunity for newcomers and long time residents to experience an actual rodeo complete with bull riding, roping, and sheep riding for the keiki (children).
Honoka‘a Western Week is a volunteer-driven project supported by the Honoka‘a Business Association, the Hāmākua Farm Bureau and the Hāmākua Lion’s Club. Local businesses really pull out all the stops when it comes to Western Week with storefronts displaying elaborate decorations and offering special sales and events as part of the festivities. If you haven’t been to Western Week before, check it this month. It’s one of those unique events that make living in Hawaii so special!
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