The 11th Annual Wiliwili Festival will be held at the Waikōloa Dry Forest Preserve on Saturday, March 12th from 9am-3pm.
Guided hikes, workshops, native plants, silent auction, exhibitors, and more!
Registration: The Wiliwili Festival is free to attend, but registration is recommended and helpful for planning a low-impact event!
Parking at Waikōloa Plaza: Parking and shuttles will be available at the Waikōloa Plaza for those that would like to park and ride to the preserve. Shuttles will be provided by Hawaii Forest & Trail. Park at the Waikōloa Plaza, check out their booth, and some of the new businesses that will be opening, and hop on the shuttle to the preserve’s front gate. Shuttles will provide round trip service and seats will be available on a first-come-first-serve basis throughout the day. Use the main entrance on Waikōloa Road and follow the signs. Map
Parking near the Preserve: Visitors will also be allowed to park near the preserve and hike about 1/4 mile to our front gate along the gravel road. This will prevent parking issues and make for a more peaceful entrance to the preserve. Map
Native Plant Giveaway: There will be some beautiful native plants available at the Wiliwili Festival including Wiliwili, ‘A’a’li’i, ʻĀweoweo, and Ko’oko’olau. Pick up a native dryland plant for your yard and learn about how to grow and care for them from knowledgeable volunteers and staff. Plants will be available throughout the day while supplies last, two plants per guest maximum, please.
Online Auction: We have a wonderful online silent auction this year. Vist the online auction here.
Coloring Contest: A wiliwili fun coloring contest will be held at KTA Waikōloa Village for keiki age 17 and under. Prizes will be awarded during the Wiliwili Festival. Please visit KTA Waikōloa Village for a coloring contest sheet or download yours here: 2022 Festival Coloring Contest Sheet
Guided Hikes: Guided tours will be offered on the hour from 9am through 3pm. These 30-minute walks will explore the restoration areas within the Waikōloa Dry Forest and will highlight native plants, natural history, and the work of the Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative.
Scavenger Hunt: Keiki may pick up a scavenger hunt sheet from the check-in table upon arrival and work their way through the preserve locating plants and points of interest along the hiking trails. Turn the completed scavenger hunt in at Hale Hana Hou and receive a prize!
Photo Contest: The preserve is a great place to capture native plants in all their beauty! If you get a great shot, please join our photo contest on Instagram. To enter, follow @waikoloadryforest, and tag us in a photo using #wiliwiligreatphoto #wiliwilifestival. The winner will be featured on our social pages and will receive a wiliwili great prize!
Workshops: Two hands-on plant-care workshops will be shared at Hana Hou Hale the first beginning at 10am and the second at 1pm.
Exhibits: Community and conservation partners will be on display at the preserve with educational booths, activities, and updates! Talk with the experts and find out how you can join in on many of the great projects happening across our island. Exhibitors include Forest Solutions, South Kohala Coastal Partnership, CTHAR-Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death Program, Coqui Free Waikōloa, Future Foresters, Division of Aquatic Resources, Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative, and more!
Vendors: Food will be available from AnyKine Wontons and Jaw Jacker Grindz at Hana Hou Hale.
Mahalo to our Sponsors!
Waikōloa Plaza, Waikōloa Foundation, Hawai’i Water Service, Forest Solutions, Nutrex Hawaiʻi, Hawaiian Ethos, Hawai’i Forest& Trail, Mana Physical Therapy & Kamuela Hardwoods!
