Guided Hikes | Exhibits | Workshops | Food Vendors | Native Plant Giveaway | Silent Auction
Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative invites the community to fall in love with Hawaiʻi’s native forests at the 15th Annual Wiliwili Festival, taking place on Saturday, February 14th, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This year’s theme, “Wiliwili LOVE,” celebrates our shared affection for the rare and resilient wiliwili tree with a vibrant celebration of the region’s unique lowland dry forest and its iconic wiliwili tree.
Festival-goers can enjoy a full day of activities across two event locations at both the Waikōloa Dry Forest Preserve and Waikōloa Stables. Attendees can explore the forest through guided hikes, participate in hands-on workshops, and visit educational booths hosted by local conservation and cultural organizations. The festival will also feature a native plant giveaway, nursery tours, presentations, live music, food trucks, and family-friendly activities, making it a perfect Valentine’s Day outing for all ages.
Our friends at Hawaii Forest & Trail will offer shuttle service to and from the preserve throughout the day. HFT’s knowledgeable guides have become ambassadors of our forest and helped collect millions of native seeds through their weekly giveback tour visits to the Waikōloa Dry Forest Preserve. Hiking, exploration, and self-guided tours are encouraged, and docents will be available to help orient guests and answer questions.
About the site: The Wiliwili Festival is held within a natural area with few improvements. Participants will be outside and walking along a gravel road and uneven terrain on hiking trails. Please come prepared with a refillable water bottle, sun protection, and solid footwear.
Parking: Please park in the Waikōloa Stables main parking lot, where complimentary shuttle service to and from the preserve will be provided by our friends at Hawaii Forest & Trail.
Limited on-site parking is also available. If you plan to park at the preserve, please note that it’s approximately a half-mile walk from the parking area to the front gate, and higher-clearance vehicles are recommended.
Festival Merch: Hats, Shirts, Small Batch of Dusty Donkey Tie Dye Shirts. You can also order festival shirts and sweatshirts online.
Online Silent Auction: Your participation in our online auction helps us restore the ecosystem, mitigate threats to the forest, and provide free educational programs to our community. Your bids add up to more native trees in the forest that we all LOVE!
Winners can pick up their items at 2pm at the Waikōloa Stables on February 14th OR arrange to pick up at the WDFI office at 65-1227 Opleo Road, A9 Kamuela, HI 96743, February 17th-19th between 9am and 3pm. Gift certificates can be mailed to winners.
Waikōloa Stables:
Workshops:
Composting 9:00 -10:00 am
Plant Class* 10:30 -11:30 am
Lei Making* 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
(*registration required)
Food Vendors: The Farm Stand, Any Kine Wontons, Thai Nong Khai Express, Da Braddahz Grindz
Exhibits: Native Plant Giveaway, Fire Extinguisher Giveaway, Kapa Hui, Hawaii Pacific Parks Association, Village Coqui Coalition, Hawaii Audubon Society, Hawaii Wildlife Center, United States Army Corp of Engineers, Natural Resources Program at Pōhakuloa Training Area, Mālama Kai, Firewise + Wildfire Safety Advocates of Waikōloa
Silent Auction: Online Auction closes at 2pm. Items will be available for pick up at Stables, 2pm
Waikōloa Dry Forest Preserve
Exhibits: Keiki Activities & Community Crafts, Hoʻoka Ka Makanaʻa at Kaʻupulehu Dryland Forest, ‘Āina Hoʻōla Initiative, Mauna Kea Forest Restoration Project, Hawai’i Marine Mammal Consortium, University of Hawaiʻi CTAHR ʻŌhiʻa Love, Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, The Marine Mammal Center- Ke Kai Ola, Nā Ala Hele Trails and Access Program, West Hawaii Master Gardeners, Hawaiʻi Island Seed Bank, Hawaii Department of Health, Hui Aloha Kīholo, Hawaii Water Service, Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program, Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden, Hawaii State Parks, Nāpuʻu Natural Resource Management
Live Music: Kalei Yamanoha 11 am -2 pm at Hana Hou Hale
Guided Hikes: Join a guided forest tour at 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, or 1 pm – no reservation necessary. Tours will meet at the preserve’s front gate. Hiking, exploration, and self-guided tours are encouraged. Docents will be available to help orient guests and answer questions.
Food Vendors: Kohalā Coffee, Future Foresters Bake Sale, B-Dawgs Hot Dogs
Join us this Valentine’s Day to celebrate “Wiliwili LOVE” — a joyful gathering of conservation, culture, and community in the heart of Waikōloa.
Funding provided by Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority through the Community Enrichment Program
The Wiliwili Festival is also supported by Hawaiʻi Forest & Trail, Hawaiʻi Water Service, AES Hawaiʻi, Goodfellow Bros., Fairmont Orchid, Makana Incentives, and Queen Construction.
The Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative (WDFI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to protect, promote, and restore native Hawaiian dry forest. Proceeds from the Wiliwili Festival benefit WDFI’s restoration and education programs. Questions can be sent to
