Hawaii’s public calendar differs from the rest of the country’s. Along with the usual federal holidays, the state observes Prince Kuhio Day on March 26, King Kamehameha Day on June 11 and Statehood Day on the third Friday in August. It also keeps Good Friday as an official state holiday, which only a small group of states still do.
For households moving to Hawaii, these extra days affect school calendars, government office hours and when a driver’s license appointment is available. For visitors, they explain why a Thursday in June brings a floral parade to Waikiki, or why interisland flights sell out on an ordinary-looking Friday in August.
This article lists every Hawaii state holiday for 2026 and 2027. It covers the history and events behind the three days that exist only in Hawaii, what closes and what stays open, and how holiday weekends raise hotel occupancy, interisland fares and rental car rates.
Hawaii state holidays for 2026 and 2027
Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 8-1 sets the official list. In odd-numbered years the state observes 13 holidays. In even-numbered years the general election adds a 14th. A holiday that falls on a Saturday is observed the Friday before, and one that falls on a Sunday moves to the following Monday.
| Holiday | 2026 date | 2027 date | Hawaii only? |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Thu, Jan 1 | Fri, Jan 1 | No |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Mon, Jan 19 | Mon, Jan 18 | No |
| Presidents’ Day | Mon, Feb 16 | Mon, Feb 15 | No |
| Prince Kuhio Day | Thu, Mar 26 | Fri, Mar 26 | Yes |
| Good Friday | Fri, Apr 3 | Fri, Mar 26 | Rare among states |
| Memorial Day | Mon, May 25 | Mon, May 31 | No |
| King Kamehameha Day | Thu, Jun 11 | Fri, Jun 11 | Yes |
| Independence Day | Fri, Jul 3 (observed) | Mon, Jul 5 (observed) | No |
| Statehood Day | Fri, Aug 21 | Fri, Aug 20 | Yes |
| Labor Day | Mon, Sep 7 | Mon, Sep 6 | No |
| General Election Day | Tue, Nov 3 | None (odd year) | Uncommon |
| Veterans Day | Wed, Nov 11 | Thu, Nov 11 | No |
| Thanksgiving | Thu, Nov 26 | Thu, Nov 25 | No |
| Christmas | Fri, Dec 25 | Fri, Dec 24 (observed) | No |
Two federal holidays are missing from the state list. Hawaii does not observe Columbus Day. The second Monday in October is designated Discoverers’ Day, which is a day of recognition, not a day off. Juneteenth is a federal holiday, but in Hawaii it is a state day of observance, so state offices stay open on June 19.
The 2027 overlap: Kuhio Day and Good Friday
Easter falls on March 28 in 2027, which puts Good Friday on Friday, March 26, the same date as Prince Kuhio Day. Section 8-1 does not clearly provide a substitute day when two holidays fall on the same date, so the two observances will most likely share one calendar day.
Households that depend on state or school schedules should check the official 2027 calendars once they are published, usually late in the prior year. Private employers that follow the state calendar decide their own policies, and many treat the combined date as a single holiday.
Election Day in even years
Hawaii is one of the few states that closes government offices for the general election. On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, state offices, public schools and most county services close. Hawaii has run elections mainly by mail since 2020, so for most residents the holiday is simply a day off.
Prince Kuhio Day: March 26
Who Prince Kuhio was
Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole was born on March 26, 1871, on Kauai. He was an heir to the Hawaiian Kingdom’s throne. After the 1893 overthrow he was imprisoned for about a year for his part in an attempt to restore Queen Liliuokalani to power.
He later served as Hawaii’s delegate to the U.S. Congress from 1903 until his death in January 1922. His best-known achievement is the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1921, which set aside roughly 200,000 acres for Native Hawaiian homesteading. The territorial legislature made his birthday a holiday in 1949.
Events tied to Kuhio Day
The largest celebration is on Kauai, where he was born. A multi-day festival in the Koloa and Poipu area usually runs around March 26. Past programs have included hula, outrigger canoe races, Hawaiian music, craft fairs and a commemorative ceremony at Prince Kuhio Park, which marks his birthplace.
On Oahu, Hawaiian civic clubs and royal societies hold ceremonies at Mauna Ala, the Royal Mausoleum in Nuuanu, where Kuhio is buried. Smaller ceremonies and community events take place on Hawaii Island and Molokai. Schedules change every year. Outlets such as Hawaii News Now usually publish them in early March.
What Kuhio Day means for visitors
In 2026 the holiday fell on Thursday, March 26, in the middle of mainland spring break season. Many residents take the Friday off to make a four-day weekend, which adds local demand on top of mainland arrivals. That week tends to bring busier beach parks, fuller interisland flights and fewer rental cars.
In 2027, the shared Kuhio Day and Good Friday date creates a three-day weekend from March 26 to March 28, which is also Easter weekend. Travelers on fixed dates should expect high prices and should book flights, rooms and cars early.
Good Friday: why Hawaii still closes
Hawaii has observed Good Friday since the territorial era and is one of a handful of states where it is still a full state holiday. In 2026 it fell on April 3. In 2027 it falls on March 26.
The holiday has been challenged in court. In Cammack v. Waihee, decided in 1991, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld it, finding that it served a secular purpose as a spring break in the state calendar. Bills to replace it with a different spring holiday have appeared in the legislature several times and have not passed.
Good Friday closes the same places as the other state holidays: state offices, public schools, public libraries and state courts. Federal offices, post offices and most banks stay open, which surprises some newcomers who expect everything to shut down.
King Kamehameha Day: June 11
The history
Kamehameha V proclaimed the holiday in 1871 to honor his grandfather, Kamehameha the Great, who had united the Hawaiian Islands under one rule by 1810. It was first celebrated in 1872. It is one of the oldest holidays still observed anywhere in the United States, and it carried over when Hawaii became a state in 1959.
In 2026 the holiday fell on Thursday, June 11. In 2027 it falls on Friday, June 11, which makes a three-day weekend. A state commission, the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission, coordinates the official events on each island.
The lei draping ceremonies
The best-known event is the lei draping of the bronze Kamehameha statue in front of Aliiolani Hale, across King Street from Iolani Palace in Honolulu. Fire department ladder trucks lift volunteers who hang long strands of plumeria and other flowers from the statue’s outstretched arm and shoulders.
Some of the lei are more than 20 feet long, and dozens of strands go up in a single afternoon. The Honolulu ceremony usually takes place in the late afternoon close to the holiday and draws several hundred to a few thousand people. The flowers stay on the statue for several days.
Similar ceremonies take place in Hilo and in Kapaau, North Kohala, near Kamehameha’s birthplace. The Kapaau statue is the original casting from 1880. It was lost at sea, recovered and installed in 1883. Hawaii County posts road closures for the Kapaau and Hilo events.
The King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade
The Honolulu floral parade usually runs on the Saturday closest to June 11, starting around 9 a.m. It traditionally starts near Iolani Palace downtown, travels along Kalakaua Avenue through Waikiki and ends at Kapiolani Park. The route is roughly 4 miles long.
The highlight is the pa’u riders, women on horseback in long flowing skirts. Each unit represents one island through its official color and flower. Marching bands, floats and hula halau also take part. A ho’olaule’a, or community block party, with food booths and live music often follows at Kapiolani Park.
Roads along the route close from early morning, and the City and County of Honolulu posts bus detours ahead of time. Families often watch from the Kapiolani Park end, which has shade and nearby restrooms. Other options for that weekend are covered in the guide to Oahu with kids.
The three Hawaii-only holidays compared
| Holiday | Date rule | Year established | 2026 weekday | 2027 weekday | Signature event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prince Kuhio Day | Fixed: March 26 | 1949 | Thursday | Friday | Multi-day Kauai festival |
| King Kamehameha Day | Fixed: June 11 | 1871 (first held 1872) | Thursday | Friday | Lei draping; 4-mile Honolulu parade |
| Statehood Day | Third Friday in August | 1969 | Friday, Aug 21 | Friday, Aug 20 | Low-key; few public events |
Statehood Day: the third Friday in August
How Hawaii became the 50th state
President Eisenhower signed the Hawaii Admission Act on March 18, 1959. In a plebiscite on June 27, 1959, about 94 percent of voters approved statehood. Eisenhower signed the proclamation admitting Hawaii as the 50th state on August 21, 1959.
The legislature created the holiday in 1969 under the name Admission Day. It is set on the third Friday in August so that it always creates a three-day weekend. In 2026 it fell on August 21, the exact anniversary. In 2027 it falls on August 20.
Why the day is quiet
Statehood Day has no parade comparable to Kamehameha Day’s. For many Native Hawaiians it is a complicated date. The 1959 ballot offered statehood or continued territorial status, with no option for independence. Critics also tie statehood to the 1893 overthrow, for which Congress formally apologized in 1993.
Groups in the Hawaiian sovereignty movement have held counter-events and teach-ins on the holiday. Coverage from Civil Beat has regularly described the debate. For most residents, the day works mainly as a late-summer long weekend.
What Statehood Day means for travel
Late August is a shoulder period. Public schools usually start the new year in early August, so mainland family travel drops after the summer peak. That helps prices. The three-day weekend then brings a surge of residents flying between islands and booking local staycations.
What closes and what stays open on Hawaii state holidays
On all four Hawaii-specific days, closures follow the same rule. Anything run by the state shuts down, most county services follow the state calendar, and federal and private operations mostly continue as usual. The table below shows typical normal hours alongside holiday status.
| Service or site | Holiday status | Typical normal hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| State government offices | Closed | 7:45 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Mon–Fri | Includes tax, labor and health offices |
| Satellite city halls / DMV (Oahu) | Closed | About 8 a.m.–4 p.m., Mon–Fri | Appointments shift to the next business day |
| Public schools (HIDOE) | Closed | 180 instructional days a year | Built into the school calendar |
| Hawaii State Public Library System | Closed | Varies; often 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | 51 branches statewide |
| U.S. Post Office | Open | About 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. | Closes only on federal holidays |
| Most banks | Open | About 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. | Closed on Juneteenth (federal) |
| Pearl Harbor National Memorial | Open | 7 a.m.–5 p.m. | Federally operated |
| Hanauma Bay | Open if a Wed–Sun | 6:45 a.m.–4 p.m. | Closed every Monday and Tuesday |
| Diamond Head State Monument | Open | 6 a.m.–6 p.m. | Nonresident reservations required |
| Hawaii Volcanoes National Park | Open | 24 hours | Federally operated |
Government offices and the DMV
State offices close completely, including walk-in counters at the Department of Taxation. On Oahu, driver’s license and vehicle registration services run through the city’s satellite city halls and driver licensing centers, which follow the state holiday calendar. Appointment slots around a holiday fill quickly, so newcomers should book two to three weeks ahead.
The annual safety inspection is done at private, licensed stations, many of which stay open on state holidays. Out-of-state vehicles often fail on windshield tint or worn parts. The guide to the annual vehicle safety inspection lists the most common problems.
Schools and libraries
The state Department of Education runs one statewide school district, so every public school closes on the same days. Most private schools also close on Kuhio Day and Kamehameha Day, but their calendars vary, so families should check each school’s schedule. Public libraries close on every state holiday.
Attractions, beaches and parks
Most attractions stay open. Beaches are always public and open. State parks, including Diamond Head, keep normal hours, although holiday crowds can fill reservation slots days in advance. National parks and Pearl Harbor operate as usual because they are federal.
Privately owned attractions, including luaus, tour operators and most museums, usually stay open and sometimes add holiday programming. Places with fixed closed days, such as Hanauma Bay on Mondays and Tuesdays, keep that schedule no matter what holiday falls on those days.
Businesses, transit and city services
Restaurants, shopping centers and grocery stores generally stay open. TheBus and Honolulu’s Skyline rail line may run a holiday schedule, and trash collection can shift, so residents should check the city’s posted schedules. Liquor sales follow normal rules, since no state holiday triggers a sales ban.
How holiday weekends change hotel occupancy and interisland fares
Hawaii has about 1.44 million residents, according to Census Bureau QuickFacts. That is a small population next to the more than 9 million visitors a year. On local three-day weekends, though, residents travel between islands in large numbers, and that local demand moves prices more than many mainland visitors expect.
| Period | Statewide hotel occupancy (approx.) | Interisland one-way main cabin (typical) | Compact rental car per day (typical) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary midweek, February or September | 70–78% | $59–$109 | $45–$70 |
| Kuhio Day week (late March) | 80–88% | $99–$169 | $75–$120 |
| Kamehameha Day weekend (June) | 80–85% | $89–$159 | $65–$110 |
| Statehood Day weekend (August) | 78–84% | $89–$149 | $60–$100 |
| Thanksgiving weekend (for comparison) | 82–90% | $109–$199 | $90–$150 |
These are approximate ranges based on state tourism reports and published fare searches. Actual prices depend on the island, the hotel tier and how far ahead travelers book. Inflation in the Honolulu area, tracked in the BLS Honolulu consumer price index, has pushed all of these baselines up since 2021.
Hotels
Residents often take a staycation on a holiday weekend, using kama’aina (resident) rates at Waikiki and Ko Olina resorts or flying to another island. Neighbor island residents fly into Honolulu for the Kamehameha Day parade, which keeps Waikiki full that Saturday night.
The effect is strongest when the holiday falls on a Thursday or Friday. In 2026, both Kuhio Day and Kamehameha Day fell on Thursdays, which led to four-day weekends. In 2027, all three Hawaii-only holidays fall on Fridays, so three-day weekends will be the norm.
Interisland flights
Interisland flights take about 35 to 50 minutes, and the market depends heavily on one major carrier, Hawaiian Airlines, now part of Alaska Air Group. Southwest has reduced its interisland schedule, so there are fewer low-fare seats to absorb holiday demand.
The flights that sell out first are the holiday Friday morning departures from Honolulu and the Sunday or Monday evening returns. Midday Saturday departures and Tuesday returns usually cost less. Fare patterns and baggage rules are explained in the guide to Hawaii interisland flights and fares.
Rental cars
Rental fleets on Maui, Kauai and Hawaii Island are small compared with peak demand, and residents of other islands rent cars too. On holiday weekends, airport lots can run out of compact and economy cars, leaving only SUVs and minivans, which often cost $120 or more a day.
Rental car prices in Hawaii also include state surcharges and airport fees, which add roughly 25 to 30 percent to the base rate. The breakdown by island in Hawaii rental car prices shows where holiday spikes are largest.
Trip timing: planning hotels and rental cars around state holidays
Visitors who want to see the events and visitors who want lower prices need different plans. People traveling for the Kamehameha Day parade or the Kuhio Day festival on Kauai should book early and accept higher prices. People who just want calm beaches should avoid the holiday weekends.
- Book hotels 60 to 90 days ahead for Kamehameha Day weekend, especially in Waikiki near the parade route.
- Reserve rental cars as soon as flights are booked. Most reservations can be cancelled free, so rebooking at a lower rate is possible.
- For a statewide holiday Friday, fly out Thursday evening or Saturday midday rather than Friday morning.
- Avoid returning on the holiday Monday or Sunday evening, when interisland demand peaks.
- Late August, after Statehood Day, has some of the best shoulder-season hotel rates of the summer.
- In 2027, plan on Easter, Good Friday and Kuhio Day demand all landing on March 26 to 28.
Families deciding between a condo and a resort for these weekends can compare the options in Hawaii vacation rental vs hotel. For Maui trips, the comparison of where to stay on Maui for first-time visitors shows which regions fill first when residents travel.
On Hawaii Island, the Kapaau and Hilo Kamehameha Day events can be combined with a park visit. The Volcanoes National Park day trip guide compares Kona and Hilo as bases. For total trip budgets, see how much a Hawaii trip costs.
Sample holiday-weekend budget, Oahu, couple, 3 nights
| Line item | Ordinary weekend | Kamehameha Day weekend | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waikiki hotel, 3 nights | $840 | $1,050 | +$210 |
| Compact car, 3 days with fees | $210 | $300 | +$90 |
| Interisland round trip, 2 people | $320 | $520 | +$200 |
| Parking, Waikiki, 3 nights | $135 | $150 | +$15 |
| Total | $1,505 | $2,020 | +$515 |
These are illustrative estimates for planning, not quotes. They assume a midrange Waikiki hotel at about $280 a night normally and $350 on the holiday weekend, plus overnight resort parking of roughly $45 to $50 a night.
What the holidays mean for new residents
Work and pay
Hawaii law requires the public sector to observe state holidays. Private employers are not required to give the days off or pay a holiday rate. Many large employers, including banks and hospitals, have their own holiday lists. Newcomers should ask whether a job offer includes Kuhio Day and Kamehameha Day, because many companies do not.
Taxes and deadlines
Under the Hawaii Department of Taxation rules, a filing due date that falls on a weekend or a state holiday moves to the next business day. Monthly general excise tax returns are due on the 20th. In 2027, Statehood Day falls on August 20, which moves that deadline to Monday, August 23.
Schools and childcare
Because public schools close on every state holiday, working parents need childcare for days mainland employers may not recognize. Some community centers and YMCA branches run one-day holiday camps for about $50 to $80 a day. Spots for the Kuhio Day and Kamehameha Day camps tend to fill early.
Errands and city services
Plan errands around the closures. State and county offices, including permit counters and vehicle registration, stay closed until the next business day. Federal agencies such as the Social Security Administration stay open. Travelers using airport services should check HIDOT notices, since state-run airports operate normally but may announce holiday traffic advisories.
Observances that are not state holidays
Several important Hawaii dates are not official holidays, so offices and schools stay open. Visitors sometimes confuse them with state holidays, and a few draw larger crowds than the holidays themselves.
- Lei Day, May 1: lei contests and school pageants; offices stay open.
- Aloha Festivals, September: a month of events, including the Waikiki ho’olaule’a and a floral parade.
- Discoverers’ Day, second Monday of October: recognized, but state offices stay open.
- Juneteenth, June 19: federal offices close, state offices stay open.
- La Ku’oko’a, November 28: Hawaiian Independence Day, observed by sovereignty groups.
Lei Day and May’s off-peak pricing are covered in Hawaii in May. The September parade route and viewing spots are in the guide to the Aloha Festivals and Kalakaua parade. For late-year federal holidays, Thanksgiving in Hawaii covers what stays open.
The Hawaii Tourism Authority’s events calendar lists festivals by island, and the Star-Advertiser publishes parade routes and lei draping times each June. Music-focused travelers can compare dates against the Hawaii music festivals calendar.
Frequently asked questions
What holidays does Hawaii have that other states do not?
Hawaii has three holidays found nowhere else: Prince Kuhio Day on March 26, King Kamehameha Day on June 11 and Statehood Day on the third Friday in August. It also keeps Good Friday as a full state holiday, which few other states do, and closes government offices on general election days in even years.
Are tourist attractions closed on Kamehameha Day?
Mostly not. Beaches, state parks, Pearl Harbor, national parks, luaus and most private attractions keep normal hours. State offices, public schools, public libraries and courts close. Roads in Honolulu close for the floral parade, which usually runs on the Saturday closest to June 11.
Is the DMV open on Hawaii state holidays?
No. On Oahu, driver licensing centers and satellite city halls follow the state holiday calendar and close on Kuhio Day, Good Friday, Kamehameha Day and Statehood Day. Appointments near those dates fill fast, so booking two to three weeks ahead is a good idea.
When is Statehood Day in 2026 and 2027?
Statehood Day is always the third Friday in August. In 2026 it fell on Friday, August 21, the exact anniversary of Hawaii’s 1959 admission as the 50th state. In 2027 it falls on Friday, August 20. Both create a three-day weekend that raises interisland travel demand.
Do interisland fares really go up on Hawaii holiday weekends?
Yes. Residents fly between islands on long weekends, and seat supply is limited. Main cabin fares that cost $59 to $109 on an ordinary weekday often reach $150 or more for holiday Friday morning departures and Sunday or Monday evening returns. Flying Saturday midday usually costs less.
What happens in 2027 when Good Friday and Kuhio Day fall on the same date?
Both fall on Friday, March 26, 2027, which is also Easter weekend. The state holiday law does not clearly provide a substitute day, so most employers and schools will likely observe one shared day. Families should check official 2027 calendars and book Easter weekend travel early.
Do private employers in Hawaii have to give Kuhio Day off?
No. Hawaii’s holiday statute applies to state and county government and public schools. Private employers set their own holiday policies. Many give Kamehameha Day but not Kuhio Day or Statehood Day, so job seekers moving to Hawaii should confirm the holiday list before accepting an offer.
