6. World Invitational Hula Festival

The Buzz -- People come from all over the world to celebrate the hula, Hawaii's signature dance and means of storytelling. In addition to appreciating the genre, spectators learn about culture, language, history, and the traditional Hawaiian philosophy of man's relationship to nature. Although competitions are part of the event, the real point is to share, learn, and teach. The outdoor festival offers vendor booths with local merchandise, not to mention a good array of food and drink (or you can bring your own).