Our event calendar features fun, free, and cheap things to do across the Hawaiian Islands. We focus on events for locals, but visitors will find lots of useful information. For the weekend of ʻApelila (April) 19-21, 2024, you'll find in-person as well as virtual events (live stream, on-demand) of all kinds. Free and cheap things to do this weekend For weekdays or any other weekend during the year be sure to visit the … [Read more...] about Free and cheap things to do this weekend
Oʻahu: How to get free admission & discount tickets to Bishop Museum
Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, often referred to as "the Bishop" is the largest museum in the state of Hawaii. It is the premier natural and cultural history institution in the Pacific. Its primary purpose is to represent and serve the interests of Native Hawaiians. The Bishop is recognized worldwide for its cultural collections, research projects, consulting services, and public educational programs. The collections include millions of objects, documents, and … [Read more...] about Oʻahu: How to get free admission & discount tickets to Bishop Museum
(while supplies last) Get up to $20 Amazon credit on Proctor & Gamble products
On the Amazon retail marketplace, consumers can buy just about anything: books, clothing, food, electronics, household goods, and much, much more. Other popular offerings include Prime membership, the Kindle digital reader, Alexa in-home virtual assistant, and Whole Foods grocery store discounts. Amazon Proctor & Gamble "stock up sale" For a limited time, Amazon is offering a "stock up sale" on Proctor & Gamble household and personal care products such as … [Read more...] about (while supplies last) Get up to $20 Amazon credit on Proctor & Gamble products
Wayfinding: Polynesian navigation and the Hawaiian star compass
Many people, of which I am one, consider Polynesians to be the greatest navigators in history. When Greeks and Romans were merely plying the Mediterraean Sea using a few rudimentary directional tools, Polynesians navigated long distances over open ocean without instruments, by using wayfinding techniques that included stargazing and other observations. In simple terms, wayfinding is the process of maintaining a course to a destination. A pet cat uses wayfinding … [Read more...] about Wayfinding: Polynesian navigation and the Hawaiian star compass
Oʻahu: public stargazing events around the island
Located in the central Pacific, the the island of Oʻahu offers stargazing opportunities with less light and air pollution compared to other metropolitan areas on the U.S. mainland. In addition, the Hawaiian Islands are the southernmost location in the United States. From Hawaiʻi Island (19.8968° N) to Kauaʻi (22.108543° N), the Hawiian night sky can offer different constellations and celestial objects, such as the Southern Cross (Crux), which is not visible in … [Read more...] about Oʻahu: public stargazing events around the island
Oʻahu: visit historic treasure Hawaiian Mission Houses in Honolulu
Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives (HMH) is a one-acre site in downtown Honolulu. Since 1820, it has been an archival site for Hawaiian history through stories, artifacts, and documents. It is a National Historic Landmark, accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. HMH promotes thoughtful dialogue and greater understanding of the impact of the Protestant missionaries on the history and peoples of Hawai`i. The site preserves Hawai‘i’s … [Read more...] about Oʻahu: visit historic treasure Hawaiian Mission Houses in Honolulu
Hawaiian hula dance: where to see & learn hula
Here is a very brief introduction to the indigenous Hawaiian dance known as hula. It is intended to give you an appreciation of the history of hula and an overview of its many forms. We include a list of some of the major hula festivals throughout the year across Hawaiʻi, as well as free hula shows and demonstrations held in shopping malls and other locations. What is hula? Hula is a very complex dance form unique to the Hawaiian Islands. It is not to be … [Read more...] about Hawaiian hula dance: where to see & learn hula
Waikīkī SPAM JAM street food festival
Other places in the world celebrate iconic local food, such as garlic, onions, pickles, oysters, mussels, lutefisk, and more. The annual Waikīkī SPAM JAM street festival is Hawaiʻi's answer to an iconic food festival. Introduced in 1937 by Hormel Foods, more SPAM® is consumed per person in Hawaiʻi than in any other state in the U.S. Almost seven million cans of SPAM are eaten every year in Hawaii. What is SPAM? SPAM is a shelf-stable canned meat product. The … [Read more...] about Waikīkī SPAM JAM street food festival
Free comic book days in the Hawaiian Islands
Free Comic Book Days take place at participating comic book specialty shops across the country. On this day, you can get a free comic book from well-known publishers like DC Comics and Marvel Comics. Stories give away comic books--absolutely free--to anyone who comes into their shops. But don't expect to pick up a free comic book at the grocery store or drug store. Free Comic Book Day celebrates independent specialty shops selling comic books and related … [Read more...] about Free comic book days in the Hawaiian Islands
Oʻahu: U.S. Navy Blue Angels headline Kāneʻohe Bay Air Show Aug 9-10, 2025
Marine Corps Base Hawaiʻi (MCBH) is excited to open their gates to Oahu’s resident community and island visitors for the Kāneʻohe Bay (K-Bay) Air Show and MCBH Open House in August. Headlining the K-Bay air show is the U.S. Navy’s premier aerobatic flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels along with several other exciting aerobatic performers, as well as land-based displays and activities, including live music and food. Best of all, the event is free and open to … [Read more...] about Oʻahu: U.S. Navy Blue Angels headline Kāneʻohe Bay Air Show Aug 9-10, 2025
Free things to do in April
Listed below are the free things to do in April. For all events on our calendar, free and paid, visit our April events calendar (hawaiionthecheap.com) Calendar of free things to do in April Featured Events are list first each day, highlighted by a photo. Featured events are unique or annual events that we or our advertisers don’t want you to overlook. … [Read more...] about Free things to do in April
Disaster relief: how and where to donate or volunteer
Our hearts go out to everyone on Maui. You will remain in our prayers through recovery and as rebuilding begins. Maui Wildfires ongoing updates On August 8, 2023, wildfires swept through West Maui and leveled business districts, destroyed historic sites, gutted homes, and caused many deaths. The full effects of the devastation will take many months to unravel and rebuild. March 5, 2024: The disaster emergency relief period has been extended through May 4, 2024. … [Read more...] about Disaster relief: how and where to donate or volunteer
Best things to buy in April
Every month of the year, certain items are discounted due to overstock, holiday sales, or transitions from one season to the next. Here are the shopping highlights for April in Hawai’i stores. Of course, we think the best way to save money is not to spend it! But, when you need or want to, plan your spending to take advantage of the times of the year when what you buy is at the lowest possible price. Special events with shopping discounts and deals in April … [Read more...] about Best things to buy in April
Affordable April events and entertainment
Our April events calendar offers a wide variety of affordable entertainment across the Hawaiian Islands. We’ll continue to update this calendar throughout the month as many organizers announce new events. As always, we focus on “cheap” things to do with a kamaʻāina adult ticket price of $15 or less or a regular price of $25 or less. Sometimes we suggest events with higher ticket prices that we feel might be worth a splurge, mostly local music, film, and arts … [Read more...] about Affordable April events and entertainment
Hawaiʻi International Film Festival (HIFF)
Hawaiʻi International Film Festival (HIFF) is the premiere showcase for established and emerging filmmakers in contemporary Asian, Pacific, and North American cinema. HIFF is the focus for emerging works from the Pacific Rim and an incubator for Native Hawaiian films and indigenous Pacific filmmakers in any genre, including feature films, documentaries, short films, series, and Hawai'i-themed films. HIFF serves as an entertaining event for the casual viewer and … [Read more...] about Hawaiʻi International Film Festival (HIFF)
Where to get Easter bunny photos
The Easter Bunny's in town! Hop in to have a photo taken. Listed below are places to get a professional photo as well as any BYOC (bring your own camera) and free appearances with the EB. While Easter is a Christian holy day, it has also become a secular spring holiday celebrated by retailers and non-Christians around the world with spring flower bouquets, special holiday baked goods, and family gatherings with lots of food, along with photos with life-size … [Read more...] about Where to get Easter bunny photos
Easter egg hunts around Hawaiʻi
Like Christmas, Easter is a Christian holy day that has also become a secular holiday celebrated by retailers and non-Christian communities around the world. Secular Easter events typically include photos with a life-size Easter bunny, spring flower bouquets, special holiday baked goods, family gatherings with lots of food, and Easter egg hunts. In the list below, we focus on Easter egg hunts that are free or low cost or are community fundraisers. Tips for … [Read more...] about Easter egg hunts around Hawaiʻi
Free entrance days in Hawaii National Parks
Several days each year, all National Park Service (NPS) sites that charge an entrance fee offer free admission to everyone. The other 400 National Parks across the country are free all the time. The fee-free days provide a great opportunity to visit a new place or an old favorite. 2024 Free Entrance Days in the National Parks Mark your calendar for the following entrance fee–free dates in 2024. January 15: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. … [Read more...] about Free entrance days in Hawaii National Parks
Treasured heiau you can visit on every Hawaiian island
Listed below are heiau throughout the Hawaiian Islands that are open to the public. If you don’t know what heiau are, or wonder why you would want to visit these ancient sites, we provide a brief description of their cultural value, followed by tips for visiting these historical treasures to make the most of your time. If you are looking for the “real” Hawai'i, this is a good place to be. What are heiau? Heiau are remnants of sites used in ancient Hawai'i for … [Read more...] about Treasured heiau you can visit on every Hawaiian island
May Day is Lei Day across the Hawaiian Paeʻāina
Lei Day is a uniquely Hawaiian celebration, honoring the tradition of making and wearing lei. The first Lei Day occurred in downtown Honolulu in 1927. Honolulu Star-Bulletin writer and poet, Don Blanding suggested the idea. In 1929, Lei Day became a state-wide celebration. Always celebrated on May 1st, Lei Day is not a state holiday, so businesses are open as usual. The celebration is marked by making and wearing lei, parades, contests, music, and traditional … [Read more...] about May Day is Lei Day across the Hawaiian Paeʻāina
Free things to do in March
Listed below are the free things to do in March. For all events on our calendar, free and paid, visit our March events calendar (hawaiionthecheap.com). March 2024 free things to do Featured Events are list first each day, highlighted by a photo. Featured events are unique or annual events that we or our advertisers don’t want you to overlook. … [Read more...] about Free things to do in March
Best things to buy in March
Every month of the year, certain items are discounted due to overstock, holiday sales, or transitions from one season to the next. Here are the shopping highlights for March in Hawai’i stores. Of course, we think the best way to save money is not to spend it! But, when you need or want to, plan your spending to take advantage of the times of the year when what you buy is at the lowest possible price. Special events with shopping discounts and deals in March … [Read more...] about Best things to buy in March
Best bakeries and restaurants to celebrate National Pi Day (3/14)
"Pi", the sixteenth letter of the Greek alphabet (π), is used by mathematicians to define the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. Regardless of the size of the circle, pi always calculates to 3.14. Therefore "Pi Day" is celebrated around the world on 3/14 (March 14). Anyone and everyone celebrates the day with a slice of pie, pizza, quiche, piroshki, hand pies, pot pies, or any other pie your heart desires. Unlike Pi, which never ends and the … [Read more...] about Best bakeries and restaurants to celebrate National Pi Day (3/14)
Academy Awards Oscars best picture nominees
Each year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes excellence in the motion picture industry. Hundreds of millions of movie fans turn in to watch the glamorous ceremony as members of the academy are awarded an Oscar statue. About the Oscar Awards The Academy is a global organization limited to film artists working in the production of theatrically-released motion pictures. Membership is achieved through sponsorship and is reviewed every … [Read more...] about Academy Awards Oscars best picture nominees
Affordable March events and entertainment
Our March events calendar offers a wide variety of affordable entertainment across the Hawaiian Islands. We’ll continue to update this calendar throughout the month as many organizers announce new events. As always, we focus on “cheap” things to do with a kamaʻāina adult ticket price of $15 or less or a regular price of $25 or less. Sometimes we suggest events with higher ticket prices that we feel might be worth a splurge, mostly local music, film, and arts … [Read more...] about Affordable March events and entertainment