Our hearts go out to everyone on Maui. You will remain in our prayers through recovery and as rebuilding begins. Maui Wildfires November 2023 update 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. Official channels are the best sources for the latest updates. November 6, 2023: … [Read more...] about Disaster relief: how and where to donate or volunteer
Free and cheap things to do this weekend
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 Kēkēmapa (December) 1-3, 2023, 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
O’ahu: “The Eddie” big wave invitational surfing competition at Waimea Bay
The biggest surfing event in the world is a highly anticipated event each winter on the North Shore of Oʻahu. Officially "The Eddie: In Memory of Eddie Aikau", the prestigious competition invites surfers, alternates, and legends to showcase their high-performance surfing on the massive winter surf at Waimea Bay. Because the wave conditions need to be right, the contest has only been completed a few times in the several decades since the first contest. Winners … [Read more...] about O’ahu: “The Eddie” big wave invitational surfing competition at Waimea Bay
Oʻahu: “Seven Days ‘til Christmas” traditional hula in Waikīkī
Waikiki Beach Walk is a shopping, dining, and entertainment district on Lewers Street between Kalakaua Avenue and Kalia Road. Enjoy one-of-a-kind boutique shops, award-winning restaurants, weekly activities, and live music and hula performance weekly on the plaza. The daily hula shows Christmas week take on a holiday flair for “Seven Nights of Christmas”. This annual week-long celebration of traditional hula and song by local hula halau and well-known … [Read more...] about Oʻahu: “Seven Days ‘til Christmas” traditional hula in Waikīkī
Where to get pictures with Santa Claus
Here’s a list of Santa photo opportunities in locations across the Hawaiian paeʻāina. All this and toys, too! We’re indubitably impressed. Some of these are free opportunities for selfies with Santa, which are BYOC (bring your own camera or smartphone). Many of the free Santa photo ops are one-time opportunities at Christmas festivals and other holiday events featuring an appearance by Santa Claus. In additional to free selfie photo ops, there are professional … [Read more...] about Where to get pictures with Santa Claus
Thanksgiving holiday traditions in Hawaii
Thanksgiving is a federal holiday always celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. It is generally regarded as a "day of thanks," typically celebrated around a festive meal with loved ones. Traditions for a day of thanks are a recurring theme in many cultures. Seasonal harvest celebrations have been celebrated across time everywhere around the world. Thanksgiving traditions in the United States In the United States, one popular Thanksgiving story recounts a … [Read more...] about Thanksgiving holiday traditions in Hawaii
What’s closed and open Thanksgiving Day 2023
Closed: All government facilities, non-retail businesses or services (banks, offices, etc.), public libraries, and community centers. Post offices are closed and there is no mail delivery. For parking lots and meters, check signage and follow restrictions on days and hours. Retails stores are mostly CLOSED on Thanksgiving Day. While the trend for many years was for retail stores to open on Thanksgiving Day, more stores are now choosing to remain closed for the … [Read more...] about What’s closed and open Thanksgiving Day 2023
Where to see Christmas lights in Hawaiʻi
Listed below are some of the popular Christmas light displays throughout Hawaiʻi. They are listed alphabetically by island, the clockwise beginning in the north. We'll continue to update this list as organizers announce dates for Holiday lights, incuding Christmas tree lights, Santa arrivals, and holiday parades. To wish someone "Merry Christmas" in Hawaiian say, “Mele Kalikimaka” (may-lay kah-lee-kee-mah-kah). To say "Happy New Year", it’s “Hauʻoli Makahiki … [Read more...] about Where to see Christmas lights in Hawaiʻi
Free meals & food discounts for for Veterans Day
The following food deals, beverage deals, and restaurant dining discounts are available primarily on Oʻahu and to a lesser extent on the neighbor islands. Free meals & food discounts for Veterans Day NOTE: Not all locations offer the same national promotions. As a result, price and participation may vary. It's always wise to call ahead for verification in your area. (Listed alphabetically by company name) Veterans Deals ongoing Black Angus Steakhouse … [Read more...] about Free meals & food discounts for for Veterans Day
Veterans Day events across the Hawaiian Islands
Veterans Day became an official federal holiday to honor American veterans of all wars. In 1926, Congress passed a resolution making it an annual observance. However, it goes back to 1918, when it was called Armistice Day. During world War I, the Allied nations and Germany agreed to an armistice or cease fire on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. Known as the "war to end all wars", WWI officially ended over seven months later … [Read more...] about Veterans Day events across the Hawaiian Islands
Best things to buy in November
Every month of the year, retailers discount items due to overstock, holiday sales, or transitions from one season to the next. Here are the shopping highlights for November 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. November special events with shopping discounts and deals … [Read more...] about Best things to buy in November
Free things to do in November
Listed below are the free things to do from our November events calendar. We’ll continue to update this calendar throughout the month as organizers announce new events. For more things to do, see our calendar of affordable November events. For more things to do every day (free and paid), see our Calendar of free and cheap things to do (hawaiionthecheap.com) November 2023 free, fun things to do Featured Events are list first each day, highlighted by a … [Read more...] about Free things to do in November
Halloween haunts and events across the Hawaiian pae ʻāina
Here are free and cheap events plus spooky things to do to celebrate Halloween all around the Hawaiian Islands. 2023 Halloween Haunts and Tours Hawaiʻi Island Big Island Ghost Tours offers guided tours to some of Hawaii's most supernatural and historical sites to experience a connection to ancient Hawaiʻi, the supernatural, and the afterlife. From places where missionaries brought disease, sites of human sacrifice, to modern sightings at resorts, parks, and … [Read more...] about Halloween haunts and events across the Hawaiian pae ʻāina
Affordable November events & entertainment
Our November 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 November events & entertainment
Oʻahu: FREE Capitol Modern art museum (aka HiSAM) in downtown Honolulu
Capitol Modern in Honolulu is dedicated to presenting the largest and finest collection of works by Hawai‘i artists from across the state representing a comprehensive portrait of our Islands. Exhibitions are curated from the Art in Public Places Collection and student exhibitions. Located adjacent to the State Capitol, Iolani Palace, and the State Library, find Capitol Modern in the No. 1 Capitol District Building in downtown Honolulu. History of Capitol … [Read more...] about Oʻahu: FREE Capitol Modern art museum (aka HiSAM) in downtown Honolulu
2023 Budget-friendly Thanksgiving dinner dine-in and to go
Here are a few recommendations for a budget-friendly holiday dinner across the Hawaiian Islands. There are options for dinners to-go and as well as dine-in at restaurants. Order or reserve well in advance as most sell out a week or two before Thanksgiving Day. 2023 Thanksgiving dinners to-go across the Hawaiian Islands We focus on locally owned restaurants and national chains offering budget-friendly Thanksgiving dinners (we aim for $50 or less per … [Read more...] about 2023 Budget-friendly Thanksgiving dinner dine-in and to go
Fun, cheap, and easy ideas for Halloween costumes
If you are looking for cheap and easy Halloween costume ideas, you've come to the right place. We've got the lowdown on fun Halloween costumes that you can pull together from stuff you have around the house. Our super easy costume ideas use everyday clothes and include accessories and makeup to complete the look. You'll find local favorites along with everyday ideas and spooky Halloween characters. Hauʻoli Lā Heleuī (Happy Halloween!) 13 super easy … [Read more...] about Fun, cheap, and easy ideas for Halloween costumes
Where to find Halloween carving pumpkins across the Hawaiian pae ʻāina
Listed below are places selling Halloween carving pumpkins in Hawaiʻi, including farms and grocery stores. You can buy a pumpkin at least a month before you carve it, if you store in the refrigerator, or some other place that's cool and dry (preferably below 60F). We include some history about why we carve pumpkins for Halloween and plenty of pumpkin carving ideas. Origins of jack-o’-lanterns We found the history of Halloween pumpkins, also known as … [Read more...] about Where to find Halloween carving pumpkins across the Hawaiian pae ʻāina
Polynesian Discoverers’ Day in the Hawaiian Islands (2nd Monday in October)
While the second Monday in October is observed elsewhere as Indigenous People's Day (and federally as Christopher Columbus Day), this day is known throughout Hawaiʻi as Discoverers' Day, in recognition of the Polynesian discoverers of the Hawaiian Islands. While the event is observed on this day, Discoverers' Day is not a Hawaiʻi State holiday. However, some private schools, businesses, or other organizations may close or hold special events in recognition of the … [Read more...] about Polynesian Discoverers’ Day in the Hawaiian Islands (2nd Monday in October)
Molokai: annual canoe race Moloka’i Hoe
In 1952, three outrigger canoes launched at Kawakiu Bay on Molokai's west side, bound for O'ahu across more than 38-miles of open ocean. Nearly nine hours later, the canoe Kukui O Lanikaula landed on Waikīkī beach in front of the Moana Hotel. This first event started the world's most prestigious outrigger canoe race, the Molokaʻi Hoe. The Molokaʻi Hoe across the treacherous Molokaʻi Channel, aka Kaʻiwi Channel ("Channel of Bones") is considered one of the … [Read more...] about Molokai: annual canoe race Moloka’i Hoe
Oʻahu: annual Waimea Valley Mai‘a ‘Ho‘olaule‘a (Banana Festival)
Most of us are familiar with local apple bananas and the ubiquitous Central American "Chiquita" (aka Cavendish). Few of us know about or have eaten a Hawaiian banana or enjoyed bananas in a savory dish. The Waimea Valley Banana Festival is a fun exploration of the botanical and culinary history of the Hawaiian banana (maiʻa), as well as how to successfully grow and use bananas. Banana varieties brought as canoe plants to Hawaiʻi by Polynesian voyagers include … [Read more...] about Oʻahu: annual Waimea Valley Mai‘a ‘Ho‘olaule‘a (Banana Festival)
Best things to buy in October
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 October 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 include … [Read more...] about Best things to buy in October
Free things to do in October
Listed below are the free things to do from our October events calendar. We’ll continue to update this calendar throughout the month as organizers announce new events. For more things to do, see our calendar of affordable October events. For more things to do every day (free and paid), see our Calendar of free and cheap things to do (hawaiionthecheap.com) October 2023 free events and things to do Featured Events: The items listed first each day … [Read more...] about Free things to do in October
Affordable October events & entertainment
Our October 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 October events & entertainment
Restaurants discounts on fast food, fine dining, and more
These food deals, beverage deals, and restaurant dining discounts are available primarily on Oʻahu and to a lesser extent on the outer islands. You'll find offers from local eateries, national chains, and fast food restaurants as well as fine dining establishments. As always, we focus on restaurants and food establishments with modest prices. We may also feature more expensive options that offer a special meal or savings. The food and drink deals with an … [Read more...] about Restaurants discounts on fast food, fine dining, and more
