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 celebrate 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 in Hawaiʻi
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
Oʻahu: Punahou Carnival in Mānoa
Punahou Carnival is an annual fun-filled fundraising event with food, local arts & crafts, games, rides, and live entertainment. It is produced by the current junior class and supported by thousands of volunteers, including students, parents, faculty/staff, and alumni. Vendors at the carnival offer everything from Hawaiian Plates and hamburgers to malassadas and ice cream, plus haku lei, local products, Punahou merch, and much more. Since its inception … [Read more...] about Oʻahu: Punahou Carnival in Mānoa
All about stinging box jellyfish on Oʻahu beaches
The presence of stinging box jellyfish on Oʻahu beaches has been increasing since 1988. Below you can read about this variety of jellyfish found in Hawaiian waters, how to avoid them, and what to do if you get stung—don't worry, you might cry but won't die. Box jellyfish are found in shallow tropical sea waters, especially in quiet areas such as bays. They have a square-shaped body or bell—hence the common name. Extending from the bell are four tentacles, which … [Read more...] about All about stinging box jellyfish on Oʻahu beaches
Oʻahu: First Friday festival in Honolulu Chinatown and Arts District
Every month on the first Friday, the Honolulu Arts District and Chinatown host a street festival featuring the art galleries, shops, restaurants, live entertainment, street vendors, and more. Many establishments offer discounts, food and drink specials, and free entertainment. Most shops are open from 5-9PM, but you can party into the night at bars and clubs throughout the neighborhood. About Honolulu Arts District and Chinatown Downtown Honolulu is … [Read more...] about Oʻahu: First Friday festival in Honolulu Chinatown and Arts District
Oʻahu: HJJCC Cherry Blossom Festival in Honolulu
Started in 1953, the Cherry Blossom Festival (CBF) in Honolulu is the longest, continually running ethnic festival in Hawai‘i. The purpose of the festival to perpetuate Japanese culture and enrich the lives of young women of Japanese ancestry in our state. A project of the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce (HJJCC), the festival includes the crowning of a Queen at the Cherry Blossom Festival ball. The culmination of the festival is an annual ball to … [Read more...] about Oʻahu: HJJCC Cherry Blossom Festival in Honolulu
Lunar New Year events across the Hawaiian Islands
Lunar New Year is also called Chinese New Year. However, this festival heralding the spring season is observed throughout Asia. In Vietnam, it is called Têt, which is short for “Têt Nguyên Đán”, meaning "Festival of the First Morning of the First Day" (referring to the first day of the first month in the lunar calendar). About the lunar calendar The Gregorian calendar is based on the solar year–the time is takes Earth to rotate around the sun. In contrast, the … [Read more...] about Lunar New Year events across the Hawaiian Islands
When and where to experience Lāhainā Noon in Hawaiʻi
We don't often think about the Earth quietly moving around the sun. Day in and day out, our globe slowly rotates through night and day, summer to winter, and around again. Year after year. Every so often, particular phenomenon occur that can make us stop and pay a bit more attention. Equinoxes and solstices anchor the seasons. Full moons and eclipses bring more awe. Another noticeable event occurs at the "subsolar point", when the sun reaches its northernmost or … [Read more...] about When and where to experience Lāhainā Noon in Hawaiʻi
Celebrating Mardi Gras in Hawai’i
Mardi Gras translates from the French as “fat Tuesday”. The holiday has roots in the Christian liturgical calendar. It marks the end of Carnival season and the beginning of Lent. Mardi Gras in New Orleans, LA (NOLA) is our country’s most celebrated location for Fat Tuesday. NOLA traditions include parades, carnival masks, beads, and sweet indulgent "King Cakes". About Carnival, Mardi Gras, and Lent Carnival season begins on the Epiphany or January 6, the day … [Read more...] about Celebrating Mardi Gras in Hawai’i
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
Free things to do in January
Listed below are the free things to do from our January 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 January events. For more things to do every day (free and paid), see our Calendar of free and cheap things to do (hawaiionthecheap.com) January 2023 free, fun things to do Featured Events are list first each day, highlighted by a … [Read more...] about Free things to do in January
Affordable January events & entertainment
Our January 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 January events & entertainment
Best things to buy in January
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 January 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 January … [Read more...] about Best things to buy in January
Oʻahu: free Honolulu Festival showcases Hawaii’s Pacific Rim cultures
Since its inception in 2000, the Honolulu Festival has become one of Oahu's premier cultural events. Each spring, the festival attracts thousands of spectators over a 3-day weekend to showcase the many vibrant of cultures in Hawaiʻi and promote peace among all peoples. The Honolulu Festival is composed of several events, including a craft fair, film festival, live entertainment, Bon dances, and a Grand Parade. Performers from around the Pacific Rim come together … [Read more...] about Oʻahu: free Honolulu Festival showcases Hawaii’s Pacific Rim cultures
How to get free admission or discount tickets to HoMA
Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA) holds one of the largest single collections of Asian and Pan-Pacific art in the United States, along with works from America, Europe, Africa, and Oceania. The museum has more than 50,000 works of art, spanning 5,000 years of history and representing all of Hawaii’s cultures.HoMA collections include paintings, decorative and traditional arts, woodblocks, and textiles. Located in downtown Honolulu near Blaisdell Center, HoMA is … [Read more...] about How to get free admission or discount tickets to HoMA
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
2022 Budget-friendly Christmas dinner dine-in and to go
Here are a few recommendations for a budget-friendly Christmas dinner across the Hawaiian Islands. There are options for dinners to-go as well as dine-in restaurants. Make reservations or place a to-go order as far as possible in advance, because many establishments sell out a week or two before Christmas. Restaurant reservations are strongly suggested if available. But we provide some drop-in restaurant ideas as well. 2022 Christmas dinner to-go across the … [Read more...] about 2022 Budget-friendly Christmas dinner dine-in and to go
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 things to do in December
Listed below are the free things to do from our December 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 December events. For more things to do every day (free and paid), see our Calendar of free and cheap things to do (hawaiionthecheap.com) December 2022 free, fun things to do Featured Events are list first each day, highlighted by a … [Read more...] about Free things to do in December
Affordable December events & entertainment
Our December 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 December events & entertainment
Best things to buy in December
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 December 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 … [Read more...] about Best things to buy in December
Contemporary Hawaiian Arts: Galleries, Craft Markets, Festivals
Listed below are resources for buying contemporary Hawaiian arts and crafts across the Hawaiian Paeʻāina (island group). You'll find several lists, including Art Galleries and permanent Craft Marketplaces, followed by seasonal Art Fairs, Craft Shows & Holiday Bazaars. If you're looking for hands-on art and craft making, we also offer a list of Visual Art Education centers where you can find workshops and classes in visual arts that are available to the … [Read more...] about Contemporary Hawaiian Arts: Galleries, Craft Markets, Festivals
Oʻahu: Show Aloha Land Holiday Wonderland in Honolulu
Beginning in 2023, the historic Aloha Stadium will transform into the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District (NASED). The stadium bowl is now closed. More info: Aloha Stadium - Hawaiʻi on the Cheap (hawaiionthecheap.com) The Annual "Show Aloha Land – Holiday Wonderland" at Aloha Stadium features new attractions for 2022. Keiki can go tobogganing in 3,000+ sq feet of fresh snow, frolic in the massive Bouncing town human snow globe, fly on the zip … [Read more...] about Oʻahu: Show Aloha Land Holiday Wonderland in Honolulu
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 weekly hula shows take on a holiday flair in December with “Seven Nights of Christmas”. This annual week-long celebration of traditional hula and song by local hula halau and well-known entertainers … [Read more...] about Oʻahu: “Seven Days ‘til Christmas” traditional hula in Waikīkī
2022 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 meal kits as well as dine-in a restaurants. Order well in advance as most sell out a week or two before Thanksgiving Day. Restaurant reservations are strongly suggested if available. 2022 Thanksgiving dinners to-go across the Hawaiian Islands We focus on locally owned restaurants and national chains offering budget-friendly … [Read more...] about 2022 Budget-friendly Thanksgiving dinner dine-in and to go
