The Honolulu Zoo is the wildest place in Waikīkī. Situated in the shadow of Diamond Head crater at the corner of Kapahulu and Kalākaua Avenues, the zoo was stablished in 1877. In fact, it is the only zoo in the United States that originated in a King’s grant of royal lands to his people. History of the Honolulu Zoo In 1876, King David Kalākaua, Monarch of Hawai‘i, made lands of the Leahi Crown Holdings available to the people of Hawai‘i. One a year later, King … [Read more...] about Oʻahu: All about visiting the Honolulu Zoo
Ka Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea (Restoration Day) National Holiday of the Hawaiian kingdom
In 1843, after temporary occupation of the government by rogue British agents, led by Lord George Paulet, Queen Victoria dispatched Admiral Richard Thomas of the British Royal Navy to take down the Union Jack and return the Hawaiian flag to its rightful spot. Sovereignty was restored to the Hawaiian Kingdom and reigning (King Kamehameha III) established the holiday with a celebration. Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea (LHE) was the first National Holiday of the Hawaiian kingdom … [Read more...] about Ka Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea (Restoration Day) National Holiday of the Hawaiian kingdom
Oʻahu: Chuck E. Cheese Summer Fun Pass offers safe place for game play
Chuck E. Cheese Summer Fun Pass provides you with a safe and fun-filled activity for your child during summer. Chuck E. Cheese in Hawaiʻi is a great place for games, pizza, celebrations, or a fun family-night out. There are 3 Chuck E. Cheese locations around Oʻahu: Honolulu, Kapolei, Pearl City. The Summer Fun Pass is a family package for 2 months of endless fun. You get unlimited visits for your family, 40-250 games per visit (depends on tier), 20%-50% discount … [Read more...] about Oʻahu: Chuck E. Cheese Summer Fun Pass offers safe place for game play
Updated for 2024: Annual Teacher Appreciation Week discounts and deals
National Teacher Appreciation Week (TAW) is the first full week of May and Teacher Appreciation Day is the first Tuesday in May. During this time, we thank teachers for their contribution to our nation's children. Listed below are discounts and freebies for educators across the Hawaiian Islands. We'll update this list each year beginning in April as local and national businesses announce Teacher Appreciation deals. National Teacher Day is Tuesday, May 7, … [Read more...] about Updated for 2024: Annual Teacher Appreciation Week discounts and deals
National Police Week Hawaii
Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls, as National Police Week. National Police Week National Police Week is a collaborative effort of many … [Read more...] about National Police Week Hawaii
Oʻahu: Pūowaina aka “Punchbowl” (National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific)
Called Pūowaina in Hawaiian, the volcano erupted some 75,000 to 100,000 years ago. Pūowaina (which can be translated as “Hill of Sacrifice”) has deep religious significance for the Hawaiian people. Long before Europeans arrived, it was a place where people who had committed certain crimes or “kapu” were put to death. The lava formed an oval, bowl-shaped crater, alluding to the English name, "punchbowl". Today, the site is commonly referred to as … [Read more...] about Oʻahu: Pūowaina aka “Punchbowl” (National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific)
Oʻahu: History of Pu‘uloa and visiting Pearl Harbor today
When someone says "Pearl Harbor", it can refer to many different things. Historically, it was a large freshwater lagoon known to ancient Hawaiians as Ke-awa-lauo-Pu‘uloa or simply Pu‘uloa. It was a key site for loko ʻia (fish ponds) and for harvesting wild shellfish. Today, Pearl Harbor is surrounded by suburban neighborhoods. Along her shores, there is also a National Memorial Park and an active U.S. military base. When people visit Pearl Harbor today, it is … [Read more...] about Oʻahu: History of Pu‘uloa and visiting Pearl Harbor today
Free things to do in May
Listed below are the free things to do in May. For all events on our calendar, free and paid, visit our May events calendar (hawaiionthecheap.com) Calendar of free things to do in May 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 May
Best things to buy in May
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 May 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 May include … [Read more...] about Best things to buy in May
Oahu: Help Sew 38,000 Lei for Memorial Day
As unique and diverse as our communities are in Hawaiʻi, so are some of our traditions on Memorial Day. One of the more distinct traditions is the placing of lei upon every gravesite within Punchbowl for Memorial Day. Every year the members of the community work together to make 38,000 lei for every servicemember laid to rest at the cemetery. Along with this significant task, the City is hoping to assist the Hawai‘i State Veterans Cemetery in Kāne‘ohe with their … [Read more...] about Oahu: Help Sew 38,000 Lei for Memorial Day
Affordable May events and entertainment
Our May 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 May events and entertainment
Budget-friendly Mother’s Day brunch and dinner ideas
Here are our recommendations for budget friendly Mother's Day dining across the Hawaiian Islands. There are options for dine-in, takeout, and homemade. Reservations (dine-in or takeout) are strongly suggested if available. 2024 Motherʻs Day dining ideas across the Hawaiian Islands We focus on locally owned and national chain restaurants offering budget-friendly specials for Mother's Day. (Listed by island, then alphabetically by city or neighborhood, then … [Read more...] about Budget-friendly Mother’s Day brunch and dinner ideas
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
Some of the links in this post are special! When you make a purchase through our links, we might earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
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
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
Oʻahu: 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 Oʻahu: 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
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
Target Stores annual child car seat trade-in event
Target Stores annual child car seat trade-in event every April allows you to trade in an old car seat and receive a 20%-off coupon toward a new car seat, stroller, or other select baby gear. You must be a member of the Target Circle™ loyalty rewards program, which is free and easy to join online. The next Target child car seat trade-in event is happening in stores April 14-27, 2024. How does the target car seat trade-in program work? To participate in the … [Read more...] about Target Stores annual child car seat trade-in event
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
