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
Entertainment & The Arts
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
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
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
Oʻahu: Waterman sports festival honors Duke Kahanamoku
Every year in Hawaiʻi, the Duke Kahanamoku Ocean Festival celebrates the life of Native Hawaiian Duke Kahanamoku and to honor his Aloha spirit and achievements in surfing and other water sports. About Duke Kahanamoku Hawaiian royalty were the first surfers in Hawaiʻi. In 1895 and 1890, Prince David Kawānanakoa and Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole introduced surfing—riding ocean waves on long wooden boards—in California and Great Britain, sometimes joined on their trips … [Read more...] about Oʻahu: Waterman sports festival honors Duke Kahanamoku
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 enjoy live theatre on Oʻahu
There is a wide range of live theatre productions offered at theatres across Oʻahu. You can enjoy classic plays, Broadway musicals, and experimental works. In addition, you can find original plays by local playwrights, featuring stories unique to Hawai’i. Like live theatres everywhere, the theatre season in Hawai’i runs roughly September-June. Season tickets and flex passes are typically offered, as well as tickets to individual performances. To save money … [Read more...] about Where to enjoy live theatre on Oʻahu
Where to watch fireworks on Fourth of July in Hawaiʻi
Listed below are Fourth of July fireworks shows celebrated throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Our list includes the large annual public fireworks displays on Hawai'i Island, Kaua'i, Maui, and O'ahu. We also provide tips for photographing fireworks, which tend to fill the Hawaiian skyline for Independence Day, as well as for New Year's celebrations. If you plan to purchase and set off fireworks, we provide links to the state laws restricting fireworks. State … [Read more...] about Where to watch fireworks on Fourth of July in Hawaiʻi
Introduction to Hawaiian music styles and instruments
Traditional Hawaiian music is characterized by percussion instruments, chanting, simplicity, and storytelling. As missionaries and immigrants to Hawaiʻi introduced their vocal styles and instruments, Hawaiians adapted each one to create modern forms of music that remain uniquely Hawaiian. Below we offer an introduction to traditional Hawaiian instruments and song styles, followed by modern forms adapted by Hawaiians through the use of string instruments, … [Read more...] about Introduction to Hawaiian music styles and instruments
Traditional Japanese Obon Festivals celebrate ancestors
The centuries-old custom of Obon came to Hawai‘i in the 19th Century with sugar cane plantation workers. The Japanese summer tradition honors ancestors and expresses appreciation for them giving us life (similar to All Saints/Souls Day and Day of the Dead in other places and cultures). Festivities can include Bon Odori or Bon Dance, along with taiko drumming, lanterns, incense offerings, wearing traditional clothing (kimono—yukata or happi coat), and other … [Read more...] about Traditional Japanese Obon Festivals celebrate ancestors
Best concert venues in Hawaiʻi
Hawai’i has a range of concert halls and other venues for hosting music performances, from local talent to national touring acts. In addition, you can enjoy original plays as well as Broadway musicals, intimate jazz shows to on-your-feet rock concerts, plus film festivals, sporting events, consumer expos, and more. As you might suspect, Honolulu has the widest range of concert halls and performance venues, from the Blaisdell arena to the open-air Waikīkī Shell … [Read more...] about Best concert venues in Hawaiʻi
Oʻahu: Aloha Stadium – Hawaii’s largest outdoor arena
Aloha Stadium is Hawaii’s largest outdoor arena, replacing the Honolulu Stadium (hawaii.gov) (1926-1975). Aloha Stadium has become a Gathering Place where the spirit of achievement is nourished by the thrill of competition. The special venue is a place where everyone can share their cultural diversity with pride and a feeling of Aloha. Events at the stadium include sporting events as well as concerts, carnivals, markets, festivals, auto shows, and other seasonal … [Read more...] about Oʻahu: Aloha Stadium – Hawaii’s largest outdoor arena
Kauaʻi: Waimea Town Celebration 8-day festival, rodeo and ho’olaule’a
Kaua'i's largest and longest-running festival held in the plantation town of Waimea...a place to discover the real Kaua'i. Hosted by the Historic Waimea Theater and Cultural Arts Center, a non-profit organization with a mission to provide benefits to local charity and non-profit groups in the community of West Kaua'i through a quality celebration of heritage, diversity and inclusion of its kama'aina and malihini. Please bring canned foods for Hawai'i Food … [Read more...] about Kauaʻi: Waimea Town Celebration 8-day festival, rodeo and ho’olaule’a
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
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
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
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
All about Aloha Friday & how to celebrate
The tradition of Aloha Friday goes back to the mid-twentieth century. During summer, businesses relaxed their dress code requiring a business suit and allowed Hawaiian-made aloha shirts to be worn during the warmer months. Eventually, Aloha Friday became official, and wearing aloha wear was encourage every Friday all year long. In the 1990s, the tradition of establishing a day for a more relaxed dress code spread to California, becoming known as Casual … [Read more...] about All about Aloha Friday & how to celebrate
