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 service member laid to rest at the cemetery. You are invited to donate lei (made of fresh flowers/ti leaf, measuring 20-22 inches untied, please tie), lei flowers … [Read more...] about Oʻahu: Help Sew 38,000 Lei for Memorial Day
Seasonal
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
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. 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 by … [Read more...] about Budget-friendly Mother’s Day brunch and dinner ideas
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
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
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)
Malasada Day: sweet way to celebrate Mardi Gras in Hawaiʻi
Mardi Gras is a holiday with roots in the Christian calendar. Mardi Gras is always the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. It is one last day of overindulgence before the long stretch of Lenten denial. Commonly called Mardi Gras (French for "Fat Tuesday"), the holiday is also known as Pancake Day (primarily in the British Isles) and elsewhere as Shrove Tuesday. "Shrove" is past tense of the verb "shrive", which means to free from guilt or confess one's sins. When is … [Read more...] about Malasada Day: sweet way to celebrate Mardi Gras in Hawaiʻi
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 2025 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
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
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
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
Hawaiʻi Triennial contemporary visual art exhibition
Hawai‘i Triennial is the state’s largest exhibition of contemporary visual art from Hawai‘i, the Pacific, Asia, and around the world. The exhibition is held every three years in multiple venues (such as museums, galleries, and gardens) across the Hawaiian Pai Aina. Hawai‘i Triennial 2025 The next Hawai‘i Triennial for 15 February – 04 May 2025. Exhibitions will be held and Hawai‘i Island, Maui, and O‘ahu. The theme for Hawai‘i Triennial 2025 (HT25) is ALOHA NŌ, … [Read more...] about Hawaiʻi Triennial contemporary visual art exhibition
Prince Kūhiō Day March 26 celebrates Ke Aliʻi Makaʻāinana (Prince of the People)
Prince Kūhiō Day was established by Hawaiian territorial Legislature resolution in 1949 to honor the birthday of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole, born on March 26, 1871. Prince Kūhiō is often referred to as Ke Ali’i Makaainana ("Prince of the People"). Heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Hawai’i, he was a ten-term elected delegate to the U.S. Congress. He died on January 7, 1922. He is remembered with many streets, beaches, buildings, and schools bearing his … [Read more...] about Prince Kūhiō Day March 26 celebrates Ke Aliʻi Makaʻāinana (Prince of the People)
Free things to do in February
Listed below are the free things to do in February. For all events on our calendar, free and paid, visit our February events calendar (hawaiionthecheap.com). February 2025 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 February
Best things to buy in February
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 February … [Read more...] about Best things to buy in February
Affordable February events and entertainment
Our February 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 February events and entertainment
Where to buy Girl Scout Cookies in Hawaiʻi
Most people have a special place in their heart for Girl Scout Cookies. Of course, the cookies delicious, but the Girl Scout Cookie Program also helps girls follow their passions and fulfill goals. The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world. Hint: it's not just about cookies! Girl Scouts learn five skills that are essential to leadership, to success, and to life: Goal Setting, Decision Making, Money Management, People … [Read more...] about Where to buy Girl Scout Cookies in Hawaiʻi
Groundhog Day in Hawai‘i
Groundhog Day is celebrated in most (but not all) states in the continental U.S. The main celebration takes place every February 2 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The star of this celebration is a groundhog (a type of squirrel, also called a woodchuck) named Punxsutawney Phil. When Phil emerges from his lair, if it is sunny and he sees his shadow, he is “scared” back inside and there will be six more weeks of winter. If it is cloudy and he sees no shadow, spring … [Read more...] about Groundhog Day in Hawai‘i
Lunar New Year traditions across Kō Hawaiʻi Pae ʻĀina
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). Listed below is information about the lunar calendar and traditions for the Lunar New Year in cultures around the world and in Hawaiʻi. 2025 … [Read more...] about Lunar New Year traditions across Kō Hawaiʻi Pae ʻĀina
When and where to experience Lāhainā Noon
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
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
Molokaʻi: annual Kā Molokaʻi Makahiki festival
Kā Molokaʻi Mahahiki, the annual Makahiki festival is a time of joy, prayer, and friendly competition in the Molokaʻi community. The 2025 community wide festival will take place on January 23-24 in Kaunakakai. The events includes athletic competitions, cultural demonstrations, and traditions honoring kūpuna. Keiki will also represent their schools in various competitions. More info: EVENTS – Molokai Events Calendar – Molokai Hawaii Visitor Guide What is … [Read more...] about Molokaʻi: annual Kā Molokaʻi Makahiki festival
