Popular ways to spend quality time with your dad include outdoor activities, such as hiking, a picnic in a park or at the beach, fishing or surfing, pickleball or a round of golf. Or any other activity favored by your dad. Maybe it’s staying home for some backyard cornhole or mahjong! Top gifts include a special outing (see above), a Father’s Day greeting card, and tools or something for his hobby (golf, biking, hunting, cooking, or grilling, etc.). Also high on … [Read more...] about Father’s Day outings and dining ideas
All Hawaiian Islands
Traditional Japanese Obon Festivals celebrate ancestors
In Hawaiʻi, Bon Dance (aka Bon Odori) is a special summer attraction held at Buddhist temples around the Hawaiian pae ʻāina (island group). The centuries-old custom of Obon came to Hawai‘i in the 19th Century with Japanese sugar cane plantation workers. In Japan, Obon customs vary according to each region. Basically, the summer tradition honors ancestors and expresses appreciation for them (similar to All Saints/Souls Day and Day of the Dead in other places and … [Read more...] about Traditional Japanese Obon Festivals celebrate ancestors
Wayfinding: Polynesian navigation and the Hawaiian star compass
Many people, of which I am one, consider Polynesians to be the greatest navigators in history. When Greeks and Romans were merely plying the Mediterraean Sea using a few rudimentary directional tools, Polynesians navigated long distances over open ocean without instruments, by using wayfinding techniques that included stargazing and other observations. In simple terms, wayfinding is the process of maintaining a course to a destination. A pet cat uses wayfinding … [Read more...] about Wayfinding: Polynesian navigation and the Hawaiian star compass
Treasured heiau you can visit on every Hawaiian island
Listed below are heiau throughout the Hawaiian Islands that are open to the public. If you don’t know what heiau are, or wonder why you would want to visit these ancient sites, we provide a brief description of their cultural value, followed by tips for visiting these historical treasures to make the most of your time. If you are looking for the “real” Hawai'i, this is a good place to be. What are heiau? Heiau are remnants of sites used in ancient Hawai'i for … [Read more...] about Treasured heiau you can visit on every Hawaiian island
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
37 onolicious local and Hawaiian foods
Local food in Hawaiʻi is influenced by several different things, including “canoe plants” brought by sea voyaging Polynesian explorers to the Hawaiian paeʻāina (island group), followed hundreds of years later by many other dishes introduced by immigrants who arrived to work on the sugar and pineapple plantations. These culinary influencers were Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, and Portuguese peoples, along with other cultures. Traditional Hawaiian food The three … [Read more...] about 37 onolicious local and Hawaiian foods
Free things to do in June
Listed below are the free things to do in June. For all events on our calendar, free and paid, visit our June events calendar (hawaiionthecheap.com) Calendar of free events and things to do Listed below are all types of free things to do across the Hawaiʻi Pae ʻĀina. Featured Events are listed first each day, highlighted by a photo. These are unique, popular, or annual events that we or our advertisers don't want you to overlook. Find more … [Read more...] about Free things to do in June
Best things to buy in June
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 June 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. Holidays and special events with shopping discounts and deals … [Read more...] about Best things to buy in June
Affordable June events and entertainment
Our June 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 June events and entertainment
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
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
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
(while supplies last) Get up to $20 Amazon credit on Proctor & Gamble products
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
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
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
Free entrance days in Hawaii National Parks
Several days each year, all National Park Service (NPS) sites that charge an entrance fee offer free admission to everyone. The other 400 National Parks across the country are free all the time. The fee-free days provide a great opportunity to visit a new place or an old favorite. 2024 Free Entrance Days in the National Parks Mark your calendar for the following entrance fee–free dates in 2024. January 15: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. … [Read more...] about Free entrance days in Hawaii National Parks
May Day is Lei Day across the Hawaiian Paeʻāina
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 celebrated 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 across the Hawaiian Paeʻāina
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 2024 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
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)
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
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
Malasada Day: sweet way to celebrate Mardi Gras in Hawaiʻi
Mardi Gras is a holiday with roots in the Christian calendar. The story begins with Christmas. Twelve days after Christmas is the Epiphany (January 6), when the Magi or Wise Men from the East were said to follow a bright star to Bethlehem, bringing the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the Christ child. Epiphany marks the end of the Christmas season and the beginning of Carnival season (aka Carnaval in French and Portuguese). Carnival lasts until Ash … [Read more...] about Malasada Day: sweet way to celebrate Mardi Gras in Hawaiʻi
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)