Here are a few recommendations for a budget-friendly holiday dinner across the Hawaiian Islands. There are options for dinners to-go and as well as dine-in at restaurants. Order or reserve well in advance as most sell out a week or two before Thanksgiving Day. 2024 Thanksgiving dinners to-go across the Hawaiian Islands We focus on locally owned restaurants and national chains offering budget-friendly Thanksgiving dinners (we aim for $50 or less per person … [Read more...] about 2024 Budget-friendly Thanksgiving dinner dine-in and to go
All Hawaiian Islands
Free things to do in November
Listed below are the free things to do from our November 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 November events. For more things to do every day (free and paid), see our Calendar of free and cheap things to do (hawaiionthecheap.com) November 2024 free, fun things to do Featured Events are list first each day, highlighted by a … [Read more...] about Free things to do in November
Best things to buy in November
Every month of the year, retailers discount items due to overstock, holiday sales, or transitions from one season to the next. Here are the shopping highlights for November 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. November special events with shopping discounts and deals … [Read more...] about Best things to buy in November
Affordable November events & entertainment
Our November 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 November events & entertainment
Free and cheap Halloween events across the Hawaiian pae ʻāina
Here are free and cheap events plus spooky things to do to celebrate Halloween all around the Hawaiian Islands. 2024 Halloween Haunts and Tours Hawaiʻi Island Halloween Events (Listed by date and time) Halloween: "The Night of the Kraken" in Waikoloa Village. October 26, 2024 from 4-8pm. Trick or Treat, Drawing for Prizes, “Haunted Ship”, Games, Live Music, and soo much more! Ohana, Music, Food, and Fun! More info: Events | Waikoloa Plaza Shopping Center | Big … [Read more...] about Free and cheap Halloween events across the Hawaiian pae ʻāina
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)
Free things to do in October
Listed below are the free things to do from our October events calendar. For more things to do, see our calendar of affordable October events. For more things to do every day (free and paid), see our Calendar of free and cheap things to do (hawaiionthecheap.com) October free events and things to do Featured Events: The items listed first each day highlighted by a photo are featured events. Featured events are unique or annual events that we or … [Read more...] about Free things to do in October
Best things to buy in October
Here are the shopping highlights for October in Hawai’i stores. Every month of the year, certain items are discounted due to overstock, holiday sales, or transitions from one season to the next. 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 include … [Read more...] about Best things to buy in October
Fun, cheap, and easy ideas for Halloween costumes
If you are looking for cheap and easy Halloween costume ideas, you've come to the right place. We've got the lowdown on fun Halloween costumes that you can pull together from stuff you have around the house. Our super easy costume ideas use everyday clothes and include accessories and makeup to complete the look. You'll find local favorites along with everyday ideas and spooky Halloween characters. Hauʻoli Lā Heleuī (Happy Halloween!) Why do we dress up in … [Read more...] about Fun, cheap, and easy ideas for Halloween costumes
Polynesian Discoverers’ Day in the Hawaiian Islands (2nd Monday in October)
The second Monday in October is observed federally as Christopher Columbus Day and elsewhere as Indigenous People's Day. However, throughout Hawaiʻi it is known as Discoverers' Day, in recognition of the Polynesian discoverers of the Hawaiian Islands. While the event is observed on this day, Discoverers' Day is not a Hawaiʻi State holiday. Since Discoverers' Day is also the federal holiday Columbus Day, it is observed by federal employees as a day off and … [Read more...] about Polynesian Discoverers’ Day in the Hawaiian Islands (2nd Monday in October)
Affordable October events & entertainment
Our October 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 October events & entertainment
Sign up for Emergency Alerts
Hopefully, you are familiar with our emergency alert system (EAS). Most EAS messages are sent by local and state authorities. The public will typically receive emergency alerts for events such as extreme weather (hurricanes, tsunamis, flash floods, etc.) There are also Amber Alerts (for child abduction cases), Silver Alerts (Silver Alert for missing persons – especially senior citizens), and active shooter situations. In addition, public safety alerts can also be … [Read more...] about Sign up for Emergency Alerts
Free things to do in September
Listed below are the free things to do in September. For all events on our calendar, free and paid, visit our calendar of affordable September events. For more things to do every day (free and paid), see our Calendar of free and cheap things to do (hawaiionthecheap.com). Free events September 2024 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 … [Read more...] about Free things to do in September
Affordable September events
Our September 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 general admission 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, … [Read more...] about Affordable September events
How and where to donate on Hawai‘i Foodbank Drive Day
Hawai‘i Foodbank is committed to being the healthy option for anyone experiencing hunger. Your support helps improve access to healthy food for the most vulnerable in our communities. Food Drive Day is dedicated to raising funds for fresh produce. More than one quarter of the food Hawai‘i Foodbank distributes is fresh, healthy produce – and you can help them provide even more. Hawaiʻi Foodbank Drive Day is Saturday, August 24, 2024. Residents on Hawai‘i … [Read more...] about How and where to donate on Hawai‘i Foodbank Drive Day
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. Duke’s OceanFest The Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation (ODKF) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1986 to perpetuate the spirit and legacy of Duke Kahanamoku. Duke’s OceanFest is an ocean sports festival held each summer in honor of famed waterman Duke Kahanamoku … [Read more...] about Oʻahu: Waterman sports festival honors Duke Kahanamoku
Shaka Auto License Plates available on all Hawaiian Islands
Shaka Auto License Plates are now available on all Hawaiian Islands. First year registration fee varies by county. To get your shaka plates on any island, apply with your local DMV (more information below). The Shaka Pledge I will: FEAR NOT. Be curious, hang loose, be epic… CONNECT. With family, region & history… NURTURE. Inspire, teach, grow… SERVE. People, community & planet… MAHALO. With gratitude, love & … [Read more...] about Shaka Auto License Plates available on all Hawaiian Islands
Free things to do in August
Listed below are free things to do in August. For all events on our calendar, free and paid, visit our August events calendar (hawaiionthecheap.com). For more things to do every day (free and paid), see our Calendar of free and cheap things to do (hawaiionthecheap.com). Free events August 2024 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 … [Read more...] about Free things to do in August
Best things to buy in August
Every month of the year, certain items are discounted due to overstock, holiday sales, or transitions from one season to the next. 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. Here are the shopping highlights for August in Hawai'i stores. Special events with shopping discounts and deals include … [Read more...] about Best things to buy in August
Affordable August events
Our August 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 general admission 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, … [Read more...] about Affordable August events
How to shop and save on school supplies
For many parents, shopping for school supplies is another chore in an already packed schedule. It can be more fun to think of it as a traditional outing. It can also be a lesson for your keiki on spending wisely and saving. Listed below are more strategies for shopping wisely for school supplies. How to save on back-to-school supplies Summertime is NOT the best time to shop for school supplies. A lot of school supplies go on clearance in September, when the demand … [Read more...] about How to shop and save on school supplies
Best handmade ice cream, soft serve, and gelato across the Hawaiian pae āina
Hawaiʻi may be better known for shave ice and tropical cocktails. But we also boast many small-batch producers serving up rich and creamy ice cream, soft serve, gelato, and Asian-influenced frozen treats. Listed below by island are our favorite ice cream makers. Big Island Ice Cream (Listed alphabetically by business name) Roselani (roselani.com). Creamy, dreamy ice cream handmade in Wailuku, Maui for over 87 years. Available throughout the state of Hawaii in … [Read more...] about Best handmade ice cream, soft serve, and gelato across the Hawaiian pae āina
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
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