FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 16, 2024

News, Updates and Aloha From O‘ahu
(July 2024, Quarter 3)

O‘AHU —  Welcome to O‘ahu, where the spirit of aloha thrives, is filled with vibrant energy, and effortlessly weaves together vivid natural splendor, inspiring cultural richness and an array of unique experiences. Whether you find yourself drawn to its multifaceted culinary and dining scene, fascinating historical sites, or breathtaking valleys and scenic landscapes, Oʻahu promises the unforgettable experiences you want and more.  

You’ve still got lots of time to immerse yourself in O‘ahu’s hospitality this summer and feel the energizing pulse of its festivals, activities, food, and cultural and community traditions.  

Please also note that the spring and summer months are a special time of year in the Hawaiian Islands that includes six months of Hawaiian monk seal pupping season, which end in August. Help protect these beloved and endangered marine mammals by keeping at least a football field of distance from them. Pursuing and feeding marine mammals are prohibited by federal law. Do not attempt to touch, ride or feed Hawaiian monk seals or other Hawai‘i marine mammals. Failure to comply with protections afforded to endangered species can result in fines.

EXPERIENCE AUTHENTIC HAWAIIAN HULA, MELE AND CULTURE IN HISTORIC WAIKĪKĪ

Hula Grill

• Hula Grill at the OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beach Resort recently launched a new live Hawaiian music series from noon to 2 p.m. daily featuring local musicians. Performers include Ben Kama (Mondays), Kawika Kahiapo (Tuesdays), Ronson Asuncion (Wednesdays), Randy Allen (Thursdays), Yoza (Fridays), Uluwehi Young (Saturdays) and Stephen Inglis (Sundays). www.HulaGrillWaikiki.com

Waikiki Beach Walk

• Waikiki Beach Walk’s monthly musical showcase, Mele Hali‘a, spotlights musical entertainment by some of Hawai‘i’s most popular musicians on a single Sunday each month. Another new Waikiki Beach Walk series, Ke Kulāiwi, focuses on Hawaiians and their native homeland, featuring appearances by Hawaiian organizations, hula schools and other cultural guests. All performances for both series are free of charge. www.WaikikiBeachWalk.com/Events-And-News

 MĀLAMA HAWAIʻI

Atlantis Submarines Waikiki

• Atlantis Submarines Waikiki is supporting Hawaiʻi ocean stewardship fee program Aloha i ke Kai by donating $1 for each guest on its tours to raise money for research and restoration of coral reefs, marine debris prevention, and other initiatives helping improve Hawaiʻi’s coasts and ocean. Atlantis has also invested in multimillion-dollar artificial reef system — such as sunken ships and the remnants of an airplane hull — with an objective of working to protect and increase marine life off Waikīkī’s coastline. Guests are welcomed aboard for an informative adventure on the company’s eco-friendly, battery-powered submarine to help support ocean-sustainably efforts. www.AtlantisAdventures.com

Equus Hotel

• Now in its second year as a member of Kind Traveler’s Every Stay Gives Back community impact program, Equus Hotel — in partnership with its guests — has contributed more than $13,000 to Project Kanu, a Hawaiʻi nonprofit helping local farmers plant carbon-sequestering food trees here in the Islands. Since the devastating 2023 Maui wildfires, Project Kanu has focused all funds raised through its Every Stay Gives Back partnership with Equus Hotel to support the planting of ʻulu trees with the Hawaiʻi 'Ulu Cooperative. www.EquusHotel.com

Hula Grill Waikiki

• Hula Grill Waikiki will continue its Mālama ʻĀina series through the rest of the year, featuring presentations spotlighting Hawaiʻi wildlife, ecosystems and environmental issues, with a special focus on the ahupuaʻa (land division) of Waikīkī. Speakers in the series aim to offer guests a better understanding of their surroundings while in Hawai‘i and a deeper appreciation for conservation and restoration efforts statewide. The upcoming presentations below will be led by Susan Scott, president of the Hawai‘i Audubon Society and the author of 10 books on nature in Hawaiʻi. www.HulaGrillWaikiki.com
  • August 6: Kōlea: Pacific Golden Plover
  • September 10: Manu O Kū: White Fairy Terns
  • October 8: ʻUaʻu Kani: Wedge-Tailed Shearwaters

International Market Place

• International Market Place will host a free community event with a goal of crafting as many water-cleaning genki balls as volunteers can make in a six-hour period. Genki means “well” or “healthy” in the Japanese language. The public is invited to volunteer in creating genki mud balls packed with microorganisms to be placed in Waikīkī’s Ala Wai Canal to make the waterway healthier, its ecosystem vibrant, and the canal fishable and swimmable by 2026. This event for the nonprofit Genki Ala Wai Project happens on September 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the International Market Place. www.ShopInternationalMarketPlace.com 

Mālama Maunalua

• Mālama Maunalua is a community-based nonprofit committed to restoring the health of East O‘ahu’s Maunalua Bay through habitat restoration, science and planning, and education and outreach. The nonprofit works extensively across the Maunalua area’s ecosystems to help restore the bay’s marine resources and enhance knowledge and environmental awareness of the community. From removing invasive algae, restoring reefs with thermally resistant corals, and out planting native sea urchins to help mitigate the growth of invasive algae, to assessing runoff impacts and educating students and community members, Mālama Maunalua strives to protect and restore its namesake bay. Visit their calendar of events for more on volunteer opportunities and how to register. www.MalamaMaunalua.org

OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach

• OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort is hosting a series of events honoring Hawaiian wayfinding traditions and the perpetuation of Hawaiian voyaging canoe caretaking skills. As part of the series, the resort is welcoming the public to its A‘o Cultural Center on September 14 for family-friendly activities, light bites, refreshments and live music. Guests can participate in a hands-on workshop with master canoe crafter and wood worker Tay Perry, a workshop on compass navigation with Hokuleʻa 2014 canoe captain Keahi Omai, a talk story with Bishop Museum Exhibit Designer and Hokuleʻa 2023 crew member Mike Wilson, and enjoy music by Hawai‘i musician Kawika Kahiapo. These free events are fundraising opportunities for the nonprofit The Friends of Hōkūleʻa and Hawaiʻiloa. www.Outrigger.com

SUPPORT LOCAL

Hawaiian Vinegar & Spice Co.

• Located in Wahiawā, Hawaiian Vinegar and Spice Co. aims to support local farmers, reduce food waste and offer high-quality products enhancing culinary experiences. Its mission is to promote sustainability and celebrate Hawai‘i flavors through artisanal vinegars and spice blends crafted from locally sourced, off-grade produce. Visitors can explore the company’s offerings firsthand at its tasting room, The Vinegary. For a more immersive experience, visitors can also check out the company’s semi-private, four-course mocktail tastings, which offer a deeper dive into its products and commitment to sustainability and local agriculture. www.HawaiianVinegarCo.com

Lemuria Crystal Shop

• Lemuria Crystal Shop, which began selling handmade jewelry and crystals from farmers market stands on O‘ahu in 2015, recently opened its fourth location at Waikiki Beach Walk. The store blends spirituality and a love for rocks and minerals, aiming to highlight and honor the natural beauty Earth provides. Lemuria sells natural crystals in different shapes and forms, including crystal jewelry and home accessories. www.LemuriaCrystalShop.com

Reyn Spooner

• Reyn Spooner’s newest retail location at Waikiki Beach Walk is the Hawai‘i-based retailer’s seventh in the Islands. With 973 square-feet of space, the store offers the six-decades-in-business brand’s heritage prints, seasonal designs, and one of Hawai‘i’s largest selections of collegiate and sports prints. The store also stocks a selection of Reyn Spooner women’s fashions, children’s clothing and accessories, and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. www.ReynSpooner.com

ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS

‘Auana

• ‘Auana is Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group’s first resident production in Hawai‘i and its first show to be curated around its host destination. The production will introduce Cirque du Soleil’s performance artistry to Hawai‘i through the guidance and vision of a several Native Hawaiian creatives, including Cultural Creative Producer Dr. Aaron J. Salā, Costume Designer Carrington Manaola Yap and Choreographer Kumu Hula Hiwa Vaughan-Darval. Tickets for ‘Auana are available now for performances beginning December 15. For more information about the partnership between Outrigger Hospitality Group and Cirque du Soleil, visit www.CirqueDuSoleil.com/auana. 

Battleship Missouri Memorial

• Explore a new exhibit aboard the Battleship Missouri Memorial spotlighting the dramatic life transformation for Hawaiʻi residents following the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. The exhibit shares Dorinda Nicholson’s story, what it was like growing up in wartime Hawai‘i and witnessing the attack during World War II from her home at 6-years-old. The display features personal artifacts loaned by Nicholson, WWII-era Red Cross items loaned by the American Red Cross and the American Girl® doll Nanea, inspired by Nicholson’s story. Exhibit visitors will experience the profound impact World War II had on the daily lives of local residents and gain a deeper understanding of the true cost of war and the enduring spirit of those who called Hawaiʻi home all those years ago. www.USSMissouri.org

Bike Hawaii

• Bike Hawaiʻi’s popular 5-mile Downhill Bike Tours now visit two distinct O‘ahu waterfalls. Choose from either the downhill Koʻolau Waterfall tour on private land or hike a Hawaiian Waterfall (Mānoa) tour, available six days each week through the summer. Guests are invited to book both tours at www.BikeHawaii.com.

ʻIolani Palace

• ʻIolani Palace recently unveiled its new exhibit,“ʻĀinamoana: The Lands of the Sea,” in its Bartels Gallery. ʻĀinamoana highlights the indigenous-centered perspective that took center stage during the reign of Kingdom of Hawai‘i monarch Kalākaua and the ongoing efforts of Kānaka ʻŌiwi and other indigenous peoples to foster unity across Oceania in modern times. www.IolaniPalace.org

International Market Place

• ‘O Nā Lani Sunset Stories —which welcomes audiences at International Market Place three nights a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays — will move to a 6 p.m. start time in September. Free and open to the public, the 45-minute show honors the center’s rich history and sense of place through Hawaiian and Polynesian song and dance. The show begins at sunset with the ceremonial lighting of the center’s Lamakū Torch Tower on Kalākaua Avenue in Waikīkī and moves to the stage at Queen’s Court. ‘O Nā Lani Sunset Stories begins at 6 p.m. from September through February and 6:30 p.m. from March through August.
  
  
• Blue Hawaiian Helicopters recently opened a desk at the International Market Place on Level 1. One of Hawai‘i’s leading helicopter tour companies since 1985, Blue Hawaiian serves Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi and the Island of Hawaiʻi. It has also received the Federal Aviation Administration’s Certificate of Excellence Diamond Award every year since 1997.

Honolulu Museum of Art

• This fall, the Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA)celebrates the creative impact of a single public school on visual art in Hawaiʻi with “Home of the Tigers: McKinley High and Modern Art,” on display from September 28, 2024, to January 12, 2025. The exhibition charts the history of 20th-century artistic movements in Hawaiʻi and beyond through the work of seven extraordinary artists who emerged from McKinley High School including Satoru Abe, John Chin Young, Ralph Iwamoto, Keichi Kimura and Robert Kobayashi, Raymond Han, and ʻImaikalani Kalahele and three teachers who inspired them. www.HonoluluMuseum.org

Kumu Kahua Theatre

• Kumu Kahua Theatre in downtown Honolulu is kicking off its 54^th season in August, continuing its mission of presenting plays exploring identity, pride and self-discovery within the unique cultural context of Hawaiʻi. Set to run from August 22 through September 22, “Lovey Lee” follows the story of a young, queer Hawaiian in a unique coming-of-age story set in the 1970s. The play was written by prominent Hawai‘i theater actor Moses Goods. Showtimes will be 7 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays. www.KumuKahua.org

Paniolo, A Hawai‘i Cowboy Lūʻau

• Turtle Bay’s weekly dinner show, “Paniolo, A Hawai‘i Cowboy Lūʻau,” pays homage to Hawai‘i’s paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) heritage with a dinner feast featuring a pig roast, fresh salads and an array of desserts, including s’mores enjoyed around a campfire. Family members of all ages can also learn how to throw a lasso rope, weave coconut fronds and make a lei The show happens at the Turtle Bay Stables on Wednesdays and select Sundays during the summer from 5:30 to 8 p.m. www.TurtleBayResort.com

Park West Gallery

• Park West Gallery announced a new artist residency at its Honolulu gallery with classically trained oil painter Cam Rose. Rose will host free community events, including daily champagne tours from 4 to 8 p.m. where guests learn about remarkable works from giants of art history, including Salvador Dali, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Marc Chagall and Pablo Picasso, while enjoying a complimentary glass of champagne. Rose will also host free live painting sessions and meet-and-greets every Wednesday and Thursday during business hours between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m., where guests can observe her artistic process. www.ParkWestGallery.com/Hawaii.

Pearl Harbor National Memorial

• Pearl Harbor National Memorial and Pacific Historic Parks launched a new queuing system for guests unable to secure shuttle boat reservations online prior to their visit. The system allows guests to register up to six people per phone number using their mobile phone. It then notifies guests when to head to the standby line for their shuttle ride to the USS Arizona Memorial, shortening guest wait times to 20-30 minutes on average and allowing more time to visit the park’s two other World War II museums, new Virtual Reality Theater and experience the Narrated Multimedia Tours hosted by actor Jamie Lee Curtis. www.USSArizonaTours.com

Sea Life Park

• Learn about the traditional Hawaiian practice and art form of kapa making at workshops led by kumu (instructor) Page Pūkoʻa Chang at Sea Life Park. The immersive experiences include Peel and Pound sessions focused on kapa preparation and an in-depth Ka Hāna workshop walking participants through the fuller creative process and offering opportunities to craft kapa. The next Peel and Pound experiences are set for July 27 and August 31, with three 45-minute sessions offered between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., and the two-hour Ka Hāna workshop offered on August 10 at 10 a.m. These experiences are presented by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority and Center for Native Hawaiian Advancement via a partnership with Waimānalo Canoe Club. www.SeaLifeParkHawaii.com

Waimea Valley

• Waimea Valley is hosting a free Screen on the Green event every Thursday in Julycoinciding with its kamaʻāina days from noon to 3 p.m. and the Haleʻiwa farmers markets from 2 to 6 p.m. Films begin at sundown. www.WaimeaValley.net

Wild Side Specialty Tours

• Wild Side Specialty Tours aims to actively engaging participants in crucial conservation efforts to protect Hawaiʻi’s marine environment. Guests contribute on tour by photographing whale flukes and dolphin fins, documenting sightings of endangered species such as whale sharks and Hawaiian false killer whales and helping collect marine debris. Two new Hawaiian false killer whale calves were spotted by guests in June, signaling hope for the endangered species’ future. Such initiatives emphasize the vital role of community involvement in preserving O‘ahu’s vibrant marine ecosystem. www.SailHawaii.com

HOTELS

Halekulani

• The reopening of SpaHalekulani at Halekulani hotel in Waikīkī is set for this summer. The spa has undergone a revitalization centered around the theme of water, traditionally recognized as a symbol of life signifying renewal, cleansing and change. www.Halekulani.com/Spa-and-Wellness

Hilton Waikīkī Beach

• In May, Hilton Waikiki Beach opened its Garden Gazebo area, offering unobstructed views of the property’s mini waterfalls without the distractions of the pool area. The property completed a $10 million renovation on the 10^th floor pool deck in 2023. Enhancements include a new and larger pool and hot tub, and large poolside cabanas with televisions, refrigerators, safes and backside ocean views. The open-air Hang 10 Bar offers seating for 20 patrons, a dining area, fire pits, daybeds and chaise lounges, as well as a nine-hole mini-golf course, live music nightly from 4 to 7 p.m. and views of Waikīkī. Pool Deck passes for non-hotel guests are available for $30 per person with discounted parking at $15. www.HiltonWaikikiBeach.com

Lotus Honolulu at Diamond Head

• The Lotus Honolulu at Diamond Head hotel offers views of Waikīkī’s Kapi‘olani Park, majestic Lē‘ahi (aka Diamond Head Crater)and the Pacific Ocean. It features 51 modern, rooms and suites, including the recently renovated 1,700-square-foot Lotus Waikiki Penthouse Suite encompassing the hotel’s entire top floor, with a private wraparound balcony and sweeping views of Lē‘ahi  and the Pacific Ocean. www.LotusHonoluluHotel.com

Marriott Vacation Club, Waikiki

• The Marriott Vacation Clubs is set to introduce a new property to its Hawai‘i portfolio this October in Waikīkī. The new resort —available for limited rental bookings through Marriott.com — will feature a variety of amenities including rooftop spaces, a pool, a fitness facility and a culinary outlet. The seven-story property will feature 110 guestrooms, including studios and one-bedroom villas. Rooms will be equipped with kitchenettes and washer/dryers, ideal for families or groups looking for extra space. Guests craving ocean adventuring will be able to select from a variety of watersport rentals and lessons, including surfing, paddleboarding and snorkeling. The resort will be The Marriot Vacation Club’s 12^th Hawai‘i property. 

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani

• The Sheraton Princess Kaiulani recently completed renovations of its ‘Ainahau Tower guest rooms, highlighting six new Junior Suites and 658 refreshed guestrooms. All 664 guestrooms were given an extensive refresh aiming to pay homage to Waikīkī’s history and Hawai‘i Princess Victoria Kaʻiulani’s fashion sense, celebrate the hotel’s historic grounds and landscapes, and bring new life to its original design. Sheraton Princess Kaiulani is situated on the former site of ‘Āinahau Estate, which was once Kaʻiulani’s home. www.Marriott.com

 Turtle Bay Resort

• Turtle Bay Resort is transitioning to become The Ritz Carlton O’ahu, Turtle Bay. The property will continue to offer its current experiences and activities, including surf lessons with the Jamie O’Brien Surf Experience, tours of its revitalized Kuilima Farm and the resort’s signature Paniolo Lū‘au as well as other cultural experiences.
  
  
• Weekly Summer Sessions at the Waterfront Sunset Bar. Every Thursday this summer, the resort is hosting Summer Sessions with live DJ sets by local favorites and featuring Lanikai Brewing Co.’s Lilikoi Sunset Session IPA, an exclusive beer for Turtle Bay Resort using fresh ingredients from the resort’s onsite Kuilima Farm. During Summer Sessions, all are welcome to book a two-hour surfboard rental from the Jamie O'Brien Surf Experience, available at special rates of $30 for hotel guests and $60 for Hawai‘i residents.

Wayfinder Waikiki

• Imagined by Hawai‘i designer Michelle Jaime of The Vanguard Theory, the Wayfinder Suite is a newly launched accommodation on the 12^th floor of Wayfinder Waikiki hotel featuring custom furniture and finishes, including a Smeg refrigerator, outdoor dining and lounging, and a sofa sleeper. The one-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bathroom suite with a kitchenette offers more than 900 square-feet of indoor space surrounded by three private lanais offering partial ocean, city and mountain views. www.WayfinderWaikiki.com

CULINARY OFFERINGS

Aloha Steakhouse Waikiki

• Located next to Aloha Steak House, The Butcher Bar recently held its grand opening in May, offering a unique dining experience that celebrates resourcefulness and culinary flair. Dedicated to transforming the ordinary into extraordinary, The Butcher Bar showcases the artistry of butchery and the bounty of fresh Hawaiian ingredients, repurposing steakhouse trimmings into innovative dishes and crafting a sustainable and playful menu. www.AlohaSteakHouseWaikiki.com

The Blue Fish

• The Blue Fish, offering a menu of classic and specialty sushi, sashimi, and Japanese and Korean items has created a new all-you-can-eat menu starting at $39.95 per person for lunch. The restaurant’s three menu tiers — bronze, silver and gold — all include pūpū (appetizers), desserts and popular favorites such as sushi rolls and nigiri options with ‘ahi, salmon and yellowtail for $49.95. The silver and gold tiers offer additional upgraded rolls, premium fish and proteins such as lobster, uni, ama ebi and wagyu beef for $69.95 and $79.95 respectively. Customers purchasing the all-you-can-eat option are offered weekly drink specials. The Blue Fish is open daily from noon to 9 p.m., and 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. www.TheBlueFishSushi.com.

The Curb Kaimuki

• Top pastry chef Hana Quon recently moved to Honolulu eight months ago after closing Café Madeleine in Boston, where she was a partner for 10 years. Like many other pastry chefs and bakers across the country, she has begun to incorporate Asian flavors into European techniques over the years. Working to find a bakery storefront of her own, those looking to get a taste of her offerings can find them at The Curb in Kaimukī, a locally owned multi-roster coffee shop. www.HonoluluMagazine.com

Merriman’s

• Merriman’s Honolulu has introduced a new nightly specials menu highlighting its long-standing commitment to Hawaiʻi Regional Cuisine and featuring local ingredients sourced from mauka (mountain) to ma kai (ocean). Diners can opt for hearty entrees such as butter-roasted whole lobster and truffle fettuccine pasta or a decadent order of caviar, chips and champagne. www.MerrimansHawaii.com

Mille Fête

• James Beard award-winning chef Robynne Maii and her friend, baker Katherine Yang, are readying for an October opening of Mille Fête, a bakery concept featuring delectable treats and some of Fête restaurant’s most popular desserts. Located in downtown Honolulu’s Chinatown district, the bakery will emphasize fresh ingredients across a selection of pastries, ice creams and other provisions. For a Mille Fête taste test at Maii’s Fête restaurant, reserve a seat at www.FeteHawaii.com.   

Moani Waikiki Bistro & Bar

• Moani Waikiki Bistro and Bar recently introduced Moani ‘Ohana Dining, a new prix fixe menu featuring a four-course meal of bestselling items. The meal can be ordered individually or for groups of up to 20. Its menu includes a choice of pūpū or appetizer of Pele’s prawns or bao burgers, a tofu salad or Caesar salad, and an entrée — miso salmon with bok choy, steamed rice and pickled ginger, or a Moani moco with fried rice, hamburger patties and two sunny-side-up eggs. The fourth course is the bistro’s cheehoo cheesecake. www.MoaniWaikiki.com

Monkeypod Kitchen - Waikīkī

• Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman recently held its grand opening at the OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, marking completion of the property’s $85 million investment in its Waiola Wellness Wing. Monkeypod’s dishes are crafted with renewable, locally sourced and sustainable ingredients. www.MonkeypodKitchen.com

Nami Kaze

• 2024 James Beard award semifinalist Nami Kaze has launched the second edition of its farmers menu highlighting O‘ahu ingredients and farmers. Curated by chefs Devin Hikosaka, Reed Kikuta, Richard Lee and Beverly Luk, the menu is available to guests for a limited time through September and priced at $80 per person, with a portion of its proceeds supporting local nonprofit organizations chosen by Nami Kaze staff. www.NamiKaze.com

Redfish Poke Bar

• Located at Wayfinder Waikiki hotel, Redfish has launched a new summer menu celebrating the rich, vibrant culture of poke and local cuisine. The menu launch marks a new chapter for Redfish as the restaurant expands and elevates offerings to further introduce and immerse visitors into the world of poke with a fresh interpretation of truly local dishes. With seven new flavors, Redfish now boasts over 20 types of poke, showcasing the island’s freshest local fish. In celebration of the new menu, Redfish has introduced a Poke Flight, giving guests the option to try three different flavors. www.RedFishPoke.com

RumFire Restaurant

• RumFire Waikiki, offering oceanfront dining at the Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort, recently launched its Aloha Hour from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.Hawai‘i Island native Darren Demaya has brought an exclusive chili pepper water to Aloha Hour and is utilizing it in several new dishes exclusive to the restaurant menu. www.RumfireWaikiki.com

Vavin Dessert Bar 

• Vavin Dessert Bar is Waikīkī’s newest pâtisserie serving crispy croissants and pastries located near Eggs ‘n Things. Owner and pâtissier Jin Ying started his career working in Manhattan at a boba shop, followed by nine years of training at pâtisseries in New York City and Paris. After deciding it was time to strike out on his own, Ying and his wife moved to Hawaiʻi with a vision of fusing together the many flavors of France, Asia and Hawaiʻi. www.HonoluluMagazine.com

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

July 27 - August 31, 2024

• Waimea Valley Summer Concert Series — Happening on the valley’s Main Lawn, each concert is hosted by Hawai‘i TV and radio personality and actor Kimo Kahoano and begins at 2 p.m. Gates open at 11:30 a.m. The two remaining series concerts for this summer are listed below. www.WaimeaValley.net/SummerConcert
  • July 27: Kamuela Kahoano, Walea, Ben Vegas and Na Leo Unplugged (a 40th Anniversary Special Performance)
  • August 31: Paʻahana, Pomai Keawe and Family, Nuʻe and Maunalua

July 28, 2024

• Sun-Kissed Splash Pool Party — This free event, hosted by the Surfjack Hotel and Swim Club, welcomes guests and local residents looking to kickback in the property’s much photographed Wish You Were Here swimming pool. The Sun-Kissed Splash Pool Party happens on the last Sunday of each month, with the next set for July 28.  The hotel’s hotel’s Mahina & Sun’s restaurant will be serving up poolside bites from its lānai menu and beverages from its new summer cocktail menu and tiki-cocktail menu at the next pool party. www.Surfjack.com

August 1-31, 2024

• International Market Place (IMP) Mixology Month — This monthlong celebration will feature specially priced cocktails and appetizers at participating IMP restaurants throughout August. Festivities include live music entertainment at several venues, a Battle of the Bartenders competition and special International Market Place Tiki Cup giveaways as a part of its annual Tiki-Versary. www.ShopInternationalMarketPlace.com
  • August 14, 21 and 28, 4 p.m.: Join IMP bartenders in a spirited competition seeking the most “Tiki-riffic” mixologist. Held over three Wednesdays in August, the tournament-style event includes music, beverage sampling and more. Guests must be age 21 or older to attend and admission is free with ID. Maximum 150 guests. First come, first served.

August 2-3, 2024

• 20^th Annual Korean Festival — An annual event presented by the Hawaii Korean Chamber of Commerce with support from community organizations, businesses and volunteers, the Korean Festival’s purpose is to share, promote, and raise awareness of Korean culture within the community. Stop by to experience a unique, authentic taste of Korean culture through food, dance music, and entertainment. Proceeds from the event are used to fund service projects and ventures which benefit the Korean and larger community in Hawai’i. www.HawaiiKoreanChamber.org
  • August 2, 6-9 p.m.: Movie night at Ward Consolidated Theatre
  • Augst 3, 10 a. – 6 p.m.: Main festival at Kakaʻako Mauka Gateway Park

August 10 - October 12, 2024

• Sunset on the Beach — Southwest Airlines, in partnership with the Waikīkī Improvement Association, is bringing back this family-friendly movie night series on the sands of Waikīkī. Join in on select Saturday nights for live music, games, photo ops and more. www.SouthwestAirlinesHawaii.com
  • August 10: “Wonka” — With an evening themed as “Treats with Wonka,” festivities will begin at 4:30 p.m. followed by the movie screening at 7:30 p.m.
  • September 14: “Jumanji” — Themed “Island Flashback,” festivities will begin at 4 p.m. followed by a screening of the 1995 version of “Jumanji” at 7:05 p.m.
  • October 12: “Hotel Transylvania” — Themed “Beach Boos,” festivities will begin at 4 p.m. followed by the movie screening at 6:30 p.m. Arrive dressed to impress for the children’s Halloween costume contest!

August 16, 2024

• Don Ho Birthday Tribute — Famous for his hit songs “Tiny Bubbles,” “Pearly Shells” and more, Don Ho opened his world-famous “Don Ho Show” at the International Marketplace in 1963 and became a Hawai‘i music icon. The public is invited to honor him at a traditional lei draping of his statue and free live music tribute show at the modern-day International Market Place’s Banyan Court. www.ShopInternationalMarketPlace.com
  • 5 p.m.: Lei-draping ceremony at the Don Ho statue, Banyan Court, Level 1
  • 6 p.m.: Don Ho “Suck ‘Em Up” Tribute Show with Henry Kapono and Friends, Queen’s Court, Level 1

August 16-18, 2024

• 2024 World Pokémon World Championships — Taking place at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center, The Pokémon World Championships features the best Pokémon players around the globe. Players will compete for prizes, Pokémon World Champion titles, and return invitations for the following year’s Worlds. www.Worlds.Pokemon.com

August 16-25, 2024

• Duke Kahanamoku Ocean Festival — Hawai‘i’s premiere ocean sports festival, the Duke Kahanamoku Ocean Festival is held annually in August on the iconic beaches of Waikīkī in honor of the renowned Hawai‘i waterman and Olympic gold-medal swimming champion. Competitions include surfing, swimming, volleyball, outrigger canoe paddling and more. www.DukesOceanFest.com

August 31, 2024

• 42^nd Annual Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival, Waikīkī Style! — The next edition of this annual fest dedicated to Hawaiian slack-key guitar playing is slated for August 31, from 5 to 9 p.m., at the Waikīkī Aquarium, featuring a lineup of the music genre’s top musicians. The event is sponsored by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority with support from Kilohana by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement. www.Facebook.com/SlackKeyFestivals

September 1-30, 2024

• 78^th Annual Aloha Festivals — One of Hawai‘i’s most enduring annual cultural celebrations, Aloha Festivals returns this September to uplift the diversity of Hawai‘i’s community, perpetuate its treasured traditions and bring together residents and visitors to celebrate the Hawaiian Islands’ sharing of the aloha Its signature events include The Royal Court Investiture and Opening Ceremony on September 7, the 70^th annual Waikīkī Ho‘olaule‘a block party on September 21 and the 76^th annual Aloha Festivals Floral Parade presented by ‘Alohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach on September 28. www.AlohaFestivals.com.
  • September 7, 4-6 p.m.: Royal Court Investiture Opening Ceremony
  • September 21, 6-9:30 p.m.: 70^th Annual Waikīkī Hoʻolauleʻa
  • September 28, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.: 76^th Annual floral Parade presented by ʻAlohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach

September 21-22, 2024

• 48^th Annual Honolulu Intertribal Powwow — This two day American Indian, Alaska Native and First Nations people cultural event showcases traditional and contemporary dancing, drumming, singing, cultural performances and exhibitions. The powwow also features a children’s activity booth, Native American local arts & craft vendors and Navajo cuisine, along with local Hawaiian food truck vendors, shave ice treats and refreshing fruit and ice-tea beverages. Educational, informational, health and other non-profit community groups will be on-hand to share relevant and current issues within the indigenous community. www.GoHawaii.com/islands/events

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Contact:                        Kalei Kaaialii
                                     Anthology A FINN Partners Company
                                     Email: kalei.kaaialii@finnpartners.com
                                     Website: http://media.gohawaii.com/oahu/