Join thousands of enthused spectators and participants for the 34th annual Pan Pacific Festival in Honolulu! As one of Hawaii’s largest festivals, various Pacific-Rim cultures unite through their shared passion for music, arts, dance, performance, food, and more! Nearly 100 difference performance groups draw thousands of people to the pristine beaches of Waikiki. To get the ultimate cultural experience, explore the top Oahu attractions and participate in some festival fun! Festival highlights include: HO’OLAULE’A - Friday June 7th: The festival kicks off with a festive block party in Waikiki, with multiple stages along Kalakaua Avenue featuring cultural performances, live entertainment, and a wide range of Island crafters and vendors selling unique items. Not to mention- delicious island cuisine and local fare! PERFORMING ARTS SHOWCASE – Friday to Sunday June 7th-9th: … [Read more...]
Honolulu Triathlon 2013
Travelers to Oahu who find themselves in Honolulu this weekend are in for a treat – you’ll be able to see parts of the 10th Annual Honolulu Triathlon, which begins right at Magic Island in Ala Moana Beach Park. Events take place all day on Sunday, May 19, 2013; to avoid the heat of high noon, the longer races begin a little before 6:00 am. As you might imagine, Oahu is the perfect setting for a day full of outdoor activities, so you have a lot to look forward to as a spectator of this fantastic race. If you’re looking for special Oahu attractions this spring, this chance to watch part of the Honolulu Triathlon should definitely make the your list. For those of you unfamiliar with the activity, a triathlon is a popular athletic competition, comprised of three stages – usually, a swim, a bike ride, and a run. The duration varies, depending on the age of the participants, the … [Read more...]
Lei Day 2013 in Oahu
The beautiful Hawaiian lei, a floral necklace or garland presented as a symbol of affection, is one of the most enduring images of Hawaiian culture. Lei Day 2013 is a unique cultural event celebrating this tradition that has been held in Oahu for nearly a century. Sponsored by the Department of Parks and Recreation, the 86th annual Lei Day Celebration honors the nature and culture of traditional Hawaii, most especially, of course, the lei. If you’re looking for authentic Oahu attractions to visit with your family, look no further! The Lei Day Celebration is held every year on May 1st and features an impressive lineup of singing, dancing, eating, and art. Hosted in the heart of Queen Kapiolani Regional Park (located along the southern coast of Oahu outside of Waikiki), activities run from 9:00 am – 5:30 pm all across the park and in the bandstand. Highlights of the celebration … [Read more...]
Spring Break Oahu Attractions
Each year, thousands of people travel the globe to celebrate one thing: SPRING BREAK! If your spring break destination this year is Hawaii, we've put together our list of top Oahu attractions to fill up your week. If You Want Some Sun... Get on the beach! Oahu is a destination known for its shores and warm waters. The island is home to more than 125 distinct beaches, which means plenty of room for volleyball, snorkeling, and of course, tanning. Stop by Ala Moana Beach for some stand up paddle boarding and cheap rentals on chairs, umbrellas, and coolers for the beach. You can also visit Haleiwa Beach Park for a kayaking adventure along Oahu's north shore. Here kayaking in Oahu is at its best. Keep an eye out during your four hour tour through scenic Waialua Bay - you may see a roaming pod of green sea turtles, locally referred to as "Hanu". If You're Sun-Burnt... Put some … [Read more...]
Oahu Attractions for the Chinese New Year!
Cunning, sly, alluring: The Year of the Snake is imminent. If you haven’t kept up with your New Year’s resolutions, start over again with the Lunar Calendar. On February 10th, cultures around the world will be ringing in the Asian New Year, marking the beginning of 2013—the year of the Water Snake. Chinese New Year in Oahu The Chinese New Year in Hawaii is particularly exciting, due to its rich history and the culture that that thrives there. Oahu’s Chinatown is one of the biggest and most fascinating in the nation, featuring historic Oahu attractions and authentic food and culture (think fish markets and exotic colors). This year, Honolulu presents Month in Chinatown in celebration of the Year of the Snake. In a blend of events hosted by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, the United Chinese Coalition, and the Chinatown Merchants Association, Chinatown offers the … [Read more...]
Oahu Attractions: Pro Bowl Preview
In January, there is one Oahu attraction enjoyed by local Hawaiians, visiting tourists, and television viewers alike: the AFC-NFC Pro Bowl. This year, the NFL's all star game will be taking place on Sunday, January 27 with kick-off at 2 PM HST (7 PM EST). Players from 26 NFL teams will face off in front of more than 13 million viewers nationwide. Here's a look at how you can celebrate the game in Oahu this weekend: 2013 Pro Bowl Celebrations Since 1980, the Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii has been home to the NFL's Pro Bowl Game, a showdown between the best players of its two leagues: the AFC and the NFC. Official Pro Bowl festivities begin on Friday with Eat the Street, a food truck rally close to downtown Honolulu. Over 40 food trucks and street vendors will be opening up at 4 PM featuring delicious tailgating-themed food representing every NFL city represented in the Pro Bowl. You … [Read more...]
Unique Oahu Attractions: Hallowbaloo Music & Arts Festival Returns for 5th Year of Mayhem
Combining Hawaii’s largest live music showcase with spirited Halloween revelry, Honolulu’s Hallowballo Music & Arts Festival is back for its fifth year—so we hope you’re ready to party! On the weekend of October 27th and 28th, Chinatown’s Art District will be brought to life with a mob of 15,000+ masqueraders and live music from over 40 bands. It's bound to be a rollicking good time for the 21+ crowd, though anyone can enjoy the free events that take place both days. This festival is one of the best Oahu attractions for music lovers! Free Street Festival Saturday’s Free Street Festival begins at 5:30 PM on Nu’uanu Avenue. Four outside stages will be set up for this year’s entertainment, which features headliner Delta Spirit, an alternative rock band from San Diego known for their use of unique instruments (think trash can lids) and soulful sound. Other highlights … [Read more...]
The Honolulu Marathon
Did you know that Honolulu, Hawaii is home to one of the world’s ten largest marathon races? The Honolulu Marathon takes place on Sunday, December 11th this year, and in the past has averaged about 25,000 finishing runners. To put that number in perspective, that’s only about 10,000 less participants than compete in the world’s largest marathon in London. First held in 1973, the Honolulu Marathon has maintained popularity with marathoners partly because it requires no qualifying standards, has no limit on its number of runners, and has no time limit to finish the course. Another draw is its breathtaking ocean views; the majority of the Honolulu Marathon’s course runs along the beach, passing through such notable tourist attractions as Honolulu Harbor and the famous Waikiki Beach. Runners also pass by Iolani Palace, the only royal palace on American land, and Diamond Head, … [Read more...]
Unique Oahu Attractions: Halloween in Hawaii at 4th Annual Hallowbaloo!
If you're lucky enough to be spending Halloween in Hawaii, the Hallowbaloo Music & Arts Festival is absolute must-see event! Located in Honolulu on the island of Oahu, the Honolulu Arts District hosts this spectacular 4-day event with absolutely unmatched Halloween passion and creativity. So what will you find at one of the spookiest Oahu attractions? Everything. You'd be hard-pressed to think of something you can't find at this Halloween bash that features live performances from top international artists, dance club parties, theatrical performances, haunted houses, horror films, and more! Of course, with over 15,000 attendees parading around in costumes, the people-watching alone is worth the visit! This year's Hallowbaloo weekend commences on Thursday, October 27th with the Electronica Pre-Party at NextDoor featuring Baths, one of the best live performers to come … [Read more...]
Top 10 Things to Do in Oahu
As the capital of Hawaii, Honolulu is always alive with action. There are so many fun things to do in Honolulu that it would be difficult to list them all. The amazing beaches of Oahu island offer enough on their own, but there are also several museums, parks and relaxing activities available to visitors. From Ala Moana to Waikik Beachi, here are the top 10 things to do in Oahu. Ala Moana Beach Park Ala Moana Beach Park is a picturesque tourist attraction located on the coast of the island. It boasts a beautiful jogging trail, beach and nearby shopping center. Before the opening of the Mall of America, the Ala Moana Shopping Center was the largest mall in the States. Today, it is still the largest open-air shopping center in the world. Diamond Head Hike Visiting the 350-acre Diamond Head crater is widely considered one of the best things to do in Honolulu. You’ll be able … [Read more...]
