The Waikiki Beat

Celebrate Local Culture with Honolulu Festival

If there’s one thing that Honolulu locals love, it’s celebrations. However, the 26th Annual Honolulu Festival is more than just an excuse to dress up in traditional garments and parade through the streets: it’s also an opportunity to show respect and admiration for the diverse culture that has shaped Honolulu through the years.

On March 6, the Honolulu Festival will begin with a Grand Parade less than half a mile from Royal Grove Waikiki along Kalakaua Avenue. Take to the streets with the inflatable dragons and matching dancers as you make your way through Waikiki. There will be floats and all of the performances needed to make a great parade.

After the parade, this huge celebration will move to three locations: Waikiki Beach Walk, the Ala Moana Shopping Center, and the Hawaii Convention Center. These locations will feature countless performances by various cultural groups. Come learn about local culture from the people who know it best and have a great time doing it!

Chinese New Year Celebration Waikiki Edition

On January 25, the world says goodbye to the pig and hello to the rat. Don’t worry, this is, of course, about the Chinese New Year and not about the actual animals. If you’re visiting Waikiki this January, you’ll be glad to know that you can welcome in the new Chinese year with a grand celebration at Chinatown Cultural Plaza.

A Chinese New Year celebration is centered around the magnificent live performances and all the lion and dragon dances you can handle. This particular celebration is hosted by The Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii and will include all sorts of dances, cultural performances, and other live entertainment. Bring the whole family and enjoy arts-and-crafts booths as well as culturally-inspired food preparations.

These festivities will take place on January 17 and 18 from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm (the week before the official Chinese New Year). Dance with some dragons and experience a new type of New Year celebration.

A World-Class Fireworks Display for a World-Class Beach

With some of the most pristine shorelines in the world, it’s hard to imagine how Waikiki’s beaches could become even more majestic. Tons of soft, gentle sand among a backdrop of crystal-clear water and friendly faces already sounds like perfection, but on New Year’s Eve, this destination will explode with color and energy.

Every year, Waikiki Beach becomes home to one of the best fireworks displays in the nation. The Waikiki Improvement Association will take a barge offshore and fill the sky with a dazzling display that lasts for over 10 minutes. You will enjoy all sorts of patterns including rings, spirals, and large multi-layered fans.

The show will begin at 11:55 pm and will usher you into the new year. Local radio stations Country 97.5 and 107.9 Hawaii’s Kool Gold will be broadcasting choreographed music for the celebration. Whether you’re relaxing on the beach or watching from your Royal Grove balcony, it's sure to be an unforgettable experience!

Marvel at a Living Piece of Royal History

Honolulu has no shortage of festivals and parades that can sometimes go on for days. However, Honolulu also has a more royal aspect of its culture due to its place as the seat of power of Hawaii’s old monarchy. This monarchy ruled over the vast domain from the Iolani Palace and now you can visit this palace and experience Hawaiin royalty for yourself!

The Iolani Palace was build in 1882 by King Kalakaua and was home to the last monarch in Hawaiian history. The palace has since been restored to its full grandeur, so visitors can get an unfiltered look into old Hawaiin royal life. The inside of the palace is filled with large rooms used for music, dining, ruling, and even imprisonment. The lush grounds of the palace include a guest mansion and a splendid pavilion.

The palace is open to visitors Monday-Saturday 9 am - 4 pm, so make sure to include a visit on your next trip to Honolulu!

Trick-or-Treat Done Right

This Halloween, you may feel like your family-friendly options are pretty limited while on vacation, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Don’t waste your time deciding where the best trick-or-treat spots are because we can take all of the guesswork out of this decision. On October 31 from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm, your family is invited to the Kahala Mall for some Halloween fun.

The entire Kahala Mall will be participating in a trick-or-treat event that’s sure to gather quite the crowd. Why settle for a couple of scraps of candy from a random, hot neighborhood when you can, instead, wander around a fully air-conditioned mall littered with businesses all trying to out-compete each other. How do they achieve this? With the best treats and candies around, of course.

Besides the candy (although yes, this is still the most important part) there will also be a family-friendly DJ playing the spookiest jams of the season. Don’t risk a mediocre Halloween for your family—start your night off at the Kahala Mall.

Take to the Streets at the 67th annual Waikiki Hoolaulea Festival

Waikiki is so much more than hula dances and sunshine, but there’s no need to kid ourselves: those two are still pretty important. For 67 years, the city of Waikiki has hosted the Waikiki Hoolaulea festival, and this year, it’s back and bigger than ever! On September 21 from 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm, you’re invited to experience Hawaiin culture at its finest as you take to the streets with thousands of others.

Kalakaua Avenue is going to be painted with thousands of lights and friendly voices. Enjoy local street food legends as they dish out the best Hawaiin cuisine around. Dance the night away with local live musicians and even learn traditional dances with hula school pop-ups. Of course, dozens of professional shows will be held throughout the night, so you’ll always feel like you’re in the heart of Hawaii.

Grab your leis or snag one of many hand-crafted beauties that will be available at the party. The event is free and the festivities are one-of-a-kind, so make sure to hula your way over for an authentic Hawaiin experience! 

The Great Waikiki Beer Festival

Picture this: the sun is beginning to set behind a beautiful Waikiki backdrop as the ocean waves undulate back and forth between the songs of the birds in the sky. You’re relaxing, watching the views with a pint of delicious local IPA, and friendly conversations are taking place around you. This is a new brand of beer you’ve never tried before, and you really like it but you probably won’t be getting another. This isn’t because the festivities are over, but rather because you have over 100 different beers to try, and they’re all calling your name!

On August 24 from 4 pm to 9 pm, you’re invited to take center-stage at the 5th Annual Great Waikiki Beer Festival. This local legend is Hawaii’s only beachfront beer festival and we think the scenery will speak for itself. The wide assortment of local and other top-notch craft brews will be paired with scrumptious grub and endless live entertainment. Make your way to 2005 Kalia Road and become a part of a new tradition. 

Trek Through a State Monument

Assuming that you arrived in beautiful Waikiki via airplane, we'll go ahead and assume that you noticed the giant 475-acre crater lining the south side of the island. Yes, it is definitely a state landmark and yes, you definitely can hike up it. In fact, it is one of the most fun activities Waikiki has to offer!

Diamond Head State Monument and its historic hiking trail are a local favorite. Formed over 300,000 years ago from a violent, explosive eruption, this crater has a very unique shape that has served many uses in the past. It had a rich history of military defense for the island and has been around much longer than we have. With only a very small entrance fee and plenty of bus tours and shuttles to and from, this is one sight you won't want to miss!

Mango Jam Jamboree

How exciting is it to live in a world where candy just grows on trees? If you’re visiting Hawaii and this isn’t normally the case for you, then you’ve come to the right place. Here in Honolulu, mangos are synonymous with island life. What better way to honor such an important island staple than with a giant two-day festival dedicating to showing off the local culture and the magic fruit at its heart!

This June, Mango Jam Honolulu is taking over the Frank F. Fasi Civic Grounds with a two-day festival that is going to be jam-packed with live entertainment, a beer garden, free cultural activities, local chefs, and a farmers market. The slogan of the festival is “A Taste of Island Culture,” for a reason! This is the best way to see and feel the unique magic of Honolulu from the locals who call it home. The festival will take place on June 21 from 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm and June 22 from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm. Come early and celebrate the day away.

Celebrate a Day of Remembrance with Lantern Float Hawaii

Memorial Day is meant to be a day dedicated to remembering and preserving the memories of departed loved ones. Everyone pays homage in different ways but Hawaiians have a very special ceremony. Every year, almost 50,000 people gather on the Ala Moana beach to participate in or spectate the lighting and shipping away of 7,000 lanterns carrying personal messages to deceased loved ones.

If you are planning on spending Memorial Day in Waikiki, this ceremony is not one to be missed. Since it began in 1999, the festival has grown so large that it has turned into an all-day celebration dedicated to remembering departed friends and family. There will be dancing, live performances, and other festivities all day on the beach. Starting at 6:00, participants who registered earlier in the day (on a first come first serve basis) will have the chance to ship off lit lanterns as tens of thousands watch. Lantern Float Hawaii is a completely free event put on by Shinnyo-en Hawaii and is only minutes away from Royal Grove Waikiki so make sure to make this Memorial Day a very memorable one.

Stock Up at Ala Moana Center

When you get to the point that your feet can’t move and your arms can’t paddle, it may be time to take a little time for yourself with some well-earned rest and relaxation. The best way to relax while experiencing a different side of Honolulu is to visit the Ala Moana Center - conveniently located less than two miles away from Royal Grove Waikiki.

The Ala Moana Center is Honolulu’s largest open-air themed shopping mall and much more. In addition to the over 350 stores and restaurants available to keep you busy, the mall also has several fun events throughout the day for the whole family. From daily 1 pm hula shows to feedings at the giant koi pond and all of the farmer’s markets in between, Ala Moana Center has everything you’ll need to have fun, stock up, and style out.

Be One With the Beach

Waikiki may be a diverse place with tons of fun activities going on at any given time, but there’s no need to kid ourselves: the world-famous beaches are the cream of the crop. Every year, millions of people flock to the most magnificent 1.5-square-mile set of beaches in the world. At Royal Grove, you’re less than a mile’s walk away from experiencing this sandy paradise for yourself.

Each of Waikiki’s 9 distinct beaches has something unique to offer. For those looking to relax, grab a book and towel as you soak up some sun and watch some waves. Have you ever wanted to learn how to surf? Dozens of classes and surf/paddleboard rentals line the beaches. The more adventurous can even find boat tours, glide on jet-skis, swim with dolphins, or play with some sharks from the safety of submerged metal cages.

Swing the Day Away

A quick aerial view of Waikiki shows magnificent skylines juxtaposed with almost four miles of a giant green patch. Yes, we’re still in Honolulu, not Central Park, New York. That lush green patch happens to be the famous Ala Wai Golf Course. You will definitely want to clear your schedule in order to fully experience this gorgeous 18-hole course that includes over 3.5 miles of playable green.

If you don’t have the time for this world-class course, stop by anyway for the newly reopened driving range. Hit some balls and take your time, as the driving range is open most days until 12:00 am. When you’re ready for a break, check out the pro shop and cafe for some gear and grub. Come see why this hidden gem is the local best-kept secret!

Get Wild at the Honolulu Zoo

Surreal beaches and enchanting sunsets attract visitors from all over the world to Honolulu, but us humans are not alone in our love for this paradise! Honolulu Zoo is conveniently located half of a mile away from Royal Grove Waikiki and offers a unique chance to meet some of the most ferocious and adorable animals from all parts of the world.

This unique animal habitat boasts over 900 different species ranging from lions to sloths and everything in between. Come face to face with a prehistoric monster in the Komodo dragon exhibit or relax with our distant Chimpanzee cousins! With such a wide selection of exotic creatures, be ready to spend several hours exploring all that this zoo has to offer.

We refuse to call it quits when the sun goes down; Honolulu Zoo offers a Twilight Tour for guests traveling between October and March. Enjoy a new sight as the more familiar daytime crew takes a hike and gives way to more mysterious nocturnal beasts.

Eat Like A Local

Honolulu is home to a unique and exciting culinary scene. The metropolitan center of Hawaii, Oahu has a variety of excellent restaurants that visitors can choose from. Eat like a local in small neighborhoods like Kapahulu or Haleiwa or dine in high style at some of Hawaii's finest restaurants.

Oahu is home to arguably some of the best chefs in the world. Alan Wong at Alan Wong's Restaurant, Roy Yamaguchi at Roy's Waikiki, George Mavrothalassitis at Chef Mavro Restaurant, and Phillippe Padovani at Elua are some of the founding chefs of the Hawaii Regional Cuisine movement. These local legends take fresh, locally grown produce and ingredients to create flavorful dishes for visitors and locals alike.

Hawaii locals love to eat, and Oahu offers a variety of comfort foods in a variety of locations. At Farmers' Markets on Oahu, you can buy local fish, meat, and produce and sample Oahu-style cooking, from gourmet plate lunches to great Hawaii Regional Cuisine.