Sometimes in Hawaii it’s easy to forget when the holidays are just around the corner; while much of the world is preparing for a white Christmas, we are lounging on the lanais sipping Mai Tais in the sun. Okay, maybe we don’t spend every day in paradise relaxing, but we want to make sure you do while you’re on vacation! So, we’ve compiled a list of Oahu’s top events for the month of December. From holiday parades to historic celebrations there is something for everyone!
Honolulu City Lights
Honolulu Hale Dec. 2022
This annual celebration kicks off with the parade and tree lighting ceremony at the Honolulu Hale (City Hall). Large statues and light structures decorate the entire property for a month, creating a cheerful and exciting holiday spectacle viewable for the whole season. On opening night there are rides for the keiki as well as food vendors. Festivities begin around 4 pm.
The pipeline is world famous for its beautiful barrel waves, and for all the fans on the beach, it’s popular too since the break is closer to the shoreline.
Every year the entire country commemorates the anniversary of Pearl Harbor. What better place to memorialize and learn than Pearl Harbor itself? Various services and performances are featured at Pearl Harbor and throughout Oahu.
Whether you’re a part of the race or watching from the sidelines, you can’t miss one of the biggest marathons in the world, and one of the biggest annual events on the island.
For any questions about Waikiki vacation rentals, please contact Marina Hawaii Vacations and an agent would be happy to assist you.
We can be reached at 808-946-0716 or info@marinahawaiivacations.com
This November, be sure to check out the many exciting events taking place in Oahu! Below are some of the 2022 November events we’re most excited to see.
Ko’olina Artfest
Taking place every Wednesday from 9AM-5PM, the Ko’olina Artfest is a wonderful place to enjoy live music and check out work by local artists. The Ko’olina Artfest is held at Ko’olina Beach Lagoon #3, and it is free to enter. This isn’t a November-exclusive event, but it’s still very much worth checking out during your stay.
In 2022, the annual Hawaii Food & Wine Festival will celebrate its 12th year. The festival takes place over 10 days across Maui, the Big Island and Oahu, with Oahu’s events scheduled from November 3rd through the 6th. In total, the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival features a roster of over 150 world-renowned chefs, culinary personalities, winemakers and mixologists. If you’re in town during the festival, you’ll definitely want to add at least one of its events to your itinerary.
Taking place from November 11th to the 13th over Veterans Day Weekend at the Ala Moana Center, the annual Made in Hawaii Festival is a great opportunity to shop all things Hawaiian! Nearly 400 vendors will be in attendance to offer locally produced foods, books, fashionable clothes, handmade crafts, jewelry, and more! Head to the Made in Hawaii Festival website to learn more!
If you are on Oahu now, make sure to head to Waikiki for the annual Duke’s OceanFest. This celebration continues through next Sunday, August 28th. OceanFest is a tribute to the most legendary Hawaiian surfer and waterman, Duke Kahanamoku; it is held every year around Duke’s birthday.
The festival includes ocean and beach sports including beach volleyball, paddleboard racing, swimming, surf polo, tandem and longboard surfing, and more. There is no cost to attend, and events can be found throughout Waikiki all week. If you are staying with Marina Hawaii Vacations, just head out to Duke’s Beach, or start there and walk along the Waikiki beaches to see the various events. A full calendar of events can be found athttps://dukesoceanfest.com/event-schedule/. Other events include a luau and a movie showing next weekend. For more information on Duke’s OceanFest, visit https://dukesoceanfest.com.
For any questions about Waikiki vacation rentals, please contact Marina Hawaii Vacations and an agent would be happy to assist you. We can be reached at 808-946-0716 orinfo@marinahawaiivacations.com
Susie Bowman
Annual Hawaii State Farm Fair
May-July
This fun event features live farm animals, traditional contests, and kids’ rides and games, as well as one of the biggest plant sales on Oahu. This annual farm fair is free for kids and students with valid ID. There is a small Admission fee for adults.
The Ukulele Festival in Kapiolani Park attracts thousands from all over the world every year. From artists to fans, the crowd is diverse and plentiful, as ukulele lovers gather to perform and listen to outstanding performances.
Don’t miss this expo of “Made in Hawaii” products: ranging from plants and food, to art, clothes, books, and more. These items are wonderful keepsakes or souvenir gifts. Small Admission Fee. Children six and under are free
OceanFest is an annual 8-day event at beaches throughout Waikiki. This free fest features ocean sports and activities such as surfing, swimming, beach volleyball, paddle board racing, surf polo, and more. Locals and visitors alike enjoy the festivities every year.
The Twilight Concert Series at Sea Life Park is a great way to catch well-known local artists such as Anuhea and Willie K. in their natural habitats. The views are breathtaking, and the price is right. Pre-sale tickets are $39.50; tickets at the door are $49.50. There are also dinner packages including a dolphin show and dinner; discounts are offered to season pass holders. The park will open for dinner package guests at 4:30 pm and concertgoers at 5:30 pm. All concerts begin at 7:00 pm.
Wednesdays June 29 to July 27, 2022 at the Honolulu Zoo
The Honolulu Zoo is the place to be on Wednesday afternoons this summer. Live music, activities for kids, and prizes are just a few of the fun things the Zoo has planned. This is a fundraiser for the Honolulu Zoo. See the website for times and other details.
For any questions about Waikiki vacation rentals, please contact Marina Hawaii Vacations and an agent would be happy to assist you. We can be reached at 808-946-0716 or info@marinahawaiivacations.com
Most people know Oahu as the home of Duke Kahanamoku, President Obama, Michelle Wie, Jack Johnson, and more. Honolulu, Waikiki, and the North Shore are famous for their vibrant culture and beautiful sites, and Oahu is of course well-known as the home of Pearl Harbor.
However, the island has a densely rich history, and continues to grow into one of the most dynamic and interesting places to live and visit. We wanted to share some of our favorite, lesser-known facts about the island that might surprise some readers:
1. Largest City In The World
Honolulu is not only the capital of Hawaii, but also the largest city in the world. A part of the state’s constitution dictates that any island, islet, or atoll that has not been designated to another county automatically falls under Honolulu’s umbrella.
2. A Pretty High Record Low
The record low temperature ever recorded in Honolulu was a whopping 52 degrees. That temperature was taken in January of 1969.
3. A Royal Flush
The only Royal Palace in the United States, Iolani Palace, is located on Oahu. It had electricity before the White House did, and was the first palace in the world to have flushing toilets.
4. Beauty Takes Time
What is now beautiful Waikiki was once a swampy area full of rice paddies, taro fields, and mosquitoes. Once the Ala Wai Canal was constructed in 1928, the marshland was drained.
5. The Busiest Middle Of Nowhere
Despite being full of life and tourism, Oahu is actually one of the most remote locations in the world. The Hawaiian Islands as a whole are considered the most remote chain of inhabited islands in the world, with the nearest population center (California) located over 2,000 miles away.
6. Imports Are Important
While Oahu has many farms full of delicious tropical fruit and lush greenery, the island relies very heavily on imports, even when it comes to produce. Some experts estimate that the islands would be out of luck within a week or two, if for some reason (such as an extreme natural disaster) imports ceased.
7. Time is a Construct
Daylight savings is not used in Hawaii, so for part of the year Hawaii Standard Time is two hours behind Pacific Standard Time, and the rest of the year, it is three hours behind.
8. That’s Quite a Home
One of the most expensive homes for sale in Hawaii is located on Oahu in Kailua, priced at $22.8 million.
9. Don’t Mess With Birds
It is illegal in Honolulu to annoy a bird. On a more normal note, billboards are also outlawed, keeping the scenery natural and the views unobstructed.
10. Come One Come All
Oahu hosts more visitors every year than all of the other Hawaiian islands combined, and now you know a few of the fun reasons why. It is no coincidence that “Oahu” means “the gathering place.”
For any questions about Waikiki vacation rentals, please contact Marina Hawaii Vacations and an agent would be happy to assist you. We can be reached at 808-946-0716 orinfo@marinahawaiivacations.com
June 4, 10 am – 4 pm at Kualoa Ranch, 49-560 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe.
Enjoy a traditional Hawaiian eight-course meal of kalua pig, chicken long rice, beef stew, squid luau, lomi salmon, rice, poi, and haupia. About 1,000 items will be available for bidding in the silent and live auctions, as you enjoy a concert. Kids will enjoy the balloon art, face paint, and bounce houses.
June 4 – 5, 10 am – 4 pm at the Pacific Aviation Museum, 319 Lexington Blvd, Honolulu.
Ford Island boasts this annual amazing airshow featuring aerial stunts, remote scaled-down replicas, candy bombings and activities for children, tours, and prizes. This year commemorates the Battle of Midway.
Call 808-441-1013 for more information.
Pan-Pacific Festival
June 10-12, 10 am – 10 pm throughout Waikiki/ Ala Moana.
This hoolaulea (block party) is a celebration you can’t miss! Exhibits of Hawaiian and Pacific Rim cultures with performing arts, crafts, food, and of course hula and a parade.
Visit www.pan-pacific-festival.com for more information and a full weekend schedule.
43rd Annual King Kamehameha Hula Competition
June 18, 1 pm at Neal S. Blaisdell Arena 777 Ward Avenue Honolulu.
For any questions about Waikiki vacation rentals, please contact Marina Hawaii Vacations and an agent would be happy to assist you. We can be reached at 808-946-0716 or info@marinahawaiivacations.com
