Great little festival which happens annually on the backside of Kahala Elementary School (bordering…read morethe park). Today Travies patties brought me here though after seeing the nice selection of food choices, was momentarily doubting my initial choice. After remembering my mission I straightaway ordered my burger. These are artisan burgers made to order so, always order your burger FIRST then walk around! Got confused at the Corner Rolls Stsnd. Was momentarily blinded by Linda's Pastele Stand. Pulled myself away and enjoyed the nice shady walk around to see other product booths. Caricatures for $5... say what!?! Too cute. Handmade soaps, many artisan jewelry stands, ohhh ice cold lemonade?!? What a nice stroll through the neighborhood festival which was well attended yet not too crowded. Did I mention, I enjoyed the shady stroll ?!? Thank you Kahala Elementary for a nice and lazy afternoon in the park.

Welcome Year of the Fire Horse 2026!…read more What a wonderful festival held in Honolulu's Chinatown this year! Thank you my Yelp friend Irene M. for taking me on this wonderful cultural adventure today. Lots of walking, cultural activities, memorable sights to see and foodie fun and tastes! Lion dances, firecrackers, delicious new year food and so much more to explore and enjoy. Please enjoy the pictures and videos. Kung Hei Fat Choi (Cantonese) Congratulations and be prosperous, wishing wealth and good fortune in the coming year! Xīn nián kuài lè (Mandarin) New Year Happiness Blessings to all in 2026!

Happy Lunar New Year…read more.. Thank you to fellow Yelp friend Jackie K for keeping me company as I really always wanted to experience the festivities which I never get to see with my work schedule but this year I was blessed to have the time to enjoy it thank you to my work who allowed it. 2026 is the year of the Fire Horse and there was no shortage of expressing it throughout the various biz with plushies, shirts and lucky charms of course but I was so impressed of the various layout with A'ala Park was filled with activities for the keiki that I wouldn't mind doing myself lol! Beretania Street was the place filled with tents of various food and retail shopping. Each end of the block party had a tent for entertainment is very impressive as I enjoyed the taiko performance as we got Jai which is a traditional dish for the Lunar New Year made by Legends I also got some noodles as well for such a reasonable price. Not kidding about how much this festival is embraced by the community as the crowd got intense I did arrive early enough to get a great parking which is highly recommended though it does get busy so plan accordingly as I really had a great time and thank you again for it all my friend. Thank you!

Nice place to relax. Lots of grass. Two main ponds and the bandstand is next to it. Went for a…read morecrafts fair- kind of small but nice to see the park. Right next to the ocean. Named after the Hawaiian queen. Lots of banyan trees there

Just a slightly sweet escape from Waikiki without venturing too far and still get a touch of a…read morebeach view and the space to do any outdoorsy activity. Parking is literally next to impossible especially on the one way street there's very little room to double park without holding up the procession though there are many many street parking it's a matter of luck finding one. Prior to covid pandemic this enormous park did host many events and activity though the bandstand is a great place for entertainment as there are lots of seating which is quite nostalgic as it's been awhile personally since I've been here. Today was quite an adventure as we finally got to do an in-person Susan G Komen Race for the Cure, amazing event and the perfect location. Thank you!

The Honolulu Pride Parade provides a safe space to be yourself, be accepted, be celebrated, be…read moreLOVED...because YOU matter. Find me for a mom hug, or this guy (sorry didn't get your name!) for a dad hug. Eat your vegetables! And brush your teeth. Love, Mom

Went to the Honolulu Pride Parade for the first time in October with some friends. It was a lot of…read morefun! Lots of businesses and community organizations walking in the parade. Lots of colors, music, costumes, and fans. This parade is very family friendly, and lots of groups gave out candy, stickers, and other swag. Unfortunately, it feels very corporate. There was a festival after the parade at the Waikiki Shell. It was free, but you had to register online ahead of time. And no water bottles were allowed inside. Lots of security. I appreciated this positive celebration of the LGBTQ+/mahu community in Hawaiʻi!

Every first Sunday in November, Pacific Beach Hotel's ballroom is filled with some of the best…read moredesserts Hawaii has to offer. And for only $25, you can sample them all and even get seconds and thirds if you desire. It's all a part of United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawaii's annual Dessert Fantasy fundraiser, and it gets better and better every year. The event typically has over 50 restaurants and vendors who generously donate their desserts to this wonderful event. A short list of participating businesses this year included: Kakaako Kitchen, Cake Connection, Pearl City HS Culinary Arts Program, Uber Factory, Kakaako Kitchen, Nisshodo Candy Store, Dave and Buster's, Hilton Hawaiian Village, and Chocolate on a Mission, Haleiwa Joe's, Chocolate and Vanilla Bakery, The Pig & the Lady, Gros Bonnet Culinary Academy/Hale Koa Hotel, Regal Bakery, Hokulani Bake Shop, and Bubbie's. In addition to the dessert sampling, there was also a silent auction (much mahalos to Dave F. for donating his beautiful photographs to the auction), face painting, a balloon man, and live entertainment. And if you don't get to try all of the desserts, or had a few favorites that you couldn't get enough of, when the event is over, you can purchase a take out container and stuff as many remaining desserts in it as you can fit. If you've got a big sweet tooth, mark your calendars for next year's event which will be on Sunday, November 6, 2016 at Pacific Beach Hotel ballroom.

If you're a dessert addict like me you're going to thank me for letting you know about this yearly…read morefundraiser event. Not only do you get 2 HOURS of unlimited sampling of the most delectable desserts in Hawaii, but you're helping a charitable cause at the same time. To Sum It Up: Who: The United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawaii What: * Over 60 different restaurants, bakeries, ice cream parlors, chocolate confectioners, and candy shops offer an array of their best desserts to satisfy any sweet tooth. * Live Entertainment * Silent Auction * Voting-People's Favorite Dessert * Door Prizes Cost: $25 Where: I'm unsure if it always happens at Pacific Beach Hotel every year , 2490 Kalakaua Ave. Honolulu, HI 96815 When: This year it happened on November 6 (I know NOVEMBER ....your currently mad at me, with your fists held high, yelling out profanities, with a tear in your eye , wanting to recite that notorious poem, "Remember, Remember the 6th of November!" -V for Vendetta. It was the 1st time I attended this event so give me some slack. Well at least you got a heads up right!?) This event has been happening almost as long as I've been alive and I've never heard about it! Until awesome fellow Yelper Thomos O. posted it on the Yelp events page. Big thanks to you Thomos O. Tips: PACE YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!! I attended this marvelous event with my friend and we went buck wild on the first table. Everything started to taste the same. Luckily, Cake Works was at the 1st table and I got to eat those heavenly chocolate dipped caramel French macaroons. * They offer complimentary water, tea, and coffee, but no milk (well they offer it for the coffee). As for me Milk makes desserts 10 times better. * Look at the paper that they hand out to you in the front this shows you what businesses are there. * Do a quick walk of the place so you know what you want to eat and grab what you want to eat. * Some of the tables had the bakers or owners handing out the dessert, so it was great asking them what I was eating and how it was made. But most of the tables had volunteers who only knew the name of what they were serving. * Don't worry of getting judged because you're surrounded with dessert addicts just like yourself. * TAKE HOME BOX at the end of the event. It only cost a mere $5. Come on now, what a deal, one of those desserts offered at the event cost more. I know my review doesn't do this event a bit of justice so here are other links about this event. A clip from KHON about the event: http://www.khon2.com/content/news/morning/story/Dessert-fantasy-at-Pacific-Beach-Sunday-Nov-6/qntYv3GUM0q6tGNx8nQfeA.cspx Event Photos- Pictures captured by Ed Morita from Non Stop Honolulu: http://www.nonstophonolulu.com/eating/party-pics-dessert-fantasy-2011/ Pictures from island views website: http://www.myislandviews.com/2011/11/on-november-6-2011-ucpa-held-its-annual.html Some (hence the word some, there were so many ono'licious lick your finger desserts to choose from) of Kim's Favorites: 1) Cake Works -Chocolate Dipped Caramel French Macron 2) Cookie Corner - Lilikoi Bar 3) Hokulani Bake Shop - Mini Assortment of Cupcakes 4) Hawaiian Host -Macadamia Chocolate Covered Nuts (I know their easily attainable but I love um) 5) Nisshodo -Mochi 6) Agne's Portuguese Bake Shop -Freshly made on site Malassadas 7) Choco le'a -Assortment of divine chocolates, truffles, and alcohol infused chocolates 8) The Alley at Aiea Bowl - Lemon Crunch Cake 9) Regal Bakery - Cake Doughnuts 10) Lappert's Hawaii - Yes, they were giving out ice cream at this event! Oh, Yes. 11) Cake Envy -Be careful you may turn green with ENVY on how delicious this is. Remember to write it on your calender, Do some sit ups before the event, tell a couple of your friends, tell it to "Siri" on your iPhone 4s so she remind you days before, Siri can pull it out the location on your GPS, and give you more information about the event. If you've got a sweet tooth like me this event you surely can't miss.

Every year ever since My Husband and I have been together we made a point to come here. Basically…read moreour family tradition. Looking forward to many more to come!!!

The official 2020 event is cancelled, BUT you can't stop clever boaters from displaying their…read morelighted floating creations. A handful of these beauties seem to also social distance on the water from each other, but pretty much follow the same perimeter of the harbor. Great views from Kona Brewing, Hawaii Kai Shopping Center and the bridge. I think every weekend in December will be a floating mini spectacular!

"Listening to the Christmas Spirit"…read more Maybe it's easier for people in colder climates to get into the Christmas spirit. There's that white stuff they call snow and all those fancy clothing they get to wear like mittens, "ear puffs" and scarves... What are galoshes?? We, here in Hawaii, have to imagine "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire", "Frosty the Snowman", and "White Christmas". While these are familiar tunes, we really have no hands-on experiences. What's a "sleigh bell" in a "Winter Wonderland"? Therefore, the music is a very important part of Christmas Spirit. What we lack in temperature and visuals, we can make up in song, imagination, and feeling. I just close my eyes and enjoy live music like that from "Tuba Christmas". Thanks to fellow Yelper, Ric C., for mentioning this concert to me. I was unable to attend the one at Ward Warehouse because it was the same time as the 5th Annual Yelp Hawaii Cookie Swap. Fortunately, I was able to get to the one at Kahala Mall. It was fabulous! The Emcee was so entertaining and informative! He introduced the eldest and youngest tuba player. He recognized the band member who travelled the farthest; the one who played in the most US states, the first timer, etc. The audience learned about the various types of tubas and their unique sounds. The Emcee stated that they never know how many tuba players will show up. So although the seats on the stage were all filled, many more chairs were set up around the stage to accomodate MORE tuba players! It was an amazing FREE concert which I highly recommend. Just go to their website: www.tubachristmas.com to find their location (all over the USA) and dates/times. It's a real Christmas treat!!

"Heavy Metal, Hawaiian style"…read more "TubaChristmas" is an annual concert event that is held around the country that allows players of that largest of brass instruments to strut their stuff and is held in December of each year. Tubachristmas was conceived in 1974 by Harvey Phillips as a tribute to his teacher and mentor William J. Bell a legendary Tuba player who was born on Christmas Day in 1902. Participants contribute $10 to the Harvey Philips Foundation and get a cool Tuba Christmas button, a chance to jam with other Tubaists young and old, and get the satisfaction knowing that your money will go towards a scholarship for a deserving music student. A great way for ex-Tuba and euphonium players to bring out their horns for an annual toot! Not too many places for us tuba players to play. In it's 41st year, TubaChristmas here in Honolulu is usually played at Kahala Mall and also Ala Moana Center or Ward Warehouse and sometimes at other venues. Concerts have also taken place on Maui. So if you would like to hear a fun and different style of Christmas music come to a TubaChristmas concert, you will be glad you did :)

We had a blast at the 2026 Korean Festival -10 AM to 8:00 PM at Kapiʻolani Regional Park and…read moreBandstand. We found a $10 fundraiser parking at Waikiki elementary school. It was a short walk to the festival. There was a row of food vendors ranging from church fundraisers to actual Korean restaurants booths. I got a matcha coconut water drink $9 from a restaurant and some kimbap $5 from the Korean American veterans. I enjoyed the on stage performance of K pop, traditional Korean music and dancing. There were some Korean skincare booths as well. I paid $10 to try on an authentic hanbok. It was so much fun. Plenty of shade to help stay cool.

Feeling festive…read more.. Love this new convenient location for their 2024 festival at the Kaka'ako Mauka Gateway Park...where!? You can't miss it on Ala Moana Blvd it's the grassy area just past Kewalo Basin. Though many of the surrounding areas are metered parking just a bit away at Kaka'ako Waterfront Park is free parking. With the the festival was very well organized and had much more food this year as a couple of years ago I left hungry and sad though wished that this year they have more snacks to purchase with the leftover tickets that I ended up giving to a friend and they didn't have a soju drinking area this year but in general was a very festival celebration of the Korean culture. Thank you!