While you are in Hawaiʻi, do you want to party? Stay fit, yoga-style? Eat out? Experience the culture? Any of the above? Then check out the events below.
Open Mic Nite | Hula’s Bar and Lei Stand, 134 Kapahulu Ave (O‘ahu) | Every Monday, 6–9 p.m.
Start off your week with some fun at Waikiki’s legendary gay bar. Whether you’re a soloist or part of a band for the night, all performers receive a free drink.
hulas.com
Blazing Saddles Hawaii | Ala Wai Golf Course Clubhouse Ballroom & Scarlet Honolulu (O‘ahu) | Every Wednesday of the month at Ala Wai Golf Course, except every second Tuesday of the month at Scarlet, 6:30–9:15 p.m.
Learn the two-step, waltzes, line-dancing, swing, and much more! Free dance lessons take place from 6:30 to 7 p.m. No entrance fee, and all events include food and refreshments.
blazingsaddleshi.org
George Kahumoku Jr.’s Slack Key Show Masters of Hawaiian Music | Napili Kai Beach Resort’s Aloha Pavilion, Lāhainā (Maui) | Every Wednesday, 7:30–9:45 p.m.
Enjoy the beautiful sounds of Hawai‘i’s slack key guitars and ‘ukulele played by the biggest names in Hawaiian music. This concert series features a guest artist each week and is hosted by slack key guitar master George Kahumoku Jr.
slackkeyshow.com
Slack Key Guitar & Ukulele Concerts | Kapa‘a, Hanalei, and Princeville locations (Kaua‘i) | Every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
The longest running concert of its kind, the McMasters’ slack-key guitar and ‘ukulele concerts feature artists Doug and Sandy McMaster, who create a soothing musical ambience with a backdrop of the picturesque north shore of Kaua‘i.
mcmasterslackkey.com
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang | The Safehouse at The Republik, 1349 Kapiolani Blvd #30 (O‘ahu) | Every first Thursday, 9 p.m.
Come on down to this party that celebrates Honolulu’s LGBT community with local DJs. This event is 21 and over.
jointherepublik.com
Free Fireworks | Waikiki (O‘ahu) | Every Friday of the month, 7:45 p.m.
Every week, Hilton Hawaiian Village hosts a free fireworks show. Watch with a drink in hand from their pool bar, or await the show from a seat on the beach.
Aloha Friday on the Porch | Volcano Art Center Gallery, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (Hawai‘i Island) | Every Friday, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Volcano Art Center Gallery, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
Join Hawaiian practitioners on the porch of the Volcano Art Center, as they share stories, lead hands-on workshops on how to make lei or gourd instruments, demonstrate lauhala weaving, kapa beating, and ‘ukulele playing.
volcanoartcenter.org
First Friday | Downtown Chinatown (O‘ahu) | July 7, 5–9 p.m.
Head downtown for the biggest block party of the month, including live music and art galleries. Be sure to stay for the late-night party at some of the trendiest bars in Honolulu.
firstfridayhawaii.com
Hula’s Catamaran | Hula’s Bar and Lei Stand, 134 Kapahulu Ave (O‘ahu) | Every Saturday, 2–5 p.m.
Grab your captain hat and set sail with Hula’s famous gay catamaran cruise through the waters of Waikiki.
hulas.com
Art Night in Lahaina Town | Throughout Lāhainā (Maui) | Every second Friday night, 7–10 p.m.
Lāhainā is called the “Art Capital of the Pacific” because it is home to more art galleries per capita than any other town in the United States. Each second Friday, galleries stay open late to hold special shows and feature artists in action. Guests may also enjoy live music and outdoor vendor booths.
mauifridays.com/lahaina
Booze Cruise with The Aloha Bears | Bacchus Waikiki, 408 Lewers St (O‘ahu) | Every second Sunday, 11:30 a.m. | $35 members, $40 non-members
Meet other bears at Bacchus before setting sail through Waikiki, then enjoying an open-bar while at sea. Guests are also invited back to Bacchus for lunch, included in ticket price.
thealohabears.com
MauiWine Tasting | Ulupalakua Ranch, 14800 Piilani Hwy (Maui) | Monday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Come delight each of your senses and taste exquisite handcrafted wines. This rare vineyard experience will give you some unforgettable memories and is steeped in rich culture. It is perfect for a romantic getaway or a fun group experience with friends.
mauiwine.com
First Sunday LGBTQ Brunch | Nalu’s North Shore Grill, 1280 S Kihei Rd (Maui) | July 2, 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join Maui Pride for a tasty Sunday brunch at Nalu’s North Shore Grill.
mauipride.org/event
Moon Walk at Waimea Valley | 59-864 Kamehameha Highway (O‘ahu) | July 6, 6–9 p.m.
You haven’t experienced a moonlit dinner like this. Join for a buffet dinner catered by Ke Nui Kitchen in The Proud Peacock Restaurant. After dinner, enjoy your walk through Waimea Valley to the waterfall.
Get tickets for the walk and buffet here.
‘Ae Kai: A Culture Lab on Convergence | Former Foodland, Ala Moana Center, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd (O‘ahu) | July 7-9, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center brings Asian Pacific American history, art, and culture to the former site of the Ala Moana Foodland with the help of local artists.
smithsonianapa.org/aekai
LGBT & Friends Hiking Group | The Polipoli State Recreation Area: Redwood, Plum and Haleakala Loop Trails (Maui) | July 8, 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Take a hike with Maui Pride through the beauty of Maui’s Polipoli Springs State Recreation Area at 6,200` elevation. Enjoy the shade of the towering redwood, eucalyptus, and pine trees and good company.
RSVP at mauipride.org.
Beyond Boundaries: Hawaii Island LGBTQ+ Pride Parade & Festival |Mo‘oheau Bandstand Park, 329 Kamehameha Ave (Hawai‘i Island) | July 8, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Hawai‘i Islandʻs Pride is pushing past boundaries with a show of solidarity and support for the LGBTQ+ community.
hawaiiislandpride.org
Courtyard Cinema at Ward Village | IBM Building (O‘ahu) | July 13, 6–9 p.m.
Every second Thursday of the month, Ward Village hosts a free showcase of selected Hawaii International Film Festival curated films that are open to the public. Although this event is free, space is limited, so be sure to RSVP online.
wardvillage.com
Splash: A Day of LGBTQ Pride at Wet ‘n’ Wild | Wet ‘n’ Wild Hawaii, 400 Farrington Hwy (O‘ahu) | July 16, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Join Hawaii LGBT Legacy Foundation for a fabulous afternoon with friends, music, adult beverages, and lots of good, wet fun!
Purchase tickets here.
Kona Nui Nights at Ward Village | IBM Courtyard (O‘ahu) | July 19, 6–8 p.m.
This free monthly event honors and highlights Hawaiian language, music, and the art of hula. This month will feature music by Melveen Leed and hula by Ke Kai o Ka Hiki. Seating is limited, so be sure to rsvp.
wardvillage.com
5th Annual Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival Kick-Off Fundraiser SINEMA Variety Show | Hula’s Bar and Lei Stand, 134 Kapahulu Ave (O‘ahu) | July 28, 8–11 p.m.
The Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival starts in August, so to start things off with a bang, Hulaʻs is putting on the annual SINEMA variety show with all proceeds going to the film festival.
hulas.com