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 these events.
Chitty Bang | The Republik, 1349 Kapiolani Blvd., upstairs (O‘ahu) | Every first Thursday, 9 p.m.–2 a.m.
This monthly alternative event brings in crowds, emceed by RoxyOTM with DJs SuperCW, Ace, Betty, and Tittahbite.
jointherepublik.com
Open Mic Nite | Hula’s Bar and Lei Stand, 134 Kapahulu Ave. (Oʻahu) | Mondays, 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
Hard Rock Cafe LGBT Dance Night | Hard Rock Café, 900 Front St. (Maui) | Every Thursday, 10 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Dance the night away with tunes by DJ Love and DJ Benjamin every Thursday night at Hard Rock Cafe on Lahaina’s Front Street. Ages 21+ with $5 cover, $2.50 of each cover charge goes to Maui Pride or Maui Aids.
mauipride.org
LGBTQ+ Film Series Screening | Hawaii LGBT Center-Waikiki (Oʻahu) | Every first Thursday at 6 p.m. | 310 Paoakalani Ave., Suite 206-E
Grab your friends and head over to Hawaii’s LGBT Center right in Waikiki for a night of LGBTQ+ themed movies and pizza. This event is free and open to all.
hawaiilgbtlegacyfoundation.com
Hula’s Catamaran | Hula’s Bar and Lei Stand, 134 Kapahulu Ave. (Oʻahu) | Saturdays, 2 – 5 p.m.
Grab your captain hat and set sail with Hula’s Famous Gay Catamaran Cruise through the waters of Waikiki. Tickets can be purchased online.
hulas.com
Scarlet Fever Drag Revue | Scarlet Honolulu, 80 S. Pauahi St. (Oʻahu) | Saturdays, 10 p.m.
Keep the party going all night at Scarlet Honolulu, one of the island’s craziest dance clubs. LGBTQ or not, all are welcome to check out Scarlet’s weekly drag show.
scarlethonolulu.com
LeiBear Day Weekend 2016 | Various locations in Honolulu (Oʻahu) | September 1 – 5
Aloha Bears is hosting its annual five-day event where Bears from all over the world enjoy a weekend full of fun events and activities. Purchase a full weekend package for a Bear Tag and admission for all events or choose a la carte for individual events online at thealohabears.com.
thealohabears.com
45th Annual Queen Liliʻuokalani Long Distance Outrigger Canoe Races | Kona (Hawaiʻi Island) | September 1 – 5
Over 2,500 outrigger canoe paddlers travel to Kona for the 18-mile long distance race, the world’s largest long distance outrigger canoe race. This event is free to the public.
kaiopua.org
Royal Court Investiture and Opening Ceremony | Royal Hawaiian Hotel and Royal Hawaiian Center, 2259 Kalakaua Ave. (Oʻahu) | September 3, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
To kick off the Aloha Festival, the Aloha Festival’s Royal Court ceremony will introduce the king, queen, prince and princess of the royal court. Traditional hula and chants will transport you back in time for this special event.
alohafestivals.com
34th Annual Okinawan Festival | Kapiolani Park, 3840 Paki Ave. (Oʻahu) | September 3 & 4 starting at 9 a.m.
Come down to Kapiolani Park and experience the vibrant culture of Okinawa alongside ono food, authentic entertainment and fun activities.
okinawanfestival.com
47th Annual Waikiki Roughwater Swim | Sans Souci Beach (Kaimana Beach), 2863 Kalakaua Ave. (Oʻahu) | September 5, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
This open water swim is slightly more than 2 miles long, beginning near the New Otani Hotel and ending near the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
waikikiroughwaterswim.com
Ku Mai Ka Hula | Castle Theatre, 1 Cameron Way (Maui) | September 8, 7:30 p.m.
Featuring award-winning halau from Hawai‘i, the continental U.S., and Japan, this competition showcases solo and group performances.
mauiarts.org
2nd Friday Town Party | Campbell Park, 680 Front St. (Maui) | September 9, 6 – 9 p.m.
A fun family-friendly street paʻina right in the heart of Lahaina town with many of the art galleries open late to feature artists in action. Enjoy live music and local grinds in the outdoor booths.
mauifridays.com
LGBT & Friends Hiking Group | The Kapalua Coastal Trail (Maui) | September 10, 8:30 a.m.
Mark your calendars and join the Maui LGBT Community for a 2.5 mile scenic hike along West Maui’s coast, across the sand dunes at Onela Bay, and through famous Kapalua Bay Beach. Bring your beach essentials for a refreshing dip afterwards. Hikers will meet at the Kihei Turn Off Parking area and carpool from there.
RSVP online at mauipride.org
Bacchus 5th Anniversary Party | Bacchus, 480 Lewers St. (Oʻahu) | September 11, 4 – 9 p.m.
One of Waikiki’s favorite gay bars is turning five, and it is making it an all-day affair with heart pumping music and drinks galore.
bacchus-waikiki.com
Booze Cruise with The Aloha Bears | Bacchus Waikiki, 408 Lewers Street (Oʻahu) | September 11, 11:30 a.m. | $35 members/ $40 non-members
Meet other Bears at Bacchus before setting sail through Waikiki, while enjoying an open-bar on water. Guests are also invited back to Bacchus for lunch, included in ticket price.
thealohabears.com
Chinese Moon Festival | Wo Hing Museum, 858 Front St. (Maui) | September 16 & 17, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Celebrate Oʻahu’s agricultural harvest during a traditional Chinese Moon Festival. Chinese tea and moon cakes will be served, and traditional Chinese cuisine will be offered for sale.
lahainarestoration.org
“Get the Drift and Bag It” | Kahului Harbor (Maui) | September 17, 9 a.m.– noon
This event kicks off a month-long cleanup of Maui. Volunteers will pick up trash and gathering valuable data, as well as have the opportunity to witness the impacts of litter in real-time at the Harbor through interactive activities.
malamamauinui.org
Paniolo Parade and Hoʻolauleʻa | Waimea (Hawaiʻi Island) | September 17, starts at 10 a.m.
The Annual Paniolo Parade will begin at “Church Row” with princesses on horseback representing each of the islands, along with the Royal Court, local hula halau and more. The parade ends at Waimea Park but the celebration continues with one of the best crafts show of the year, island food, games and Hawaiian entertainment until 4 p.m.
64th Annual Waikiki Hoʻolauleʻa | Kalakaua Ave. (Oʻahu) | September 17, 7 – 10 p.m.
The Annual Waikiki Hoʻolauleʻa is Hawaiʻi’s biggest block party. This free event turns Waikiki into a large party including tasty food and live entertainment, including performances by various Hawaiian artists and hula halau.
alohafestivals.com
70th Annual Floral Parade | Ala Moana Park through Kalakaua Avenue to Kapiolani Park (Oʻahu) | September 24, 9 a.m. – noon
Watch Kalakaua Avenue come alive with beautiful floats covered with colorful flowers, men and women pa’u horseback riders, Hawaiian music, hula halau and local marching bands.
alohafestivals.com
Also coming up …
Maui Pride in the first weekend of October! Keep your eyes peeled for news about a kickoff on September 30. mauipride.com
Nani He‘eia:1st Annual On Location Fundraiser for Paepae o He’eia | He’eia Fishpond, 46-077 Ipuka St. | October 1, 4:30 – 8 p.m. | Tickets in advance
This event is in support of Paepae o Heʻeia, an 800-year-old fishpond in Kaneohe on Oʻahu that is being restored to its productive purpose. Local celebrity chefs will serve up delicacies from the pond while musicians perform Hawaiian tunes, all on site.
naniheeia.eventbrite.com