Waikiki Ho'olaulea - Aloha Festival

A first for us as we used to only come for the parade and sit across the Moana. Hubs was very excited so he spent about half an hour browsing what was happening on Kalakaua while I got banded and waited at the one day only Beer Garden sponsored by the Aloha Festival.Parking was convenient at the International Market Place. We came for the 6 pm special . We got a few freebies laid on the tabletops and spent $20 on two virgin drinks to get an item hubs wanted badly.Hubs returned all happy saying he bought an Aloha Festival tshirt. He excitedly shared there were craft booths. Concerned about an upcoming trip I told him I'll pass cuz I have Covid phobia, haven't caught Covid yet and maybe next year I'll brave that celebratory crowd.Instead of enjoying the merriment or getting dinner at one of several restaurants upstairs we inserted out stickered parking ticket and left Waikiki. Choice A: Side Street Inn but I pulled a fast one and drove towards King Street, University Avenue area and found an awesome place for dinner.

Geeze, I can't remember the last time I've been to the Hoolaulea. Looking for parking is always a pain when they have these kinds of block parties. Luckily, we were already in the area and my friend has monthly parking at one of the lots.We walked up and down Kalakaua Ave. and watched a few performers on the various stages. We caught Kapena down by the Hyatt performing on the stage there. They had various vendors selling things. I saw people selling jibbitz for Crocs and another stand selling picture frames. They also had many food vendors. We didn't eat as we just had dinner. I did see a lemonade vendor that I used to frequent at night markets and at farmers markets. Too bad I didn't have my mason jar with me.

Love love love our Hawaiian life! We were so fortunate to share this Festival with our granddaughter...She was mesmerized by the hula dancers swishing their skirts and shaking their uli ulis.The event is always fun with lots of food and entertainment. Kalakaua Avenue is closed so we could all meander through and stop at any food booth. Shopping is abundant and it's so much better with all the music in the air and the excitement of people!Sara E.P., Please send your mom our warmest Aloha and Mahalo for coordinating this wonderful event.I hope my granddaughter gets to experience it again....(I bought her a hula skirt the next day and she LOVES it)

It's always cool and interesting to see the different people that show up to these events. It's a mass of people and finding parking requires patience, but I still think it's worth it. The food and souvenir items are overpriced; but because it's only once a year, it seems acceptable. A lot of of the vendors are the same vendors you see at the swap meet - except the prices are higher here at the Ho'olaulea.

The Aloha Festivals are one of the highlights among annual food and culture festivals in Waikiki. The Waikiki Hoolaulea is one big block party along Kalakaua Avenue. Save room in your stomach for delicious treats from local restaurants and food trucks. There is also live entertainment from four different stages spread throughout the block party. The Hoolaulea starts from Kalakaua Avenue and Seaside Avenue to Kalakaua Avenue and Kapahulul Avenue. Merchandise supporting the Aloha Festivals is available at the festival including t-shirts and a Ribbon. When you purchase a Ribbon or Powerband, you also receive an entry form to fill out and drop off at select locations, or mail in. I definitely made sure to fill out the entry form and submit it while I was at the festival. Prizes include Hawaiian Air miles and gift certificates.Additional events that are part of the Aloha Festivals is the annual floral parade the weekend following the Waikiki Hoolaulea. Be sure to check that out too!

September is the month of the Aloha Festivals and on the Saturday of our visit, it was the 66th annual Waikiki Hoolaulea. This is Hawaii's largest block festival that spans eight blocks on Kalakaua Avenue from Seaside to Kapahulu Avenues from 7:00 to 10:00pm. We were excited to check out this party.Walking from our nearby hotel, we entered the party at Seaside and a large crowd was watching a hula performance at this stage, which was one of three stages in the festival. This performers were mainly men, so the ladies were happy. The festival was crowed, especially at the entertainment venues. There were booths that offered food from local restaurants, hotels and food trucks, Hawaiian crafts, leis, and more. Our friend bought a beautiful fountain pen from Lau Lau Woodworks. It was a fun event with lots of aloha sprite. We were so happy to have been in Honolulu to experience it. Wish were we there the following Saturday for the annual floral parade on Kalakaua from Ala Moana Park to Kapiolani Park.

Waikiki Ho'olaulea happens every year during the Aloha Festivals. Kalakaua Avenue is blocked off from Lewers Street to Kealohilani Street.Walking along the street there were many food vendors as well as craft tents. There were four stages that were setup for musicians to perform and entertain the crowd.Among the food vendors was the Spamerican Truck which passed the Department of Health inspection. There was the Giovanni Shrimp truck, Mahaloha Burgers tent, Olay's food truck, as well as Leonard's Malasada mobile. There was just too many food vendors to choose from. I ended up standing in line for a bacon Mahaloha burger.I took my burger and found a table near the side entrance of the Princess Kaiulani Hotel. The burger was absolutely delicious.As for the four stages...one stage had gospel, another stage had a hula halau, another stage had contemporary Hawaiian, and the last stage had the Royal Hawaiian Band perform as well as jazz music.I opted to listen to the music of Teresa Bright and Kapena. Towards the ending of Kapena's performance the local DJ did a Gimme Gimme game in which the participants would have to bring up a hydroflask, a lei, a $50 bill, and an actual picture of a pet (not a pet pic stored on the cellphone). The winner of the Gimme Gimme game was a young boy from Waianae. He won a 2 disc CD from Kapena.I hope I get to attend future Waikiki Ho'olaulea. Checking out the new food vendors and enjoying the live music.142/200

My mom is a coordinator for this event, so I attend annually. It's ways a fun night of food, people, music, art, shopping, and excitement. It kicks off the Aloha Week festivities and is one of many events associated with Aloha Week. This event takes place on Kalakaua Ave in the heart of Waikiki and goes from 6-10pm. Vendors are on site with food and fun things to purchase like arts and crafts. It gets crowded so come early to get decent parking as the roads start closing around 430-5. Wear comfy walking shoes. Bring cash.

Come on down and enjoy the aloha and friendship. Parking is always good at Intermationa Market Place. Happy hour at IMP and get your validation then explore!

There's no better way to explore the culture of Hawaii than by being in Hawaii's largest block party, and eating my way through Ho'olaule'a festival. Along with thousands of people, I was celebrating all things Hawaiian on the streets of Waikīkī. Performers were showing the best of Hawaii's diverse heritage through food, crafts, flower leis, entertainment and more. Facts:- The annual Waikīkī Ho'olaule'a is Hawai'i's largest, most festive block party.- It is FREE and open to the public.- You'll feel the pride of the Hawaiian culture. - Walk and enjoy the hula hālau performances thought out the night.- Delicious Hawaiian food and crafts could be purchased. - 7 p.m. to 10 p.m, on Kalākaua Avenue.- Buying the Aloha Festivals ribbons and merchandise will help funding the festivals.- Make sure to check it next year, if have missed it this year. Five Yelps.