Tonight is Na Wai! Yay! Awesome hula to start the evening! So happy to be here and to enjoy the…read moreHawaiian Cultures with malihini and kanaka! Love Kona Nui nights during this hot summer! The aloha here is definitely felt! I just love the sharing of mo'olelo and hula followed by beautiful music of Hawai'i top artists. Come on out to Kona Nui Nights!

A FREE concert on the Third Wednesday of every month?…read more I must check it out! It seems too good to be true! I had seen Lyla D. check in at this Honolulu event in the past. Fortunately, this time, she invited me to go with her and her husband, Ed, on July 20, 2016. The featured guest performer was Hoku Zuttermeister who is known for his contemporary Hawaiian music, including awesome falsetto vocals! We got to the reception table in the lobby of the IBM Building at about 5:30pm for the 6pm show. We were welcomed by the pleasant staff with a warm greeting and a yellow paper band for our wrist! At first, we sat in the last row of canvas beach chairs and enjoyed some overflow of air conditioning from the open door of the IBM Building. Later, when family members of the hula halau left, we were able to move up and sit in the second row! The balmy tropical breeze kept us cool in the open air courtyard. A large white tent kept up protected from the last rays of the setting sun. Aja Gample started off the evening with her smooth vocals and slack key guitar accompaniment. Also of note, was Kumu Hina (I had seen a movie about her) and her hula halau (hula troupe)! There were other hula dancers (children, men, aunties, seniors, etc.) who jumped in and danced to songs sung by Hoku Zuttermeister, including Hoku's mother, Susan! It was such a wonderful event, full of surprises and fun! This time, Lyla got a free ticket for me via wardvillageshops.com - mahalo, Lyla!! Next month, I will be able to acquire my own ticket, now that I know the routine and the location. Free parking is nearby at the Ward Village shops, the Ward Warehouse and Ward Center. The restroom in the IBM Building is convenient and clean. Beverages were available at the bar in the back ($2 soft drink and $6 beer). A shave ice cart provided cool treats for $3 a serving. Besides watching hula and listening to Hawaiian music, we enjoyed each others' company and were allowed to bring in our own dinner! This casual 2-hour event reminded me of the Grand Performances in Downtown Los Angeles, but on a more personal and meaningful level. Our community is able to come together and celebrate Hawaiian culture, language, dance, and music in an inviting and intimate manner! A hui hou!

Aloha Dancesport has been much more than a dance studio for me--it has been a place of friendship,…read morefun, and beautiful memories over the years. Whether you're interested in salsa, bachata, waltz, foxtrot, or other ballroom dances, there are classes, parties, and social dances for almost every occasion and every level of dancer. The instructors are knowledgeable, welcoming, and passionate about helping students improve while having fun. The dance floor brings people together, but it's the friendships and sense of community that keep us coming back. I've met so many wonderful people here and shared countless laughs and unforgettable moments. The prices are comparable to other dance studios in Honolulu, and the value goes far beyond the lessons themselves. If you're looking for a place to learn, stay active, meet great people, and enjoy the joy of dancing, I highly recommend Aloha Dancesport.

Great quality dance wear and customer service! I would definitely shop there again. We found…read moreexactly what we were looking for.

I was looking for independent movie theaters and discovered the Movie Museum on Yelp. They were…read moreshowing Hamnet which recently got nominated for - and WON! - a bunch of awards, so decided to check it out. This place is a true hole-in-the-wall theater. The entrance is slightly hidden so it can be hard to spot, the inside is super cozy with only about 16-18 comfy recliners, and you can bring your own blanket to get settled in. It feels very local and intimate. The owner said she's been in business since the 90s. A few things to know: you have to call ahead to make a reservation, tickets are $8 cash only, parking is in a paid lot, and masks are required (or you can buy one there for 50 cents). I think they used to allow outside food, but that doesn't seem to be the case anymore. It also looks like they've shifted focus--while they used to rent VHS and DVDs, now the movie screenings are the main draw. If you're looking for a cozy, community-style movie night, this place is absolutely worth your time!

Super quaint and old school. You need to make a reservation to see movies here, and they are all…read moreoff-beat and interesting. It's like stepping back in time and feels like someone's house at the same time. Like an old friend who is a movie buff and has tons of videos and DVDs around their place. The owner is an older gentleman who seems to be in this business purely for the love of cinema. Which I respect! My husband loves this place and That being said, it's not your typical movie experience. It's only $5, cash only. You can bring your own snacks (if they are super quiet!) which is amazing because there are almost no vegan movie snacks in bigger commercial theaters. We brought our hydroflasks and some of our favorite snacks from home and were all set! It really is an experience to go here. It's not for everyone, but if you're down for an interesting time, check it out!

I was lucky enough to attend a Lei Day event at Waikiki Shell featuring live music and hula, and…read morethe setting could not have felt more perfect for it. The venue immediately reminded me a little of the Hollywood Bowl, but on a much smaller and somehow even more charming scale. With Diamond Head rising in the background, the views are absolutely spectacular and give the whole experience a distinctly Hawaiian sense of place. I was also impressed by how good the acoustics were, especially in an outdoor venue. It's very easy to access from the main Waikiki hotel area, which makes getting there surprisingly convenient. Between the music, the atmosphere, and the scenery, it ended up being one of those memorable Honolulu evenings that really sticks with you.

Shelling out for an event…read more.. Honestly the last time that I've been back to the Waikiki Shell is my graduation o_O woah....though I could be wrong but sadly I don't get out very much but thanks to Nadine who asked if I was interested in a concert which I really was made me so happy to return and experience it all under the stars. Parking is always an issue but luckily we got there early...early enough to find one right away as it fills up quickly which you'll have to park at the next lot which can be a distance that we didn't want. What I wasn't prepared for was the wait as the time to enter was delayed by 30 minutes I did wished that I knew you could bring your own water just as long it's in a plastic bottle though there was lots of food options there it was spread out so far I wished there was just a single place to order but I was already exhausted from waiting that all I wanted to do was find our seats. Nadine selected great seats right in the center and close enough that we're able to see the concert well, bathrooms are at the front gate and I noticed there was another one on the opposite side as well, it's nice to have an open air atmosphere gave it a nice relaxing vibe. Thank you!

The last time I was at this Greek Festival was back in 2007, before I moved to the Mainland…read more I love it! This place so reminded me of how Yiayia taught me how to make Greek food. We had such an awesome time! I sure do miss it, and boy have they really improved over the years!!!

My first Greek Festival here in Hawaii. While the overall…read moresetup was good, the food did not live up to expectations, especially for the price! I had tickets given to me by a friend so entree was free and I took along a Japanese Student. Having been to Greece twice probably set high expectations for this event and it was kind of a let down. I enjoyed the Greek beer and Ouzo booth and the outstanding artist on guitar and singing the most. Regret not buying a CD for $10.00 to enjoy at home. I arrived around 4 pm and missed the band & dancing outside by the fountain area, that may have also lead to my mood and this review. I would have loved a gyro or one of the grilled kabobs that smelled wonderful, but the line was to long and way to far from the beer booth! Lol! It looked as if most of those in attendance were enjoying the cool ocean breezes that made this a perfect day for the event. Maybe I should have stayed longer and had a few more shots of Ouzo! It was fun but for the money, I'll go to the Olive Tree and enjoy a much better meal in honor of Greek heritage! OPAH!

As an event planner and floral designer in the industry for over 35 plus years Easley Designs uses…read moreArt Kalahiki Productions for a solo artist, duo, trios and bands. I have booked several weddings and events with Art Kalahiki. He is pure talent and very charismatic and all of my clients enjoy working with him. He is very reliable and brings all of his own equipment at an affordable price point. You won't be sorry to have him be a part of your special day.

Art is a very talented guitarist and vocalist who played all of our wedding music. From the…read moreentrance songs to taking requests while strolling around at the reception, Art did a great job. Plus, he's a cool, laid-back guy who is easy to work with. If you want to hear him sing, you might be able to catch him around Waikiki playing at the Royal Hawaiian's beachfront bar.

The Hawaii Belly Dance Convention is a must-attend for belly dancers of all levels. Producer Malia…read moreDelapenia carefully curates workshops and topics that are relevant to beginners to professionals and that speak to dancers of all styles! The shows were well organized, well paced and featured a diverse array of talented dancers! The focus of the week is squarely on the development and inspiration of belly dancers - the organization and coordination of the weekend is top-notch. And who can beat the location?! Not a dancer? GO TO THE SHOWS!!! They're well thought out, display a wide variety of performance styles and showcase some amazing dancers.

This is such an incredible event! Malia's passion for belly dance and people shines through. Every…read moreaspect is extremely well put together and professional. I have attended the last three years from Seattle and am excited about going again this year! At my very first convention, I was touched by how welcoming and kind everyone was. They truly showed me the Aloha spirit! Whether you are a belly dancer, want to learn, or looking for some incredible entertainment, this is the convention you don't want to miss!

Celebrating Okinawan culture in Honolulu, Hawaii…read more.. This year, the 42nd Annual Okinawan Festival was held at the Hawaii Convention Center on Saturday and Sunday, August 31, and September 1, 2024. Admission fee was $10 for adults; $5 for seniors (age 65+); and free for children age 12 and below We parked for free at Ala Moana Center and walked over. I really didn't want to go. I used to work at the Festival when I was a member of the Hawaii United Okinawan Association (HUOA) because I played in their volleyball league. Our volleyball league ran the Children's Game Booths at Kapiolani Park. We had to get there early to set up and stay late to clean up. It was labor intensive! I have stress just remembering those times... My former co-worker really wanted to go to the Festival. She had purchased A LOT of script from her neighbor who was part of the Live Entertainment. My friend texted me several times and called me to discuss where to meet. She bribed me to go by telling me she was going to give me some script and pay for my Admission Fee... LOL! So... I went... It wasn't as bad as I remembered! The air conditioning, convenient restrooms, and excellent organization made it pleasant! Maybe the challenge was the line for script. There seemed to be only one place to buy script, and it was far away from the food booths. My friend had so much script that she sold some to strangers on our table - she overheard their conversation! As a visitor to the Festival (not as a worker), I was able to wander through the Craft Area, walk past the plants for sale and the Children's Games, stand in line for food, browse through the Country Store, and enjoy the Live Entertainment! It was nice that there were tables and chairs for customers to sit and dine-in! We didn't sign up for the special art demonstration where you can make traditional art... maybe we can do that next year!

Celebrating the culture…read more.. No one does it like the Okinawan Festival as this year they've done it again and what an amazing event. Keeping at the Hawaii Convention Center is a real struggle to get to though the cool air conditioned venue with lots of seating provided to watch the entertainment and to enjoy your foodie feast does make it a fun and festive place to celebrate it all. In the past it has been outdoors at Kapiolani Park which in my opinion was much more difficult to enjoy it all so this is a refreshing chance of scenery and this year it's all in one level so you don't need to find the various rooms upstairs to shop for the merchandise and view the historic background of it all. The countless volunteers and groups made it a fun for all ages as we actually wanted to play some of the children's games shows how fun it truly was. I did get to peek in the Awamori Garden which was lovely oasis to get an adult sip along with some exclusive snacks found only in that area though with countless areas to browse including the craft section it was a great experience and can't wait for 2025. Thank you!