6 Absolutely Free Honolulu Events to Check Out in July 2018

Celebrate those long summer days by joining a big bon dance, meeting local artisans, sitting in the park for live music and halau performances and entering to win $100 at one of our best events.

By Sarah Etinas

Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest

JUNE 7

PHOTO: TIEN ENGA

Obon season is starting, Head to Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest for one of the largest bon dances on the Island. Decorate an uchiwa, a Japanese round fan, slurp up some smoothies from Kawailoa Farms and fold some intricate origami, then visit other cultural booths and activities.

5 to 10 p.m., Old Varsity Theatre parking lot, 1110 University Ave., moiliilisummerfest.com

Best of Honolulu Festival presented by American Savings Bank

July 14

Photo: Aaron K. Yoshina

Come early and be prepared to stay all day at our third annual free event. It wouldn’t be a HONOLULU Magazine event without great local shopping, local businesses and, of course, local food. So here are the numbers: 19 retail vendors, 17 food booths, nine lifestyle businesses, seven live entertainers all in one easy-to-park and family-friendly spot. Stop by the American Savings Bank booth to enter to win a $100 Amazon gift card and bring your cute keiki to the HONOLULU Family booth for your first chance to enter the 2019 Cover Kids Search for free.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Cover Kids Search is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Honolulu Hale, honolulumagazine.com/bestofhonolulu

21st Annual Hale‘iwa Arts Festival

July 14–15

PHOTO: COURTESY OF HALE‘ IWA ARTS FESTIVAL

This year’s Hale‘iwa Arts Festival will feature more than 100 artists showcasing their artwork. A few will offer limited-edition bags and T-shirts for the event. There will also be free art projects, live performances and several food vendors.

July 14 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and July 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m, Hale‘iwa Beach Park, 62-449 Kamehameha Highway, haleiwaartsfestival.org

‘Ukulele Festival Hawai’i

July 15

PHOTO: COURTESY OF ‘UKULELE FESTIVAL HAWAI ‘I

The ‘Ukelele Festival Hawai’i was established in 2004 by Roy Sakuma, renowned ‘ukulele player, and his wife, Kathy. Fourteen years later, the free event brings together 20 different ‘ukulele players from around the world to perform live in Waikīkī. The highlight of the festival will be the ‘ukulele orchestra, a group composed of over 800 students. Besides the music, festival goers will also found everything from roast pork and shave ice to guava-smoked meat from the events 14 food vendors.

10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Kapi‘olani Park Bandstand, 3840 Pākī Ave., ukulelefestivalhawaii.org

Goodwill Goes Glam!

July 19–22

photo: gregory yamamoto

Fashion designers Allison Izu and Summer Shiigi of Ten Tomorrow are taking the runway at Goodwill Hawai‘i’s annual event. The fashion show will launch a weekend of shopping through thousands of pre-owned pieces of clothing, accessories and even electronics.

7 to 10 p.m., Blaisdell Exhibition Hall, 777 Ward Ave., higoodwill.org/glam

41st Annual Prince Lot Hula Festival

July 21-22

photo: Courtesy of moanalua Gardens foundation

The Prince Lot Hula Festival honors Prince Lot Kapuāiwa, who later became King Kamehameha V, as he hosted many hula performances at his home in Moanalua. As the largest noncompetitive hula event in Hawai‘i, the festival attracts thousands of visitors each year. As an added bonus, admission to ‘Iolani Palace during the festival will be free.

July 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and July 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., ‘Iolani Palace, 364 S King St., moanaluagardensfoundation.org