7 Absolutely Free Honolulu Events to Check Out in September 2017

Celebrate Hawaiʻi’s love for rice, support local designers and commemorate peace this September.

By Lennie Omalza

Celebrate all things Okinawan, including andagi, at the 35th Annual Okinawan Festival.

PHOTO: AARON K. YOSHINO

Battleship Missouri Memorial: End of World War II Commemoration

Sept. 2

Commemorate 72 years of peace between the U.S. and Japan and the end of World War II, aboard the USS Battleship Missouri. The ceremony begins at 9:20 a.m., the exact time on Sept. 2, 1945, when Gen. Douglas MacArthur began the formal proceedings for Imperial Japan’s surrender. Aloha attire. Complimentary round-trip shuttle service will be available starting at 8 a.m.

9 to 10 a.m., Battleship Missouri Memorial, 63 Cowpens St., ussmissouri.org

35th Annual Okinawan Festival

Sept. 2 and 3

Celebrate all things Okinawan—food, entertainment and more—all weekend. Festivalgoers can feast on everything from traditional dishes, such as andagi and Okinawa soba, to such Okinawan-inspired treats as the oki dog: a hot dog and chili, wrapped in a soft tortilla with shredded shoyu pork and lettuce. Live entertainment will take place at the Kapiʻolani Park Bandstand, with performances by the Hawaiʻi Okinawa Performing Arts community and performers from Okinawa, including Rimi Natsukawa, a famous Okinawan singer from Ishigaki, Yaeyama Islands. There will also be a bon dance at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 2.

9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Kapiʻolani Park, 3840 Pākī Ave., okinawanfestival.com

SEE ALSO: Your Guide to the Perfect Labor Day Weekend: Sept. 1–3, 2017

THAT MAY LOOK LIKE PULLED PORK, BUT IT’S REALLY BARBECUE PULLED JACKFRUIT. LEARN HOW TO MAKE THIS DISH AT THIS YEAR’S VEGFEST O‘AHU ON SEPT. 2.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF VEGFEST O‘AHU

VegFest Oʻahu

Sept. 2

Vegans and meateaters alike can have a fun and educational experience at this year’s VegFest Oʻahu. Sample vegan food, learn about health and environmental topics, see vegan cooking demos, enjoy live entertainment and shop community vendors. There will also be a free lecture series, as well as live jams by Mike Love, Paul Izak, Jamarak and more.

Noon to 5:30 p.m., Frank Fasi Grounds at Honolulu Hale, 530 S. King St., vegfestoahu.com

SEE ALSO: 6 Reasons You Should Go to VegFest O‘ahu

Pacific Fleet Band Wind Ensemble Performance

Sept. 2

Enjoy a variety of patriotic, Hawaiian and popular children’s-movie music at this family friendly concert by the premier musical unit of the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band. Picnic items, low lawn/beach chairs and blankets are welcome; Alcohol, pets and pop-up tents are prohibited.

5 p.m., Kailua District Park, 21 S. Kainalu Drive, Kailua, facebook.com/honoluluparks

New Wave Friday

Dubbed “the ultimate pau hana,” this open-air market by Art + Flea is the place to shop for handmade art and other goodies from 20 up-and-coming artists. The event will feature local fashion, art, music, food and more. All ages are welcome.

5 to 9 p.m., South Shore Market, 1170 Auahi St., artandflea.com

PHOTO: COURTESY OF RICE FEST

Eighth Annual Rice Fest

Sept. 9

Experience Hawaiʻi’s culinary diversity—and love for rice—with live entertainment, celebrity and chef cooking competitions, a Spam musubi-eating contest, as well as a poke-bowl-eating contest. This annual celebration brings awareness to Lanakila Meals on Wheels; monetary and rice donations for the program will be accepted.

3 to 9 p.m., Ward Village, Auahi Street, ricefest.com

Aloha Festivals’ 65th Annual Waikīkī Ho‘olaule‘a

Sept. 23

Celebrate Hawai‘i’s music, dance and history at this annual block party. It’ll kick off with the arrival of the king, queen, prince and princess as they take their places on the royal court. (Each year, the court members receive royal cloaks, helmets, head feather lei and other symbols of their reign.) Following the royal processional, festivalgoers can enjoy multiple stages of entertainment by Hawaiian musicians and hula hālau while shopping the various food, lei and other craft vendors lined up along 12 blocks of Kalākaua Avenue.

7 to 10 p.m., Kalākaua Avenue, alohafestivals.com

SEE ALSO: The 8 Best Things To Do in September 2017