The 8 Best Things to Do in July 2018

Bon dance in the moonlight, score secondhand treasures, marvel over Marvel and find joy at the bottom of a sake cup.

By Marisa Heung

KIDS & FAMILY

Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest

July 7

Photo: Tien Enga



Kick off Obon season with one of the state’s biggest bon dances. The neighborhood street festival takes over the old Varsity Theater parking lot and Coyne Street (between University Avenue and Kai‘ali‘u Street) with retail pop-ups, cultural activities, keiki games and more than 25 local food vendors.

5 to 10 p.m., Old Varsity Theater parking lot, free, moiliilisummerfest.com.

FAIRS AND EXPOS

Mangoes at the Moana

July 14

Photo: Courtesy of Thinkstock



Celebrate mango season with a farmers market, cooking demos and the Mangolicious Sunset Reception for the 21 and older set, featuring mango creations by local chefs and mixologists.

Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort, $15–$120, moana-surfrider.com.

CULTURE

Queen Lili‘uokalani Keiki Hula Competition

July 19–21

Photo: Courtesy of Keiki Hula



Each year, young Island dancers gather to share their achievements in hula. Competitions include two group and two solo categories, intermixed with guest performances by former winners.

Blaisdell Arena, $12.50–$14.50, keikihula.org.

CHARITY

Goodwill Goes Glam!

July 19–22

Photo: Gregory Yamamoto



Goodwill’s annual pop-up will offer thousands of pre-owned designer fashions, vintage goods and aloha shirts for sale at bargain prices. Local designers Allison Izu Song of Allison Izu and Summer Shiigi of Ten Tomorrow will lead this year’s kickoff fashion show, titled “The Fashion Edit,” as Glam!’s first female producers.

Blaisdell Exhibition Hall, free, higoodwill.org/glam.

FAIRS AND EXPOS

The Joy of Sake

July 27

Photo: DAvid Croxford



Considered the world’s largest sake festival outside of Japan, The Joy of Sake will have nearly 400 sakes, many of which aren’t sold in the U.S., available to sample to your heart’s content. Pair your sips with upscale street food from Izakaya Alley and epicurean bites prepared by local chefs.

6:30 to 9 p.m., Hawai‘i Convention Center, $105–$155, joyofsake.com.

Tying the knot? Find everything you need at the Hawai‘i Bridal Expo, July 27 through 29 at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. hawaiibridalexpo.com

FAIRS AND EXPOS

Comic Con Honolulu

Aug. 3–5

Photo: Tien Enga



Buy your tickets, prep your costume and plan your itinerary now. Hawai‘i’s comic, sci-fi and gaming convention hits Honolulu early next month for three days of cosplay, gaming competitions, celebrity meet-and-greets and more. Fans of all ages and genres welcome.

Hawai‘i Convention Center, $40–$60, comicconhonolulu.com.

Looking for fun new ways to experience the city? HONOLULU’s got you covered with HNLTix, your brand-new local resource for all things social—fundraisers, concerts, comedy shows, expos and everything in between. Discover your next can’t-miss event, share your favorites with friends, or promote your own event and sell tickets online. To see what’s coming up next in Honolulu, visit HNLTix.com.

Find more events at honolulufamily.com/calendar and honolulumagazine.com/calendar.