5 Free Events in Honolulu to Check Out This October 2018

Start the fall season on a good note with some healthy local eats, a Waimānalo beach cleanup and a pumpkin festival.

By Marisa Hartzell

VegFest Oʻahu

Saturday, October 13

Photo: Courtesy of vegfestoahu.com

Calling all vegans, vegetarians and those who strive to eat healthier: don’t miss VegFest O‘ahu for an afternoon of entertainment including cooking classes, speakers on health and environmental topics, and most importantly a variety of plant-based eats from local and Mainland vendors. The event will feature more than 50 booths including local favorites SKY Kombucha, Peace Café and Down to Earth. When you’re full of vegan soft serve, tempeh katsu and ‘ulu nachos, enjoy live rock and blues from Tavana and Paul Izak. VegFest requires vendors to use 100 percent compostable containers. There will also be a free filtered water station, so don’t forget your reusable water bottle.

Noon to 5 p.m., Frank F. Fasi Civic Grounds, 558 S. King St., vegfestoahu.com.

SEE ALSO: For more events in October, visit honolulumagazine.com’s online calendar.

Beach Cleanup with Waikīkī Aquarium

Saturday, October 13

Photo: Courtesy of waikikiaquarium.org

If you’ve ever walked along the beach and were bothered by the amount of trash on the shoreline, join the Waikīkī Aquarium in cleaning up Waimānalo Beach Park. Bring a reusable water bottle and reef-safe sunscreen; gloves and trash bags will be provided. After you’re done sifting the sand for plastic particles and beautifying the beach, enjoy free cookies from Hard Rock Café knowing you’ve done your good deed for the day.

8:30 to 10:30 a.m., check in starts at 8 a.m., Waimānalo Beach Park, 41-741 Kalaniana‘ole Highway, eventbrite.com.

13th Annual Duke’s ‘Ukes Contest

Saturday, October 20

Photo: Courtesy of dukeswaikiki.com

Watch as locals compete for a brand new Kamaka ‘Ukelele in the 13th Annual Duke’s ‘Ukes Contest in front of the Waikīkī shoreline. There will be two competing divisions for older and younger contestants, an instrumental and vocal competition and a “Best Showmanship” award given to the best in show. Whether you’re looking to compete, cheer someone on or relax at the bar with a mai tai in hand, don’t miss the contest that will leave you brimming with aloha spirit.

10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Duke’s Waikīkī, 2335 Kalākaua Ave., Suite 116, dukeswaikiki.com/events.

Honolulu Pride Parade & Festival

Saturday, October 20

PHOTO: COURTESY OF HAWAIILGBTLEGACYFOUNDATION.COM

One of the most colorful parades of the year is making its way through Waikīkī once again to share the LGBTQ+ aloha in Honolulu. Watch as more than 100 floats, vehicles and more than 1,500 people march from Magic Island to Kapi‘olani Park, where DJs, food vendors, community booths and more will be continuing the party for the rest of the day for the official Honolulu Pride Festival.

11 a.m. to 6 p.m., begins at Magic Island at Ala Moana Beach Park, hawaiilgbtlegacyfoundation.com.

The Great Pumpkin Festival

Saturday, October 20

Photo: Courtesy of holynativityschool.org

Because the fall season isn’t complete without a pumpkin patch and hay ride, Holy Nativity School is hosting its sixth Annual Great Pumpkin Festival featuring more than 2,500 locally grown pumpkins, fair games for the whole ‘ohana and a country market with food trucks and vendors. For a fee, make your way to the petting zoo for some quality time with farm animals and let your little one enjoy the pony rides. Don’t forget to dress your keiki for the costume contest, which boasts generous cash prizes for the winners in each age group.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Holy Nativity School, 5286 Kalanianaʻole Highway, holynativityschool.org.

Looking for more keiki-friendly Halloween fun? Check out HONOLULU Family’s roundup of family-friendly events this October.