7 Reasons to Get Out

July 2008

June 30, 2008

Jenny de Jesús,

Fête It Out
July 5

Make the trip out to the Polynesian Cultural Center for this year’s Te Mahana Hiroa O Tahiti, or Tahitian Culture Days Festival. The celebration, which features keiki from around the state and the Mainland in dance and drumming competitions, is one of the largest of its kind. For more information, call 293-3333 or go to www.polynesian culturalcenter.com.

Fantastic Four
July 4

Happy Birthday, America. Celebrate our country’s
independence this Fourth of July in all-American fashion with fireworks and a good barbecue at any of Oahu’s prime party spots, including Ala Moana Beach Park and Kailua Beach. July 4

Back to the Bay
July 4-6

In its 19th year, BayFest 2008 at Kaneohe Bay, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, is bigger than ever. Three days of carnival rides, fireworks and performances by popular bands such as Three Doors Down and Everclear are set to start the summer off right. The event is open to the public, and proceeds benefit Marines, sailors and their families stationed in the Islands. www.bayfesthawaii.com.

Get Groovy
July 13

Relive the days when the love was free and hippies roamed barefoot in the forests of Kauai with the documentary screening of Taylor Camp, 1969-1977 at Hawaii original footage and period music, the film tells the story of Hawaii’s most noted hippie commune, which continued to have an impact on Kauai’s small north shore community, long after it was condemned by the state in 1977. www.taylorcampkauai.com.

Head North
July 19-20

The North Shore is all about art this weekend. The Haleiwa Arts Festival at Haleiwa Beach Park is an annual summer arts fest full of music, dance and fine art. More than 130 juried visual artists will show their stuff alongside other art demonstrations, children’s activities, storytelling and more. www.haleiwaartsfestival.com.

Hear It
June 27

Calling all ukulele players and fans. The 38th annual Ukulele Festival is back at Kapiolani Park Bandstand from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. A free two-hour concert highlights Hawaii’s most talented ukulele players and features an ukulele orchestra of more than 800 young students. www.roysakuma.net/ukulelefestival.

Try It
July 20

If you’re looking for some multisport fun this Sunday, try the Tinman Triathlon on for size. The annual race, which attracts both beginners and veteran athletes, includes a swim, bike and run at a fraction of the distance of the Iron Man. The competition starts at Queen’s Beach and finishes up at Kalakaua Avenue after a run around Diamond Head. Rather not break a sweat? You can still take in the action and cheer on participants from any point on the course. 595-5317, www.tinmanhawaii.com.

This article appears in the July 2008 issue of HONOLULU Magazine.