Things to Do on O‘ahu in September 2026
Get away to the Fantasy Island-themed Hale ‘Aina Gala, admire sculptures made with canned food, cycle along the Kaiwi Coast and more.
Author: TownNews Staff - Alan Williamson
Feast at Fantasy Island: What You’ll Eat at the Hale ‘Aina Gala on Sept. 5
Indulge in bites from award-winning chefs and hunt for a golden pineapple in an immersive Fantasy Island setting under the stars.
Honoring the Past and Looking to the Future During Hawaiian History Month
PBS Hawai‘i honors Hawaiian History Month in September with multiple programs and stories across our broadcast and digital platforms.
Your Insider Guide to Okinawan Festival
Here’s everything you need to know about the celebration of Uchinanchu culture on Sept. 5–6.
What to Expect at the 2026 Hale ‘Aina Celebration Plus Everything Else You Need to Know
Get ready to escape to Paradise Island. On Saturday, Sept. 5, Hawai‘i’s top chefs, restaurateurs and food lovers will gather at The Kāhala Hotel & Resort for the 2026 Hale ‘Aina Celebration presented by First Hawaiian Bank…
Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: Aug. 27–Sept. 2, 2026
Watch a volleyball tourney, donate canned goods, learn about tribal heritage, see a swimwear fashion show and more.
Katsu Zen Brings J-Style Solo Dining to Honolulu’s Tonkatsu Scene
It’s not just a 180 from the former owners of Fat Cheeks and Little G’s, it’s where you can dine in zen-like silence.
10 Years of Foodland Farms Ala Moana: The Store That Changed the Way Hawai‘i Shops for Food
https://youtu.be/G_J3-bFxwRE When Foodland Farms Ala Moana opened its doors in 2016, it was more than the return of a familiar local grocer to Ala Moana Center. It was a new vision for what a grocery store could be. …
Empty Cooler and Water Shoes: North Shore Pūpūkea to Kahuku Road Trip
We venture beyond Hale‘iwa to find farm-fresh eats, tide pools, food trucks and more on the North Shore’s less-traveled side.
Kilo Summit: A New Project Debuting at Made in Hawai‘i Festival
With exclusive collaborations and live programming, Kilo Summit is bringing a new dimension to the Made in Hawai‘i Festival experience.
Recently Shuttered Tchin Tchin Bar Is Reopening—This Time With Cigars
A new owner is breathing new life into Chinatown’s pioneering rooftop bar.
Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: Aug. 20–26, 2026
Watch fireworks at the waterpark, vote for your favorite bao, see a play about a little-known chapter in Hawaiian history and more.
$6 Bowls at Waipahu’s Yujin K-Bowl Are Perfect for These Times
Meat jun, spicy pork and shrimp tempura bowls are actually $5.70 before tax.
Pushing Boundaries One Note at a Time: The Innovative Sounds of Taimane
Tune in to Nā Mele on Monday, Aug. 24, for a spellbinding episode with ‘ukulele virtuoso Taimane.
Helpful Tips for Emergency Preparedness
Here are things to know when storms, hurricanes and other disasters are threatening, courtesy of Hawaiian Electric.
Your Insider Guide to Made in Hawai‘i Festival
The 32nd annual Made in Hawai‘i Festival returns Aug. 20–23. Here’s what you should know before you go.
Now that Mango Season Is Finally Here, Try These 8 Mango Treats Before Summer Ends
Mango pies, smoothies, bagels and more: Juicy sweets in every form have cropped up around Honolulu.
Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: Aug. 13–19, 2026
Watch South Shore sports, attend a concert under the stars, see a photography exhibit, laugh out loud at a comedy fest and more.
Kama‘āina Deals: Shopping Discounts and Promos for Locals
Hawai‘i residents can score awesome kama‘āina deals at these O‘ahu retailers.
Where They Are Now: 90-Plus Lahaina Restaurants, Bars, Snack Shops & Food Trucks
More than a third have reopened or are working to reopen, mostly along the Kihei-Lahaina-Ka‘anapali stretch.
What’s New at the 2026 Made in Hawai‘i Festival
(Partner Content) Made in Hawai‘i Festival is coming up August 15–17.
Photo Gallery: See Stunning Artwork from Local Woodworkers at Hawai‘i’s Woodshow 2026
Downtown Art Center hosts the Hawai‘i Forest Association’s 34th annual exhibit Aug. 7–29. Here’s a preview.
Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: Aug. 6–12, 2026
Marvel at woodworking craftsmanship, admire Micronesian art, explore a pop culture expo, get a free musubi and more.
That Time I Brought Home In-N-Out Burgers for Nana
Unlike Shake Shack, In-N-Out isn’t coming to Hawai‘i anytime soon. So I vowed my 84-year-old Nana would get a taste of its full and complete glory.
Kama‘āina Deals: Restaurants and Eateries
40-plus places where it pays to show your Hawai‘i ID—just remember to ask before the check comes.
O‘ahu Bon Dance Schedule 2026
Save the dates for these Obon festivals and bon dances happening across O‘ahu this summer.
Best of HONOLULU Family 2026
It’s time to celebrate the family-friendly winners of our annual readers’ choice awards, with a few editors’ picks to round them out. Discover the best brownies ever, local stores for keiki books, play spaces, golf activities, party rentals and more!
Mark These Family-Friendly Events on O‘ahu in 2026
Your cheat sheet to O‘ahu happenings for the whole ‘ohana.
Meet The Bucket List Family
Take off on an adventure with this jet-setting Hawai‘i-based family of five.
We Tried It and Your Family Can Too
Five kid-tested, mom-approved adventures your ‘ohana will love.
HONOLULU Magazine Wins 10 Local Journalism Awards for 2025
Revisit the stories that garnered us first, second and third place prizes from the Society of Professional Journalists Hawai‘i Chapter.
Your Insider Guide to the 2026 Korean Festival
Eat creative kim chee dishes, bop to K-pop music, see taekwondo moves and enjoy authentic activities at this cultural showcase.
Mānoa Chocolate Opens a Coffee Roaster and Café
The Kailua-based chocolate company brews up bean-to-bar coffee drinks, much of it from O‘ahu-grown beans.
Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: July 30–Aug. 5, 2026
Try exclusive, innovative eats at Taste of Honolulu, buy easy-to-care-for plants, make art prints, laugh at a comedy show and more.
50-Plus New Restaurants Have Opened on O‘ahu This Year
Last week, we published a running list of 50-plus restaurants that have closed so far this year. Here’s the flip side.
5 Hawai‘i and Oceania Books to Take You on an Odyssey
Want more of The Odyssey this summer? Check out these Hawai‘i and Oceania titles that will whisk you away on epic journeys.
Kama‘āina Deals: Activities, Attractions and More Fun for Locals
Looking for ways to save in this economy? Here are some of our favorite kama‘āina deals on activities, attractions, classes and experiences.
2026 Faces of Hawai‘i
(Special Promotional Section) HONOLULU Magazine celebrates some of Hawai‘i’s prominent leaders and businesses who are making waves in their industry.
Your Invitation to Hawai‘i's Most Celebrated Night in Dining
Escape to Fantasy Island at the 2026 Hale ʻAina Awards Celebration presented by First Hawaiian Bank and Mastercard. Hawaiʻi's top chefs come together for an unforgettable evening inspired by the beauty, adventure…
We Tried It: North Shore Huaka‘i Shuttle to Support Local Businesses
The new $5 roundtrip service to Waialua and Hale‘iwa brings people and dollars to spur economic recovery after the Kona low storms.
Where to Shop Vintage on O‘ahu This Summer
From vintage tees and Y2K gems to collectible Hawaiiana and one-of-a-kind streetwear, these markets are the perfect places to hunt for treasures all summer long.
Your 2026 Guide to O‘ahu Bon Dance Food: Part 2
Where to find takoyaki, pastele stew, root beer floats, homemade baked goods and more while you dance under the summer skies.
Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: July 23–29, 2026
Jam to soulful Polynesian artists, attend a concert at the aquarium, boogie down at a dance-a-thon, celebrate Shark Week and more.
Think you know R. Field? These four hidden gems might surprise you.
We all know Foodland is famous for their fresh, mouthwatering poke and their commitment to supporting local—sweet fruits, crisp veggies, and a snack aisle selection that has absolutely no business being that good. But if you do a little aisle-snooping—especially…
Mahalo and Aloha to O‘ahu Restaurants, Bars, Cafés and Eateries That Closed This Year
They closed for different reasons, but the closures are increasing. Here’s our running list.
Best Restaurants in Honolulu
Best Restaurants in Honolulu * * * Here are former HONOLULU Dining Editor Martha Cheng’s picks for the top eateries on O‘ahu. I don’t take these sorts of lists lightly—especially when it’s the…
Jobs of the Future
Nine pioneers and observers of the cutting edge of new and burgeoning careers give their predictions about the workscape of the future.
Keep Country, Country
A proposed gondola lift, zip line and all-terrain vehicle tours at Mount Ka‘ala are behind a fight pitting the North Shore and neighboring communities against outside developers who want to expand visitor attractions.
7 Notable Restaurants in Hawai‘i
These spots opened in a landscape altered by the pandemic—and remind us of the joy of dining out, whether it’s a jovial omakase counter or regional Peruvian food served from a truck.
