What’s Open or Closed in Honolulu for Labor Day
Your guide to which Honolulu City and County services will be available or suspended in observance of Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 9, 2026.
Author: Katie Young Yamanaka
Your Insider Guide to Megabon
Experience Osaka vibes at this this massive Japanese festival on Saturday, Sept. 12.
What to Eat During September’s Okinawan Feastival in Honolulu
Okinawan Festival is this weekend. During Okinawan FEASTival, 20 restaurants are serving traditional and new creations Sept. 7–21.
Your Guide to the Perfect Labor Day Weekend in Honolulu: Sept. 3–9, 2026
Feast at the Hale ‘Aina Gala, cheer on the Rainbow Warriors, admire pastel paintings, celebrate Hawaiian History Month and more.
2026 Hale ‘Aina Award Winners: The Best Restaurants in Hawai‘i
Congratulations to this year’s Hale ‘Aina Award winners announced on June 9, 2026.
Dishes That Define O‘ahu
From chichi dango to lau lau stew to char siu croissants, our food reflects our stories.
2026 Hale ‘Aina Awards: Chao Restaurant Group Wins Restaurateur of the Year
Behind the unconventional rise of Chao Restaurant Group, helmed by Chancelor Kim and Dong Dang.
2026 Hale ‘Aina Awards: Best New Restaurant Chao Hawai‘i Is Playfully Viet-Inspired
Chao’s roots are traditional, though its approach is a different story. Get the scoop on some of the restaurant’s popular dishes.
2026 Hale ‘Aina Awards: Thai Issan Cuisine Finally Wins Gold for Best Thai
A previous finalist, the cozy gem next to Foodland at Market City has won over Hale ‘Aina voters at last.
2026 Hale ‘Aina Awards: Da Seafood Cartel Is Recognized as the Seafood Specialist
Da Seafood Cartel, winner of Best Mexican and Best Seafood, brings vibrant coastal flavors to a converted gas station.
2026 Hale ‘Aina Awards: It’s a Tasty Late Night in Mō‘ili‘ili at Khan Skewer Restaurant
Grilled skewers and DIY drink towers light up Khan Skewer Restaurant.
2026 Hale ‘Aina Awards: Anna Miller’s Is a ’70s-Era Time Stamp
Not much has changed in 53 years at Anna Miller’s—exactly why we love it and name it this year’s Old-School Restaurant We Love.
Music for the Airport by Aloha Got Soul Responds to the Airport’s AI Songs
The new record album compiles human-made music from Hawai‘i as a rebuttal to the AI selection played at the airport.
Craig Steely Architecture’s Inventive Designs Mingle Nature and Living Spaces
A musubi-shaped footprint and surfboard finlike structure are among the elements Craig Steely incorporates into Hawai‘i home designs.
Goodbye to Ward Centre and Kilohana Square
We lament the generations-old buildings, the latest closures in an unending cycle.
New Fragrance Boutique Aaila Curates Uncommon Scents
Fragheads take note—newly opened Aaila is a treasure trove of captivating, rare-in-the-Islands perfumes.
UH Goes Big on NIL
To keep its sports teams competitive, the university will disburse millions of dollars through its Name, Image and Likeness program for student athletes.
Pursuits: From Putts to Pickleballs with Tadd Fujikawa
Tadd Fujikawa, the golf phenom who made a run at the 2007 Sony Open, is now a standout pickleball player.
On Board with AI? It’s Complicated
We will never use AI to write editorial stories, but its power to assist with processes is undeniable.
Aloha Festivals Celebrates 80 Years
This year‘s theme is “80 Years of Aloha: Our Culture, Our Stories, Celebrating Our Island Home.”
A New HoMA Exhibit Explores Your Brain on Art
Vital Connections: Art & the Brain lets you experience the positive impacts art can have on your well-being.
New in Town
Places and activities that have opened recently, featured in HONOLULU Magazine.
Being Seen (a Little Too Much)
Teaching and living in Kailua means running into my students everywhere.
Tails of the City: Fostering Kittens at the Women’s Community Correctional Center
The new program helps socialize kittens to get them ready for adoption while giving inmates a life-changing experience.
Dancing Cat Records Is Preserving the Masters of Slack Key
The record company’s comprehensive collection of Hawaiian slack key is available to the public.
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.
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.
