Your Insider Guide to the 13th Annual Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest

Photo: Courtesy of Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest

The 13th annual Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest returns home to its former location at the Waiānuenue ma Kapa‘akea parking lot (the old Varsity Building parking lot) and Coyne Street on July 4 from 5 to 10 p.m. To kick off the celebration, there will be an Andagi Night on Friday, July 3, from 4 to 8 p.m. with exclusive festival merchandise for sale, food vendors and, of course, the beloved Okinawan fried treats.

Coinciding with the 4th of July long weekend, this year’s fest is expected to attract thousands of attendees with its exciting lineup of food and craft vendors, games, activities and the highly anticipated bon dance. The Summer Fest is presented by the nonprofit organization Mō‘ili‘ili Festivals with support from Mō‘ili‘ili Hongwanji Mission, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i, Mō‘ili‘ili Community Center, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Hawai‘i Kai Jaycees and Ke Kula ‘o Kamehameha.

Click to the information you want to explore:

• Cost
• What to Do
• What’s New
• Shopping & Dining
• Where to Park
• Tips

SEE ALSO: O‘ahu Bon Dance Schedule 2026

Cost

Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest is a free community event. Attendees pay food and craft vendors directly. Most will accept both cash or card, and some may also take PayPal or Venmo.

Photo: Courtesy of Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest

What to Do

Andagi Night

At Friday’s Andagi Night, shop exclusive festival merchandise and collaborations, including bon dance towels, grab dinner from food vendors and cap the evening off with a freshly fried Okinawan donut. Here is the vendor lineup:

• Ali‘i Fish Market
• Amai Star Café
• Castaways Ice Cream
• Coco Balls Takoyaki
• Early Cardiovascular Health Outreach
• Island Craves
• Sumofish
• Top End Grindz

Adding to Friday’s festivities, Ed Sugimoto of VH07V (Aloha Revolution) and Jodi Kamisato, a local musician and owner of ‘Ukulele Hale, will create a special rendition of Hawai‘i’s beloved anthem “Aloha Friday.” The collaboration celebrates the neighborhood’s vibrant small business community while inviting residents and visitors alike to spend the holiday weekend supporting local shops, restaurants and vendors throughout Mō‘ili‘ili. Attendees are encouraged to be a part of the video recording at 5:30 p.m.

Photo: Andrea Lee

Summer Fest

Saturday’s main event is jam-packed with activities. Live entertainment runs from 4:30 to 6 p.m., featuring performances from MikAnS, Sakura Saxophone Ensemble, Taiko Center of the Pacific and the Kaikaliliaalohahawai‘i Duo.

The bon dance will start at 6 p.m. and continue through the night. In Japanese Obon tradition, dance with your family and friends in a circle under glowing lanterns.

Between dances, keiki will enjoy cultural activities, including crafts and games. The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i will have stamping stations, including tanabata tanzaku, handwritten wishes for good fortune, and hachimaki (Japanese headbands). Plus, Mō‘ili‘ili Community Center will host a fishpond activity, and New York Life Hawai‘i will offer a souvenir card experience.

SEE ALSO: Our Guide: Bon Dances for Beginners

Photo: Andrea Lee

What’s New

This year’s fest features more collaborations with beloved local brands. Castaways Ice Cream will serve its limited-edition Butter Mochi Ice Cream, and Aloha Matcha will debut a limited-edition Watermelon Matcha drink. Also, Sumofish will release a new collaborative T-shirt and sticker. Be sure to stop by for these special collaborations, as the proceeds from these sales will directly support the festival.

Heads up that there will be a revised event layout this year with a separate dance area, along with rows of vendors. Food trucks will be located on Coyne Street.

Photo: Andrea Lee

Shopping & Dining

Expect more than 60 local vendors with something for everyone, from traditional summer festival foods to one-of-a-kind desserts, along with unique retail shopping and information vendors. Note: The list of vendors is subject to change.

Food Vendors:

• Ali‘i Fish Market
• Aloha Matcha Hawai‘i
• Castaways Ice Cream
• Chibi Confectionery
• Corn Onoz Hawai‘i
• Da Bald Guy
• Fujiya Hawai‘i
• Hawaiian Honey Cones
• Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce – KC Waffle Dog
• Hot Pott Stickers
• JJ’z Treatz
• Jugem
• Kealoha Seafoods/Da Hub Truck
• Khao and Papas
• Milky Way Shave Ice
• Mō‘ili‘ili Hongwanji Mission Concession
• Olomana Bros
• Reecieb’s Onolicious Local Food
• Saap Saap HI
• Sama Sama
• Sausage Fest Hawai‘i
• Shaka Shaka Tea Express
• Str’Eats Of Aloha
• Syz Friez
• Tacokellz
• Takoyaki Yamachan
• Thai Lao Restaurant
• The Corner Rolls
• Travie’s Patties
• Tropicold Wai
• Veek Plant Based Burger
• Waialua BBQ

Photo: Andrea Lee

Retail, Information & Activity Vendors:

• Aloha Charmz
• Beads & Things by Kori
• Church of the Crossroads
• Diamond Head Candy Co.
• Early Cardiovascular Health Outreach
• Future of Cool
• Grace Under Cover
• Hawai‘i Candy Factory (Noms)
• Kissy Hawai‘i
• Koa Kards
• Ku‘uipo Collection
• Mana Jewelry
• Mise Kimono
• Miyako & Co
• Mizmatched Star
• Mō‘ili‘ili Hongwanji Mission
• Momo Terrascapes
• New York Life Hawai‘i
• Pawloha
• QPP Collective
• Simply Sparkle Designs
• Soju Cat
• Sumofish
• The OldTaku
• Toys & Things HI
• VH07V

Photo: Courtesy of Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest

Where to Park

Free parking will be available at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s Lower Campus with complimentary shuttle service to the event from 4 to 11 p.m.

There will also be limited premium event parking available onsite (located mauka of the festival, enter from University Ave.), for $25 from 3:30 to 10:30 p.m. It will be on a first-come, first-serve basis with no in-and-out privileges.

Shinnyo-En Hawai‘i, located at 2348 S. Beretania St., will also offer parking from 3:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Donations are welcome.

Photo: Courtesy of Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest

Tips

• Wear comfortable shoes as there will be lots of walking, standing and dancing at the event.
• Dress in your favorite yukata. But if you don’t have one, don’t worry, as traditional wear is not required, just encouraged.
• Arrive early. The free parking lots will fill up fast, and the fest is typically most crowded from 6 to 8 p.m.
• Portable restrooms will be located on the mauka side of the festival.
• Keep an eye on keiki, and designate areas to meet up. Use the buddy system and keep phones on you to communicate.

Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest, Saturday, July 4, 5 to 10 p.m., 1100 University Ave. at the Waiānuenue ma Kapa‘akea parking lot (the old Varsity Building), moiliilisummerfest.org, @moiliilifest

Laura Dornbush is a regular contributor to HONOLULU Magazine. @ldornbush

Hailey Akau is a former editorial intern and regular contributor to HONOLULU Magazine.