Honolulu Summer Bucket List: The Best Things to Do on O‘ahu
Plan the best summer ever with outdoor adventures, new and classic eats, live music, cultural festivals and more ways to have fun in the sun.
Summer this year starts on June 20, and fall is coming up on Sept. 22. Within this three-month period of ultimate sunshine, there’s so much to do and see that you might not know where to start. So make a summer bucket list, like we did, and you’ll have more than enough outings, activities and events to make the days fly by. Check back for more recommendations to add to your list throughout the season.
Looking for something for you and boo to do or an ‘ohana outing? We tagged the listings with categories to make it easy for you to find ideas that fit your summer bucket list intent. Type one of these categories into your search bar:
- Art & Culture Picks
- Date Ideas
- Family-Friendly Activities
- Outdoor Activities
- Parents’ Night Out
SEE ALSO: 40 Amazing Things to Do
Photo: Courtesy of Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest
1. Celebrate Obon Season
Feast on Obon season favorites like andagi, yakisoba and barbecue sticks, take part in Japanese cultural activities and dance around the yagura all summer long.
Tags: Art & Culture Picks, Date Ideas, Family-Friendly Activities, Outdoor Activities
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
2. Marvel at Hundreds of Blooming Plumerias
Run by three generations of photographer Clark Little’s family, Little Plumeria Farms is open for tours where you can see rows and rows of flowering plumeria trees and collect many of the unique blossoms to take home.
Tags: Date Ideas, Family-Friendly Activities, Outdoor Activities
Photo: Courtesy of the Waikīkī Aquarium
3. Rock Out to Local Live Music and Concerts
Our local music scene is always hopping, but when the weather is warm, you don’t want to miss the outdoor concerts.
Tags: Art & Culture Picks, Date Ideas, Family-Friendly Activities, Outdoor Activities, Parents’ Night Out
Photo: Courtesy of Wet ‘n’ Wild Hawai‘i
4. Watch a Movie Outdoors
From a wave pool to an open lawn, summer movies have moved out from the theaters to the great outdoors for a cool viewing experience.
Tags: Art & Culture Picks, Date Ideas, Family-Friendly Activities, Outdoor Activities, Parents’ Night Out
Photo: Credit Ross D. Hamamura, Courtesy of Korean Festival
5. Revel in Culture at Summer Festivals
Our melting pot community sure knows how to represent with Japanese, Hawaiian, Korean, Okinawan and Italian festivals set to welcome everyone to enjoy ethnic cultures, along with celebrations of local and pop culture.
- Pacific Pride: The 13th FestPAC Hits Our Shores
- Your Insider Guide to the 2024 Pan-Pacific Festival
- Your Insider Guide to Honolulu Night Market: June 2024
- Our Guide: Honolulu Summer Festivals
Tags: Art & Culture Picks, Date Ideas, Family-Friendly Activities, Outdoor Activities
Photo: Melissa Chang
6. Shop Local at Farmers Markets
Some of our favorite eats and local products can only be found at farmers markets, which pop up all around O‘ahu. Take a summer adventure beyond your neighborhood and explore a new market on the other side of the island.
Tags: Date Ideas, Family-Friendly Activities, Outdoor Activities
Photo: Thomas Obungen
7. Try a New Staycation Spot
If you don’t have time for a full off-the-rock trip, consider playing tourist right here on O‘ahu. Several of our editors swear by staycationing, which can get you that much needed R&R without burning through your vacation days or bank account. Our favorite spots range from trendy boutique hotels and foodie favorites to spa-focused getaways outside the hustle and bustle of town.
- 6 Staycation Deals on O‘ahu for Kama‘āina
- 7 Kaua‘i Staycation Deals for Kama‘āina
- 7 Hawai‘i Island Staycation Deals for Kama‘āina
- Your Guide to a Staycation at Disney’s ‘Aulani Resort
- Our Tips for the Best Family Staycation in Hawaiʻi
Tags: Date Ideas, Family-Friendly Activities, Outdoor Activities, Parents’ Night Out
Photo: Courtesy of Kāhala Hotel & Resort
8. Learn How to Make Lei
Plenty of free and paid classes are offered across O‘ahu, where you’ll learn lei-making techniques with all supplies provided and take home a lovely, fresh lei or lei po‘o.
Tags: Art & Culture Picks, Date Ideas, Family-Friendly Activities, Outdoor Activities
Photo: Tony Heff
9. Play Tourist in Waikīkī
Waikīkī may seem like it’s for tourists, but locals can have just as much fun and with kama‘āina discounts to boot. Try something new like scuba diving or stargazing, and check out the myriad of ‘ono restaurants while you’re at it.
- 8 Things To Do in Waikīkī
- It’s Par-Tea Time With New Afternoon Teas in Waikīkī
- Shokudo Opens an Old-School Izakaya in Waikīkī
- Mochi Crepes and Kanazawa Curry Have Popped Up in Waikīkī
- Where to Park in Waikīkī
- La Bettola Is the New Italian Hot Spot in Waikīkī
- There’s a New Japanese Food Hall Inside This Waikīkī Grocery Store
Tags: Art & Culture Picks, Date Ideas, Family-Friendly Activities, Outdoor Activities
Photo: Courtesy of Da Shop: Books + Curiosities
10. Read a Local Book
The local literary scene is blooming with a medley of stories you can experience . While you’re at it, purchase from a local indie bookstore like Da Shop: Books + Curiosities and Skull-Face and support local.
- HONOLULU Book Awards
- 5 Books Local Authors Couldn’t Get Enough of in 2023
- 5 Must-Read Local Books to Dive Into
Tags: Art & Culture Picks, Date Ideas, Family-Friendly Activities, Parents’ Night Out
SEE ALSO: What You Need to Check Out at Hawai‘i State Libraries
Photo: Thomas Obungen
11. Take a Foodie Craft Class
Fishschool, the workshop side of Kaka‘ako furniture store/art gallery/studio Fishcake, hosts various crafty classes, including these that focus on adorable food-themed creations, from clay magnets to seasoning shakers. Sign up for one this summer before they’re full up!
Tags: Art & Culture Picks, Date Ideas, Family-Friendly Activities, Parents’ Night Out
Kahana Bay. Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
12. Road Trip Across O‘ahu
No matter which neighborhood you live in, chances are there’s another one on O‘ahu you haven’t visited yet or at least been to in a long time. Follow our itineraries for a day of exploration.
- Wandering Wahiawā: A Local’s Guide to Neighborhood Eats
- A Local’s Guide to an O‘ahu Road Trip: Waimānalo to Kahana
- A Local’s Guide to an O‘ahu Road Trip: Hawai‘i Kai to Kaimukī
- A Local’s Guide to an O‘ahu Road Trip: Wahiawā to Salt Lake
- A Local’s Guide to an O‘ahu Road Trip: Waipahu to Mākaha
- A Local’s Guide to an O‘ahu Road Trip: Waialua to Kahuku
Tags: Date Ideas, Family-Friendly Activities, Outdoor Activities
Photo: Andrea Lee
13. Tour the Latest Hawai‘i Walls Murals
World Wide Walls held its mural arts festival for the first time since 2019 last year, with more than 70 murals transforming the Kalihi-Kapālama community. Take a self-guided mural tour of the walkable collections.
- Hawai‘i Walls 2023: Our Favorite Murals
- Hawai‘i Walls 2023: Learn the Story Behind Artist Jana Lam’s Tropical Dreamscape
Tags: Art & Culture Picks, Family-Friendly Activities, Outdoor Activities
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
14. Shop Local at New Businesses
This summer, refresh your wardrobe and home with local finds.
- Get a Sneak Peek at Aloha Revolution’s New Kaimukī Store
- The New Island-Boy Boutique Is a Hidden Artsy Oasis in Kaimukī
- Aloha Got Soul’s Vinyl Reissues Celebrate Old-School Hawai‘i Jams
Tags: Date Ideas, Family-Friendly Activities, Parents’ Night Out
SEE ALSO: Best of HONOLULU 2023: The Best Shopping on O‘ahu
Photo: Courtesy of Gay Island Guide, Credit Kelli With An Eye Photography
15. Celebrate Pride
With June being National Pride Month while Hawai‘i holds Pride in October, that makes the intervening time a whole season to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community and culture.
Tags: Art & Culture Picks, Date Ideas, Family-Friendly Activities, Outdoor Activities
Photo: Melissa Chang
16. Treat Yourself to Frozen Sweets
It’s building up to be another hot Hawaiian summer, and what better way to cool down than with ice cream and shave ice?
- Ultimate Guide to 11 Luscious Local Ice Cream Shops
- You Voted: Here’s Your Top 5 Shave Ice on Oʻahu
- Best Shave Ice on O‘ahu
Tags: Date Ideas, Family-Friendly Activities
Photo: Courtesy of Capitol Modern
17. Admire Art at Local Museums and Galleries
Our museums are troves of culture and creativity just waiting for you to discover their treasures.
- Capitol Modern Invites You to the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
- Get an Early Look at HoMA’s New Fashioning Aloha Exhibition
- Explore These Free Museums on O‘ahu
Tags: Art & Culture Picks, Date Ideas, Family-Friendly Activities, Parents’ Night Out
Photo: David Croxford
18. Live a Day in a Wes Anderson Movie
The recent Wes Anderson video trend got our Managing Fashion Editor Brie thinking about which places in town would make for Anderson-worthy backdrops. Grab your beret and camera and head out on an adventure worth filming.
Tags: Art & Culture Picks, Date Ideas, Family-Friendly Activities, Outdoor Activities
Photo: Courtesy of Wai Kai
19. Catch a Wave in O‘ahu’s Largest Standing Wave Pool
Boasting a slew family-friendly activities on a 52-acre lagoon, buzzy eateries (including one helmed by a Michelin star-award chef) and live entertainment, Wai Kai is a new West Side activity center worth checking out. Not to mention it’s the home of O‘ahu’s largest standing wave pool, developed in partnership with former pro surfer Shane Beschen. The pool’s 100-foot-wide wave offers surfers a unique experience and spectators a fun show.
- We Tried It: Wai Kai Lagoon and Surf Park in ‘Ewa Beach
- Wai Kai’s Plaza Grill Is West O‘ahu’s Newest Casual-Chic Eatery
Tags: Date Ideas, Family-Friendly Activities, Outdoor Activities
Photo: Alexander Gates
20. Do a Brewery or Distillery Crawl
Hawai‘i boasts several local distilleries and breweries, some of which offer tours and closer studies of their spirits.
- Village Beer Just Opened a Bigger Bottle Shop and Eatery in Kapolei
- Hawai‘i’s Beer Scene: Openings, Closures and Beer Festivals to Go to
- Beer Lab Just Opened a Beer Garden and Poke Counter on Beretania
- Sample All of Ko‘olau Distillery’s Local Liquor Offerings on a Tour in Kailua
- Rum, Whiskey, Shochu, Vodka and More: O‘ahu Distillery Roundup
Tags: Date Ideas, Parents’ Night Out
Photo: Courtesy of Kualoa Ranch
21. Make Memories With Your Keiki on Horseback
Live a bit of Hawai‘i’s paniolo history at local ranches and farms with your ‘ohana.
Tags: Family-Friendly Activities, Outdoor Activities
SEE ALSO: Best of HONOLULU 2023: The Best of HONOLULU Family on O‘ahu
Photo: Getty Images
22. Head to the Beach With Your ‘Ohana
Take advantage of the perfect weather and hit up all the best beaches with your favorite people.
Tags: Family-Friendly Activities, Outdoor Activities
Photo: Brie Thalmann
23. Cool Down at the Revamped Ice Palace Hawai‘i
Grab a sweater and skate on down to check out the snazzy snack bar, bleachers and Zamboni, plus the updated party area. Just check the website before heading down for the new hours and pricing.
Tags: Date Ideas, Family-Friendly Activities, Parents’ Night Out
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
24. Travel the World Through Food
No plans to travel this summer? You can still experience international cuisines right here at home.
- New Ocean Side Bakery Brings a Taste of France to Chinatown
- What to Know About Honolulu’s New Conveyor Belt Sushi Restaurant
- On Kapahulu, the Zen of Tea and Gelato
- At Wu Wei Chong Qing Cuisine, a World of Street Food Noodles
- The Ultimate Guide to Chinese Food in Honolulu
Tags: Date Ideas, Family-Friendly Activities, Parents’ Night Out
Photo: Sean Marrs
25. Take a Local Cooking Class
Hana Kitchens has partnered with its culinary microbusinesses to offer a range of cooking classes taught by local chefs. You can learn how to make everything from gnocchi to Lebanese dishes to Chinese dumplings.
- Expand Your Culinary Horizons in Expert-Led Cooking Classes
- Learn to Cook Gnocchi and More Specialty Dishes at Hana Kitchens
Tags: Date Ideas, Family-Friendly Activities, Parents’ Night Out
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox
26. Hike, Hike, Hike
Hiking truly makes us appreciate the beauty of Hawai‘i nei. Immerse yourself in our lush landscapes, take in the unbeatable views and get a good workout while you’re at it.
- O‘ahu Hike We Like: Koko Crater Trail
- Take a Hike! Kid-Friendly Hikes on O‘ahu
- The Ultimate Guide to Hiking on O‘ahu
Tags: Date Ideas, Family-Friendly Activities, Outdoor Activities
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
27. Explore the Brunch Scene
No matter what time you like to brunch, whether you sip a mimosa or a hot coffee with your breakfast or if you don’t know what or where to eat, our all-inclusive guide will lead you to the right brunch to munch.
Tags: Date Ideas, Family-Friendly Activities, Parents’ Night Out
Photo: Maria Burke
28. Go Grocery Shopping—But Make It Fun
Getting groceries is usually a chore, but not when you can pick up gourmet goodies, international snacks, Asian skincare products and more that you won’t find at typical supermarkets.
- First Look: Hawai‘i’s First Tokyo Central Opens in Kailua
- Find Asian Snacks Galore at 1-2buy in Kaka‘ako
- ChefZone’s New Gourmet Corner Gives Us Kid-in-Candy-Store Vibes
- What You’ll See at the New 88 Mart in Downtown Honolulu
Tags: Date Ideas, Family-Friendly Activities, Parents’ Night Out
Photo: Laura Dornbush
29. Catch a Polo Match
The Hawai‘i Polo Club hosts matches every Sunday afternoon where you can set up a tent and kick back while watching the polo ponies and their riders dash by. You can even take a dip in the ocean between games.
Tags: Date Ideas, Family-Friendly Activities, Outdoor Activities, Parents’ Night Out
Photo: Thomas Obungen
30. Pick Up Yummy Omiyage
Going to visit friends or family this summer or have folks coming to see you? Be prepared to greet them with a smile and select omiyage from O‘ahu.
Tags: Date Ideas, Family-Friendly Activities, Parents’ Night Out
Photo: Kevin Kabei, Courtesy of Apt. by HomeWorld
31. Refresh Your Hale
If you like to revamp your home to match the seasons or even just your mood, explore some of our decor picks and favorite places to find the next piece that will bring everything together.
- 13 Must-Have Items From the New Apt by HomeWorld Furniture Store
- Language of the Birds Launches Beautiful Wallpaper and Fabrics
- Modern Design Fans Will Love These Hawai‘i-Made Rattan Lamps
- We’re Obsessed with Momi Vintage’s Checkerboard Cutting Board
- Cool Sustainable Finds at Kim and Jack Johnson’s Kōkua General Store
Tags: Date Ideas, Family-Friendly Activities, Parents’ Night Out
Photo: Thomas Obungen
32. Sip a Cup of Joe at a Café
With café culture booming, there’s a cute spot with delicious cups waiting for you on every corner of the island.
- Near Kapa‘a Quarry, a Hidden Gem Café at Tradition Coffee Roasters
- Drip Studio Is a Coffee Nerd’s Retreat in Downtown Honolulu
- Talk Kaimukī Has Coffee Drinks by Day, Cocktails at Night
- ChadLou’s Coffee Tasting in Kailua Is Fun for a Nerd or Novice
Tags: Date Ideas, Family-Friendly Activities, Parents’ Night Out
Photo: Credit Josh Herz, Courtesy of Jack Ho
33. Try Hydrofoiling
Called hydrofoiling, foil surfing, foil boarding or foiling, the eye-catching water sport is making waves in Hawai‘i, and decorated student-athlete Jack Ho has tips on how you can get started.
Tags: Date Ideas, Family-Friendly Activities, Outdoor Activities
Photo: Robbie Dingeman
34. Get the Freshest Seafood Hookup
Pier 38 Fish Market, next to Nami Kaze, sells local catches along with seafood so fresh that some lands in Honolulu the same day it’s sold. Snag ‘ahi, Maine lobster, Japanese hamachi, sweet amaebi, nakaochi and more.
Tags: Date Ideas, Family-Friendly Activities, Parents’ Night Out
Photo: Robbie Dingeman
35. Shop Green Decor
Bring nature into your home and brighten up your spaces with greenery. Bonus points for choosing native plants that preserve our island environment and are lower-maintenance than introduced species.
- Sneak Peek: Mari’s Gardens Expands Its Grow-Local Plant Business
- Style Scoop: These Are the Trendiest Houseplants in Honolulu
- Attention Plant Lovers: Here’s Where to Get Hip House Plants in Honolulu
Tags: Date Ideas, Family-Friendly Activities, Outdoor Activities, Parents’ Night Out
Photo: Mari Taketa
36. Treat Yourself to an Affordable Splurge
Once in a while, you deserve to treat yourself to a fancy-ish meal. Whether you’re dining out for a special occasion or just because, check out our recommendations to get the most bang for your buck.
- Affordable Splurge: Hangang’s $26 Korean Lunch Sets
- Affordable Splurge: Korea Garden’s $25 Lunch Specials
- Affordable Splurge: Suntory’s $26 Kama‘āina Lunch Special
- Affordable Splurge: Basalt’s $50 3-Course Prix Fixe
Tags: Date Ideas, Family-Friendly Activities, Parents’ Night Out
Photo: Getty Images
37. Spend a Night in the Great Outdoors
O‘ahu has many popular campgrounds where you can escape the city and relax under the stars. But since reservations fill up quickly, it takes some effort to snag a spot. Check our guide for tips and tricks.
Tags: Date Ideas, Family-Friendly Activities, Outdoor Activities, Parents’ Night Out
