Events
Waikīkī -- where sand and surf meet city life, a magnet for business and tourism.
Waikīkī represents a unique conjunction of elements, of dazzling physical beauty, excitement and aloha. Tropical parks and beaches, world renowned hotels, shopping and entertainment, and an ancient island culture delight the millions who visit, work and live here.
Where else can you backpack to beautiful waterfalls, climb an extinct volcano, surf in the ocean, visit a royal palace and still get back in time for world-class dining and a show? That's Waikīkī.
This web site is brought to you by members of the Waikīkī Improvement Association, a private, nonprofit organization that works to enhance Waikīkī's physical, economic and cultural environment.
Sunset on the Beach
Sunset on the Beach features viewing of great movies on a 30-foot screen, with popular restaurants serving affordably priced meals and live Hawaiian style entertainment with deejays from popular radio stations. The event is located on Queen's Surf Beach, across from the Honolulu Zoo. It starts about 4 pm and ends at about 9 pm with the movies being shown after sunset. We have 3 - 4 Sunset events each year, please check our calendar for the next event or you may call our phone message at (808) 923-1094 ext. 1. Waikīkī Improvement Association is also on facebook, "Like" us and you will receive notifications of upcoming Sunset events.
Kuhio Beach Torchlighting and Hula Show
Kūhiō Beach Torchlighting and Hula Show
Join us for authentic Hawai‘ian music and hula shows by Hawai‘i's finest hālau hula (dance troupes) and Hawaiian performers. Opens with torchlighting and the traditional blowing of conch shell. The shows are held every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, weather-permitting from 6:30pm to 7:30pm (6:00pm to 7:00pm Nov-Dec-Jan), free to the public at the Kūhiō Beach Hula mound on Kalākaua Ave near Uluniu Avenue across from the Hyatt Regency Waikīkī. Outdoors, casual, seating on the grass; beach chairs, mats, etc. okay. Cameras welcome. Presented by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, City & County of Honolulu, Waikīkī Improvement Association and Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Beach Resort and Spa. For more information, call 843-8002.
WOW Quarterly Beach Clean-ups
The Waikiki Ohana Workforce coordinates three to four Waikiki Beach clean-ups each year. These are held in April (Earth Day), June (Kamehameha Day) and October (Lets Make a Difference Day). Participation is outstanding, with the Japan-America Society from both Honolulu and Miyakonojo , Japan assisting in the June event. A special mahalo to all of the companies who donate their time, supplies and manpower: Hyatt Regency Waikiki, ABC Stores, Hilton Hawaiian Village, E Noa Corporation, Polynesian Adventure Tours, Royal Star Hawaii, Halekulani , HPD-D6, Outrigger Hotels & Resorts, International Marketplace, Sheraton Hotels in Waikiki, Waikiki Trade Center, New Otani Hotel, Pacific Beach Hotel, DFS Hawaii, Hawaiian Building Maintenance.
For more information about WOW:
Waikiki Improvement Association 2250 Kalakaua Avenue, Suite 315, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
Ph: 808.923.1094 Fax: 808.923.2622 e.mail: mail@waikikiimprovement.com
International Waikīkī Hula Conference
~ Hula in the Land of its Birth ~
November 7, 8, & 9, 2014 at the Hawaii Convention Center in Waikiki
The International Waikiki Hula Conference offers the rare opportunity to come to Hawaii to learn, share and experience hula in the land of its birth, with a variety of respected hula masters, many of whom do not travel outside Hawaii to teach. For our local hula people, it is the chance to enrich their hula experience from many sources in one place, and to meet fellow dancers and kumu hula from around the world. 3 days, 40 kumu hula, choose from 80 workshops & seminars. Modern and ancient hula, chant, history, costume, lei-making, Hawaiian language, songs, music, implement-making. 10 Ho'ike Hula Shows, Vendor Mall, Closing Concert "Kanikapila"
Click Here to register or for more information!
Conference Package Includes
• Three full days of workshops and seminars to choose from, offered by over 40 noted kumu hula and Hawaiian cultural experts. Classes cover all aspects of hula — modern and ancient dance, costume, lei-making, Hawaiian language, chant, history, songs, music and implement-making.
• The opportunity to perform a hula on various stages in Waikiki. Fri & Sat approx 6:30-7:30 p.m. (may vary.)
• Opening Ceremonies. First session first day
• Music and audience participation hula shows during lunch period.
• $15 worth of lunch meal coupons.
• Closing "Kanikapila" Concert & Hula Sunday Evening (6:30-9:00 pm Kuhio Beach Hula Mound)
• Hawaiian Vendor Mall – featuring Hawaiian-made products and crafts, including hula implements, costumes, clothing, accessories and gifts.
• Free shuttle service between the convention center and various hotels throughout Waikiki.
• Certificate of Completion for you to frame.
• Conference Bag.
Aloha Festivals
HONOLULU'S Aloha Festivals is the oldest and largest Hawaiian cultural celebration in the United States. What is known today as Aloha Festivals was created in 1946, as Aloha Week - a cultural celebration of Hawai'i's music, dance and history intended to perpetuate our unique traditions.
Aloha Week became Aloha Festivals in 1991. Aloha Festivals has become a celebration of our Hawaiian culture, events are held in September. Integrated into the culture are many island traditions and customs of each of the Hawaiian islands. Hundreds of volunteers labor together each year to stage the events, which are attended statewide by nearly one hundred thousand people. Since 2008 the Aloha Festivals have been administered by the Waikīkī Improvement Association. The festivals are funded through the sale of Aloha Festivals ribbons and power bands, via corporate and private donations and grants from the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and the City and County of Honolulu. As a 501©3 corporation, donations are tax deductible and welcomed.
New Years Fireworks
2015 Waikiki New Year's Fireworks! Sponsored by the members of the Waikīkī Improvement Association, the New Year's fireworks show will start at 11:55 pm on December 31st. From a barge just off Waikiki Beach, one announcement salute will be fired every minute until 1 minute before midnight. This is the signal for everyone to direct their attention toward the ocean and to tune your radio to Hawaiian 105 KINE FM to enjoy music choreographed by Fireworks by Grucci to accompany and enhance your viewing experience. Exactly at midnight a barrage of colorful salutes will signal the start of the New Year, accompanied by a jazz version of Aud Lang Syne. The 10 - 12 minute fireworks show will include designs of palm trees, rings, strobes, sparkling fans, colorful falling leaves, brocades and willows falling to the ocean. The show will end with the famous Grucci Grand Finale. More than 1,800 shells will be fired during the show. More than 100,000 kamaaina and visitors will view this extravaganza of light and color launched from an offshore barge, visible all along Waikiki Beach. It will be a show worthy of our world-class destination and also symbolizes Waikiki Improvement Association members practicing the spirit of Lokahi - or unity as they have all come together to make this event possible. The event would not be possible without the support of the following Waikiki businesses that sponsored the event:
Halekulani Hotel Sheraton Hotels, Waikiki Outrigger Enterprises Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort & Spa Aston Hotels and Resorts Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort Queen Emma Land Co Halekoa Hotel Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki Royal Hawaiian Center
Pacific Beach Hotel ABC Stores Aqua Hotel & Resorts Securitas Security Services Trump International Hotel Waikiki Shopping Plaza Hilton Waikiki Beach Hotel 2100 Kalakaua / Luxury Row
Bank of Hawaii - Waikiki First Hawaiian Bank - Waikiki Central Pacific Bank - Waikiki DFS Hawaii
Duke's Waikiki Robertson Properties
The Modern Honolulu New Otani-Kaimana Beach Hotel Tiki's Grill & Bar
Honolulu Marathon
The Honolulu Marathon is the third largest marathon in the US, attracting around 30,000 participants each December.
We are unique in that there is no limit on the number of participants and there is no cut off time, therefore attracting both fast runners as well as walkers.
Race Date: December 14, 2014
Start: Ala Moana Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaii
Finish: Kapiolani Park, Honolulu, Hawaii
Along the Course
Marathon Course: 26 miles, 385 yards or 42.195 kilometers.
The Honolulu Marathon's scenic course includes spectacular ocean views alongside world-famous Waikiki Beach, and Diamond Head and Koko Head volcanic craters.
The terrain is level except for short uphill grades around Diamond Head.
Timing System: MyLaps timing detectors will be placed at the starting line, half marathon, and at the finish line. Other detectors may be placed at random locations.
Wheelchairs: Racing wheelchairs will be on the course. Please watch out for them.
Note: All participants must self-propel themselves without assistance. No assistance conveyances and unauthorized vehicles including bicycles, baby carriages, all forms of skates, support walkers, walking sticks, poles and canes, etc. will be allowed on the course on race day.
Running Courtesey: Stay within the coned lanes to ensure your safety as well as provide runners coming along the opposite direction with a clear path.
Aid Stations: There are 16 Aid Stations located along the course, manned by 2,300 volunteers working in shifts, serving water, sports drink, and providing professional medical assistance.
The first Aid Station is located at approximately 2.5 miles (3.5K) from the start, then every 2 to 3 miles (3K to 4.8K) thereafter.
To keep aid stations from being congested, continue to the last table and please keep moving.
Weather Conditions: Precautions should be taken against heat and humidity; temperatures at the start will generally be in the mid 60s (Fahrenheit) and climb to the low 80s (Fahrenheit) by 10:00 AM.
Warning: Inadequate training, failure to pace, and disregard for the importance of taking fluids have resulted in life-threatening conditions such as heat stroke in both experienced and first-time marathon entrants. If this is your first marathon or your first experience running in a warm, humid climate, take fluids at each of our 16 Aid Stations. Should you begin to experience difficulties, stop and ask for advice or assistance from the medical personnel at an Aid Station before continuing.
