Rick Egged
President of Waikiki Improvement Association
Aloha and welcome to Waikiki,
As winter gives way to spring in Waikiki, where beautiful days are the norm, there is a strong line-up of cultural and sporting events.
The Honolulu Festival takes place March 7 to 9. One of Hawai’i’s premier cultural events, the Honolulu Festival promotes understanding, economic cooperation and ethnic harmony between the people of Hawai’i and the Pacific Rim region.
The Honolulu Festival is a wonderful addition to your Hawaiian vacation. The three-day extravaganza occurs every year in March on a weekend from Friday through Sunday. Dance performances and traditional art demonstrations are displayed by artisans from Japan, Australia, Tahiti, Philippines, Taiwan, Korea, Hawai’i and the rest of the United States. The Festival culminates with a spectacular parade down Kalakaua Avenue.
Honolulu Festival activities are held at various locations in the heart of the city, making them easily accessible to residents and visitors alike. Moreover, admission to all Festival events is free, ensuring that everyone can take part in the festivities.
March 17 is, of course, St. Patrick’s Day, and the Hawai’i Friends of St. Patrick honor him with a festive parade and a post-parade party at Kelley O’Neil’s on Lewers Street.
March 22 is Prince Kuhio Day, honoring one of Hawai’i’s best-loved political leaders with music, hula and a late afternoon parade down Kalakaua Avenue.
The last Saturday and Sunday of every month from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., local artists display their wares at the Waikiki Art Fest in Kapi’olani Park located at the Diamond Head end of Waikiki, fronting the entrance to the Honolulu Zoo.
The third annual Hapalua Hawaii’s Half Marathon will be held on Sunday, April 13. The start of the Hapalua is at 6 a.m. by the Duke Kahanamoku statue in Waikiki and finishes in Kapi’olani Park. This is a great event managed by the same people who do the Honolulu Marathon. Just like their sister event, there is no time limit for the Hapalua. Walkers and the fastest runners alike are all welcome! This event gets rave reviews.
Dining is one of my favorite past times and there are a lot of great places to eat in Waikiki. A new addition is Park Restaurant, located in the Lotus Honolulu at Diamond Head, celebrating its grand re-opening in March with a week of exciting events.
The brand-new menu is in the hands of culinary genius Executive Chef Yoichi Saito, who changed Park’s cuisine from Mediterranean to a New American-Urban Cuisine, taking traditional American dishes and infusing them with tastes from our melting pot of cultures.
