Aloha Festivals

The Aloha festival is an annual festival in Hawaii that happens in September. The boyfriend and I were lucky enough to have been in Hawaii during this on our trip to Hawaii. The celebration happens on Saturdays of the month and the Saturday that we were there was the street block party. I believe the block party was from 7pm to 11pm. We arrived around 8pm and stayed until close to 10pm. The Saturday before was a parade. They close down part of the main street at Waikiki beach for this festival. The street festival was pretty cool. There were numerous street vendors and food stands. Warning though, the food stand lines can get very and I mean very long. We waited in line for the Giovanni Shrimp, a very popular north shore garlic shrimp place. We waited almost an hour for a half order of garlic shrimp and a garlic hot dog… it was not worth the wait. I suggest eating at one the other food stands, which were not was packed or in the food court/​restaurants that line Waikiki and the mall in Waikiki. We only wait because I wanted to try Giovanni’s after hearing so much about it. For the street vendors, the lines for those were not too bad, but I did not buy anything. Most of what I saw on sale was Hawaiian knick knacks. There were several stages for performers. Some the danced, some they sang. It was pretty packed during the street festival, but I’ve been to events there were much more packed, so It was not too bad for me. Buy water and drinks at the ABC stores that can be found because it is much cheaper than the vendors at the festival.
We took the bus here from our hotel, but seeing how some streets were closed and the lack of parking due to the amount of people, I would not suggest driving to the event. I think ideally, it would be best if you already stayed at a hotel in the Waikiki walking area, or take a bus. Taxi’s in Hawaii are expensive and parking in Waikiki is hard to find.
Would I go to the festival again? I would if I was already in Hawaii during the time of the festival. I do not think it is worth coming to Hawaii just for the festival though. It is a free festival so be sure to check it out if you are in Honolulu during September. I was glad we were able to catch the street festival.

Awesome. The festivals/​parades in Waikiki are over-​the-​top. First time I’ve seen Governor Ige and his wife, even Mayor Caldwell. Oh and HPD BRIGADE. They had the royal court, different companies throughout Hawaii, the marching band for various schools around Oahu. Lol. Pretty cool.
Come early because parking can be crazy and finding a good spot. We set up camp by the Victoria secret on Seaside Avenue.
And people this is a parade stay off the streets and don’t interrupt the line and if you do decide to cross the street, so not walk at turtle pace!!!
** The parade reminds me of the Kamehameha day parade in Lahaina with the court.

Whoa?! First to review!!! SWEET!!!
Anyway, this is a parade that my Pops used to bring us since I was in DIAPERS!!! Starting from Ala Moana Blvd., participants would march all the way to Kapiolani Park, and what a great spectacle for locals and tourists as well.
Politicians, entertainers, local organizations, the military, the po-​po,
high school bands, local tourist attractions, and some of Hawaii’s hottest V-​Dubs, Hot Rods, and vintage cars were among this years participants.
My favorites to see, were the Prince and Princess that represented each one of the Hawaiian Islands with their entourage… even the «Pooper Scoopers» bringing up the rear gave all the spectators a good laugh!
Grab a spot along the curb next time the Aloha Week Parade rolls into town, you’ll be glad you did… ALOHA!!!
Unilocal 365 CHALLENGE-(64/365) «Join the Festivities»