OAHU Things to Do for Free! (Or Really Cheap)
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OAHU Things to Do for Free! (or really cheap) LISTEN TO THE ROYAL HAWAIIAN BAND PERFORM at ‘Iolani Palace or at Kapi‘olani Park RELAX HARBORSIDE AT ALOHA TOWER and listen to the island's most popular entertainers from the waterfront stage as boats, barges and cruise ships float past. STOP BY ALA MOANA CENTER STAGE ON SUNDAY to enjoy the keiki (children) hula show at 10 a.m. TAKE ‘UKULELE OR HULA LESSONS at the Royal Hawaiian Center MARVEL AT THE "HONOLULU CITY LIGHTS” IN DECEMBER, illuminating the sky from the financial district to downtown to celebrate the holidays. Then stop into Honolulu Hale to enjoy the display of Christmas trees. www.honolulucitylights.org MEET HAWAI‘I'S LOCAL FISHERMEN & CHEFS at the Honolulu Fish Auction at Kewalo Basin, where fresh catch is displayed and auctioned off to chefs and merchants. The auction begins at 5:30 a.m. www.hawaii- seafood.org/auction ENJOY 100s OF FESTIVALS AND EVENTS throughout the year that celebrate culture, community, music and art. Many are free and happen in Waikiki. CHEER ON RUNNERS in the annual Honolulu Marathon, happening every December. www.honolulumarathon.org WATCH LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ATHLETES COMPETE in dozens of sporting events throughout the year. EXPERIENCE HAWAI‘I'S MELTING POT OF CULTURES at any of the Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Portuguese and Korean festivals held throughout the year. VIEW THE WORK OF LOCAL ARTISANS at the Art Mart along the fence of the Honolulu Zoo. www.artonthezoofence.com ENJOY THE ARCHITECTURE of Honolulu's many spectacular churches: Kawaiaha‘o Church, St. Andrews Cathedral, Central Union Church, St. Clements, and the Lutheran Church. WATCH FREE FIREWORKS EVERY FRIDAY IN WAIKIKI on the beach near the Hilton Hawaiian Village, starting at 7:45pm and lasts ~10 minutes. VISIT THE HAWAI‘I STATE ART MUSEUM (HISAM), one of the few state sponsored art museums in the country, and view the finest collection of works from Hawai‘i's best artists. www.hawaiistateartmuseum.org WALK THROUGH HONOLULU’S CHINATOWN for a fascinating look at noodle factories, herbal shops, produce markets and gift shops. ATTEND ONE OF THE MANY ARTS AND CRAFT FAIRS held around O‘ahu. WITNESS TORCH LIGHTING AND HULA on the beach of Waikīkī near the Duke Kahanamoku statue at sunset every Tue., Thur., and Sat. Call for info: (808) 843-8002 EXPLORE THE HISTORY OF WAIKĪKĪ through old pictures and collectibles that line the grand staircase in the lobby of the Westin Moana Surfrider. www.moana- surfrider.com TAKE A SCENIC DRIVE ON THE PALI HIGHWAY and stop at the Nu‘uanu Pali Lookout for stunning views of Windward Oahu. (Parking is $3). VISIT THE USS ARIZONA MEMORIAL AT PEARL HARBOR, a monument built to honor the men who died on the USS Arizona when Pearl Harbor was attacked on Dec. 7, 1941. VISIT THE CONTEMPORARY MUSEUM on the third Thursday of every month for free admission. Call (808) 526-1322 www.honoluluacademy.org HONOR SOLDIERS FROM THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR TO VIETNAM at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. http://1.usa.gov/tVoOhN WATCH HUMPBACK WHALES off Makapu‘u on O‘ahu’s South Shore or Ka‘ena Point on the northwest side of the island. 10,000 whales migrate to Hawai‘i from Nov. to May. BODY BOARD AT A LOCAL FAVORITE SPOT, in Waikiki called "The Wall" or at Waimānalo Beach on the windward side of the island. HIKE TO MĀNOA FALLS beneath the canopy of the tropical rainforest. DRIVE SCENICE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 3 and count the waterfalls after a beautiful refreshing rain. SIT UNDER A TREE AT KAKA‘AKO WATERFRONT PARK and watch the ships and surfers go by or roll down the hill with childlike abandon. www.hcdaweb.org/kakaako HIKE UP TO THE MAKAPU‘U LIGHTHOUSE passing Madame Pele's chair and following the dramatic cliff-lined coast. HIKE THE MAUNAWILI TRAIL on the Pali trail. WATCH THE FRIDAY NIGHT SAIL BOAT RACES from Magic Island at Ala Moana Beach Park FEEL THE POWER OF WAIMEA BAY in the winter as you watch magnificent waves, and in the summer as you swim in the calm, clear waters BUILD SAND CASTLES IN A FUN FAMILY COMPETITION or watch as the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s School of Architecture showcase their sand castle contest in February. www.arch.hawaii.edu VIEW WORLD-CLASS SURFING COMPETITIONS during winter months from Nov. to Jan. at Banzai Pipeline, Sunset Beach or Waimea Bay on the North Shore. WATCH THE WINDSURFERS at Kailua Beach or Lē‘ahi (Diamond Head) look out. ENJOY VIEWS FROM MAGIC ISLAND of boats and outrigger canoes with Lē‘ahi (Diamond Head) and Waikīkī as the backdrop. FEEL THE SEA SPRAY FROM THE BLAST OF THE HĀLONA BLOW HOLE, just around the bend from Sandy Beach. TAKE A WALK ALONG THE BEACH at sunrise and see the ocean come to life with early morning surfers and swimmers. SEE DAREDEVIL HANG GLIDERS at Makapu‘u Point. HIKE ALONG THE MANY TRAILS throughout the island. KEEP YOUR EYES AND EARS OUT FOR HAWAI‘I'S COLORFUL BIRDS in Kapi‘olani Park, Moanalua Gardens and other parks throughout the island of O‘ahu. www.honolulu.gov/parks DRIVE INTO THE HEART OF MĀNOA VALLEY and hike along the trails of the Lyon Arboretum. www.hawaii.edu/lyonarboretum HIKE ABOVE THE LEEWARD SIDE ALONG THE ‘AIEA HEIGHTS LOOP TRAIL overlooking Pearl Harbor LEARN ABOUT THE DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF PINEAPPLE at the Pineapple Variety Garden in Dole Plantation located outside of Wahiawa. VISIT THE FOUR WIZARD STONES ON WAIKĪKĪ BEACH and learn about the legend behind them. ROYAL HAWAIIAN CENTER ENTERTAINMENT at The Royal Grove, including Hawaiian music and hula. VISIT THE HAWAII ARMY MUSEUM IN WAIKIKI and learn the military story of Hawai'i, from ancient times to the Gulf War and the War in Iraq. www.hiarmymuseumsoc.org SPEND A DAY AT OAHU’S FINEST BEACH, LANIKAI in Kailua Town. Pristine sands and clear waters make this beach a favorite even for the turtles! CHECK OUT THE BEACH AT TURTLE BAY RESORT and explore the rest of the North Shore while you’re there. www.turtlebayresort.com SNACK ON DELICIOUS COOKIES AT HONOLULU COOKIE COMPANY, with several locations in Waikiki and tons of free samples to try. www.honolulucookie.com DRIVE ALONG ROUND TOP DRIVE & TANTALUS DRIVE and witness some of the most stunning views of Honolulu. Play it safe and come in the day. WALK THE GROUNDS OF IOLANI PALACE, America’s only royal palace, and stop by the Kamehameha Statue too. DISCOVER BEAUTIFUL LA’IE POINT on the North Shore for sweeping views of Oahu’s coast. SEE TURTLES AT LANIAKEA BEACH on the North Shore. There’s almost always a green sea turtle basking in the sun or tumbling in the waves. PEOPLE-WATCH AT ALA MOANA SHOPPING CENTER, one of the world’s largest outdoors malls. www.alamoanacenter.com VISIT THE HISTORIC WAIKIKI NATATORIUM and swim in the waters nearby. www.natatorium.org RIDE THE HILO HATTIE TROLLEY and visit their retail shop, or stop at Aloha Tower or Ala Moana for free. SHOP FOR BARGAINS AT THE ALOHA SWAP MEET at Aloha Stadium. Admission is only $1.00 and you’ll save big on souvenirs, gifts, and much more. http://bit.ly/aloha- swap-meet --------------------------------------- LOOKING FOR MORE? Check out more Oahu activities at www.hawaiidiscount.com --------------------------------------- www.hawaiidiscount.com 1-866-482-9775 .