Hawaii’s visitors and locals alike can immerse themselves in
the spirit of the Hawaiian
Islands by exploring its breathtaking natural landscapes, vibrant
communities and unique-to-Hawai‘i activities and events.
Mālama Hawaiʻi & Culture
Bishop Museum (O‘ahu) and the Hawaiian
Council reimagined the museum’s retail space as a hub for Hawai‘i-made products
and cultural storytelling. Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Beach Resort and Spa(O‘ahu) Southern Sun represents a new immersive art experience tracing
the story and history
of Waikīkī.Wahi Pana: Storied Places (O‘ahu) unveils
its third phase of island-wide public art installation openings at several culturally
significant sites in September 2025. Wayfinder Waikiki (Oʻahu) launched two new
sustainable guest experiences designed to deepen connections with Hawaiian
culture and the ʻāina (land).
New Hotel Developments
Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra (O‘ahu) is
undergoing extensive refurbishment in 2025. Ka La‘i Waikīkī Beach (O‘ahu) launched a
multimillion-dollar redesign in celebration of its 15th anniversary. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel (island of Hawai‘i) is launching a major restoration project to preserve its renowned art
collection commissioned by Laurence S. Rockefeller. Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa (island of
Hawai‘i) invites guests to immerse themselves in the rich history and
heritage of Hawai‘i and Keauhou Bay in its newly renovated Aloha Cultural
Center. Royal Lahaina Resort and Bungalows (Maui) will launch Mana Up Market, the accelerator’s first
Maui retail presence. The Royal Sonesta Kauaʻi Resort on Kalapakī Beach unveiled a multimillion-dollar transformation for the
oceanfront property. The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach
(O‘ahu) completed its multiphase, multimillion-dollar renewal. The Royal Hawaiian (O‘ahu) debuted a new
Historic Gallery displaying the hotel’s storied past as the Pink Palace of the
Pacific. Wailea Beach Resort (Maui) unveiled a
resort-wide refresh, introducing all-new Signature Oceanfront Villas ranging
from one to four bedrooms with open-concept layouts and spa-like features.
Culinary Offerings
Big Island Bees (island of Hawai‘i) organic
‘Ōhi‘a Lehua honey was honored with the Good Food Foundation’s 15 Years of Good
Food Awards.Boarded Up by Chubbies Burgers (O ‘ahu) is a revamped concept from Chubbies Hawaiʻi
resurrecting its signature smash burgers in Honolulu’s Kaimukī neighborhood. Cooking Kaua‘i’s culinary experiences at
The Shops at Kukuiʻula
offer hands-on lessons creating beloved local dishes. Fumi’s Kahuku
Shrimp (Oʻahu) brought
its locally sourced, garlic butter-drenched shrimp from North Shore to Honolulu
at the Makai Market Food Court in Ala Moana Center. Moo Bong Ri (Oahu), a Korean culinary
franchise opened its first Hawai‘i eatery in Honolulu named Moo Bong Ri Soup
and Yakiniku. Lahaina Brewery/Koholā Brewery (Maui) now
doing business as Koholā Brewery, has acquired Mahalo Aleworks and resumed
brewing operations in Upcountry Maui following the 2023 Lahaina wildfires. The Pig and The Lady (O‘ahu), Honolulu’s award-winning
Vietnamese restaurant is relocating to Kaimukī’s Civil Beat Plaza in fall 2025.
Sera (O‘ahu), in Honolulu’s Renaissance
Hotel spotlights coastal Mediterranean cuisine in the space formerly occupied
by Mara restaurant. Side Street Inn (Central O‘ahu) brings
Portuguese-inspired comfort food to Ewa Beach at Wai Kai. Romer House Waikīkī (O‘ahu) added the
final addition to its neighborhood island clubhouse experience with the arrival
of Honolulu cocktail bar The Lei Stand. Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice (Maui-born) opened its first O‘ahu
storefront in Waimānalo. Wabisabi Dining (O‘ahu) offers daily rotating dishes —
including tonkatsu, sushi, tempura and shabu‑shabu at its secret
teppanyaki-style Omacase experience in Honolulu Park Place.
Attractions and Activities
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters now offers
tours departing from Lāna‘i Airport showcasing the natural beauty of Lāna‘i,
Maui and Moloka‘i in a single flight. Dolphin Quest (O‘ahu) and the University
of Hawai‘i’s Marine Mammal Research Program launched “In the Wake of Whales,” a
new short film supported by researchers studying the annual 3,000-mile
migration of humpback whales from Alaska to Hawai‘i. The Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge (NWR)
Lookout is now open on Kaua‘i’s North Shore offering stunning panoramic
views of lush Hanalei Valley, Hanalei Bay and surrounding forest reserves. Honolulu Museum of Art (O‘ahu) will
present a landmark retrospective of famed American Impressionist painter Mary
Cassatt through October 12, 2025. The Honolulu Zoo (O‘ahu) launched a new
mobile app, “animals, plants, and people!” enhancing guest experiences with
GPS-enabled maps, real-time updates and personalized itinerary planning. Lydgate Farms (Kaua‘i) introduced a new
two-hour immersive Honey Farm and Tasting Tour adventure. Mana Cruises + Charters (O‘ahu) will
offer sunset departures at 4:30 p.m. from Waikīkī and Ko Olina beginning September
15, 2025. Mele: The Hawaiian Music Experience at Maui
Ocean Center’s Sphere Theater brings Hawaiian songs and stories to life
every Tuesday and Saturday evening. Palace Theater (island of Hawai‘i) in
historic Hilo celebrates its 100th anniversary with a lineup of events for
Hawai‘i Island residents and visitors. Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture and
Design (O‘ahu) announced an expanded partnership with the Honolulu Museum
of Art and Bishop Museum to enhance guest access and flexibility through a new
dual-departure tour model. The Shops at Wailea (Maui) celebrates its
25th anniversary in November 2025 with a commemorative event honoring culture,
community and local artistry. Scotty Browns (Kaua‘i) opened its first
Hawai‘i location restaurant at The Shops at Kukuiʻula.
USS Arizona Memorial (O‘ahu) in Pearl
Harbor is slated to begin a preservation project. Visitors can still experience
the memorial with first-come, first-served tickets available daily at the Pearl
Harbor National Memorial Visitor Center as advanced online reservations have
been temporarily paused.Wai Kai (O‘ahu) launched AquaPeakz, a
brand-new expansion of its popular AquaVenture floating playground. Wild Side Specialty Tours (Oʻahu) is launching Savor the
Sea: Fresh Uni, an immersive ocean-to-table adventure in fall 2025.
Festivals and Events
Riding Your Waves of Joy (Maui) The Moore
Aloha Foundation and Outrigger Kā‘anapali Beach Resort present the inaugural
Riding Your Waves of Joy: Building Self-Worth Mother-Daughter Weekend August
30-31, 2025. Okinawan Festival (O‘ahu) One of the
state’s premier annual cultural festivals celebrates the Okinawan culture’s
long history in Hawai‘i and its many contributions to the cultural fabric of
the Islands. 54th Annual Waikīkī Roughwater Swim (O‘ahu) A Labor Day tradition since 1970, this iconic 2.38-mile (3.84 km) open water
race challenges swimmers to tackle the Pacific swells. 80th Anniversary of the End of World War II
(O‘ahu) The Battleship Missouri Memorial unveils a brand-new interactive
exhibit experience: Pathway to Peace. 49th Annual Honolulu Intertribal Powwow
(O‘ahu) Representatives of multiple Native American, American Indian and
Alaska Native communities gather at Ala Moana Beach Park’s Magic Island on
September 6, 2025.World Manta Day (island of Hawai‘i) at Outrigger
Kona Resort and Spa on September 6, 2025, offers a free, family-friendly event
dedicated to ocean education and manta ray conservation. Aloha Festivals (O‘ahu) throughout September
showcase Hawaiian music, dance, history and the culture’s contributions to the
Hawai‘i community. Home in the Islands Livestream (Oʻahu) Outrigger Resorts and Hotels partners
with Duke’s Waikīkī and musician Henry Kapono for the Home in the Islands livestream
concert series via Facebook and YouTube beginning September 7, 2025 Kauluhiwaolele Maui Fiber Arts Conference
(Maui) Hosted by the Outrigger Kāʻanapali
Beach Resort, the conference celebrates the art of Native Hawaiian weaving September
11-13, 2025.Ke Kai Series (O‘ahu) — Hosted by the
Outrigger Reef Waikīkī Beach Resort, this quarterly celebration of traditional
Hawaiian voyaging culture is held on September 13. Empty Bowl Hawai‘i (O‘ahu) offers
travelers a unique farm-to-table experience on September 17, 2025, celebrating
sustainability and local food culture. Aloha Fun Ride (O‘ahu) — The event on September
28, 2025, follows the Honolulu Century Ride, designed to welcome a wider
audience, especially youth and families to the island’s largest cycling event. Na Wahine O Ke Kai Canoe Race (O‘ahu) on
September 28, 2025, is a long-distance outrigger canoe competition gathering
over 1,000 paddlers from around the world to cross the rugged Kaiwi Channel
separating Moloka‘i and O‘ahu. Ironman World Championship (island of
Hawai‘i) hosted by The Outrigger Kona Resort on October 11, 2025, challenges
elite athletes with a grueling course of swimming, cycling and running.Molokaʻi
Hoe 2025 (O‘ahu) — The Oʻahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing
Association will present this 38-mile long-distance outrigger canoe race on
October 12, 2025. 45th Annual Hawaiʻi International Film Festival presented
by Halekulani Hotel, features a screening of works from Hawai‘i’s filmmaking community, a world-class
slate of international films, and film-industry events on Maui, O‘ahu, Kaua‘i and the island of Hawai’i from October 16-November 16, 2025.15th Annual Hawai‘i Food and Wine Festival
(O‘ahu, Maui, island of Hawai‘i) held October 17-November 2, 2025, features renowned
Hawai‘i and international chefs, culinary personalities, and wine and spirit
producers highlighting the state’s bounty of local produce, seafood, meats and
other ingredients. Honolulu Pride Parade and Festival (O‘ahu) on October 18, 2025, represents Hawai‘i’s largest LGBTQIA/MVPFAFF+ community festival
event.Kāhuli Festival (O‘ahu), Bishop Museum’s
annual Kāhuli Festival on October 25, 2025, celebrates the vital role of
Hawaiian land snails in preserving biodiversity. Hawai‘i Craftsmen (O‘ahu), a yearly
juried exhibition celebrating excellence in the Hawaiian Islands’ fine-craft
community since 1967 will be held from October 3 – November 1, 2025 The Maui Jazz and Blues Festival (Maui) on
October 23, 2025, will bring soulful sounds and vibrant rhythms to the Valley
Isle.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
