Stay in the loop — your August 2025 guide to what’s happening in Waikīkī, from local buzz and recent openings to island highlights and upcoming events.
We’re dialed into everything unfolding across Oʻahu this month — from exciting new arrivals to key destination updates and local insider tips worth knowing about.
Whether you’re planning your upcoming trip to Waikīkī or already here, we’ll keep you in the loop and help you make the most of your stay with the latest and greatest from Hawaiʻi.
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Oʻahu Travel News
- Diamond Head State Monument’s hours are updated due to rockfall mitigation through 5 Sep 2025 — check their website for details.
- USS Arizona Memorial 56-day advance reservations will pause after 3 Sep 2025, due to preservation work; other Recreation.gov tours remain unaffected.
- Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve will close 8-23 Sep 2025, for an $840K project to repave and restripe its two main parking lots (280 stalls), weather permitting.
- Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation has launched a free HNL Airport wayfinding app (Apple/Google) to help travelers navigate Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.
Island Hotel Updates
- Ka Haku, a Hilton Club, a timeshare property being built at Waikīkī’s former King’s Village site, has reached full height; the 213-suite project will open mid-2026.
Dining & Drink Scene
- Hula’s Bar & Lei Stand’s kitchen is back daily from 12–9pm with a new Beach Bites lineup — burgers plus sandwiches like the Golden Fried Fish and Buffalo Chicken.
- Earls Kitchen + Bar will open its first Hawaiʻi location in Waikīkī on 8 Oct 2025, taking over the former Atlantis/CPK space, serving steaks, sushi, burgers, pizzas and more.
- Mariposa, a restaurant in Neiman Marcus at Ala Moana Center, relaunches its Sunset Lounge Thu–Sat from 5-7:30pm with live music, a seasonal menu and sunset views.
- Five-One-Six at Four Seasons Resort Oʻahu is a new speakeasy rooftop bar with ocean views — ask the front desk for directions to Room 516, open Thu-Sat 4:30-7:30pm.
- Straits Honolulu, a restaurant celebrated for its Singapore cuisine, chic decor and a central Ward Village setting, abruptly closed in June without notice.
Things to Do, See & Experience
- In The Southern Sun, an immersive new art exhibit by Pow Wow, is now on display at Hyatt Regency Waikīkī, featuring murals and installations by Hawaiʻi-based artists.
Top 10 August Events To Know
- Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest (15-24 Aug): A beachfront tribute to Hawaiʻi’s legendary waterman with surf, swim and paddle events on Waikīkī Beach.
- Made in Hawaii Festival (15-17 Aug): Shop local food, art and products — and so much more — from over 700 Hawaiʻi vendors at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center.
- Tiki in Waikīkī (22-24 Aug): Celebrate Polynesian pop culture with special events and entertainment, tiki cocktails, music and art across Waikīkī venues.
- Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival Waikīkī-Style (23 Aug): Free beachfront concert showcasing Hawaiʻi’s top slack key guitarists at Kapiʻolani Park.
- Okinawan Festival (30 Aug): Celebrate Okinawan culture with live music, eisa drumming and dance, crafts and traditional foods at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center.
- For the complete lineup of August happenings, see our Oʻahu Events in August calendar.
