Waikīkī in October 2025: What’s New & Noteworthy

Stay in the loop — your October 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.

Oʻahu Travel News

• Advanced reservations to the USS Arizona Memorial reopen for 1 Nov tours and beyond. Check out our How To Book Tickets, Get To & Explore Pearl Harbor post.

• Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) will resume direct flights to Hawaiʻi for the first time in 20+ years, with Alaska Airlines launching service to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL).

• Roberts Hawaii will launch daily round-trip bus rides from Waikīkī and Ala Moana to Hanauma Bay starting in Dec 2025, helping ease parking issues. Only 400 tickets available per day.

• Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines updated their surfboard policy, now allowing multiple boards per bag up to 10’5” and 50 lbs (9’7” max on E175 aircraft) — a more generous allowance for surfers.

Island Hotel Updates

• After 47 years, Paradise Cove Lūʻau in Ko Olina will close at the end of 2025 for a $135 million redevelopment. Don’t miss this iconic experience — reserve your spot before it’s gone.

• Hilton Hawaiian Village relocated its Waikīkī Starlight Lūʻau to the resort’s oceanfront Great Lawn on 10 Oct 2025, debuting the show in its newly renovated, permanent home.

Dining & Drink Scene

• Canterbury Kitchen Cove at 1910 Ala Moana Blvd unites six eateries and two bars — serving sushi, ramen, pizza, gelato and more — creating a lively new dining hub on the edge of Waikīkī.

• Sushi spot Nori Bar will open its second location at Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach (formerly Ice Monster) in Feb 2026. Its original venue operates in Ward Village’s Koula tower.

• Botanico Waikīkī opens on Seaside Avenue, serving Italian and Mediterranean fare in a stylish “urban Italian” setting. It’s the Zetton group’s 12th Oʻahu eatery, joining Zigu and Heavenly.

• Chef Jon Matsubara, acclaimed for Feast restaurant in Mānoa (est. 2019), brings his signature seafood to Waikīkī with Hawaiian Style Seafood Co., serving lobster rolls, poke and platters.

• Liliha Bakery is adding a second Waikīkī location on Beach Walk, opening in summer 2026. With restaurants at both ends of Waikīkī, you’ll have no excuse not to try this beloved diner.

• Local sherbet shop Asato’s Waikīkī is preparing to open inside the Hyatt Regency’s Kings & Queens boutique, featuring its famous scoops and a reservation-only shave ice counter.

• Big dining news: Alan Wong’s will return to the Honolulu restaurant scene at The Kāhala Hotel & Resort, replacing the current Hoku’s in early 2026.

• Michelin-starred yakitori restaurant Torishin, famed in New York City, is bringing its omakase-style grill experience to Ward Village’s ʻAʻeo shops soon — its first location outside NYC.

• Coming Soon: Tiki’s Grill & Bar owner Bill Tobin is launching Sin-Ice Stir Shave Ice Bar at 2570 Kalākaua Ave, next to The Sunrise Shack in the Twin Fin Hotel.

Things to Do, See & Experience

• Lonohana Estate Chocolate opens a new pop-up at the Moana Surfrider this Nov, offering handcrafted Hawaiʻi-grown chocolate (great for Christmas gifts), open daily 9am-9pm.

• Las Vegas flagship Fantasy Claw Arcade debuts at Waikīkī’s International Market Place (open daily 10am–9pm) with 60+ claw machines offering prizes from plushies to electronics.

• RVCA founder Pat Tenore’s new Waikīkī flagship, Tenōre, offers surf- and skate-inspired apparel along with upstairs fitness classes, surf sessions, beach cleanups and monthly 5K runs.

• Nick Kuchar Art & Vintage now at the Moana Surfrider showcases the Oʻahu artist’s retro surf and travel prints, plus apparel, accessories and gifts — perfect for local art lovers and shoppers.

• Premium headwear brand Melin opens its first Oʻahu store at Royal Hawaiian Center, featuring performance and lifestyle collections, exclusive designs and innovative craftsmanship.

Top 10 October Events To Know

• Oktoberfest at SALT at Our Kakaʻako: (4 Oct): Raise a stein and enjoy live music, games, German beer, festive eats and giveaways hosted by Village Bottle Shop & Tasting Room.

• Flavors of Hawaii Waikiki Festival (11 Oct): Free Kalākaua Avenue street festival showcasing the best of Oʻahu’s food, retail and crafts.

• Hawai‘i International Film Festival (16-26 Oct): Showcasing the best in Pacific, Asian and global cinema, HIFF returns with screenings, premieres and filmmaker events.

• Holo Holo Festival (18 & 19 Oct): Celebrate Hawaiʻi’s music and culture at this two-day event at Bishop Museum featuring live performances, local food and island-inspired experiences.

• Halloween Events on Oʻahu (31 Oct): Oʻahu comes alive with haunted houses, spooky bar pop-ups and trick-or-treating — here’s our guide to all the frights and delights!

• For the complete lineup of October happenings, see our Oʻahu Events in October calendar.