The keiki are home, and it is time to find family-friendly activities to keep the entire ʻohana entertained. Most students return to school in early August. Here are some of the free community events your ʻohana can enjoy in June or July:
Summer reading. Hawaiʻi State Public Library System's Summer Reading Challenge is back. This year, readers can participate by reading 800 minutes or eight books. The challenge started June 1 and runs through July 31. The theme of the reading challenge is “E Heluhelu Kākou: ‘Umeke Kā‘eo” and celebrates a calabash overflowing with knowledge and wisdom. The first 400 attendees who register for the challenge will receive a free frozen dessert from Asatos. Readers who log reading in June and July get a chance to unlock rewards and possibly win the grand prize of roundtrip tickets from Alaska Airlines / Hawaiian Airlines. On Saturday, June 6, stop by the Hawaiʻi State Library in Downtown Honolulu, near ʻIolani Palace, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., for activities, informational booths and prizes to kick off the challenge.Details.
Visit Capitol Modern. Admission to this museum is free. A special exhibit of 40 portraits from artists across five islands will be on display at Capitol Modern through July 4. The art is part of the Schaefer Portrait Challenge, which encouraged artists across the state to create portraits of people and their communities. Enjoy after-hours access to the museum through its First Friday series, which features live music and local vendors through Art + Flea. This summer, First Fridays will be on June 5 and July 3. Live music will be provided by Paper Tiger Riot, Tuesdays in Bloom, Bombye, and JOBY! on June 5. Details for the First Friday in July are not yet listed online. Details.
Go to Kamaʻāina Sunday at ʻIolani Palace. Once a month, ʻIolani Palace welcomes kamaʻāina to explore the palace and participate in cultural activities plus enjoy live performances as part of its Kamaʻāina Sunday series. The free event takes place the second Sunday of each month. This summer those dates are: June 14 and July 12. Self-guided tours are available for the first 500 attendees. Entertainment and workshops are supported by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority through the Kūkulu Ola Program. Details.
Visit the Bishop Museum. The Bishop Museum is free for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Card members. Head to the museum to get tickets in person. Details.
Stop by the HoMA. The Honolulu Museum of Art offers free admission to military families of all ranks and services, including guard and reserve, from May 27 through Sept. 6. HoMA is part of the Blue Star Museums initiative, which is a partnership between the National Endowment of the Arts, Blue Star Families and the Department of Defense plus more than 2,000 participating museums across the nation. The program allows for the free admission of military personnel and up to five family members. Not part of the military? Admission is free for the entire community on the third Sunday of the month, which is June 21, and July 19 this summer. On July 19, there will also be a free screening of Jack Johnson’s new documentary “Surfilmusic.” Details.
Garden concerts. These free concerts feature local musicians at the City and County of Honolulu’s botanical gardens. The musical line-up includes everything from bagpipes to jazz and island jams. The hourlong shows are family friendly. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own food, drinks and chairs or blankets. The series started June 4 with a performance by The Rackets at Foster Botanical Garden. Concerts at Foster Botanical Garden and Wahiawā Botanical garden start at 5 p.m., while those at Foster Botanical Garden start at 5:30 p.m., with the exception of the Midsummer Night’s Gleam event, which runs from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. Details.
Foster Botanical Garden
June 11: Golden Kaleo
June 18: Royal Hawaiian Band
June 25: Celtic Pipes and Drums
July 2: Jiayin Music
July 9: Jonny Lam
July 18: Midsummer Night’s Gleam
July 23: Honolulu Wind Ensemble
July 30: Pulse Oceania
Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden
June 5: Braddah Ash
June 19: Ikaiki Kalani
July 3: Nikki Dee
July 24: Allegro Keiki
Wahiawā Botanical Garden
June 12: Allegro Keiki
June 26: The Merrygolds
July 10: JOBY!
July 31: Ryugen Taiko
Movies on the beach. The free movie series Sunset on the Beach in Waikīkī has returned to Queen’s Beach on the Diamond Head side of Waikīkī. Seating is first-come, first-served, and families are encouraged to bring beach towels, chairs or hammocks. The event is wheelchair accessible with pathways and sidewalks that reach the beach and restrooms. The program is provided through a partnership between the City and County of Honolulu, the Waikīkī Improvement Association and Southwest Airlines. This list only features events through July, but the series goes through September. Details. Upcoming summer movies include:
July 3: “Wicked: For Good”: Festivities begin at 4:30 p.m. | Movie starts at 7:30 p.m.
July 25: “Smurfs”: Festivities begin at 4:30 p.m. | Movie starts at 7:30 p.m.
Know of a free activity that did not make this list? Email us at katie@alohastatedaily.com. For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up here for our free Daily Edition newsletter.
Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
