Oʻahu Summer Guide 2026: Aloha & Welcome

Summer on Oʻahu brings street fairs, evening concerts in the park and camping under the stars. It's an ideal time to visit if you want to learn how to surf, snorkel on the North Shore, hike Mānoa Falls or spend long days at the beach.

A Letter From the Editor

Aloha kākou,

On Feb. 6, we celebrated the launch of the New Hawaii.com at ʻAlohilani Resort Waikīki Beach. Founded more than 25 years ago, the site has always been a place for visitors to learn about the Hawaiian Islands, plan their dream trip and find inspiration. This year, we take that a step further by adding the ability to book hotels and activities, a slew of ready-made itineraries, and a brand-new design featuring more video, user-generated content and an event page for every island. I'm fortunate to have been here from the beginning and could not be more proud of what our small but mighty team has accomplished.

Hawaii.com launch party at ʻAlohilani Resort Waikiki Beach. Photo by Marco Garcia.

This winter, Oʻahu faced some of the most torrential rain I have seen in a long time. In my nine years here, I have never seen the North Shore go completely under water or entire farms swept away. But summer is here, and Oʻahu has had time to dry out and heal. The North Shore is back open to visitors and needs your support to get back on its feet.

The North Shore of Oʻahu is back open for business. Photo courtesy of Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.

There is plenty to be excited about in the coming summer months. The Made in Hawaiʻi Festival draws shoppers by the tens of thousands eager to support local brands. And on King Kamehameha I Day, floats covered in fresh flowers, pāʻū riders on horseback and marching bands parade down King Street from ʻIolani Palace to Queen Kapiʻolani Park to honor the king who unified the Hawaiian Islands. You'll find Kalākaua Avenue regularly shut down for street fairs, parades and celebrations of all kinds.

My favorite part of summer, though, is the fresh mangoes and lychee overflowing at the farmers market, and evenings on the lanai eating dinner and watching movies with my sweetheart. I hope you find as many reasons to fall in love with Oʻahu as I did the first time I visited in the summer of 2015.

Happy travel planning,

—Sarah

2026 Oʻahu Summer Guide: Letter from the Editor

2026 Oʻahu Summer Guide: Top Experiences

2026 Oʻahu Summer Guide: Whatʻs New

2026 Oʻahu Summer Guide: Plan Your Trip