Whether it's dancing to energizing Hawaiian-reggae beats or sipping on a Mai Tai while listening to the soothing sounds of a slack key guitar, the island of Oahu offers numerous opportunities to enjoy free, first-rate Hawaiian music throughout the year.
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Ala Moana Center
The Ala Moana Center features daily Hawaiian music from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. on their Ewa Wing Stage, and a daily hula show from 1 - 1:20 p.m. on their first floor Centerstage. Both are free to the public and perfect ways to celebrate Hawaiian culture while doing your shopping at the biggest mall in the state.
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Duke's Canoe Club
A beachfront location, lively atmosphere, fresh fish and juicy steaks have made Duke's at the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach one of the most popular gathering places on Waikiki Beach.
Located on the site of the original Outrigger Canoe Club, the restaurant honors Hawaii's great ocean sportsman, Duke Kahanamoku.
The restaurant and bar features live Hawaiian music nightly from 4 - 6 p.m. and 9:30 - midnight by acclaimed artists such as Kapena and Ka'ala Boys. Don't miss out on their weekly Duke's On Sunday concerts with Henry Kapono from 4 - 6 p.m., either.
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Waikiki Beach Walk
The Embassy Suites-Waikiki Beach Walk offers several opportunities for visitors to enjoy live music. Outrigger's Na Mele No Na Pua concerts are held once a month on Sundays, 5 - 6 p.m. on the Plaza Stage outdoor lawn. Each concert is free and open to the public while seating allows. Past headliners include Melveen Leed, Amy Hanaiali'i, Maunalua and Ledward Ka'apana, all top-notch performers in Hawaii. On Tuesdays from 4:30 - 6 p.m., enjoy music and hula dancing led by renowned kumu hula, Blaine Kamalani Kia.
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Hilton Hawaiian Village
Every Friday night from 7:15-8:00 p.m. the Hilton Hawaiian Village's Super Pool transforms into the perfect tropical stage for their Rockin' Hawaiian Rainbow Revue.
The show offers Hawaiian entertainment with the music, song and dance of the Polynesian Islands and the exciting Samoan Fire Knife Dance. The grand finale of the evening features a stunning beachfront fireworks display that lights up Waikiki Beach.
If you miss the show on Friday, you can also hear Hawaiian music daily at the hotel's Tropics Bar and Grill, and Saturdays in the Paradise Lounge.
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House Without A Key at the Halekulani
Immortalized in a 1925 Charlie Chan novel, House Without A Key at the Halekulani is a popular indoor/outdoor gathering spot for informal breakfast, lunch, co*cktails, appetizers and entertainment.
Every night at 5 p.m., House Without A Key presents free island entertainment, featuring artists such as the Pa'ahana Trio and Kapalama.
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Kona Brewing Company
Set on the docks of Koko Marina in Hawaii Kai, Kona Brewing Company invites visitors to enjoy its local entertainment featuring traditional and contemporary Hawaiian music.
Music is offered Fridays & Saturdays from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. and Sundays from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. as the chefs serve up tasty appetizers, fresh fish entrees and delicious pizzas with pints of fresh beer from one of the 24 taps at the bar.
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Mai Tai Bar
The Mai Tai Bar at Ala Moana Shopping Center is especially popular with locals for its award-winning happy hour specials and nightly contemporary Hawaiian and reggae music.
From 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. guests can enjoy the relaxing sounds of Corey Oliveros, John Fearey and others. Between 9 p.m. and 12 a.m., crowds gather to dance to reggae bands such as Hot Rain, Epic Session and One Drop.
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Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort
Some of the island's most talented artists perform nightly at the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort, Waikiki's first luxury resort. Featured entertainers include Ka'ala Boys, Nohelani Cypriano, Kelly Boy DeLima 'Ohana, and Awana Salazar.
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Royal Hawaiian Center
Tuesdays through Fridays, the Royal Hawaiian Center hosts a free Hawaiian show for all to enjoy on its Pa'ina Lanai. The lineup includes performances by Keohau, Pu'uhonua, Ku'uipo Kumakahi, and Josiah Kekoa and the members of Ten Feet.
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Sheraton Waikiki
As part of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Hawaii's commitment to continuing the legacy of Hawaiian music, Sheraton Waikiki offers nightly poolside entertainment by some of the island's top performers, including Sam Kapu III Trio, Ka'ala Boys, Kanilau, and others.
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Tiki's Bar and Grill
Tiki's Bar and Grill on Waikiki Beach offers Hawaiian entertainment all throughout the day from guests like Elllsworth Simeona & Piko, Vaihi Band and KaiRoots. Check out the bar's online music calendar to check times and see who's playing.
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Kuhio Beach Hula Show
Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Nov-Jan) listen to authentic Hawaiian music and enjoy hula shows by Hawaii’s finest dancers and performers on Kuhio Beach in Waikiki.The show opens with torchlighting and the traditional blowing of the conch shell.
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Turtle Bay Resort
There are a couple of different ways to enjoy Hawaiian music at the Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu's famous north shore. Surfer [The Bar] features local legends such as Kapena, Common Kings and Katchafire. There is also live music by the ocean-side The Point: Sunset & Pool Bar. Check out the lineup for the whole resort on their website.
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