10 Things to Do in Oahu in June

June is a fabulous month to visit Oahu. Being low season, prices are cheaper and temperatures are ideal for the adventures this island has to offer. Some of its most popular tourist spots are the Pearl Harbor naval base, Waikiki, a world-famous beach with a long list of luxury hotels and international stores, and North Shore, the most notable spot for recreational and competitive surfing.

On this island you will find tropical and exotic landscapes, the contrast between the traditional and the modern. In short, you will have multiple attractions to see and do on Oahu, from surfing the waves at North Shore to simply relaxing watching the sea and feeling the cool breeze on another of its countless beaches.

King Kamehameha I has a very valued history among Hawaiians. For starters, he was the one who achieved peace between the islands in 1810 and became their sole king, so on his day an official ceremony is held to celebrate his dedication to protecting and perpetuating Hawaiian culture.

This celebration brings with it multiple activities that you can join from the week prior to June 11 and that extend throughout the month.

First and foremost, and one of the main attractions for those visiting Oahu in June, is the flower parade. In this, Lei flowers, the most popular of the island, are placed on her statue.

The bronze statue is a symbol for Hawaiians, so there is one on each island and in all of them they put strips of flowers. In Honolulu the biggest ceremony of all takes place, the flower parade and the Lei Draping ceremony, you can see decorated floats and pau riders representing the Hawaiian royal court.

On this day a festival is also held where you can enjoy Hawaiian traditions, music, folk songs, "ono" a delicious native dish, crafts and concerts.

On one of the Sundays in June, not always the same one, the Hula contest is held. For this event visitors come from different islands and even from outside Hawaii to watch and participate, regardless of their age.

There are different categories in which participants sign up depending on their age. Everyone participates to the beat of traditional Hawaiian music. The day may vary, although it will always be in June along with the rest of the activities to commemorate Kamehameha.

Whether you like religious manifestations or want to learn more about the traditions of the island, this visit is quite interesting.

It is a tradition at Kawaiaha'o Church to celebrate Ali'i Sundays in June. Don't miss a visit to this church in the historic center of Honolulu, and if you enjoy participating in a service, they celebrate them in Hawaiian and English.

This is an old tradition to celebrate the unity of the islands and recognize the leadership of Ali'i nui which is how the ruling chiefs of Hawaii are designated. These masses are held around Kamehameha's birthday and each Sunday are dedicated to a different leader.

Even if you do not participate in the service, it is a place worth visiting, both the church and the surrounding gardens were declared a National Historic Landmark in 1962. In fact, you can book an audio-guided tour to see the whole complex.

Practical information

• Where: 957 Punchbowl
• Price: free
• When: Sundays in June

If you are on nature tours on Oahu, there are few better times than June. These dates, characterized by warm weather and increased daylight hours, are perfect for climbing mountains and volcanoes, and for reaching the fabulous waterfalls scattered around the island.

The ideal is to leave early in the morning to take advantage of the cool breeze. In addition, during the low season there are not so many tourists and you can enjoy the spaces more freely and get better prices.

Among the best routes you can do on Oahu, perhaps the one that leads to the Waimea waterfall stands out. In addition, with this one you will have the option of hiring a guided tour, so you will not have to worry about transportation.

The Mango Jam is an annual festival that usually lasts two days and whose main guest is, obviously, the mango.

In addition to a variety of mango products, enjoy outdoor festival activities such as barbecue, beer, live music and children's activities.

Honolulu residents look forward each year to the traditional mango recipe contest, one of Hawaii's most prized fruits, in which selected candidates compete for a cash prize.

Practical information

• Where: 550 South King Street, Honolulu
• Price: free
• When: usually the last weekend of the month

This annual festival, organized by the Pan-Pacific Foundation, is a three-day event that has been held since 1980 to expose residents and tourists to Japanese culture and traditions.

It is held in Waikiki, whose beach you may already know from your surfing lessons on Oahu, and features traditional Japanese music, Japanese food, crafts and entertainment.

All activities of this festival are free, but you do have to pay for parking. There are several places to park vehicles with fixed rates for weekends and evenings.

On the event's website you can see the schedules and locations of each of the activities so you can plan according to your tastes.

Practical information

• Where: various locations in the city
• Price: free
• When: usually in mid-June

O-bon tradition is another great opportunity to learn more about the culture and traditions of the people of Hawaii. Festivals, the o-bon season, of Japanese culture begin in June and are celebrated throughout the islands, but mainly on Oahu.

In this festival people give each other yukatas (the traditional Japanese cotton kimono), there is dancing to the rhythm of taiko drums, and celebrations in temples. To attend this festival go to Waipahu, in Honolulu.

O-bon is like a mixture of religious beliefs, during this festival it is believed that the spirits of the deceased come to earth and offerings ceremonies are made and lanterns are lit to guide them, all to the rhythm of dances under the full moon.

If you have decided to travel to Oahu you surely already know that there you will be able to take a tour of Pearl Harbor, undoubtedly one of the places that marked the recent history of the planet. The Japanese attack on the naval base located there caused the United States to enter World War II.

If you go to the island in June, in addition to visiting Pearl Harbor, you will be able to attend a peculiar festival: the Biggest Little Airshow. Curiously, this event is not held to commemorate the attack on the base, but for another battle of the same war, Midway.

On the day of the event, thousands of people gather at Pearl Harbor to watch a remote-controlled flying show of miniature fighter planes. The result is truly spectacular.

As could not be less, during the event there are other activities, such as a special area for children, guided tours of the hangars, food and drink stands and other entertainment.

Practical info

• Where: Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. There is a free shuttle from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.
• Price: about $5 per person
• When: early June

Although this market is set up on other weekends throughout the year, the best time to visit is in June, when nighttime temperatures are excellent and there are not too many tourists.

At the end of June, in addition, there is usually a special edition dedicated to the summer solstice. If you dare to come, you will find a large number of food trucks where you can taste the best Hawaiian food almost as if you were on a gastronomic tour of Oahu.

There are also stalls selling clothing, handicrafts and other items. All accompanied by musical performances that enliven the Hawaiian night.

Practical information about Honolulu

• Where: on the ski slope between Auahi and Keawe Streets, in Our Kakaʻako.
• Price: admission is free
• When: Saturdays in June, starting at 6 p.m.

Oahu and all the islands of Hawaii are a paradise for bird lovers, the abundant flora is home to colorful and fabulous species.

Between June and August the birds nest, but I recommend the former as the best month before it gets too hot. You can find woodpeckers, flycatchers and songbirds nesting in the dense forests.

You can also spot marsh and wading birds in the wetlands, swallows on the beach and many other birds in the grassy grounds. Don't forget to bring your camera and your primas because it will be an unparalleled spectacle.

There are marked trails for bird watching. Some recommended by other visitors are: Moanalua/Kamananui Valley, in the Honolulu Watersher Forest Reserve; Likeke Waterfall, in Nu'uanu Pali; and Moleka and Ualakaa, in the Round Top Forest Reserve.

The weather on Oahu is pleasant all year round. In general there is a tropical savanna climate which is like a dry summer, but in June, the weather is phenomenal.

At sunset the average temperature is about 24 degrees Celsius and there is only a 5 percent chance of precipitation. There are about 13.2 hours of sunshine a day so you can enjoy more of nature.

You are going to be in a tropical climate with high temperatures, it is vital that you wear sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. Also, take precautions such as not staying too long exposed to the sun and drinking enough water during the day. Luckily, most of the time a gentle breeze prevails.

June is one of the most affordable months, although if you go towards the end of the month it can be quite busy with tourists who do not particularly go surfing, as the summer is very attractive to visitors.