Photo: Courtesy of ‘Iolani School
Tthe annual fair returns, with the theme Under the Island Sky, offering a joyous weekend of community, connection and local-style fun at ‘Iolani School. Enjoy classic EK Fernandez rides, try your luck at Midway Games, get crafty in the Keiki Kountry tent, browse the general store, and bid on the silent auction. Highlights include an eSports arcade and two island-inspired keiki craft stations.
Come hungry because this fair is famous for its incredible gastronomic offer. Fan-favorite carnival classics like giant turkey legs and waffle dogs return alongside local staples like gumbo, huli beef sandwiches, Okinawan soba noodles and mochisadas. This year also features a new selection of gourmet offerings, including poke bowls, jerk chicken, garlic shrimp and delicious desserts like chocolate mousse crisp and panna cotta.
All the food and fun is for a good cause. Proceeds benefit student programs, including trips and experiences outside the classroom, for the school’s 2,200 students in grades K-12.
Click on the information you want to explore:
SEE ALSO: What to do on O’ahu in April 2026
Photo: Courtesy of ‘Iolani School
Where and when
The fair takes place at ‘Iolani School in Mō’ili’ili on Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18, from noon to 10 p.m.
Where to park
Parking is available at Kaimukī High School (entrance on Winam Ave.) for $5 cash with no admission privileges. The lot will be open Friday from 6:45 to 10:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Photo: Courtesy of ‘Iolani School
How to pay
Entry to the fair is free. Rides, games, food and activities are paid for with scripts, which are 50 cents each. EK Fernandez rides range from 8 to 12 scripts, games range from 5 to 6 scripts per play, and keiki games and activities range from 2 to 10 scripts. Scripts can be purchased with cash, credit or debit cards.
These stands will accept credit and debit payments in addition to scrip.
- No O
- Logo shop
- ‘Ohana Quilters (handmade quilts)
- plants
- Sweets and treats (with jams, jellies, baked goods and snacks)
what to do
Photo: Courtesy of ‘Iolani School
games
Play lots of games and collect prize coupons to redeem at the Trading Post. games includes Air Ball, Break the Plate, Dragon Treasure, Fat Cat Baseball, Frog Bog, Pepsi Ring Toss and many more.
Photo: Courtesy of ‘Iolani School
Children’s Activities
At the Keiki Kountry Tent, fairgoers can play games, including Ducky Dash, Garden Dig, Go Fish, Horse Wrangler and Wagon Wheel. Get glam with glitter for hair and body, as well as glitter tattoos. There are also artistic activities such as making slime and deco fans. Leaning into the theme, the new crafting stations include spy bottles and jellyfish mobiles.
Photo: Courtesy of ‘Iolani School
Walks
Carnival favorite EK Fernandez will be there with six family attractions. Only subscriptions will be accepted.
- Balloon race – 8 notebooks
- Jungle Twist – 8 bags
- Lolli Swings – 8 glasses
- Magic Labyrinth: 8 dashes
- Seven Seas: 12 scripts
- Zero Gravity: 12 scripts
General store
Score homemade jams and jellies, kimchee, baked goods and quilts at the general store. Also on sale will be lei po’o, henna plants and tattoos, as well as exclusive Iolani Fair items and the Iolani School logo.
Silent Auction
The online silent auction will premiere on Wednesday, April 15 and end on Saturday, April 18 at 7 p.m. Winners can pick up their items at the fair office on Saturday, April 18 from 8 to 10 p.m. or on Sunday, April 19 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
SEE ALSO: Your guide to farmers markets on O’ahu
Photo: Courtesy of ‘Iolani School
What to eat at the Iolani Fair
Fill up on all your favorites like huli beef sandwich, gumbo and Okinawan soba noodles, but save room for this year’s new items, including Hiyashi Chuka, a refreshing noodle dish; a limited number will be made with kalo noodles, highlighting the island theme. Wash it all down with a pink island lemonade made with a splash of cranberry juice, boba jelly or lychee, and served with a light-up ice cube and a tropical garnish.
Food booth menu
*New for 2026
- barbecue
- Jerk Chicken*
- Garlic Prawns*
- Combo with chicken and shrimp*
- French fries and onion rings
- Truffle Garlic Fries
- French fries
- Onion rings
- Nacho Cheese Dip*
- Teri burger
- Teri Cheeseburger
- Huli beef sandwich with Au Jus
- Italian waffle dog
- Local bowls
- Orange chicken
- Kalua Pork and Cabbage
- sick
- Backpacks
- Moxidas with custard filling
- Asato family store Sorbets: Strawberry, Green River and Passion Orange
- Okinawa soba noodles
- pizza
- Slice of pepperoni pizza
- Slice of cheese pizza
- Smoothies
- Strawberry cream
- Cookies and Cream
- Jumbo Smoked Turkey Legs
- Chicken and sausage gumbo
Gourmet tent
- principals
- Hiyashi Chuka*
- Mauka to Makai Bowl* (Pork Lechon Kawali and ‘Ahi Poke)
- Seafood roll
- Poke Tofu Salad
- desserts
- Crispy Chocolate Mousse*
- Island Fruit Tart*
- Panna Cotta*
- cookie*
- drinks
- Coffee jelly
- Pink Island Lemonade*
- Italian cream soda (strawberry or Liliko’i)
- tea with milk
Photo: Courtesy of ‘Iolani School
Tips
- Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen to stay protected during the day.
- Bring a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated and fill it up at campus water stations.
- Small handbags or backpacks are ideal for carrying your purchases, game prizes or fair finds. There is also a Will Call stand to store your stuff.
- Bathrooms are located near the center field gate entrance.
- Parking can fill up quickly, so consider carpooling or using ridesharing services.
Iolani Fair, April 17 and 18, noon to 10 p.m., ‘Iolani School, 563 Kamoku St., Mō’ili’ili, iolanifair.org, @iolani_school
Laura Dornbush is a regular contributor to HONOLULU Magazine. @ldornbush
