Photo: Courtesy of Mō’ili’ili Summer Fest
TThe 13th annual Mō’ili’ili Summer Fest returns home to its old location at the Waiānuenue ma Kapa’akea parking lot (the old Varsity Building parking lot) and Coyne Street on July 4 from 5 to 10 p.m. To kick off the celebration, there will be an Andagi Night on Friday, July 3, from 4 to 8 p.m., with exclusive food vendors, festivals and dishes for sale. beloved Okinawan fried treats.
Coinciding with the 4th of July long weekend, this year’s party is expected to draw thousands of attendees with its exciting lineup of food and craft vendors, games, activities and the much-anticipated bon dance. Summer Fest is presented by the non-profit organization Mō’ili’ili Festivals with the support of Mō’ili’ili Hongwanji Mission, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai’i, Mō’ili’ili Community Center, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Hawai’i Kai Jaycees and Ke Kula ‘o Kamehameha.
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SEE ALSO: O’ahu Bon Dance Schedule 2026
cost
Mō’ili’ili Summer Fest is a free community event. Attendees pay food and craft vendors directly. Most will accept cash or card, and some may also accept PayPal or Venmo.
Photo: Courtesy of Mō’ili’ili Summer Fest
what to do
Andagi night
At Friday’s Andagi Night, shop for exclusive festival merchandise and collaborations such as good dance towels, dine with food vendors, and end the night with a freshly fried Okinawan donut. Here is the list of sellers:
- Ali’i Fish Market
- I love Star Café
- Castaway ice cream
- Takoyaki Coconut Balls
- Early disclosure of cardiovascular health
- Craves Island
- Sumo fish
- Top End Grindz
Adding to Friday’s festivities, VH07V’s Ed Sugimoto (Aloha Revolution) and Jodi Kamisato, local musician and owner of Ukulele Hale, will create a special rendition of the beloved Hawai’i anthem “Aloha Friday.” The collaboration celebrates the neighborhood’s vibrant small business community while inviting residents and visitors to spend the holiday weekend supporting Mō’ili’ili’s local shops, restaurants and vendors. Attendees are encouraged to be part of the video taping at 5:30 p.m
Photo: Andrea Lee
Summer party
Saturday’s main event is packed with activities. Live entertainment takes place from 4:30 to 6 p.m., with performances by MikAnS, Sakura Saxophone Ensemble, Taiko Center of the Pacific, and the Kaikaliliaalohawai’i Duo.
The good dancing will start at 6 pm and will continue all night. In the Japanese tradition of Obon, dance with your family and friends in a circle under glowing lanterns.
Between dancing and dancing, the keiki will enjoy cultural activities such as crafts and games. The Hawai’i Japanese Cultural Center will feature stamping stations, including tanabata tanzaku, handwritten good fortune wishes and hachimaki (Japanese headbands). In addition, the Mō’ili’ili Community Center will host a fishbowl activity and New York Life Hawai’i will offer a souvenir card experience.
SEE ALSO: Our guide: Bon Dances for beginners
Photo: Andrea Lee
what’s new
This year’s festival features more collaborations with beloved local brands. Castaways Ice Cream will be serving their limited-edition Butter Mochi ice cream, and Aloha Matcha will debut a limited-edition Watermelon Matcha drink. In addition, Sumofish will release a new collaborative shirt and sticker. Be sure to stop by these special collaborations as proceeds from these sales will directly support the festival.
Please note that this year there will be a revised event design with a separate dance area, along with rows of vendors. The food trucks will be located on Coyne Street.
Photo: Andrea Lee
Shopping and food
Expect more than 60 local vendors with something for everyone, from traditional summer festival foods to unique desserts, along with unique retail shops and information vendors. Note: Vendor list is subject to change.
Food vendors:
- Ali’i Fish Market
- Hello Matcha Hawaii
- Castaway ice cream
- Chibi Confectionery
- Horn Onoz Hawaii
- the bald boy
- Fujiya Hawaii
- Hawaiian honey cones
- Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce – KC Waffle Dog
- Hot Pott stickers
- JJ’s Treatz
- let’s play
- Kealoha Seafoods/Da Hub Truck
- Khao and Papas
- Milky Way shaving gel
- Mō’ili’ili Hongwanji Mission Grant
- Olomana Bros
- Onolicious local food by Reecieb
- Soap Soap HI
- welcome
- Sausage Festival in Hawaii
- Shaka Shaka Tea Express
- Str’Eats Of Aloha
- Syz Friez
- Tacokellz
- Takoyaki Yamachan
- Thai Lao restaurant
- The Corner Rolls
- Travie’s cakes
- Tropicold water
- Veek plant-based burger
- Waialua BBQ
Photo: Andrea Lee
Retail, information and activity providers:
- Aloha Charmz
- Beads & Things by Kori
- Church of the Crossroads
- Diamond Head Candy Co.
- Early disclosure of cardiovascular health
- Future of Cool
- Grace Under Cover
- Hawaii Candy Factory (Names)
- Kissy Hawaii
- So Cards
- Ku’uipo Collection
- Mana Jewelry
- Put on Kimono
- Miyako & Co
- Mismatched Star
- Mō’ili’ili Hongwanji Mission
- Momo Terrascapes
- New York Life Hawaii
- Peace be with you
- QPP Collective
- Simply brilliant designs
- Soju Cat
- Sumo fish
- Old Taku
- Toys and stuff HI
- VH07V
Photo: Courtesy of Mō’ili’ili Summer Fest
Where to park
Free parking will be available at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa Lower Campus with free shuttle service to the event from 4 to 11 p.m.
Limited premium event parking will also be available onsite (located in the festival mauka, enter from University Ave.), for $25 from 3:30 to 10:30 p.m. It will be in order of arrival, without entry and exit privileges.
Shinnyo-En Hawai’i, located at 2348 S. Beretania St., will also offer parking from 3:30 to 10:30 p.m. Donations are welcome.
Photo: Courtesy of Mō’ili’ili Summer Fest
Tips
- Please wear comfortable shoes as there will be lots of walking, stopping and dancing during the event.
- Dress up in your favorite yukata. But if you don’t have one, don’t worry because you don’t have to wear the traditional dress, we just recommend it.
- arrive soon Free parking will fill up quickly and the festival is usually busiest from 6-8pm.
- Portable toilets will be located on the mauka side of the festival.
- Keep an eye on the keiki and designate areas to meet. Use the buddy system and keep your phones on top of each other to communicate.
Mō’ili’ili Summer Fest, Saturday, July 4, 5 to 10 p.m., 1100 University Ave. in the parking lot of Waiānuenue ma Kapa’akea (the old university building), moiliilisummerfest.org, @moiliilifest
Laura Dornbush is a regular contributor to HONOLULU Magazine. @ldornbush
Hailey North is a former Editorial Fellow and regular contributor to HONOLULU Magazine.
