Free Things to Do on Oahu

Here’s my giant list of free things to do on Oahu, Hawaii

Sunset on the Beach Free Movies
a 30 foot screen on Waikiki beach shows free movies every weekend. good fun.

Go to the beach and relax - an oldie but a goodie. Oahu has some of the most fabulous beaches in Hawaii, and Waikiki is one of the best. Easy to get to if you are staying anywhere in Waikiki.

See the Street performers in Waikiki – Walk around Waikiki at night and there are street performers everywhere. It’s fun

(note – if you are looking to save money on Oahu, check out the Go Oahu Card and the Custom Oahu Explorer Pass for activities, and the Hawaii Entertainment Book for activities and meal discounts, plus check out my oahu coupons page.

USS Arizona Memorial
Kamehameha Hwy. 99, via H-1 west, exit 15A, Honolulu – (808) 422-2771.
The U.S.S. Arizona was completely sunken during the bombing of Pearl Harbor, taking over 1,000 sailors to their death in the harbor. This boat and that event are essentially what entered the United States full-scale into World War II. A not-to-miss if you are on Oahu. Free tours of the memorial are offered daily, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center. Get here as soon as they open. They fill up fast and furious and you could wait for hours.

Damien Museum
130 Ohua Avenue Honolulu, HI 96815 (right in Waikiki)Tel. (808) 923-2690
Father Damien was the Saint who worked with the sufferers of Hansens Disease (lepers) on Molokai and eventually contracted the disease himself. Museum closed right now, but if you go to the website they will tell you how to see the artifacts at a different church.

Walking tour of Waikiki
Many hotels sponsor free walking tours of the area, showing off the historical and cultural spots.

Hawaiian Ethnic Art Museum
59-254 Pupukea Road Haleiwa, HI 96712 (North Shore) Tel. (808) 638-7841
Indigenous art; Maui Loa rock image collection. Located at Sunset Beach.

Iolani Palace State Monument
364 South King Street Honolulu
The only royal palace in the United States – served as Hawaii’s capitol until 1969. Free admission to grounds – charge for tours.

Puu O Mahuka Heiau State Monument
Pupukea Road Pupukea
Oahu’s largest heiau (ancient place of worship) – a national historic landmark with an incredible north shore overlook.

Kawaiahao Church
957 Punchbowl Street Honolulu
White coral church built in missionary times. Free tours, services in Hawaiian and English every Sunday.

Royal Mausoleum State Monument
2261 Nuuanu Avenue
Where two of the last royal families are buried.

Kukaniloko Birthstones State Monument
Wahiawa
A complex of approximately 180 stones – ancient Hawaiian royalty came here for the birth of their children. The stones are said to be a powerful place, and some have petroglyphs.

Kahana Valley State Park
52-222 Kamehameha Highway , Kahana
Scenic wildland valley. Swimming, bodysurfing, beach-related activities, picnicking, Family hike (4.9 miles) and fruit picking in lushly vegetated forest; picnicking in coconut grove. Crafts instruction. Park open during daylight hours. Excellent hiking.

Haleiwa and the North Shore
Home of the Banzai Pipeline and some of the biggest waves in the world. The big waves and the quaint surfer towns make a drive to the north shore wonderful free entertainment.

Nu’uanu Pali State Lookout
Rising 1,186 feet above sea level, the lookout offers panoramics of Windward O’ahu. Hwy. 61 (Pali Hwy.)

Mokolii Island
Kualoa Park, Hwy. 83, Kualoa
You can wade out to this island at low tide, located off the windward coast at Kualoa Park.

Wyland Galleries
66-150 Kamehameha Hwy. Hale’iwa Village -(808) 637-7498
Hyatt Regency Waikiki, 2424 Kalakaua Ave. Waikiki – (808) 924-3133
Wyland Kalakaua Center, 2155 Kalakaua Ave., #104, Waikiki (808) 924-1322
The Wyland Galleries feature the art of Mr Wyland (the amazing ocean scenes) and other nature-featured artists. These were always my favorite. I loved to look around in these galleries.