Hawaii's largest city, Honolulu takes a slightly different approach to celebrating Gay Pride each year than a number of places. There are actually two different organizers of Gay Pride events, and their celebrations are held at different times.
Book rooms and compare rates on hotels in Honolulu during Gay Pride.
Since 1990, Honolulu Pride has organized the Honolulu Pride Parade & Celebration. This event, which includes a parade that departs from Kapiolani Park, a festival with entertainment and vendors, and an after-party, takes place in early June. Performers last year included Kit Dylan Arrieta, the Diamond Head Theater's cast of Xanadu, Rolando Sanchez, and more. In a fitting gesture, President Barack Obama, a Hawaii native son, has been named an Honorary Grand Marshal of the parade this year. The date this year is June 1, 2013.
This is also the weekend of the GLBT Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival, with screenings over four days at the Honolulu Museum of Art's Doris Duke Theatre (900 Kinau St.).
Additionally, numerous bars as well as gay-popular restaurants, hotels, and shops have special events and parties when the Pride festivities are taking place. Check the GLBT Hawaii travel magazine and website (point of disclosure - I'm the editor), OutAloha for more on the gay scene in Oahu and throughout the state. DiscoveringHawaii.com also has a useful guide to gay travel in Hawaii, and GoGayHawaii.com is a helpful Pride Guide on Hawaii. Take a look at my gay guide and gallery to Honolulu and Waikiki for further ideas about where to stay and what to do. Also explore the excellent site produced by the Hawaii Convention and Visitors Bureau for general assistance with travel planning.
