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For centuries, O‘ahu has lived up to its nickname “The Gathering Place.” Royalty, chiefs and commoners alike congregated here for various purposes long before Western contact, followed by diverse waves of plantation-era immigrants, military on assignment or in transit to other Pacific isles, and millions of visitors in the jet age. With nearly three quarters of the state’s population, O‘ahu also boasts abundant opportunities to enjoy live performances by international, national and Hawaii-based musicians and other artists. Here are some of the key gathering places for stellar shows — all conveniently in Waikiki — and highlights of their calendars this fall.
This acoustic gem at OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beach Resort, which seats 300 and offers a full dinner menu and cocktails, serves not only as a chic way station for acclaimed jazz musicians traveling between Blue Note clubs in Napa and Japan, but also as a showcase for popular comedians, top local performers and renowned acts in a rainbow of musical genres. Most performers offer two shows a night, with tickets typically starting at $35 plus a minimum $20 food and beverage purchase.
Hawaiian music lovers will want to take note of Blue Note shows by hometown ukulele legend Jake Shimabukuro, who kicks off an Asian tour Oct. 9 and 10, and returns for his beloved “Holidays in Hawaii” concerts Dec. 16-19. On the rock spectrum, Pink Floyd fans will be over the (dark side of) the moon at “The Dark Side of the Beach,” featuring seven established session musicians and industry veterans accompanied by Floyd-worthy video, lighting and sound effects on Nov. 11.
Among jazz standouts are the New Orleans-based Donald Harrison Quartet Oct. X; the 17-piece Mike Lewis Big Band, named for its leader and local trumpeter, Oct. 27 and Nov. 24: and Lewis’ ninth annual “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” incorporating Vince Guaraldi’s soundtrack to the animated TV classic and other holiday tunes, Dec. 24 and 25. R&B and soul performances include vocalist Goapele Oct. 18 and the B.B. King Centennial Celebration by the Keith Batlin Blues Band Oct. 21, with reggae stars Luciano and Yellowman performing Oct. 16 and Nov.12 respectively.
Blue Note’s humor lineup features Honolulu standup comedian and yoga teacher Melissa Mae, returning from her continental “Comic Sutras” tour Oct. 14; former “Saturday Night Live” star Rob Schneider Dec. 3 and 6; and rising Chinese American comedian Jiaoying Summers Dec. 5. In a whimsical combination of pop music and laughter, Creed Bratton from NBC’s “The Office” shares songs from his new album Oct. 20.
Every night is Hawaiian music night at Kani Ka Pila Grille, but just like shave ice, that’s a genre that comes in many flavors—and it’s worth trying them all. The late, iconic slack-key guitarist Cyril Pahinui provided the name, which roughly means “to make music” or “hold a jam session,” to this outdoor venue and all-day restaurant at OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort when it debuted in 2008. It became even more welcoming following the resort’s $80 million renovation in 2021 and continues to draw a steady stream of residents—including hula dancers who often offer impromptu performances—and visitors, many of them repeat guests.
The set weekly lineup features Sean Na‘auao, known for reggae-inflected “Jawaiian” music and traditional Hawaiian mele, on Monday; contemporary vocalist Kala‘e Camarillo, who also plays guitar and ukulele, on Tuesday; Ei Nei, an acoustic trio (guitar, ukulele and bass) known for classic falsetto vocals, on Wednesday; slack-key virtuoso and singer-songwriter Kawika Kahiapo on Thursday; traditional harmonizing trios Ka Hehena and Ho‘okena on Friday and Saturday, respectively; and modern multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Nathan Aweau on Sunday.
Every year up-and-coming Hawaiian music acts compete in a talent show that awards the winners four coveted appearances at Kani Ka Pila Grille, with the hopes of breaking into the lineup later — witness Ei Nei, the winners of the ninth annual contest back in 2017. The leo nahenahe (gently harmonizing vocals) of trio ‘Ōlauniu helped them win this year’s Kani Ka Pila Talent Search, held at the Made in Hawaii Festival in August. “Each year, this contest brings new voices to the stage and reminds us how deep and vibrant Hawai‘i’s musical roots truly are. ʻŌlauniu carried on this tradition beautifully, and we are honored to give them a platform to share their music with the world,” noted Luana Maitland, OUTRIGGER’s Area Director of Cultural Experiences.
Found on the beach side of OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beach Resort, Duke’s Waikiki also hosts a lively nightly lineup of local entertainers, but it’s the rockin’ Sunday afternoon shows by celebrated Henry Kapono that the late Jimmy Buffet chose to immortalize in his 2006 song “Duke’s on Sunday.” The guitarist and singer-songwriter, who first came to fame in the 1970s as part of the pop-rock Cecilio & Kapono, has been performing next to Duke’s Barefoot Bar on Sunday afternoons since 1993. He’s there most Sundays from 4 to 6 p.m., and on Sept. 28 will be joined by performers from his HKF On the Rise program as well as special surprise guests. Called “It’s Summertime—Home in the Islands Live,” the Sept. 28 show will be livestreamed from 5 to 6 p.m. and hosted by fellow musician Alx Kawakami.
Cirque du Soleil completely rebuilt the 784-seat theater at the OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel for its first resident production in Hawaii, ‘Auana, inspired by Hawaiian history, culture and legends. While the world-class acrobatics, choreography by Hiwa Vaughn and evocative costumes by Manaola are certainly eye-catching, the mesmerizing music by Dr. Aaron J. Sala, the show’s creative cultural producer, makes an equally strong impression on rapt audiences. It’s no wonder that the show, which debuted in December 2024, was recently extended through December 2026.
Tickets start at $86 for the 80-minute show, performed twice nightly Wednesday through Sunday, with a break Nov. 12-25. Families who purchase a minimum of four tickets (including at least one child) through the Cirque du Soleil website receive a 15 percent discount, with other specials for military, groups and kama‘āina (local residents) also available.