Fall in Hawaii hits differently, especially when October rolls around and Honolulu Pride takes over Waikiki. The parade cuts right down Kalākaua Avenue, bringing floats, music, and energy to the strip. If you are planning a trip for the October 18–19 weekend, finding the right spot to stay makes all the difference.
I reached out to Brad Baer, Area Managing Director at ‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach, to get the inside scoop on how the oceanfront property is gearing up for the festivities this year.
“We’re so excited to once again be a participant and host venue of Honolulu Pride this October,” Baer told me.
A Front-Row Seat to the Action
Location is everything during Pride weekend, and ‘Alohilani sits steps away from the main parade route. It is also a short walk from Queen’s Surf Beach, one of the most popular LGBTQ+ gathering spots on the island, along with several local bars and clubs.
“‘Alohilani Resort puts guests at the heart of the Honolulu Pride experience, offering a front-row seat to the parade as bold floats, energetic performances and powerful voices make their way down Kalākaua Avenue,” Baer told me. “As a host venue for several Pride events, the resort also provides guests with convenient access to celebrations beyond the parade route.”
Drag Brunches and Rooftop Pool Parties
The hotel is not just hosting travelers; it is running two official Honolulu Pride events on Saturday, October 18.
Things start early in the ‘Alohilani Ballroom with the Official Honolulu Pride Drag Brunch at 11 a.m. The lineup includes performances from Scarlett Business, Anetra, and DJ Mark Kanemura.
After brunch, the party shifts upstairs to SWELL, the resort’s 17,000-square-foot rooftop pool deck overlooking Waikiki Beach. From 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., the venue hosts the annual Lei Pool Party, complete with live DJs, themed cocktails, and poolside programming.
Year-Round Support and Perks
While the October weekend brings the big crowds, the resort is shifting its focus to support LGBTQ+ travelers throughout the calendar year.
“It’s important to us that our LGBTQ+ travelers feel welcomed, celebrated and supported year-round, not just during Pride season,” Baer said. “With that in mind, this year we expanded our annual PRIDE Amplified Package to be a year-round offering, allowing guests to experience the resort’s welcoming atmosphere beyond Honolulu Pride weekend.”
He pointed to ongoing events as proof of that commitment, including “programming throughout the year that celebrates and supports the community, including a recent June event we hosted in partnership with Under the Wig Productions.”
The PRIDE Amplified Package offers overnight guests 15 percent off their stay, a welcome amenity, and a $50 resort credit that works across their on-site restaurants, FIT Waikiki fitness classes, DRIP Hawaii recovery experiences, and Spa U’ilani.
Parent company Highgate Hawaii, which manages ‘Alohilani, The Twin Fin Hotel, and Romer House Waikiki, has sponsored Honolulu Pride for the last four years. Baer noted that the connection comes down to a shared responsibility within the community.
“Independent of the professional titles we hold, we are unified in our status as equal members of the Hawaiian ‘Ohana, and as such we all have a responsibility to protect and uphold one another’s fundamental individuation, inclusivity and aloha for all,” Baer said.
That local connection involves working directly with the Hawai’i LGBT Legacy Foundation, the organization behind Honolulu Pride, as well as local groups like Under the Wig Productions. Across the street, sister property The Twin Fin Hotel is running a parallel Pride offer, donating $10 from every stay to local health organizations like the Hawaii Health & Harm Reduction Center, Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, and The Gregory House Foundation.
Click here to learn more about ‘Alohilani Resort’s PRIDE Amplified Package and book your stay.