Memorial Day weekend is almost synonymous with beach BBQs in Hawaii, as both locals and vistors alike start looking forward to summer by heading to one of Hawaii’s beaches. Surf is rising on the South Shores so it’s a great time to try your hand at surfing or stand up paddle boarding.
Memorial Day is also a time to remember those who gave their lives for our country, so military cemeteries around the state will have American flags as well as flower lei placed on each grave. On Oahu, the National Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl holds the largest ceremony in the state, but you can find listings for Veteran’s cemeteries on the other islands here. Each year, 50,000 flower lei are collected from the public to be placed at each gravesite.
If you’ll be on Oahu for Memorial Day, a popular ceremony is held yearly at Magic Island featuring thousands of floating lanterns launched at the shore at sunset. It’s a gorgeous evening, and a great way to remember your loved ones who have passed on. Details here.
May is the beginning of the summer season in Hawaii. This means the days get longer, temperatures rise a bit, and there is generally less rainfall than during the winter months. Memorial Day is the last major holiday before the prime summer crowd hits, so you may also get lucky and find deals on accommodation and activities.
If you’re planning a trip to Hawaii for the long weekend, consider making it an even longer weekend. The best days to travel over Memorial Day are pretty much any days other than Friday and Monday as that’s when most people are heading into and out of town and those are the days when the airport will be most crowded and flight prices will be at their most expensive.Instead, see if you can extend your trip by a day or two. Leave Thursday and come back on Tuesday and you may avoid the bulk of the crowds and save a bit of money on your flights.
>> Flights to Hawaii
>> Travel Deals to Hawaii
>> Hotels in Hawaii
>> Hostels in Hawaii
>> Beach camping in Hawaii – While the weather is gorgeous for camping on the beach during this time of year, many local families will be taking advantage of this as well, so it is likely that permits will sell out far in advance. Book very early if you are trying to get a permit to camp during this (or any) holiday weekend.
