Summer Concert at the Zoo

Every summer the Honolulu Zoo holds a summer concert series.  We finally got the chance to head there to hear some music last week and hopefully we'll make it back a time or two before their final summer concert on August 10, 2011.

The concerts are held on the zoo's large lawn area.  Seating is on the grass, so take a blanket and/or some chairs to sit on.  You can only see flamingos and elephants at this time of the day as the rest of the zoo is closed off, so if you're taking kids you can let them know they won't be seeing many animals on this zoo trip.

After we got there and had seen the flamingos and elephants we checked out the keiki coloring contest tent but they'd already run out of pictures to color.  We looked at the animal skeletons and snake skins they had on display and then found a spot to eat our picnic supper and listen to the music.  The featured artist the evening we were there was Kelly Boy Delima.  You can listen to samples of his music at this link: Jus Kelly Boy.  He was joined by his two daughters and you can hear samples of their family singing together here: Kupu A'e.

You can take your own food for a picnic supper or you can purchase food there.  Here's what they had available last week.  I assume this stays the same from week to week, but can't promise that.

Except for the fact that both of our kids were in a whiney mood (and by whiney I mean unhappy, grumpy and miserable to hang out with) it was a lovely evening.  (Just keeping it real for all the other parents out there who are reading this.)  If you haven't already, check out a concert at the zoo!

Do it yourself on Oahu

Location:  On the corner of Kapahulu and Kalakaua Aves. at 151 Kapahulu Avenue, Waikiki, Hawaii 

Hours:  Gates open for the concerts at 4:35pm.  Music is from 6-7pm.

Parking:  The zoo parking lot is adjacent to the zoo along Kapahulu Ave.  This lot is metered parking.  If you park here, enter through the zoo's main entrance.  You can also park for free in the Waikiki Shell parking lot which is along Monsarrat on the other side of the zoo.  For the concerts a side gate across from this parking lot is opened, so enter there if you park on that side of the zoo.

Facilities:  There are restrooms that are not too far from the lawn where the concerts are held.  I didn't see a baby changing station in them.

Cost:  $3 per person (members and non-members)

Other:  High back chairs are not allowed, though when we were there this wasn't enforced.  Alcohol is not allowed either.

More info:  To see a list of the musical guests and other information, visit Wildest Show Concert Series