The Honolulu LGBTQ community truly embodies the aloha spirit — one of love, friendship, and acceptance. In fact, same-sex and bisexual relationships have been present and widely accepted in Hawaiian culture dating back to ancient times. The term aikāne defines such relationships in the Hawaiian language, and māhū refers to a “third gender” alongside male and female.
Today, Hawaii is known for its welcoming culture and is home to many LGBTQ-friendly establishments, events, and festivals, including October’s PRIDE festival, which brings an impressive parade and parties all weekend long. Your trip to Oahu will be hotter than the Waikiki sun with this comprehensive guide to the best places to experience Honolulu’s unique queer culture, from bars to restaurants, nightlife to daytime, and adventures and places to stay.