Welcome to Oahu’s unofficial “Irish Corner,” where everyday is St. Patrick’s Day. Irish eatery Murphy’s Bar & Grill has called this corner of the Chinatown Arts District its home for decades – where it serves traditional Irish fare, like corned beef and cabbage. Right across the street, O’Toole’s Irish Pub takes care of the drinks. Irish Whiskey and Guinness Irish Stout, anyone?
Once a year, the corner really comes to life. That’s when St. Paddy’s Day festivities kick off, and a sea of green Guinness-drinking lads and lassies pour through the intersection of Merchant Street and Nuuanu Avenue.
A huge block party and parade attracts thousands of revelers every year. Initially, it started out as a small – yet boisterous – party confined within the Irish restaurant and pub. That’s until partygoers began to spill out into the streets, and there was no other option but to go big! Today, the massive street party of food, music and beers is the talk of the town every St. Paddy’s Day.
While adults look forward to the nighttime street festivities and oyster shooters, kids enjoy the keiki corner of face painting and crafts. There’s also the day parade, which is way more mellow and doesn’t involve any boozing. The parade goes from Fort DeRussy Park, through Waikiki and ends at Kapiolani Park. Like most Hawaii parades, this one is very cultural – complete with Irish bagpipes and kilts.
Irish or not, St. Patrick’s Day is a big deal in Hawaii that’s fun for the entire family. So, come dressed in green or in your fanciest kilt and see if you’ve really got the luck of the Irish in you!
ANNUAL ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE AND BLOCK PARTY • Honolulu, Hawaii • www.fosphawaii.ning.com/events and www.murphyshawaii.com/st-patricks-day/
