Your Guide to the Perfect Labor Day Weekend in Honolulu: Aug. 28–Sept. 3, 2025
Cheer on the Rainbow Wāhine volleyball team, play at the ‘Ewa Carnival, attend a swimwear fashion show, see a new deep sea exhibit and more.
Photo: Courtesy of Hawai‘i Athletics
Hawaiian Airlines Wāhine Volleyball Classic
Friday, Aug. 29, to Sunday, Aug. 31
Cheer on the Rainbow Wāhine at their season opener against Marquette on Friday and matchups versus Utah State and San Diego on Saturday and Sunday as part of this annual tournament. The team was recently voted first in the Big West conference’s preseason coaches’ poll, so expectations are high.
Family-friendly, tickets range from $15 to $28 for adults, $10 to $15 for seniors and $6 to $9 for youth, SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center, Mānoa, hawaiiathletics.com, @hawaiiwvb
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The ‘Ewa Carnival
Saturday, Aug. 30, and Sunday, Aug. 31, 2 to 10 p.m.
With no 50th State Fair this summer, here’s your chance to squeal on E.K. Fernandez rides, play games, win prizes and pig out on fair food from local food trucks. There will also be live music throughout the event.
Family-friendly, $10 adult presale, $5 child under 5 presale, $15 adult at the door, $10 child under 5 at the door, Wai Kai Event Lawn, 91-1621 Keoneula Blvd., ‘Ewa Beach, tmrevents.net, @tmrevents
SEE ALSO: Your Insider Guide to Okinawan Festival
Photo: Courtesy of Hawai‘i Swim Show
Hawai‘i Swim Show
Saturday, Aug. 30, and Sunday, Aug. 31
Vendor Marketplace 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fashion Show 7 p.m.
Think: Fashion Week, but exclusively for swim and resort wear. Watch models strut the runway wearing world-renowned and local brands, such as Salted, Evamele, 2BDesired, Leimakani and more. You can also shop the looks at the vendor marketplace featuring 40 designers selling swimwear, resort wear, active wear, jewelry and other accessories.
Free admission to the vendor marketplace, fashion show general admission is sold out, $150 fashion show VIP ticket, ‘Alohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach, 2490 Kalākaua Ave., hiswimshow.com, @hawaiiswimshow
SEE ALSO: O‘ahu Bon Dance Schedule 2025
Photo: Courtesy of Waikīkī Improvement Association
Sunset on the Beach Movie
Saturday, Aug. 30, 4:15 p.m. activities, 7:15 p.m. movie
Enjoy the magic of golden hour on Waikīkī Beach and watch a showing of this month’s flick, Wicked (PG), as part of the summer film series. Remember to bring your beach chair and arrive early for pre-show live music, games and photo ops.
Family-friendly, free, Queen’s Beach, Kalākaua Ave., Waikīkī, southwestairlineshawaii.com, @waikikiimprovement
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Smother
Thursday, Aug. 28, through Sunday, Sept. 28
Kumu Kahua Theatre kicks off its 55th season with this mother-daughter dramedy written by Sara Ward. Witness the story of a meddlesome mother who goes to extreme lengths to control her daughter’s love life at this intimate 100-seat playhouse.
$8 to $28, Kumu Kahua Theatre, 46 Merchant St., Downtown, kumukahua.org, @kumukahua
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Photo: Courtesy of Battleship Missouri Memorial
80th Commemoration of the End of WWII
Saturday, Aug. 30, through Tuesday, Sept. 2
The Battleship Missouri Memorial and Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum are going all out to celebrate this anniversary. Jam to Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band at an outdoor concert, watch a film screening with a celebrity discussion panel, enjoy hands-on flying activities, meet and greet with real-life veteran heroes and tour a new exhibit, Pathway to Peace: The USS Missouri’s World War II Experience, opening Sept. 2.
Family-friendly, free, event registration required, Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, ussmissouri.org, @pearlharboraviationmuseum
SEE ALSO: O‘ahu Pop-Up Market Guide: Where and When to Find Them
Photo: Courtesy of Waimea Valley
Summer Concert at Waimea Valley
Saturday, Aug. 30, 2 to 5 p.m.
Lounge and listen to top-notch music and hula performances on the valley’s verdant main lawn. This month’s set includes Pomai and Friends, Hawaiian Style Band, “Kumz” with Hālau I Ka Wekiu and Hālau Ka Pā Nani o Lilinoe. Bring a beach chair and a picnic, or opt to purchase food and drinks there.
Family-friendly, $20 adult online presale, $18 senior and keiki online presale, $25 adults at the door, $20 seniors and keiki at the door, 59-864 Kamehameha Highway, Hale‘iwa, waimeavalley.net, @waimeavalleyoahu
SEE ALSO: Your Insider Guide to Empty Bowl Hawai‘i
An Evening With Phil Rosenthal
Friday, Aug. 29, 8 p.m.
Talk story with the creator of the TV sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond and star of Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil. The moderated conversation will include heartfelt stories from his life, career, travels and love of food, plus plenty of humor sprinkled in.
$55 to $111, Hawai‘i Theatre Center, 1130 Bethel St., Chinatown, hawaiitheatre.com, @hawaiitheatre
SEE ALSO: Shop Talk: New and Opening Soon O‘ahu Stores
Photo: Richard L. Pyle
Explore EXCORE: The Art of Underwater Science
Sunday, Aug. 24, through Sunday, March 22, 2026
Ever seen a nudibranch? Go deep at this new Bishop Museum exhibit showcasing some of the world’s most unexplored oceanic regions and un-encountered aquatic creatures. You’ll view crystal-clear underwater videos, originally captured in 8K resolution, of coral, nudibranchs (aka sea slugs) and other rare marine life.
Family-friendly, exhibit included with museum admission, $24.95 adult kama‘āina admission, $22.95 senior kama‘āina admission, $20.95 youth kama‘āina admission, 1525 Bernice St., Kalihi, bishopmuseum.org, @bishopmuseum
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Pet ’n’ Wild
Sunday, Aug. 31, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
In an unlikely but adorable pairing, the petting zoo meets the waterpark this weekend in Kapolei. Interact with cuddly animals, such as alpacas, mini-horses, donkeys, rabbits, chickens, goats and more. Pony rides will also be available for a fee.
Family-friendly, $49.99 single-day kama‘āina and military admission online presale, $66.99 general admission, Wet ’n’ Wild Hawai‘i, 400 Farrington Highway, Kapolei, wetnwildhawaii.com, @wetnwildhawaii
SEE ALSO: Save the Date: Can’t-Miss Family-Friendly Events on O‘ahu in 2025
Laura Dornbush is a regular contributor to HONOLULU Magazine. @ldornbush
