Field Guide: Fresh Ideas for Pau Hana

Instead of hitting the bar after work, why not try something new? We found five relaxing pau hana happenings.

1. Stargazing at the Hokulani Imaginarium

Learn about constellations, the moon’s cycles and orbiting planets while viewing the night sky. The stargazing takes place the second Wednesday of each month inside the 66- seat Hokulani Imaginarium, a high-tech planetarium and multimedia facility. The imaginarium is part of the Windward Community College campus. Education specialist Krissie Kellogg will be on hand to help identify constellations and keep the audience up to date on celestial happenings, such as meteor showers or eclipses. “Each show is different because the sky is constantly changing,” says Imaginarium manager Nancy Ali. Wednesday, May 12 at 7 p.m., $3, 45-720 Keaahala Road, aerospace.wcc.hawaii.edu.

Did You Know?

The dome of the 66-seat Hokulani Imaginarium (Hokulani means “starry heavens” in Hawaiian) is 40 feet tall, or about four stories high. It also serves as the planetarium’s screen.

2. Heaven on Earth Pau Hana

Avoid the weekday traffic jam after work by slipping into Heaven on Earth for a massage or facial. From 3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, you can enjoy treatments such as a soothing half-session massage, shampoo and style, or a pedicure. To top it off, each treatment is $5 off and you can sip on a complimentary glass of wine while you’re getting your toes done. “It’s great for the downtown crowd,” says owner Lora Nakai. “We’ve been getting a lot of groups of girlfriends who come in after work and treat themselves to a small indulgence.” 1050 Alakea St., 599-5501, heavenonearthhawaii.com. 
 

3. Netplay

On the second Tuesday of each month, head to the Cupola at the Honolulu Design Center for an evening of wine from Amuse Wine Bar, $5 pupu specials and a chance to network with other professionals over a game of Scrabble, Pictionary or while playing on a Wii. “It’s an opportunity to network, but it’s less intimidating and traditional,” says Leena Haija, the marketing and events coordinator. “But over a game of Jenga you can exchange cards.” Haija says that anywhere from 30 to 70 people attend each month. Tuesday, May 11, 6 to 9 p.m.,1250 Kapiolani Blvd., 630-9184.
 

4. AloHAA

On the second Thursday of each month the Academy stays open until 9 p.m. The Pavilion Cafe also serves pupu, beer and wine, while musicians perform. “We realized that during the week, working stiffs who might want to come to the museum can’t—our hours are the exact same as office hours,” says communications director Lesa Griffith. The Academy’s other monthly nightly event, Art After Dark, is more about the scene, where AloHAA is more about the art. “It’s a mellow, sophisticated way to spend the early evening.” Thursday, May 13, 5 to 9 p.m., $10. 900 S.Beretania St., 532-8700, honoluluacademy.org.
  

5. Shopping Serenades

What’s better than a little retail therapy after a long day at work? How about sitting down to a free concert, too? That’s the inspiration behind Shopping Serenades at the Nordstrom wing of Ala Moana Center. From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 20, listen to live performances by Taimane Gardner and Hookena on stage. There will also be in-store events and shopping specials in the wing. The monthly spring concert series started in March, so be sure to catch this last one. alamoanacenter.com.