Where to Take Fun Classes on O‘ahu

New year, new hobbies, crafts and skills for you to acquire at studios and community centers around town.

January 16, 2026

Andrea Lee,

Editor’s note: This roundup, first published in 2025, has been updated for this year.

Ben Franklin Crafts

This local craft store not only sells the materials you need to pursue new artsy endeavors but also hosts classes that can help get you started on the journey. You can learn to crochet lei, make resin coasters, put together keychains and more.

Multiple locations, benfranklinhawaii.com, @bfcrafts

SEE ALSO: 42 Amazing Things to Do

Photo: Courtesy of Downtown Art Center

Downtown Art Center

The DAC holds art classes every month, some standalone and others across multiple sessions. Saturday’s Making Art for Art’s Sake covers a different workshop each week, from woodburning to marble painting.

1041 Nu‘uanu Ave., Downtown, downtownarthi.org, @downtownartcenter

Photos: Courtesy of Fishschool

Fishcake

The Fishschool art studio within Fishcake hosts various workshops, from sewing to making clay trinkets. If you’ve ever wanted to try wheel throwing, intro classes are offered periodically. And if you fall in love with it, you can apply for the open studio membership to continue your pottery practice.

307C Kamani St., Kaka‘ako, fishcake.us, @fishschoolhawaii

Photo: Courtesy of Hana Kitchens

Hana Kitchens

Learn how to cook pasta, sushi, pastries and more from local chefs while enjoying a meal cooked by your instructor, often paired with wine or another spirit. All January classes have sold out. Follow Hana Kitchens on Instagram and sign up for the email newsletter to get the latest updates on the next available classes.

55 Merchant St., Suite 20, Downtown, hanakitchens.com, @hanakitchens

Hawai‘i Handweavers Hui

Don’t let the hui’s name fool you; its classes cover much more than hand-weaving. All things textile and fiber are explored, from punch needling to boro sashiko to loom weaving.

Downtown Art Center, 1041 Nu‘uanu Ave., second floor, Downtown, hawaiihandweavers.org, @hawaiihandweavershui

Photo: Courtesy Of HiClimb

HiClimb

The Kaka‘ako climbing gym offers Climbing 101 for newbies that covers knots, belaying (rope management), harnesses and climbing as well as including two day passes and rental equipment, all for $60 for kama‘āina. Alternatively, a first visit comes with rental gear and a quicker intro to climbing, plus kama‘āina enjoy a discounted first visit rate of $29, then $32 for a return visit. Plus, a day pass gives you access to the onsite yoga and fitness classes, which you should reserve ahead of time. There’s also a weekly class dedicated to empowering women with rope and lead climbing skills.

825 Ilaniwai St., Kaka‘ako, hawaiiclimb.com, @hiclimbhawaii

Photo: Courtesy of Honolulu Museum of Art

Honolulu Museum of Art

Artists of all ages can learn at HoMA, with some classes dedicated to keiki, ‘ohana and kūpuna. For the spring session that runs from April to June, registration will open on Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. The options include Drawing, Painting, Ceramics, Fiber Arts, Printmaking, Multimedia and Metalsmithing and Jewelry-Making. There are also shorter classes available, from sketching to oil painting to printmaking, for adults and keiki.

900 S Beretania St., Makiki, honolulumuseum.org, @honolulumuseum

Photo: Denise Karabinus

Honolulu Printmakers

Learn all things printmaking, from screenprinting to intaglio to risography, at this downtown studio. While most classes hosted onsite are paid, there are occasional free workshops. Coming up soon: Relief Printing Wood Blocks at Hawai‘i Plantation Village’s New Year Celebration on Feb. 7, plus Learn to Screenprint Valentines at Honolulu Waldorf School’s Waldorfaire on Feb. 14. Follow Honolulu Printmakers on Instagram for the latest updates on classes.

888 Mililani St., Suite 701, Downtown, honoluluprintmakers.org, @honoluluprintmakers

‘Iolani Palace

Every second Sunday of the month, ‘Iolani Palace hosts Kama‘āina Sunday, a free event for local families to enjoy music, entertainment and crafts. Past craft workshops have covered how to make lei kupe‘e (bracelets), lauhala anthuriums and feather hairpieces. Some classes require signups, while others welcome walk-ins.

364 S King St., Downtown, iolanipalace.org, @iolanipalacehi

Photos: Courtesy of Nendo Studio Hawai‘i

Nendo Studio Hawai‘i

Formerly known as Hawai‘i Ceramic Supply, this ceramic studio offers introductory wheel throwing classes that can be taken as a series or individually, with all materials and firing included. There are even private lessons for one to three students. Or if you’d like to take on a single project at a time, check out the upcoming one- to two-day ceramic workshops, which include making a maneki neko (lucky cat) and hand-built mug.

1920 Colburn St. Suite A, Kalihi, nendostudiohawaii.com, @nendostudiohawaii

North Shore Arts Center

Ceramics, glass and metalsmithing are all crafts taught here at this studio space in the Waialua Sugar Mill. A variety of intro and intermediate classes are offered as well as one-day workshops, kids’ classes and date nights. If you’re really inspired to continue your art, sign up for a membership for full access to the studio.

106 Kealohanui St., Waialua, nsartscenter.com, @northshoreartscenter

Parks and Recreation

Registration is open for the Parks & Rec Spring Program. The activities range from archery and canoeing to cooking and lei-making, with many tailored for keiki and kūpuna. There are even virtual offerings and, best of all, many classes are free.

Click on “Activities” at pros8.hnl.info

Queen Emma Summer Palace

Learn how to do yoga mixed with Hawaiian healing practices and sew a Hawaiian quilt at Hānaiakamalama. Classes are held weekly, and general admission is just $5 ($2 for members). There is also a free weekly ‘ukulele class (bring your own instrument).

2913 Pali Highway, Liliha, daughtersofhawaii.org, @queenemmasummerpalace

Andrea Lee is the digital editor of HONOLULU Magazine.