Honolulu Calendar: The Best Events and Things to Do on O‘ahu in October 2021

Editor’s Note: We recommend checking event social media channels and websites for any last-minute changes.

Photo: Thomas Obungen

DINING

SLURP Like No One is Watching

Oct. 6

Ramen, udon, pho, pancit, look fun: There are so many deliciously long noods to choose from when you’re celebrating National Noodle Day. We suggest trying SingMaTei’s laksa noodle soups, Youpo Noodles’ thick and spicy hand-pulled noodles or making your own udon at home. Visit our extensive noodle archive for chef Masaharu Morimoto’s recipe and to check out some other options.

Lance Kosaka is one of the local chefs collaborating with mainland chefs for the Hawai‘i Food and Wine Festival. Photo: Catherine Toth Fox

FESTIVAL

EAT Like the Diet Starts Monday

Oct. 14–24

The 11th annual Hawai‘i Food and Wine Festival returns with a collection of smaller events, which are designed to educate attendees on how to not only care for the land but also appreciate our state’s natural resources. Twelve events are scheduled on O‘ahu this month, including an Italian wine- and food-focused “Mamma Mia!” at Noe (Oct. 15); a decadent “Sweet and Savory” brunch with chef Elizabeth Falkner and Hawai‘i’s own Colin Hazama of C4 Table and Robynne Mai‘i of Fête (Oct. 17, 11 a.m.); and a collaboration of local and mainland talents such as Jose Garces paired with Lance Kosaka and Alan Taksaki, at “Night at the Opera!” (Oct 20). Guests are required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result taken 48 hours prior to the event.

$125–$6,000, Various Locations, hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com, @hifoodwinefest

Photo: Getty Images

HOLIDAY

SCREAM Like Halloween Isn’t Canceled (Again)

Let’s face it: Most of us have a costume we’ve been working on since November 2019. Will we be out shoulder to shoulder at an outdoor block party? Probably not. Will we be able to turn our pandemic dens into the fall- and Halloween-themed scenes we’ve been Pinterest-planning for days, months, years even? Absolutely. First, head over to The Great Pumpkin Festival at Holy Nativity School (Oct. 21–24) for nightly drive-in movies and one day of pumpkin picking. Next, follow the link below for our foolproof guide to having the best Halloween at home and then stream one of the many spooky flicks and shows on Netflix and Hulu (try American Horror Stories—a spinoff of the American Horror Story anthology series—or, if you haven’t seen Train to Busan, then run, do not walk, to the nearest smart TV). Still wondering what to do with the costume? Have your own personal Halloween around town that entire weekend while you run errands.

honolulumagazine.com/honolulu-halloween-boo-nanza

COMEDY

Drew Lynch

Rescheduled to April 2

From the audience of America’s Got Talent’s 10th season to his 1.6 million YouTube subscribers, Drew Lynch is always surrounded by laughs. Need a reminder of who this funny man is? Watch a clip of his  appearance on the NBC talent show where he scored Howie Mandel’s Golden Buzzer.

$35–$55, Hawai‘i Theatre Center, hawaiitheatre.com, @hawaiitheatre

VOLUNTEER

The Coral Conservancy

Help restore life to Hawai‘i’s reefs and color to our beautiful ocean by planting new coral. Fill out a volunteer form on the conservancy’s website.

Various locations, thecoralconservancy.org, @the.coral.conservancy

FESTIVAL

Harvest Moon Dance Benefit

Postponed

Join in celebration of the harvest moon. With every ticket purchase, a native Hawaiian tree will be planted in Waimea Valley’s restoration forest.

Price TBA, Waimea Valley, waimeavalley.net, @waimeavalley

CHARITY & SPORTS

Komen Hawai‘i Race for the Cure

Oct. 17, 7 a.m.

Get your sweat on with a team or as an individual at this 5K run/walk fundraising event for breast cancer research. Not up to it? How about volunteering on race day instead?

$15–$50, Kapi‘olani Park, komenhawaii.org

This story originally appeared as “October Picks” in the October 2021 issue of HONOLULU Magazine. Get your copy at shop.honolulumagazine.com and subscribe to the print and digital editions now.

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