The 11 Best Events on O‘ahu in April 2019
Picnic at a celebratory kanikapila, try a new spin on Spam and say goodbye to the funkmaster general.
THEATRE
Allegiance
March 28–Sunday, April 7 | Times vary
Image: Courtesy of Mānoa Valley Theatre
The only new show in Mānoa Valley Theatre’s 50th anniversary season is a Hawai‘i premiere of this Broadway musical. Allegiance follows the Kimura family in California after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Sam and his sister, Kei, are forced out of their homes to an internment camp in Wyoming. The siblings react in different ways: Sam enlists to prove his patriotism while Kei rebels against the unfair treatment. We predict sold-out shows.
Hawai‘i Theatre, $35–$75, manoavalleytheatre.com
SEE ALSO: Your Ultimate Guide to the 2019 Hawaiian Scottish Festival & Highland Games
HISTORY
History Theatre and Evening Tour
Friday, April 5 | 5 p.m.
Photo: courtesy of hawaiian mission houses
Two visitors from the 1800s will stop by for an evening of historical stories. Actors will play the parts of William Cooper Parke, the marshal of the Kingdom of Hawai‘i during the smallpox epidemic of 1853, and Lucy Kaopaulu Peabody, a lady-in-waiting to Queen Emma who brought back the royal Ka‘ahumanu Society. The ticket includes a cocktail hour before the centuries-old stories begin.
Hawaiian Mission Houses, $25, missionhouses.org
SEE ALSO: 6 Walking Tours That Explore O‘ahu’s Rich History and Culture
MUSIC
George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic
Thursday, April 11–Sunday, April 14 | 8 p.m.
PHOTO: courtesy of blue note hawai‘i
First came his memoir, then a set of albums. Now this tour caps off the end of funkmaster George Clinton’s days on the road. Hawai‘i is one of the 77-year-old’s three stops before his official farewell in May, just a few months after he received the lifetime achievement award at the Grammys. He’ll play four shows here, then he’s gone.
Blue Note Hawai‘i, $110–$175, bluenotehawaii.com
SEE ALSO: 9 Honolulu Concerts to Catch in April 2019
CARNIVAL
‘Iolani Fair
Friday, April 12–Saturday, April 13 | noon to 10:30 p.m.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF ‘IOLANI SCHOOL
This year’s theme is Barnyard Bash. But we know you really go for the jumbo turkey leg.
‘Iolani School, Free, iolanifair.org
SEE ALSO: 9 Easter Brunch Buffets You Can Still Hop To in 2019
FITNESS
The Hapalua
Sunday, April 14 | 6 a.m.
All those who didn’t know that hapalua means “half” in Hawaiian, raise your hand. (Just us?) The half-marathon begins in Waikīkī, circles around Diamond Head, then goes Downtown and back to Kapi‘olani Park. There is no time limit for the 13.1-mile course, but last year’s fastest runner was done in 1 hour, 4 minutes. Perhaps it was the fresh malassadas promised at the finish line.
Waikīkī and Honolulu, Free, thehapalua.com
SEE ALSO: 10 Hawai‘i Races to Watch in 2019
FILM
Ben Hur 60th Anniversary
Sunday, April 14 and Wednesday, April 17 | Times vary
Chariot races are much better on the big screen. So is Charlton Heston’s voice in surround sound.
Regal Dole Cannery, $13, tcm.com/fathom
SEE ALSO: Best of the Fests: O‘ahu’s 21 Annual Ethnic Festivals
FESTIVAL
Gabby Pahinui Waimānalo Kanikapila
Saturday, April 20 | 9 a.m.
Photo: courtesy of chelle pahinui
Celebrate the legacy of Gabby and Cyril Pahinui with music at the 12th annual kanikapila. Food and educational booths will be at the park, but the best part of this free event—which also honors the birthdays of father Gabby (April 22) and son Cyril (April 21)—is the casual camaraderie of the musicians who join in the old-school jam sessions. Next year, the kanikapila will be renamed after Cyril, who passed away last year.
Waimānalo Beach Park, Free, gabbypahinui.com
SEE ALSO: Renowned Hawaiian Musician Cyril Pahinui Remembered
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Yoga and Mindful Hike
Saturday, April 20 | 9:30 a.m.
Stretch out, then take a hike at this vast park tucked away in Mānoa Valley. Arrive early to find parking or you’ll have to work off extra stress.
Lyon Arboretum, $20, manoa.hawaii.edu/lyonarboretum
FOOD FESTIVAL
Spam Jam Festival
Saturday, April 27 | 4–10 p.m.
Spam lau lau is guaranteed. Spam ice pops or Spam kouign amann? You’ll have to wait and see.
Kalākaua Avenue, Free, spamjamhawaii.com
MUSIC
Arlo Guthrie—“Alice’s Restaurant” 50th Anniversary Concert
Saturday, April 27 | 8 p.m.
His protest has ebbed a bit, but 50 years after Guthrie’s debut anti-war song launched him into folk song stardom, he’s back on tour. His daughter, songwriter and singer Sarah Lee Guthrie, will open the evening.
Hawai‘i Theatre, $58–$88, hawaiitheatre.com
SEE ALSO: For more events in April, visit honolulumagazine.com’s online calendar
Looking for fun new ways to experience the city? HONOLULU’s got you covered with HNLTix, your brand-new local resource for all things social—fundraisers, concerts, comedy shows, expos and everything in between. Discover your next can’t-miss event, share your favorites with friends, or promote your own event and sell tickets online. To see what’s coming up next in Honolulu, visit HNLTix.com.
Find more events at honolulufamily.com/calendar and honolulumagazine.com/calendar.
