The 25 Best Events on O‘ahu in September 2019
Take your pick of three festivals, a Pixar classic on the beach, two sporting events, a meaningful pau hana and the high notes of a legendary ’60s band.
CULTURE
Aloha Festivals
Saturday, August 31–Saturday, September 28 | Various times
PHOTO: COURTESY OF ALOHA FESTIVALS
This year’s annual 29-day event has colorful cultural activities for everyone. But the two can’t-miss events are the Waikīkī Ho‘olaule‘a (said to be Hawai‘i’s largest block party) on Sept. 21, and the Floral Parade, the closing ceremony of the festival, on Sept. 29. Visit our online calendar for more details and read about veteran pā‘ū rider Faith Kalamau.
Waikīkī, various prices, alohafestivals.com
SEE ALSO: Your Guide to the 2019 Aloha Festivals on O‘ahu
FESTIVAL
Okinawan Festival 2019
Saturday, August 31–Sunday, September 1 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Video: Aaron K. Yoshino
SEE ALSO: Your Ultimate Guide to the 2019 Okinawan Festival
SPORTS
50th Annual Waikīkī Roughwater Swim
Monday, September 2 | 8:30 a.m.
photo: cyndia michelle
Meet the oldest female competitor of the Waikīkī Roughwater Swim as she gears up for the 50th anniversary of the race.
SEE ALSO: Your Weekly Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu
CHARITY
Pau Hana for Literacy
Thursday, September 5 | 6–9 p.m.
photo: courtesy of hawai‘i literacy
Hawai‘i Literacy organization estimates 1 in 6 adults in our state struggles with reading and writing. Word up with this pau hana fundraiser. Tickets include two drinks, dinner and dessert and support the organization’s five free literacy programs for adults and keiki. Meet the man behind Murphy’s and the 11th annual fundraiser.
Murphy’s Bar & Grill, $45, hawaiiliteracy.org
SEE ALSO: HONOLULU Magazine’s Summer 2019 Bucket List: The 53 Best Things to Do on O‘ahu
ART
PhotoCon Hawai‘i 2019
Thursday, September 5–Sunday, September 8 | 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Pīkake Theatre at the Blaisdell Center, $100
BLOCK PARTY
Chinatown First Friday
Friday, September 6 | Starts at 5 p.m.
MUSIC
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
Friday, September 6 & Saturday, September 7 | 8 p.m.
Thanks to the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical about The Four Seasons, Frankie Valli has been enjoying a pop culture comeback. And we’re here for it. The original lead singer of the 1960s doo-wop quartet—and only original member still performing with the group—and his band bring the nostalgic tunes to the Blaisdell for two shows. Oh, what a night … or weekend.
Blaisdell Concert Hall, $59.50–$145, bampproject.com
FOOD
2019 Hale ‘Aina Celebration Presented by First Hawaiian Bank
Saturday, September 7 | (5:30 p.m. for VIP) 6:30–9:30 p.m.
HONOLULU Magazine has gone Gold with its biggest foodie event of the year. The Hale ‘Aina Celebration presented by First Hawaiian Bank brings together some of our Best Restaurant winners so you can dine on unlimited dishes and sips, for the first time set against the amazing sunset from the ‘Alohilani Resort’s Swell Deck. Treat yourself and purchase a VIP ticket, which includes early admission, access to additional dishes and an air-conditioned lounge.
$125–$4,000, ‘Alohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach, 2490 Kalākaua Ave., Swell Pool Deck. For more information and to purchase tickets, go here.
MUSIC
Elijah Sky at Blue Note Hawai‘i
Wednesday, September 11 | 6:30 p.m. & 9 p.m. shows
Video: David Croxford
CHARITY
The Good Table Hawai‘i
Thursday, September 12 | 6–9 p.m.
COOKING DEMO
Moana Masters: Elevating the Thanksgiving and Christmas Feasts
Saturday, September 14 | noon–2 p.m.
SEE ALSO: Hale ‘Aina Happenings: Here’s What’s New With Hawai‘i Restaurants in August 2019
ENTERTAINMENT
Southwest Presents: Sunset on the Beach
Saturday, September 14 | 4:30–10 p.m.
Photo: Courtesy of southwest airlines
We’re looking forward to September’s movie night on the beach for two reasons: the cooler fall night air and because this month’s movie is Pixar’s Up. Adventurers at heart, dog lovers and fans of small mailmen (watch it and you’ll get it) will all enjoy the hilarious and inspiring movie—after those famous heartbreaking first 10 minutes, of course. Up begins around 7:30 p.m. but live music and games begin at 4:30 p.m. BYO-beach and picnic gear!
Queen’s Surf Beach, free, southwest.com
NIGHTLIFE
Honolulu Marvel Trivia Bar Crawl
Saturday, September 14 | 4 p.m.–midnight
FOOD
Le Dîner en Blanc Honolulu 2019
Saturday, September 14 | 5–10 p.m.
CONFERENCE
SmallBiz Academy: Preventing: “You’ve been hacked!”
Thursday, September 19 | 8:30–10:30 a.m.
ENTERTAINMENT
Sunset on the Beach Screenings of Hawai‘i Five-0 and Magnum P.I.
Catch the premieres (and stars!) of both Hawai‘i-filmed CBS shows at Queen’s Surf Beach in Waikīkī at the 10th annual Sunset on the Beach event. Hawai‘i Five-0 will premiere it’s tenth season while Magnum P.I. launches into it’s second. Oh, and if seeing Alex O’Loughlin and Jay Hernandez isn’t enough, the Grammy Award-winning band Train is making a special appearance at the event.
SEE ALSO: 41 Thoughts We Had While Watching the New “Magnum P.I.”
MUSIC
Doja Cat Live in Honolulu
Thursday, September 19 | 8–10 p.m.
SPORTS & FITNESS
Hawai‘i Open: AVP Beach Volleyball
Friday, September 20–Sunday, September 22 | 9 a.m.
PHOTO: mpu dinani
Tall and muscular athletes from all over the country are set to storm one of Waikīkī’s parks for the eighth and final leg of the 2019 pro volleyball tour. After the success of last year’s Hawai‘i invitational, the Association of Volleyball Professionals returns to the home of many of its pro athletes.
Fort DeRussy, free to watch, avp.ticketspice.com
FESTIVAL
VegFest
Saturday, September 21 | 11:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
This festival highlights plant-based sustainable living practices as well as environmental and health topics. Plus there are cooking demos, samples of dishes from local businesses and earth-friendly products for sale.
Frank F. Fasi Civic Grounds, free, vegfestoahu.com
SEE ALSO: Your Ultimate Guide to Living Your Best Vegetarian Life at the 2019 VegFest O‘ahu
PHOTOGRAPHY
Bishop Museum Presents Spineless Wonders: Rising From the Deep Exhibition
Exhibition opens on Saturday, September 21
SPORTS & FITNESS
Nā Wāhine O Ke Kai 2019
Sunday, September 22 | 8 a.m.–3 p.m.
Photo: jianca lazarus/nā wāhine o ke kai
For 41 years, powerful women have been crossing the finish line of the world’s most prestigious female-only outrigger canoe race. Starting from Moloka‘i’s Hale O Lono Harbor and ending at Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon in Waikīkī, this grueling race is definitely not one to miss.
Hilton Hawaiian Lagoon, free to watch, nawahineokekai.com
MUSIC
Hanson Live in Honolulu
Thursday, September 26 | 8–10 p.m.
MUSIC
The Republik Music Festival
Friday, September 27–Saturday, September 28 | 6 p.m.
FESTIVAL
Festa Italiana
Saturday, September 28 | 4–10 p.m.
Photo: COURTESY OF FRIENDS OF ITALY SOCIETY OF HAWAI‘I
For one night only, Honolulu’s newest neighborhood transforms into one of the world’s oldest food-obsessed cultures. A trendy stretch of Kaka‘ako will become a piazza party—with pizza!
Cooke Street in Kaka‘ako, free, festaitalianahawaii.com
SEE ALSO: Your Ultimate Guide to the 2019 Festa Italiana in Honolulu
Read more stories by Katie Kenny
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.
