The 8 Best Things to Do in January 2016

Start the year by networking with innovative minds, reading a memoir, partying with an old favorite local band and more.

January 1, 2016

Katrina Valcourt,

ENTERTAINMENT

Eat the Street Kapolei Lofts Block Party

Photo: Thinkstock

January 9

Get to know the Kapolei Lofts popping up on the West Side with games, food, entertainment and info booths near the new rental residences.

Ku‘ou Street, between Manawai and Wakea streets, Kapolei, Free, facebook.com/kapoleilofts

Kuana Torres Kahele

January 10

Photo: Marcus Turner

Did you know that Kuana Torres Kahele runs the Kuana School of Hawaiian Music and Culture in Japan? He has more than 200 students in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Concert attendees will receive a free copy of the DVD Make Lei with Kuana Torres Kahele. He will also perform at Hawai‘i Public Radio’s Atherton Studio on Jan. 9.

4 p.m., Hawai‘i Theatre, $42–$52, hawaiitheatre.com

SEMINARS & CONFERENCES

East Meets West Conference

January 14–15

Photo: courtesy of blue startups

This event, presented by Blue Startups, connects entrepreneurs, investors and innovators from around the Pacific Rim. Hear from founders and CEOs of startup companies, accelerators and even video-game designers in a series of keynote speeches, breakout sessions and networking opportunities. This year, you’ll also get to witness the regional finals of the Mobile Challenge Asia Pacific Competition—the winners go to Spain for the GSMA Mobile World Congress.

Hilton Hawaiian Village, $250 for kama‘āina, eastmeetswest.co

ENTERTAINMENT

Go Jimmy Go “A Hui Hou” 20th Anniversary and Farewell Show

January 16

Photo: Richard Walker

Twenty years of raucous punk and ska will come to an end at Go Jimmy Go’s farewell show this month. Saying goodbye will be tough, but, if anyone knows how to throw a party, it’s these guys. Expect to see current and former band members and hear all of their hits (we mean all of them) and more.

9 p.m., The Republik, $20, gojimmygo.com

VOLUNTEER

Sandy/Wāwāmalu Beach and Park Cleanup

PHOTOS: THINKSTOCK

January 17

Join the Waikīkī Aquarium, Hard Rock Café and the City and County of Honolulu in an effort to beautify the East O‘ahu shoreline. Free cookies for helping! Sign up through Eventbrite.

Meet at Wāwāmalu Beach Park, Free, waikikiaquarium.org

DINING

Outstanding in the Field

January 23

Learn about the Morgan family’s operations on the ranch while enjoying a meal from The Pig & The Lady chef Andrew Le in this traveling pop-up feast.

Kualoa Ranch, $195, outstandinginthefield.com

SPORTS

2016 Pro Bowl

January 31

It’s back! Hawai‘i could use an exciting game of football right about now, so let’s hope these all-star teams bring the action.

Aloha Stadium, tickets start at $30, nfl.com/probowl

BOOKS

Rainforest Pu‘uhonua

Ka Honu Press, distributed by Bess Press

“That first Hawaiian instructor gave each of us a federal form to fill out titled, ‘Why Are You Studying a Dying Language?’ Tears rolled unchecked down my cheeks in the middle of class as I filled out that form, trying not to sob.”

—Kahi Wight, in her memoir Rainforest Pu‘uhonua, about the time she spent living in Volcano Village reconnecting with her Hawaiian heritage.

Kahikāhealani Wight, $24.95, besspress.com

Did you know? Halsey’s music video for “New Americana” was shot at Kualoa Ranch. She performs a sold-out concert at The Republik on Jan. 23.