The 8 Best Things to Do in July 2016

This month’s offerings include a deeper look at sharks, knocking back mango cocktails and rocking out with The Cure.

July 1, 2016

Katrina Valcourt,

EDUCATION

Planet Shark: Predator or Prey

Through Sept. 5

Photo: Courtesy of Grande Exhibitions

Shark Week may have come early this year, but you can still learn about the magnificent creatures all summer in this new exhibit, which incorporates wall-size projections that make you feel as though you’re walking underwater. Check out rare fossils, teeth and models made from real sharks, as well as actual shark cages, without ever getting wet.

$14.95 admission for kama‘āina, Bishop Museum, bishopmuseum.org

THEATER & ARTS

Photo: Thinkstock

Mamma Mia!

July 15–31

This production of the ABBA-themed musical will be directed by local actress/singer/comedian Kimee Balmilero, who was part of the original Broadway cast in 2001.

$22–$25, Diamond Head Theatre, diamondheadtheatre.com

FOOD & DRINK

Mangoes at the Moana

July 16

Photo: Odeelo Dayondon

This crazy-versatile fruit gets the spotlight in a mango throwdown, mango cocktail mixdown, cooking demonstrations, workshops and a farmers market at the eighth annual Mangoes at the Moana. The event is free, but it’ll be $6 per scrip if you want to taste the cocktails or any of the throwdown creations by local celebrity chefs (Chris Kajioka, Ronnie Nasuti, Mark Noguchi, Lee Anne Wong and others).

Free, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Moana Surfrider, moana-surfrider.com

SPORTS

Photo: Thinkstock

Relay for Life

July 16

Relay for Life has raised almost $5 billion in the fight against cancer. Donate if you can, or show support by walking around Magic Island with survivors, caregivers and others who have been touched by cancer.

Ala Moana Beach Park, relayforlife.org/magicislandhi

OUTDOORS

Plants and Healthy Living

July 16

Photo: David Croxford

There will be no Midsummer Night’s Gleam at the garden this year because of renovations, but you can still learn about how plants contribute to healthy living at this event, and catch twilight concerts on Thursday evenings through July. Above, one of the garden’s infamous corpse flowers, which bloomed in May.

$3 admission for kama‘āina, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Foster Botanical Garden, friendsofhonolulubotanicalgardens.com

ENTERTAINMENT

The Cure

July 16 and 17

Photo: Courtesy of bamp project

According to Entertainment Weekly, the character Edward Scissorhands’ “retro hair and penchant for leather clearly draw on punks like The Cure’s Robert Smith.” Director Tim Burton has approached the band a number of times, particularly Smith, to be involved in his projects. (The Cure has contributed songs to the Almost Alice and Frankenweenie Unleashed! albums.)

$25–$250, 7:30 p.m., Blaisdell Arena, ticketmaster.com

Goodwill Goes Glam!

July 21–24

Photo: Odeelo Dayondon

Hawai‘i’s own Project Runway standout Kini Zamora will produce this year’s fashion show, “Doll Me Up,” with the help of fashion-design students—two of whom will receive scholarships from The Kini Zamora Fashion Fund. Come by July 22–24 to shop the Glam! Sale. Free parking at McKinley High School.

Blaisdell Exhibition Hall, higoodwill.org/glam

CHARITABLE

Photo: Thinkstock

August Moon

Aug. 5

Tickets for this annual fundraiser for the museum sell out early, and it’s easy to see why: Supporting art education while sipping wines from around the world? We’ll raise a glass to that.

$115–$160, Honolulu Museum of Art, honolulumuseum.org

Did you know? Honolulu has more sake-serving restaurants per capita than any other U.S. city. Get a taste at The Joy of Sake on July 22 at the Hawai‘i Convention Center.