The 8 Best Things To Do in May
May is traditionally Hawaiian Music Month, but it also offers something for bookworms, horticulturists and foodies alike.
ENTERTAINMENT
Midnight in Miami
May 2
Do you like to salsa? Maybe mambo or even merengue? Take a virtual trip to Miami at the American Cancer Society Hawai‘i Pacific Hope Gala, for live music, dancing, great food and more. Cha cha cha!
FAIRS & EXPOS
Hawai‘i Book & Music Festival
May 2 and 3
For the 10th annual festival, put down your e-reader and check out Michael W. Perry and Larry Price, Dave Shoji and Ann Miller, Douglas Corleone and many more, from local personalities to internationally known authors. More interested in music? You’ll get the chance to hear from Kenneth Makuakāne, Brother Noland, Kimo Hussey and others. Here’s to 10 more years.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Free, Honolulu Hale, hawaiibookandmusicfestival.org
FILM
Kumu Hina
May 4
PHOTO: COURTESY OF QWAVES LLC
The award-winning film about kumu Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu will premiere nationally on Independent Lens, PBS’s series of documentaries, this month. If you miss it on TV, the film will be streaming online through early June. Read more about Wong-Kalu on our sister magazine Mana’s website.
PBS Hawai‘i Channel 11, pbs.org/independentlens
THEATER & ARTS
Shangri La: The Flower Show
May 8–10
PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE GARDEN CLUB OF HONOLULU |
Every three years, The Garden Club of Honolulu hosts a Major Flower and Horticulture Show. This month’s show, inspired by Doris Duke’s Shangri La and Hawai‘i’s natural beauty and culture, will feature stunning flower arrangements, photography, botanical jewelry and, for the first time, needlework. Want more flowers? Check out Splendors of Ikebana at the Honolulu Museum of Art School across the street, May 22–25.
Museum admission, Honolulu Museum of Art, gchonolulu.org
DINING
L’ulu: Leeward Culinary Arts Gala
May 9
PHOTO: COURTESY OF LEEWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE |
More than a dozen of Hawai‘i’s top chefs will join students and instructors from LCC’s Culinary Arts Program for a night of locally grown palate pleasers. This fundraiser, which also features a silent auction and entertainment, will support culinary students and food sustainability in the Islands.
6–9 p.m., $100–$125, Leeward Community College, leeward.hawaii.edu
MUSIC
Nā Hōkū Hanohano Music Festival
May 22–23
Mele Mei celebrations culminate with this festival of workshops, concerts and the 38th annual Nā Hōkū Awards, featuring more than 30 award categories.
Go online for a full schedule, nahokuhanohano.org
EVENT
38th Annual Leader Luncheon
May 27
The YWCA of O‘ahu will honor four exceptional women whose leadership helps to eliminate racism and empower women. This year’s honorees are Mary Moragne Cooke, Kathy Inouye, Laura Smith and Candy Suiso.
$150 individual, tables available, Sheraton Waikīkī Hotel, Hawai‘i ballroom, ywcaoahu.org/leaderluncheon2015
ENTERTAINMENT
Brian Regan
May 29
PHOTO: COURTESY OF LIVE NATION |
“I take a lot of pride in trying to turn my show over, so that if people come and see me, they will see some stuff they’re familiar with, but I hope they will also see some stuff they’ve never heard before,” says comedian Brian Regan, who last performed in Honolulu in 2013. “That’s one of my favorite compliments after a show, when people say, ‘Hey, we saw you two years ago, and most of the stuff you did tonight we’ve never heard before.’”
8 p.m., $39.75–$49.75, Blaisdell Concert Hall, brianregan.com
Read our interview with Brian Regan
Read more stories by Katrina Valcourt
