The 9 Best Events on O‘ahu in January 2019
Mark your calendar for a run through black-lit bubbles, 1800s-style Hawaiian music, mochi pounding and more this month.
GIVE BACK
HONOLULU Family Volunteer Day
Saturday, January 5
GETTING A LITTLE MUDDY AT THE ULUPŌ HEIAU AND LO‘I.
Photo: Aaron k. Yoshino
Wade into a family-friendly lo‘i, go algae hunting in Maunalua Bay, clean up a theater, work your way through a keiki-size garden or beautify Waimea Bay at this volunteer day created for keiki and their parents or grandparents.
Various locations, free, honolulufamily.com
SEE ALSO: 2019 HONOLULU Family Volunteer Day Registration and Information
SPORTS & FITNESS
Sony Open in Hawai‘i
Monday, January 7 to Sunday, January 13
photo: Courtesy of Sony Open in Hawai‘i
The Sony Open began as the Honolulu Invitational in 1965. This year, more than 100 golf pros will tee off at Wai‘alae Country Club from Jan. 7–13.
SEE ALSO: 4 Can’t-Miss Food and Drink Events on O‘ahu to Check Out in January 2019
MUSIC
A Night of Sovereign Strings
Saturday, January 12 | 7 p.m.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF Honolulu Museum of art
Step back into the 1800s with this musical tribute to the sounds of song from King Kalākaua’s reign. Master lute maker and musical historian Killin Reece explores this vibrant time of mandolins, ‘ukulele, violins and brass through stories and performances by Raiatea Helm, Keauhou, Jeff Au Hoy, Jeff Peterson and more.
Doris Duke Theatre, $45–$55, honolulumuseum.org
SEE ALSO: 5 Free Events in Honolulu in January 2019
CULTURE
New Year’s ‘Ohana Festival
Sunday, January 13
PHOTO: courtesy of japanese cultural center of hawai‘i
Celebrate the Year of the Pig a few weeks early (Chinese New Year is Feb. 5) with taiko drums, mochi pounding, games and a field full of food booths offering everything from yakisoba to waffle dogs.
Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i, free, jcch.com
SEE ALSO: 19 New Restaurants That Opened on O‘ahu in 2018
THEATER & STAGE
Shipwreck’d on the Body Beautiful or the Tats Dancing Man
Thursday, January 17 to Sunday, February 17
Honolulu Theatre for Youth’s education director, Daniel Kelin, crosses town for the world premiere of his one-man show. P.T. Barnum’s first tattooed man is shipwrecked in the 1800s and avoids death at the hands of local tribes by performing Irish jigs. We’re intrigued.
Kumu Kahua Theatre, $5–$25, kumukahua.org
SPORTS & FITNESS
Foam Glow Run/Bubble Run
Friday, January 18 & Saturday, January 19
Video: courtesy of Foam Glow
These quirky 5Ks offers two opportunities to run. Friday night, people will be blasted with colorful foam. Then, return for more sudsy fun at the Bubble Run on Saturday morning.
Saratoga Avenue in Kalaeloa, $50 each, foamglow.com, bubblerun.com
SEE ALSO: The Year That Was 2018
MUSIC
Filmed in Hawai‘i
Friday, January 25 | 7:30 p.m.
Photo: hawai‘i symphony orchestra
You don’t need a football game to hear the rousing music of Five-O this month. The Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra tackles signature theme songs from TV shows and movies filmed in the Islands. So, get ready for the sweeping theme from Jurassic Park, mysterious melodies from Lost, whimsical sounds of Hook and other moments from the big and small screen.
Blaisdell Concert Hall, $27–$79, hawaiisymphonyorchestra.org
SEE ALSO: 10 Hawai‘i Races to Watch in 2019
FITNESS
Sharon’s Ride.Run.Walk.
Sunday, January 27 | 7 a.m.
Photo: epilepsy foundation of hawai‘i
Get outside to raise money for programs at the Epilepsy Foundation Hawai‘i. The 75K bike ride begins at 7 a.m. followed by the 5K and 10K runs, and a one-mile walk for all ages. Registration for kids 12 years and under is just a dollar.
Kapi‘olani Community College, $1-$30, epilepsyhawaii.org
SEE ALSO: For more events in January, visit honolulumagazine.com’s online calendar
COMEDY
David Sedaris
Monday, January 28 | 7:30 p.m.
Start the year on a sardonic note, with a new book for those rainy winter days. Humorist and National Public Radio contributor David Sedaris will share stories from his new book, Calypso, which is billed as his most deeply personal and darkly hilarious collection. We can’t even imagine. Laugh through his stories followed by an audience Q&A and book signing.
Blaisdell Arena, $47–$67, davidsedarisbooks.com
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.
