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

Volunteer
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

Sony Open in Hawaii
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.

sonyopeninhawaii.com

 

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.

Sovereign Strings
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

Ohana Festival
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.

Filmed in Hawai‘i
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.

Sharon's
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.

Sedaris

 

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

 


HNL TIX

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.