The Best Things to Do on O‘ahu in March 2021
In-person events are still up in the air so instead celebrate a few national days with corned beef, canines, empowered comedians and cans of local beer.
Photo: Courtesy of The Kāhala Hotel & Resort
EAT
St. Patrick’s Day
On March 17, 2020, the HONOLULU Magazine team began working from home. One year later, I’m planning yet another quiet celebration at home with a Guinness (I go to Village Bottle Shop for cans and Murphy’s Bar and Grill for a freshly poured pint) and a local restaurant’s version of the classic corned beef and cabbage. Last year, Butcher & Bird had a corned beef sausage with pastrami and rye, 12th Ave Grill boasted a corned beef and lamb shepherd’s pie, Plumeria Beach House (pictured) had a three-course menu and M.A.C. 24/7 added green pancakes. Sláinte!
Photo: Katie Kenny
SHOP
National Puppy Day
As if you need one of hundreds of dog-related national days to show Fido some love. But if you want an excuse to post pupper pics on Instagram, mark March 23 in your calendar. Then head to HONOLULU’s pets page for tips on doggy days out to restaurants and trails, photo galleries of dogs surfing and more—while you mentally plan photo ops to enter in our annual Pet Photo Contest this summer. If you need a wardrobe refresh, head to Roberta Oaks’ new, bigger digs on Nu‘uanu Avenue for matching masks and pet bandannas.
SEE ALSO: The Best Things to do Outdoors While You Staycation on O‘ahu During Quarantine
Photo: Alexander B. Gates
ENTERTAINMENT
International Women’s Day
Raise one hand and challenge inequality: March 8 is International Women’s Day. The theme this year is #ChooseToChallenge because “a challenged world is an alert world.” Watch for local female empowerment sessions, buy tickets to comedian-who-has-overcome Aida Rodriguez’s March 14 set at Blue Note Hawai‘i, and pick up a six-pack of Honolulu Beerworks’ Pink Boots collaboration beer, perfectly named Pussy Grabs Back. Yes. It. Does. (And as a reminder that there’s more to be done, National Equal Pay Day is March 24.)
SEE ALSO: 2020 in Review: Best Craft Beers Brewed on O‘ahu
You should read these books by Hawai‘i authors right now. Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
BOOKS
Read Across America Day
March 2
The Hawai‘i State Public Library System marked more than a million digital book checkouts in 2020. Join the crowd with a digital loan of your own. It’s what Theodor Seuss Geisel would do.
Check out our ever-growing reading list
Video: Courtesy of University of Hawai‘i | NOAA permit 19703
OUTDOOR
World Wildlife Day
March 3
Surround yourself with flora and fauna with a hike in the mountains or a walk through a botanical garden, or pull up a spot on the beach for a last round of whale watching before the gentle giants head back to cooler waters.
SEE ALSO: 18 Really Interesting Facts You Didn’t Know About Humpback Whales
Did you know that Hawai‘i is the only state in the U.S. where McDonald’s still fries its pies—everywhere else, they’re baked. Read more. Photo: Martha Cheng
EAT
National Pi Day
March 14
Relax and grab a slice: It’s the perfect day for hungry math nerds to take a break from writing on windows and oversized whiteboards.
SEE ALSO: Taste Test: We Tried Every Mini Pie at Hawaiian Pie Co.
FILM
National Let’s Laugh Day
March 19
Set your search for comedies on March 19. Chuckle with two highly anticipated movies debuting digitally this month: Coming 2 America with Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall (they both play multiple roles) and James Earl Jones on Amazon Prime, and the Asian-inspired Disney animation Raya and the Last Dragon starring Awkwafina on Disney Plus.
This story originally appeared as “March Picks” in the March 2021 issue of HONOLULU Magazine. Get your copy at shop.honolulumagazine.com and subscribe to the print and digital editions now.
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.
