Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: Feb. 12–18, 2026
Spot humpback whales, see an out-of-this-world opera, be serenaded by the orchestra, visit a ceramics art show and more.
Photo: Joe West
Sea Life Park Hawai‘i’s Whale Festival: Celebration of Ocean Giants
Saturday, Feb. 14, to Monday, March 9: Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Saturday, March 14, to Sunday, March 22: daily, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The humpback whales have arrived! Catch a glimpse of these gentle giants’ annual migration to the islands from an ideal vantage point in East O‘ahu. Learn about the species from the Park’s educational team, spot them through provided binoculars, explore a to-scale illustrated Whale Walk and color a printed humpback fluke.
Family-friendly, included with park admission, $24.99 kama‘āina adult, $19.99 kama‘āina child, free for infants age 3 and under, 41-202 Kalaniana‘ole Highway, Waimānalo, sealifeparkhawaii.com, @sealifepark
SEE ALSO: Your Insider Guide to the Chinatown Festival & Parade
Photo: Courtesy of Hawai‘i Opera Theatre
The Riot Grrrl on Mars
Friday, Feb. 13, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 15, 4 p.m.
Expect a wild and witty sci-fi spectacle with this English-language adaptation of Rossini’s Italian Girl in Algiers performed by Hawai‘i Opera Theatre. Yes, it’s an opera about aliens, and you have no excuse to miss it. For a limited time, snag $20 tickets when you let HOT pick your seats—you get a good deal, and it helps fill the house.
$20–$145, Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall, 777 Ward Ave., Kaka‘ako, hawaiiopera.org, @hawaiioperatheatre
SEE ALSO: Things to Do on O‘ahu in February 2026
Music from the Heart: A Valentine to Honolulu
Talk about romantic! The Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra is popping up at unexpected locations across Honolulu to provide a soundtrack for your Valentine’s Day. Created as a “musical love letter to the community,” you’ll stumble upon these intimate performances at:
- MW Restaurant Brunch at Velocity (tickets for purchase)
- Bishop Museum
- Downtown Art Center
- First Hawaiian Bank at Pearlridge
- Kaka‘ako Farmers Market
- Kuakini Health System
- Pickles at Forté
- The Barn at Salt at Our Kaka‘ako
Family-friendly, free, myhso.org, @hawaiisymphonyorchestra
SEE ALSO: Valentine’s Day Menus at O‘ahu Restaurants and Bakeries
Photo: Courtesy of the Family of Toshiko Takaezu
Toshiko Takaezu: Worlds Within
On view Saturday, Feb. 14, through Sunday, July 26
This touring retrospective of Toshiko Takaezu’s life and work makes its final stop in Honolulu, fitting as the groundbreaking 20th-century artist was born here in Hawai‘i and held her first solo show at HoMA in 1959. Dive deeper into her pioneering ceramic work with an art talk on Saturday at 3 p.m., plus community day on Sunday with free admission for local residents and family-friendly activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Included with museum admission, $25 general admission, $15 kama‘āina admission, free for ages 18 and under, Honolulu Museum of Art, 900 S Beretania St., Makiki, honolulumuseum.org, @honolulumuseum
SEE ALSO: Ring in the Year of the Horse With Lion Dances, Firecrackers, Parades and More
Star-Crossed Lovers at Hōkūlani Imaginarium
Saturday, Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m.
Spend Valentine’s Day gazing at the stars in Windward Community College’s planetarium. The adults-only show tells uncensored tales of love, loss and affairs of the heart in the constellations. You’ll also receive a flower, sweet treats and an opportunity to snap a pic in the photo booth.
Ages 18+, $15, call (808) 235-7321 for reservations, Hōkūlani Imaginarium, 45-720 Kea‘ahala Road, Kāne‘ohe, aerospace.windward.hawaii.edu, @wcc_imaginarium
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Laura Dornbush is a regular contributor to HONOLULU Magazine. @ldornbush
