Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: April 13–19, 2023

Photo: SFCA/Mark Galacgac

Art at the Capitol

Friday, April 14, 4:30 to 7 p.m.

The Hawaiʻi State Legislature’s annual Art at the Capitol event is back! Visit the Capitol after hours and check out hundreds of artworks from the SFCA Art in Public Places Collection on display there. Hawaiʻi State Poet Laureate Brandy Nālani McDougall will give the invocation. In addition, there will be live performances by Kamakawiwoʻole: The Osorio Band, Ballet Hawaiʻi and the Honolulu Theatre for Youth, and a panel discussion, “Art and Activism,” by Hawaiʻi Contemporary. Then, head across the street to The Vibe, a Hawaiʻi State Art Museum live music event from 6 to 9 p.m.

Family-Friendly Event, Free, Hawai‘i State Capitol, 415 S. Beretania St., sfca.hawaii.gov, @hawaii_sfca

Photo: Courtesy of Blue Note Hawai‘i

Henry Kapono and The Mākaha Sons

Thursday, April 13, 6:30 p.m.

In this Artist 2 Artist Concert Series, Kapono shares the stage with the Mākaha Sons to jam and talk story. Enjoy traditional Hawaiian music by Mākaha Sons, and delight in the laidback island rock of the multi-award winning Henry Kapono. Because of their vocal arrangements and stage presence, these iconic musicians have won the hearts of fans worldwide.

$35-$45, Blue Note Hawai‘i, 2335 Kalākaua Ave, bluenotejazz.com, @bluenotejazz

SEE ALSO: Your Ultimate Guide to Concerts and Live Music in Honolulu

Plastic Free Hawai‘i Art Show

Thursday, April 13, to Saturday, April 15, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Check out Kōkua Hawai‘i Foundation’s Plastic Free Hawai‘i showcase of all of the participating murals from 13 schools across Oʻahu. KHF’s Plastic Free Hawai‘i seeks to minimize single-use plastics in the Islands by educating and empowering schools, businesses and community members across the state. On April 15, environmental nonprofit organizations will be standing by with make-and-take activities. Make sure to RSVP to help them plan for the event.

Family-Friendly Event, Free, Kōkua Hawai‘i Foundation ‘Āina Farm Stand, 66-249 Kamehameha Highway, kokuahawaiifoundation.org, @kokuahawaiifoundation

SEE ALSO: 5 Springtime Reads to Honor Nature and Poetry

Photo: Courtesy of da Shop: Books + Curiosities

Talk Story With the Author of “CHIBURU: Anthology of Hawaiʻi Okinawan Literature”

Saturday, April 15, 2 to 4 p.m.

Talk story with the author and special guests as they discuss the new “CHIBURU: Anthology of Hawaiʻi Okinawan Literature,” as well as the Hawai‘i Uchinānchu identity and experience. Edited by Lee A. Tonouchi, the book features the works of over 30 Hawaiʻi Okinawan creatives (poetry, essay, drama and short story).

Free, da Shop: Books + Curiosities, 3565 Harding Ave., dashophnl.com, @dashophnl

Photo: Mark Felice

National Pet Day at Ward Village

Saturday, April 15, 1 to 4 p.m.

Animal lovers and their pets are invited to Victoria Ward Park to celebrate National Pet Day. Expect light bites from Sugarlina (including treats for your pup), obstacle courses, toys and other activities for your furry friends. Plus, the team from Aliʻi Animal Hospital & Resort will be onsite with giveaways, training tips and photo opportunities.

Family-Friendly Event, Free, Victoria Ward Park, 1240 Ala Moana Blvd., wardvillage.com, @wardvillage

Photo: Courtesy of Deck.

Artisan Marché at Deck

Saturday, April 15, 3 to 7 p.m.

Shop local businesses in the Lē‘ahi Room & Lānai and discover artisanal brands that range from jewelry to apparel to local products at its inaugural Artisan Marché. In honor of Earth Month, expect eco-friendly, ethically conscientious brands such as Benoa Swim, Green Room Hawai‘i, Keep It Simple and Nature Metal Works—to name just a few. While there, grab a signature cocktail or preview the brunch buffet-exclusive Mother’s Day drink, “Haumea,” a Tito’s vodka lemonade with strawberry simple syrup, lemon juice, raspberries and grapefruit tonic. To kick off the first Artisan Marché, Deck will host giveaways with participating vendors. The grand prize includes a table for four at the Deck Mother’s Day Buffet.

Free, Lē‘ahi Room and Lānai, Deck at Queen Kapi‘olani Hotel, 150 Kapahulu Ave., deckwaikiki.com, @deckwaikiki

Photo: David Croxford

Community Send-Off for Hōkūleʻa

Saturday, April 15, 1 to 5 p.m.

The Polynesian Voyaging Society invites the community to its Sand Island dock to wish the Hōkūle‘a and its crew well and to offer personal expressions of aloha. It’s the last day the Hawaiʻi voyaging canoe will be docked at Sand Island. The next day, Hōkūleʻa departs the Hawaiian Islands for Juneau, Alaska, where it will begin its four-year Moananuiākea Voyage, a circumnavigation of the Pacific.

Family-Friendly Event, Free, METC Dockside, 10 Sand Island Parkway, hokulea.com, @hokuleacrew

Mom Made Market

Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Score finds from 30-plus local mom-run brands, including Izzy and Luke, Komakai Jewelry, Short Stack Hawai‘i, Pawniolo Pets and more. Expect live music and fun extras. Plus, Kāhala Mall merchants will be having a sidewalk sale, too.

Family-Friendly Event, 4211 Wai‘alae Ave., Kāhala Mall, themommademarket.com/mmm-hawaii, @themommademarkethawaii

SEE ALSO: Events for Kids in April 2023 on O‘ahu

Cultural Animation Film Festival Springfest 2023

Friday, April 14, to Sunday, April 16, various times

Celebrate the art of animation by watching incredible international animated films during the Cultural Animation Film Festival Springfest, or CAFF. The films will premiere at the Doris Duke Theatre and will also be released online. There’s even a CAFF for Kids event happening Sunday, April 16.

Family-Friendly Event, $15 general admission, $12 HoMA members, Honolulu Museum of Art’s Doris Duke Theatre, 900 S. Beretania St., honolulumuseum.org, @honolulumuseum

Photo: Antonio Mendes

Gnocchi Making Class & Four-Course Dinner

Saturday, April 15, 5 to 8 p.m.

Experience a hands-on fresh gnocchi making and shaping class with Andrea Onetti, the Italian chef and owner of Onda Pasta. The class culminates with a four-course dinner, including a canapé starter, mozzarella in carrozza appetizer, the two gnocchi dishes made in the class, and a panna cotta for dessert.

$135, Hana Kitchens Hawai‘i at Harbor Court, 66 Queen St., 3rd Floor, eventbrite.com, @hanakitchens_hawaii