Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: Aug. 3–9, 2023
Shop drought-tolerant plants, support your local library, see a locally made film, nerd out at Comic Con and grab a free SPAM® musubi.
Photo: Andrea Lee
Growing Up Local
Opens Friday, Aug. 4
Set in Waimānalo, Growing Up Local tells the story of Stanley Nagata, a boy who struggles finding his identity past the pressures from his father and loyalty to his friends. The film also explores the conflict in the Nagata family and how those burdens are passed down from father to son through each generation. Directed by local filmmaker James Sereno, the film premieres on Friday, Aug. 4, and will run for two weeks. There will be a Q&A on Friday, Aug. 4, following the 7 p.m. show at Pearlridge Theatres and on Saturday after the 7 p.m. show at Ward Theatres.
Ward Theatres and Pearlridge Theatres, growinguplocal.com, @kineticproductions808
SEE ALSO: In Growing Up Local, a Waimānalo Boy Battles for His Destiny
Photo: Honolulu Board of Water Supply
Unthirsty Plant Sale
Saturday, Aug. 5, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Shop drought-tolerant plants, including native species, at this popular sale. Expect cacti, bromeliads, aloe, rosemary, Amaryllis, Pedilanthus tithymaloides and much more. Park along Iwaena or Iwaiwa Streets, then catch a free shuttle to Hālawa Xeriscape Garden.
Family-Friendly Event, free, Hālawa Xeriscape Garden, 99-1268 Iwaena St., boardofwatersupply.com, @bwshonolulu
SEE ALSO: Unthirsty Plant Sale Returns: Save Water With Drought-Tolerant Plants
Photo: Courtesy of L&L Hawai‘i
Celebrate National SPAM® Musubi Day
Tuesday, Aug. 8
It’s National SPAM® Musubi Day on Tuesday, Aug. 8, and L&L Hawaiian Barbecue is giving away free SPAM® musubi to celebrate. Download the coupon on that day from the L&L Hawai‘i app, then visit your nearest participating restaurant location to claim your free musubi and enjoy. L&L Hawai‘i will also be offering limited-edition T-shirts created by Hawai‘i-based artist 7Sketches to show your love for the canned meat.
Family-Friendly Event, free, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue locations, hawaiianbarbecue.com, @llhawaiianbbq
Photo: Tien Enga
Comic Con Honolulu
Friday, Aug. 4, through Sunday, Aug. 6
Fans from all fandoms can attend this three-day convention to meet special guests from comic, gaming, television and movie industries. Learn how to improve your cosplays and photography, try paint-and-take workshops, take a free keiki coding class, shop local artists and vendors and play tabletop games. Kids aged 10 and under get in free with a paying adult. You can pre-register online or buy passes at the door.
Family-Friendly Event, $55 to $70, service fee $6.53 to $8.23, Hawai‘i Convention Center, 1801 Kalākaua Ave., comicconhonolulu.com, @comicconhnl
The 1975
Sunday, Aug. 6, 7 to 10 p.m.
The 1975 is an English pop rock band formed in 2002, comprised of Matt Healy, Adam Hann, Ross MacDonald and George Daniel. They’re known for songs like “About You,” “I’m in Love With You,” “Robbers” and more.
$49.50–$110, Tom Moffatt Waikīkī Shell, 2805 Monsarrat Ave., blaisdellcenter.com, @bampproject
SEE ALSO: Your Ultimate Guide to Concerts and Live Music in Honolulu
Photo: Courtesy of Krystal Kakimoto
Love My Library Day
Saturday, Aug. 5, 10 a.m. to noon
Celebrate your love for libraries with this free event that brings librarians and the community together with free keiki crafts and Rally-4-Libraries sign-making and waving. Dress up as your favorite book or movie character to enter to win prizes.
Family-Friendly Event, free, Ala Moana Beach Park, sites 8 and 9, 1201 Ala Moana Blvd., hawaiilibraryassociation.org, @hawaiilibraryassociation
SEE ALSO: The Best New Back-to-School Books According to a Librarian
Free Admission to Pearl Harbor Historic Sites for U.S. Coast Guard
Saturday, Aug. 5 and Sunday, Aug. 6
This weekend, U.S. Coast Guard military members (active duty, retirees, dependents and veterans) can enjoy free admission to the Battleship Missouri Memorial, Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum and Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum and free self-guided audio tours and the Pearl Harbor Virtual Reality Experience from Pacific Historic Parks. A valid military I.D. must be presented. U.S. Coast Guard military members and their dependents are also welcome to assemble at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center Bell Court at 3:30 p.m. for a special 4 p.m. USS Arizona Memorial boat program on the free pass days.
Family-Friendly Event, free for U.S. Coast Guard military members, Pearl Harbor Historic Sites, Battleship Missouri Memorial, Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, Pacific History Parks, pearlharborhistoricsites.org
Photo: Courtesy of Made in Hawai‘i Festival
Buy Tickets for Made in Hawai‘i Festival
Friday, Aug. 4
This year’s Made in Hawai‘i Festival is slated to be the largest one ever, with nearly 450 vendors gathering at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. While the festival takes place from Aug. 18–20, online ticket sales for all-day access launched this week.
Family-Friendly Event, $8, Hawai‘i Convention Center, 1801 Kalākaua Ave., madeinhawaiifestival.com, @madeinhi
SEE ALSO: Your Insider Guide to the 29th Made in Hawai‘i Festival
Photo: Courtesy of Blue Note Hawai‘i
Cory Wong
Thursday, Aug. 3 to Saturday, Aug. 5, 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Minneapolis musician and producer Wong is known for his talent with the rhythm guitar, spanning genres of jazz, rock and funk. He’s collaborated with bands like The Fearless Flyers, Dirty Loops and Vulfpeck and has also made his name as a solo artist. Audiences love his funny and larger-than-life stage presence. This is his debut performance at Blue Note Hawai‘i.
BUY TICKETS:
$55 to $65, Blue Note Hawai‘i, 2335 Kalākaua Ave., bluenotejazz.com, @bluenotehawaii
My Treehouse Club Bon Dance
Friday, Aug. 4, 5–8 p.m.
Attend a traditional matsuri—a Japanese-style summer carnival—with games, prizes, snack booths, food stalls, bon dancing and a taiko performance hosted by My Treehouse Club. Festival entry is free, and scrips will be used for keiki game booths, which are priced at $40 for 40 scrips. Food and other vendors will take cash, credit cards and Venmo. You can purchase scrip online prior to the event when you register—registration is not required but will let the host know how many people to expect.
Family-Friendly Event, free admission, Pālolo Hongwanji, 1641 Pālolo Ave., mytreehouseclub808.com, @mytreehouseclub
SEE ALSO: O‘ahu Bon Dance Schedule 2023
