Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: August 17–23, 2023
Support Maui with benefit events and drives, attend various festivals celebrating local culture and watch pets surf the waves.
Photo: Courtesy of Duke Kahanamoku Ocean Festival
Duke Kahanamoku Ocean Festival
Friday, Aug. 18 to Aug. 27, various times
The annual water sports festival held in Waikīkī celebrates Duke Kahanamoku’s life, athletic contributions and spirit through sports that represent his legacy: surfing, swimming, paddleboard racing, beach volleyball and more.
Waikīkī Beach, dukekahanamokuoceanfestival.org
SEE ALSO: Benefit Events, Concerts and Fundraisers for Maui Wildfire Relief
Photo: Courtesy of Maui Ola
Maui Ola: A Benefit Concert for Maui
Sunday, Aug. 20, 5 to 9 p.m.
This benefit concert brings together Hawaiʻi’s musicians, production professionals and media who are donating 100% of their efforts to Maui. Doors open at 5 p.m., and the concert will also be livestreamed on our website, mele.com and social media accounts. Portions of the event will also be simulcasted on all local channels throughout the evening.
Family-Friendly Event, $20, Bishop Museum, Great Lawn, 1525 Bernice St., mauiola.org
SEE ALSO: How to Watch Maui Ola: A Benefit Concert for Maui This Weekend
Photo: Credit Tony Heff
Going to Dogs SurFUR ComPETition
Tuesday, Aug. 22, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
As part of the Duke Kahanamoku Ocean Festival, this surfing competition with pets is sponsored by Raising Cane’s Restaurants and open to all ages—participants have to be intermediate or advanced surfers or paddlers with animals that love being in the water. Previous participants include a pig, cats, ducks and dogs of all sizes.
Family-Friendly Event, Kūhiō Beach, surfdogshawaii.com
SEE ALSO: 10 Things You (Probably) Didn’t Know About Raising Cane’s
Kermet Apio
Friday, August 18, 7 p.m.
Born and raised in Honolulu, comedian Kermet Apio has appeared on television shows such as “Star Search” and “Evening at the Improv” and is a past winner of both the Seattle Comedy Competition and the Great American Comedy Festival.
$25–$35, Hawai‘i Theatre, 1130 Bethel St., hawaiitheatre.com, @hawaiitheatre
Photo: Courtesy of Kaua‘i Film Academy
Too Much Life
Saturday, Aug. 19, 6 p.m.
Attend a red carpet gala fundraiser for the Kaua‘i Film Academy and the world premiere of the film Too Much Life. The film centers around Harper Hudson, the most popular girl at Palm Tree Academy on Kaua‘i. She’s set to win the upcoming school presidential elections, but things take a turn when her closest friend decides to step into the spotlight.
$20–$45, Hawai‘i Theatre, 1130 Bethel St., hawaiitheatre.com, @hawaiitheatre
Photo: Courtesy of Kapiʻolani Community College
I Heart Kapi‘olani CC
Thursday, Aug. 17, 3 to 7 p.m.
Join the annual free community event filled with activities, education and games for the whole family. Play tug-of-war, archery and cornhole, meet the college students, faculty and staff, enjoy a massage, learn how to be a first responder and play games and make crafts in the library. Food from Oli’s Kitchen and Hau‘oli Pastry will be available for purchase.
Family-Friendly Event, free, Kapi‘olani Community College, Makahiapo, Campus Great Lawn, 4303 Diamond Head Rd., sites.google.com/hawaii.edu, @uhkapiolani
Photo: Gregory Yamamoto
Goodwill Goes GLAM! Fashion Show and Sale
Thursday, Aug. 17, 6:30 to 10 p.m. (fashion show)
Friday, Aug. 18, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 19, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This annual celebration of local fashion by Goodwill Hawai‘i kicks off with a fashion show produced by Kim and Jade Alexis Ryusaki, the mother-daughter design duo behind fashion brand Lotus and Lime. Tickets for the fashion show are sold out, but you can watch the show on Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. on KHNL and K5 or Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. on KGMB.
For two days after the show, you’ll be able to shop designer fashions and goods at bargain prices and participate in giveaways. Proceeds support Goodwill Hawai‘i’s free job training and placement services that help Hawai‘i residents each year. The sale is free and open to the public.
Free, Neal S. Blaisdell Center, 777 Ward Ave., goodwillhawaii.org/glam, @goodwill_hawaii
Photo: Courtesy of Korean Festival
Korean Festival
Saturday, Aug. 19, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
In its 19th year, the annual festival is one of the largest and most popular cultural festivals on the island with kim chee eating contests, live K-Pop performances, keiki-friendly cultural games, delicious food and products made locally or imported from South Korea. A portion of all scrip sales at the Korean Festival will go toward Maui relief efforts. A tent at the festival will accept monetary donations, nonperishable food, clothing, toiletries, bedding, pillows and other needed items for Maui.
Family-Friendly Event, free, Honolulu Hale Civic Grounds, 650 South King St., koreanfesthawaii.com, @koreanfestival
SEE ALSO: Your Insider Guide to the 19th Annual Korean Festival
Photo: Courtesy of Our Kaka‘ako
Mele and Art in Our Kaka‘ako
Saturday, Aug. 19, 3 to 7 p.m.
Kaloko‘eli Courtyard will transform into an artists’ alley with local artists and makers. There will also be Hawaiian music performances and an interactive chalk art installation depicting the iconic Lāhainā Maui Banyan Tree as a tribute to the people of Maui and their resilience. Scan the QR codes throughout the event space to donate to the Pauahi Foundation’s Ho‘ōla Maui fund, which will support Maui youth impacted by the wildfires so they can continue to benefit from a strong educational support system.
Family-Friendly Event, free, Our Kaka‘ako, 443 Keawe St., ourkakaako.com, @ourkakaako
One Uddah Mid’summah
Friday, Aug. 18, to Saturday, Aug. 26, 7:30 p.m.; Aug. 19 performance begins 8 p.m.
Check out the Shakespeare classic A Midsummer’s Night Dream adapted into pidgin by local playwright Jackie Pualani Johnson. Grounds to the Hawaiian Mission Houses open at 6 p.m.
Family-Friendly Event, $20–$25, Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives, 553 South King St., missionhouses.org, @hawaiian_mission_houses
Photo: Courtesy of Sea Life Park
Sea Life Park Supply Drive for Maui
Through Friday, Aug. 18, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
All park guests who make a donation during the drive will receive free admission to Sea Life Park. Supplies requested during the drive include canned food and nonperishable items, toiletries, pet food and supplies to help those impacted by wildfires. Drive donations may be made at the ticket office during regular park hours from now through Friday, Aug. 18.
Family-Friendly Event, free admission with donation, Sea Life Park, 41-202 Kalaniana‘ole Hwy., sealifeparkhawaii.com, @sealifepark
SEE ALSO: These Upcoming Foodie Events Are Sending 100% of Proceeds to Maui
Photo: Courtesy of Made in Hawai‘i Festival
Made in Hawai‘i Festival
Friday, Aug. 18, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 19, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 20, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Back for its 29th year, this three-day shopping spree features nearly 450 local vendors—all selling locally made products. This year’s event is slated to be the biggest one in its history and will be held for the first time at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. A portion of ticket sales and 100% of T-shirt sales will benefit the Hawai‘i Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund.
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
