Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: August 24–30, 2023
Watch ballet performances to support Maui, adopt a dog, dance at Megabon and peruse an online auction for Bishop Museum.
Photo: Courtesy of Honolulu Habitat for Humanity
Hard Hats and High Heels
Saturday, Aug. 26, 6 to 9 p.m.
A fundraiser for the Honolulu Habitat for Humanity, this red carpet soiree brings the community together for a night of delicious bites, signature cocktails, live entertainment, a silent auction and more.
$100, Café Julia at YWCA, 1040 Richards St., honoluluhabitat.org, @honoluluhabitat
Photo: Courtesy of Kumu Kahua Theatre
Mendokusai
Through Sunday, Sept. 17, Thursdays through Sundays, 7 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday
Kumu Kahua Theatre launches the first play of its 53rd season with Mendokusai, a contemporary drama about Kūkunu, a man who lost his mother during the 2018 lava flow and has disconnected from culture and community. There will be a talk story opportunity with the cast and crew after the show on Friday, Aug. 25.
$5 to $25, Kumu Kahua Theatre, 46 Merchant St., kumukahua.org, @kumukahua
SEE ALSO: Honolulu Theater and Musicals: Summer Lineup
Photo: Credit Kristen Hirota
The School at Ballet Hawai‘i’s Fundraiser Performance for Maui
Friday, Aug. 25, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 26, 4 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 27, 1 p.m.
A select group of Ballet Hawai‘i students and faculty will perform original choreographic works and classical selections from Cinderella. All proceeds from this weekend’s performances will be donated to the Hawai‘i Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund to support those affected by the Maui fires.
Family-Friendly Event, $22, free admission for children ages 2 years and younger when seated on a lap, Ballet Hawai‘i Honolulu Studios, Dole Cannery Building, 2nd floor above movie theatres, 735 Iwilei Rd., ballethawaii.org, @ballethawaii
SEE ALSO: Benefit Events, Concerts and Fundraisers for Maui Wildfire Relief
Dog Adoption Event at Petco Beretania
Saturday, Aug. 26, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Head to Petco Beretania to find the perfect pup for your ‘ohana. As part of Clear the Shelters Month, all adoption fees will be waived. Check out the adoptable dogs ahead of time here.
Family-Friendly Event, free, Petco Beretania, 1121 South Beretania St., hawaiianhumane.org, @hawaiianhumane
SEE ALSO: Clear the Shelters and Help Animals Find Their Fur-ever Homes
Outdoor Movie Nights at Wai Kai
Friday, Aug. 25, and Saturday, Aug. 26, 6 p.m.
Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy these free films presented by the Hawai‘i International Film Festival. On Friday, Aug. 25, view the life story of Duke Kahanamoku via Waterman and see the local short documentary Na Kama Kai: Children of the Ocean. On Saturday, Aug. 26, families can enjoy Pixar’s endearing film Luca and Manō, another local short about sharks and coral reefs.
Food and beverages will be available onsite via Kitchen Door and The LookOut. Register online to be entered to win a raffle giveaway—prizes include a “Play Your Way” experience for four on the Wai Kai Lagoon, $150 gift card to the Kitchen Door and a HIFF Selects+ membership good for a year of discounts, events and exclusive screenings (valued at $200).
Family-Friendly Event, free, Wai Kai Event Lawn, Keone‘ula Blvd., hiff.org, @hiffhawaii
SEE ALSO: Where to Watch Outdoor Movies on O‘ahu This Summer
Photo: Credit Paul Strouse TG
Taimane: Hawaiki
Friday, Aug. 25, 6 p.m.
Experience a grand ensemble with ‘ukulele star and composer Taimane, complete with sets, costumes, modern and Polynesian dance, aerial acrobatics, poetry and music.
$25 live stream, $30–$75 in-person tickets, Hawai‘i Theatre, 1130 Bethel St., hawaiitheatre.com, @hawaiitheatre
Waikīkī’s Art On The Zoo Fence Celebrates 70 Years
Thursday, Aug. 24, through Saturday, Sept. 9, Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m
Waikīkī art nonprofit Art On The Zoo Fence partners with Downtown Art Center (DAC) on a special exhibition to celebrate 70 years of promoting local artists, fostering creative expression and bringing art closer to the community. You may know the group for their weekend art market held along the Honolulu Zoo fence every weekend, showcasing photography, painting, resin art, alcoholic ink art and more. An opening reception will be held at DAC on Friday, Aug. 25, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Free, Downtown Art Center, 1041 Nu‘uanu Ave., downtownarthi.org, @downtownartcenter
SEE ALSO: “Creatures & Characters” Exhibition Open at Hawai’i State Art Museum
Hawai‘i Polo Club
Sunday, Aug. 27, doors open 11:30 a.m., show begins 5:30 p.m.
Start the new week with a fun day filled with the music, food, polo and culture out in Waialua. Live music will be performed by Ken Emerson, Kenneth Makuakane & Friends. Food will be served by Soul Fusion, The Smoking Board & The Coconut and Uncle’s Ice Cream Sandwiches. Arrive early to grab the best tailgating spots and cheer on polo matches, which begin around 2:30 p.m. The bar will remain open throughout the night, and the entertainment will continue until sundown.
Family-Friendly Event, free for keiki 12 and under, $25–$150, Hawai‘i Polo Club, 68-411 Farrington Hwy., hawaii-polo.org, @hawaiipolo
SEE ALSO: We Tried It: Hawai‘i Polo Club in Waialua
Photo: Courtesy of Blue Note Hawai‘i
Richard Elliot
Thursday, Aug. 24, and Friday, Aug. 25, 6:30 and 9 p.m.
Since starting out as a touring member of the soul-funk outfit “Tower of Power,” musician Richard Elliot has released more than 20 albums over the course of his career and earned multiple awards for contemporary jazz.
$25–$35, Blue Note Hawai‘i, 2335 Kalākaua Ave., bluenotejazz.com, @bluenotehawaii
SEE ALSO: Your Ultimate Guide to Concerts and Live Music in Honolulu
Photo: Courtesy of Bishop Museum
E Ulu A Pa‘a
Through Sunday, Aug. 27
Bishop Museum’s popular online fundraising auction, E Ulu A Pa‘a, ends this coming Sunday, so this is your last chance to bid on books, artwork, house décor, gifts, hotel stays and unique Bishop Museum experiences, like a customized planetarium experience, private workshops and tours.
Megabon
Saturday, Aug. 26, 5 to 9 p.m.
Join an epic night of bon dancing and more than 60 booths offering matsuri-style food (think andagi, takoyaki, waffle dogs and sushi rolls), drinks, festival games, a beer garden and more. Don’t forget to bring chairs and blankets so you can sit down and picnic. This free event will offer bon dancing from Hawai‘i Shin Kobukai, Ewa Fukushima Bon Dance Club and Hawai‘i Eisa Shinyuu Kai. Bring cash if you’re parking at the stadium—prices are $9 for cars, $32 for buses and limos.
Family-Friendly Event, free admission, Aloha Stadium’s Lower Halawa Lot, 99-500 Salt Lake Blvd., jcihonolulu.org, @megabonhawaii
SEE ALSO: O‘ahu Bon Dance Schedule 2023
Photo: Credit Steven Roby
Henry Kapono Celebrates 50 Years of the Songs of C&K
Saturday, Aug. 26, 7 to 10 p.m.
A celebration of Henry Kapono’s legacy spanning over five decades, this concert pays tribute to the album “The Songs of C&K” and includes highlights of events and songs throughout Kapono’s legendary music career.
Family-Friendly Event, $45, Tom Moffat Waikīkī Shell, 2805 Monsarrat Ave., blaisdellcenter.com, @henrykapono
Blue Moon Market
Wednesday, Aug. 30, 6 to 9 p.m.
Shop vintage clothing, eat ice cream and listen to live music at Fishcake’s pop-up market. At 6 and 7:30 p.m., attend a zine-making workshop for $20. A zine is a self-made DIY publication created to share writing art and other skills—make one yourself, take it home or, if you want, enter it into Fishcake’s multi-zine library that will be on display during the first half of October.
Family-Friendly Event, free admission, $20 for zine workshop, Fishcake, 307c Kamani St., fishcake.us, @fishcakehawaii
