Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: June 15–21, 2023

Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

Neil Simon: The Sunshine Boys

Thursday, June 15 to Sunday, June 25, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Hawai‘i’s most-watched news anchor Joe Moore and his Army buddy Pat Sajak return on stage, with all of the net proceeds for the show going to support the Hawai‘i Theatre. The Sunshine Boys is about two comedians who haven’t spoken to each other in years. When CBS calls for the vaudevillian greats to be reunited for a television special, past grudges resurface as they take the stage once more.

$30—$75, Hawai‘i Theatre, 1130 Bethel St., hawaiitheatre.com, @hawaiitheatre

Photo: Courtesy of Prince Waikīkī

Summer Flix by the Prince Waikīkī Pool

Wednesdays, starting June 7 to August 9, 7 p.m.

Hawai‘i International Film Festival has partnered with Prince Waikīkī to present 10 made-in-Hawai‘i films alongside some recent Hollywood hits every Wednesday this summer. Sip on cocktails at the Muliwai pool deck while you watch Kapaemahu, a short film about four beings of male and female spirit who brought healing arts from Tahiti to Hawai‘i. Then kick back and delight in Puss In Boots: The Last Wish. See the rest of the summer’s schedule online, including which screenings come with special guest talks. Parking is free with validation.

Free, no RSVP required, Prince Waikiki, 100 Holomoana St., hiff.org, @hiffhawaii

Cats

Tuesday, June 13 to Sunday, June 18, various times

This beloved Broadway musical is a spectacle of extravagant costumes, gorgeous songs and dynamic dance. The show tells the story of a tribe of cats called the Jellicles and how they choose which cat will ascend and return with new life.

GET TICKETS

$48.50–$128.50, Blaisdell Concert Hall, 777 Ward Ave., blaisdellcenter.com, @broadwayinhawaii

Photo: Courtesy of Honolulu Zoo

Honolulu Zoo Society’s Wildest Show Summer Concert Series

Most Wednesdays, beginning June 14 through July 26, 4:30 to 7 p.m.

Visit the Honolulu Zoo after hours for a concert series by award-winning artists and up-and-coming Hawai‘i performers. There will be plenty of pre-concert family activities, such as conservation stations, animal-themed drawing contests for keiki and animal trivia. Proceeds support the refurbishment of the Zoo’s family playground.

Family-Friendly Event, $10 for Honolulu Zoo Society members, $15 for non-members and $5 for children ages 3-12; keiki 2 and under are free, Honolulu Zoo, 151 Kapahulu Ave., honoluluzoo.org, @honoluluzoo

Photo: Courtesy of Kris Ou

Bean-to-Bar Chocolate-Making Class

Thursday, June 15, 5:30 to 7 p.m.

You probably like to eat chocolate—but do you know how it’s made? Roll up your sleeves and learn how to take a cacao bean and turn it into a chocolate bar, then customize it with flavors like toasted coconut, spicy chipotle pepper or a dash of Hawaiian sea salt. This is the only class where your teacher will be happy to hear that your work was eaten.

$40, Hana Kitchens, 55 Merchant St., Suite 20, madrechocolate.com, @madrechocolate

SEE ALSO: Learn to Cook Gnocchi and More Specialty Dishes at Hana Kitchens

Photo: Courtesy of Emily Turner

HI Pie and Sweet Land Farm Pop-Up Dinner

Friday, June 16, 5 to 9 p.m.

Leave your worries behind while you head out to the North Shore and enjoy a crisp summer evening at Sweet Land Farm, along with a four-course meal of family-style pūpū, chicken pot pie, local green salad and HI Pie’s signature poi banana bread sundae served with Sweet Land Farm’s goat milk gelato. The evening will also include live music and farm-to-cup mocktails made by Hawaiian Vinegar Co.

$75, Sweet Land Farm, 65-1031 Kaukonahua Road, Waialua, hipiehawaii.com, @hipie_ns, @sweetlandfarmhawaii

Dance Nation

Friday, June 16, to Sunday, July 2, Fridays and Saturdays 7:30 p.m.; Sundays 4 p.m.

This Pulitzer Prize finalist drama follows an adolescent dance team that makes its way to Nationals. Explore each member’s journey of self-discovery and their relationship dynamics.

$20—$35, KOA Theatre, 780 South Beretania St., onthestage.tickets, @koa_theater

Photo: Courtesy of Aloun Farms

‘Ewa Sweet Festival

Saturday, June 17, and Sunday, June 18, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Shop local food and crafts, enjoy free hayrides, check out a petting zoo and ride a pony at the ‘Ewa Sweet Festival. New this year are the live cooking demonstrations with Fig & Ginger’s chef Yim Kwok and Waipahu High School culinary students. There will also be growing workshops at the keiki garden where families can receive seedlings of herbs, peppers and onions, plus free tips on how to care for them at home.

Family-Friendly Event, $5, Aloun Farms, 91-1440 Farrington Hwy., alounfarms.com, @alounfarmshawaii

SEE ALSO: Find Goat Milk Gelato, Caramel and Cheese at Sweet Land Farm’s Store in Waialua

Photo: Courtesy of Wendy Awai-Dakroub

2nd Annual Children’s Business Fair

Saturday, June 17, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Keiki can learn everything they need to know about launching their own startup business at this specialty fair. Give your child a step up with financial literacy, marketing strategies and business plans, which they can practice by launching their first business.

Family-Friendly Event, Puaena Café and Rooftop, 938 Piikoi St., childrensbusinessfair.org, @childrensbusinessfairhawaii

SEE ALSO: June Events for Kids on O‘ahu

Photo: Courtesy of Candace Izumi

Super Saturday Hawai‘i

Saturday, June 17, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, June 18, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ani-may-I interest you in a weekend of manga, comics, Hot Wheels, games, arts, crafts and more? Join in on the cosplay, meet two professional training card artists (Rhiannon Owens and Chris Foreman) who have both done work for Marvel or check out Super Saturday Hawai‘i’s biggest eSports Tournament, with titles such as Call of Duty, Smash Bros. and Street Fighter 6.

$20–$40, Hawai‘i Convention Center, 1901 Kalākaua Ave., supersaturdayhawaii.com, @supersaturdayhi

Photo: Courtesy of Ward Village

Friends of the Library of Hawai‘i’s 74th Annual Book Sale

Saturday, June 17, to Sunday, June 25

An annual tradition for book lovers, this used book sale offers more than 125,500 books in every category imaginable. The sale will also include CDs, DVDs, comics, manga and art. Friends of the Library of Hawai‘i will restock the inventory every day to cater to book and art lovers of all ages and interests. Proceeds from the event will help support 51 of Hawai‘i’s public libraries. Check the website for hours for the rest of the week and for discount days—the last weekend offers everything 50% off and on the last day, everything is 50 cents.

Family-Friendly Event, Free, Ward Village (former Pier1 Imports Store), 1142 Auahi St., friendsofthelibraryofhawaii.org, @hawaiilibraryfriends

SEE ALSO: What You Need to Check Out at Hawai‘i State Libraries

Photo: Tracy Chan

Sailor Jerry Festival

Saturday, June 17, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Celebrate tattoo culture and the life of legendary tattoo artist Norman “Sailor Jerry” Collins at the Ninth Annual Sailor Jerry Festival in Chinatown—his old stomping grounds. The festival will be at multiple venues, including Old Ironside Tattoo, Black Cat Tattoo, Manifest and Smith’s Union Bar, so you can enjoy drink specials or get a tattoo at plenty of spots, then check out the Miss Sailor Jerry Festival Pinup Pageant. There’ll also be live music, comedy, burlesque performers and art shows. Get your ticket online for $10 off. They’ll be $20 at the venue.

$10–$20, Chinatown,  sailorjerryfestival.com, @sailorjerryfestival

Photo: Tracy Chan

Hawai‘i Beer Fest

Saturday, June 17, 5 to 9 p.m.

Cheers to the Fourth Annual Hawai‘i Beer Fest, where more than 100 of the best local and national craft beers, hard seltzers and ciders are all in one place. Soak it all up with bacon-themed dishes from local vendors, such as bacon-wrapped Lao sausages from Olay’s Thai-Lao Cuisine and bacon empanadas from Papi’s Empanadas. While you’re eating and drinking, there’ll be live entertainment and adult party games like Connect 4, Jenga and Portuguese Horseshoe. Buy your ticket online to save $5 before the event. Designated driver (non-drinking) tickets will be sold at the door for $20.

$60–$95, Bishop Museum Great Lawn, 1525 Bernice St., hawaiibeerfest.com, @hawaiibeerfest

Photo: Courtesy of Wet ‘n’ Wild Hawai‘i

Dad’s Appreciation Day at the Waterpark

Sunday, June 18, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

It may be “Dad’s Appreciation Day,” but it doesn’t mean the whole family can’t have fun! Dads, get yourself and your kids to the park before 11:30 a.m. to snag half-off tickets, plus the first 200 kids will get free mini toy cars (while supplies last). At noon, take a break to have lunch and enjoy a free showing of Finding Nemo at the Hawaiian Waters wave pool, and take photos with the 20 classic Hot Rod cars on display throughout the park.

Family-Friendly Event, $29.99–$53.99, Wet ‘n’ Wild Hawai‘i, 400 Farrington Highway, Kapolei, wetnwildhawaii.com, @wetnwildhawaii

Photo: Courtesy of International Market Place

Knockerball at International Market Place

Daily through June 30, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Enjoy a session of knockerball—a fun experience where you and your family can run around, play tag or human foosball while wearing an encompassing, protective inflatable ball to protect your body.

Family-Friendly Event, $7 for five minutes, human foosball for 12 people starts at $50, International Market Place, Level 3, Grand Lānai (on June 14, 21, 28 and 30 they will be at Queen’s Court, Level 1), shopinternationalmarketplace.com, @intlmktplace