Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: May 18–24, 2023

Photo: Courtesy of Ko Olina Children’s Festival

7th Annual Ko Olina Children’s Festival

Saturday, May 20, 4 p.m.

Get ready for a day of fun-filled programs with themes related to wellness, the environment, local culture and language. The whole ‘ohana can participate in arts and crafts and other family-friendly activities. There will also be food and snack booths on site, live performances, and a showing of the Disney film “Encanto” on the beach at sunset. Ticket proceeds will benefit Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children.

Family-Friendly Event, Pre-sale general, $40 for adults, $27.50 for keiki 12 years old and younger, $35 for military and $25 for keiki (all prices include event parking and shuttle transportation). At-the-door prices are increased by $5 per person and parking is an additional fee. Kohola Lagoon beach fronting Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, 92-1185 Ali‘inui Dr., Kapolei, koolinachildrensfestival.com, @koolinakids

SEE ALSO: Tips for the 2023 Ko Olina Children’s Festival

Inessa Love, Dropping In. Photo: Courtesy of Windward Artists Guild

Windward Artists Guild Presents: “Emergence”

May 18 to May 27

Check out “Emergence,” a special exhibition by members of the Windward Artists Guild and the Association of Hawaiʻi Artists. The exhibition will also posthumously honor former members of WAG and the AHA by featuring selected artwork by Candace Fenander, Joan Fleming and Barbara Sumida.

Free, Downtown Art Center, 1041 Nu‘uanu Ave., Second Floor, downtownarthi.org, @downtownartcenter

Design Conversation Series: Saving the Planet By Design

May 19, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Head up to the Liljestrand House for an evening presentation and conversation with Ken Yeang, a Malaysia-based architect and ecologist whose work focuses on green architecture that goes above and beyond conventional green rating systems—a field he has been pioneering since 1971. Based on his research and built projects spanning more than five decades, Yeang will discuss a range of strategies that architects and planners can use to reduce the built environmentʻs contribution to global warming and to actively regenerate natural systems.

**Update: the event has sold out, but stay tuned for the next Design Series on June 15**

$35-$55, Liljestrand House, 3300 Tantalus Dr., liljestrandhouse.org, @liljestrand_house

SEE ALSO: The Liljestrand House: Honolulu’s Mid-Century Architectural Gem

Photo: Travis Okimoto

Frolic Hawai‘i’s 2023 Poke Fest

Saturday, May 20, 4 to 8 p.m.

Celebrate one of Hawai‘i’s favorite dishes while enjoying live music by Kimié Miner and the Haku Collective and participating in interactive activities for all ages. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite poke dish in Poke Fest’s “People’s Choice” award. Limited Poke Pass tickets are available here.

Family-Friendly Event, Free, $40 for Poke Pass, Ka Makana Ali‘i, 91-5431 Kapolei Parkway, Kapolei,  frolichawaii.com, @frolichawaii

SEE ALSO: Save the Date: Frolic’s 2023 Poke Fest Presented by Fresh Island Fish

Photo: Courtesy of Hawaiian Humane Society

Hawaiian Humane Society ‘Ewa Location Grand Opening

Saturday, May 20, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Celebrate the opening of the Hawaiian Humane Society’s Kosasa Family Campus at Ho‘opili, the nonprofit’s long-awaited second location in ‘Ewa Beach. The event will include food trucks, an interactive keiki area, music, info on pet-friendly resources and, of course, adoptable animals.

Family-Friendly Event, Free, 91-1945 Fort Weaver Road, ‘Ewa Beach, hawaiianhumane.org, @hawaiianhumane

Medicinal Farm Tour With Christine Moon

Saturday, May 20, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Get inspired to grow and cook your own superfoods for improved health and longevity. The farm tour features many medicinal foods used to treat everything from chronic diseases to mental health. After the tour, you can enjoy a farm-to-table experience of delicious food as well as artisanal herb and fruit-infused teas and waters.

Family-Friendly Event, $60 for adults, $40 for teens (13 to 17 years old) and $20 for children (5 to 12 years old), Sun Farm Hawai‘i, 509 Pakala St., sunfarmhawaii.com, @sunfarmhawaii

Photo: Courtesy of Blue Note Hawai‘i

Blue Note Comedy Series: David Koechner

Sunday, May 20, 7 and 9:30 p.m.

Listen up, fans of “The Office”! David Koechner—aka Todd Packer, aka Champ Kind from “Anchorman” and “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues”—will be doing a stand-up show in Honolulu, and you don’t want to miss it.

$30 to $40, Blue Note Hawai‘i, 2335 Kalākaua Ave., bluenotejazz.com, @bluenotehawaii

Photo: Courtesy of Hawai‘i State Museum of Art

Super Saturday at HiSAM

Saturday, May 20, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Experience hands-on art activities and workshops for all ages at Hawai‘i State Art Museum’s family-friendly free event, Super Saturday. All museum galleries will be open, including the 2023 Young Artists of Hawaiʻi exhibit, featuring award-winning artworks by Hawaiʻi students grades K–7. Plus, the whole family will enjoy live performances by Hook+Line, an Americana folk band, and the Dae Han Ensemble.

Family-Friendly Event, Free, 250 South Hotel St., hisam.hawaii.gov, @hawaiistateartmuseum

SEE ALSO: Join Artist-Led, Family-Friendly Workshops at HiSAM’s Super Saturday

Photo: Courtesy of Pacific Islands Development Program, East-West Center

Celebrate Micronesia Festival 2023: Resilience

Saturday, May 20, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Bishop Museum celebrates the resilience of our Micronesian cultures and Pacific communities this Saturday, in partnership with Pacific Islands Development Program, East-West Center. Marvel at traditional and contemporary art, dance, fashion, stories, poetry, food and music of the people and cultures of the Republic of Palau, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Guåhan (Guam), Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae, Kiribati and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Family-Friendly Event, Free for members, $5 for kamaʻāina and military with ID, Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice St., bishopmuseum.org, @bishopmuseum

Photo: Courtesy of Wet ’n’ Wild

Adult Swim at Wet ’n’ Wild Hawai‘i

Saturday, May 20, 5:30 to 10 p.m.

O‘ahu’s favorite (and only) water park is hosting an exclusive adults-only event. Those 21 years old and older can ride the Shaka, Surf Slider, Flowrider, Big Kahuna, Tornado and Waianae Coasters at night. The wave pool will be converted into a dance party area featuring DJ 720 spinning and mixing old school 90’s music videos on the 20-foot LED screen. Expect games and prize giveaways, including a staycation package compliments of Residence Inn Kapolei, food and drink specials and more.

General admission is $39.99, $14 for Season Pass holders, both prices include two drink tickets, 400 Farrington Highway, Kapolei, wetnwildhawaii.com, @wetnwildhawaii

Family Sunday at HoMA

Sunday, May 21, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Check out Honolulu Museum of Art’s Family Sunday presented by Bank of Hawai‘i Foundation. Keiki can participate in creative activities, and the whole family will enjoy the live entertainment by Mana Maoli and Molly Whuppie, plus community-focused programming that includes story time and a film that honors Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. 

Family-Friendly Event, Free admission (but ticketed), Honolulu Museum of Art, 900 South Beretania St., honolulumuseum.org, @honolulumuseum

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

‘Ohana Yoga with Three Little Ducks

Tuesday, May 23, 3 p.m.

Keiki and their caregivers can move and groove and connect with their ‘ohana at this inclusive yoga class led by Dr. Suma Metla, a pediatric physical therapist, registered yoga teacher and the owner of Three Little Ducks Hawai‘i. The 45-minute yoga practice will end with a 5-minute meditation. The class is open to the first 30 families and kids from three to 10 years of age.

Family Friendly Event, Free, Town Center of Mililani, 95-1249 Meheula Parkway, Mililani, threelittleduckshawaii.com, @threelittleduckshawaii