Your Guide to the Perfect Memorial Day Weekend in Honolulu: May 25–31, 2023

Photo: Courtesy of Blue Note Hawai‘i

Hui Pū

Saturday, May 27, 8 p.m.

Jam out to Hui Pū at Blue Note Hawai‘i—members Macyn Hanawahine, Kalai Kealoha and Dre Alos make music in the Hawaiian, reggae, country and gospel genres. Seating is first-come, first-served, and a full bar and dinner menu will be available.

$20 to $30, Blue Note Hawai‘i, 2335 Kalākaua Ave., bluenotejazz.com, @bluenotehawaii

Photo: Courtesy of Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawai‘i

Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawai‘i Ceremony

Monday, May 29, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

This popular lantern festival returns for the first time in-person since the pandemic—expect plenty of crowds. For those who want to participate by writing messages to late loved ones on the lantern and placing them in the water at sunset, there are 6,000 lanterns available via an online reservation system. You’ll be able to pick them up at multiple dates leading up to Memorial Day.

Ala Moana Beach, lanternfloatinghawaii.com, @shinnyolanternfloatinghawaii

SEE ALSO: How You Can Honor Loved Ones This Memorial Day

Bernadette Peters

Saturday, May 27, 8 p.m.

Bernadette Peters is expected to shine in her upcoming concert featuring songs from Broadway shows she’s performed in and her Grammy Award-winning and nominated albums. Expect popular tunes by Rodgers & Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim and more. Additionally, VIP guests can enjoy a private reception, refreshments, Broadway music and a surprise gift.

$89 to $130, Hawai‘i Theatre, 1130 Bethel St., hawaiitheatre.com, @hawaiitheatre

The Bodyguard

Friday, May 26, to Sunday, June 11

This musical is an adaptation of the smash hit The Bodyguard featuring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner. You’ll hear all the popular Whitney tunes, like “Queen of the Note,” “I Have Nothing,” “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” and of course, the greatest of them all, “I Will Always Love You.”

$27 to $52, Diamond Head Theatre, 520 Makapu‘u Ave., diamondheadtheatre.com, @diamondheadtheatre

Photo: Martha Cheng

Kaimukī Free Parking

Saturday, May 27, and Sunday, May 28

Support your favorite Kaimukī businesses this Memorial Day weekend and enjoy free parking. Keep It Kaimukī and 3650 Waialae are offering complimentary two-hour parking validations for the Kaimukī Municipal Parking Lot #1 (entrances on 11th Ave. and 12th Ave.) for those who shop and dine in the neighborhood. Pick up a free parking validation at Bean About Town, Bubbly & Bleu, Chubbies Burgers, Hale Mana Aura, House of Intention, IYSDC, Pipeline Bakeshop, Red Pineapple, Sugarcane, Talk Kaimukī, or Ami Mei while supplies last.

Kaimuki Municipal Parking Lot, 1150 12th Ave., keepitkaimuki.com, @keepitkaimuki

SEE ALSO: Find a Moment of Zen at Ami Mei Tea & Wellness Boutique in Kaimukī

Daft Punk

Friday, May 26, 9 p.m.

Listen, dance and party to all of Daft Punk’s favorite hits. This show is open for audiences 18 years and older.

$10 to $20, The Republik, 1349 Kapi‘olani Blvd. #30, jointherepublik.com, @jointherepublik

Folks You Meet in Longs

Thursday, May 25, to Sunday, June 25

Thursdays through Saturdays at 7 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m., plus a matinee performance on Saturday, June 3, 2 p.m.

This hit play based on Lee Cataluna’s collection of monologues features characters you might find (and probably have) at Hawai‘i’s favorite drug store, Longs. Meet everyone from a lip gloss-smacking, hickey-necked teenager to a creepy uncle and a pickled-mango-craving hāpai mom.

$5 to $25, Kumu Kahua Theatre, 46 Merchant St., kumukahua.org, @kumukahua

SEE ALSO: 7 Questions With Writer Lee Cataluna

Stomp the Island Step Show

Sunday, May 28, 3 p.m.

This dance show features captivating performances by high school students, current college students, members of the National Pan Hellenic Council (NPHC) and various community performers across the state. It will help raise funds for college scholarships.

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

Photo: Courtesy of Honolulu Dept. of Parks and Recreation

72nd Annual Mayor’s Memorial Day Ceremony

Monday, May 29, 8:30 to 10 a.m.

The City and County of Honolulu holds this Memorial Day ceremony with numerous veteran, community, and educational organizations to help facilitate this time-honored tradition. The ceremony includes speeches, a wreath presentation, an F-22 military aircraft flyover, a 21-gun salute and a hula performance.

National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Pūowaina (Punchbowl), honolulu.gov

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

Wet ‘N’ Wild Hawai‘i’s 24th Anniversary

Monday, May 29

Visit our favorite water park for their special anniversary celebration, which includes prize giveaways like roundtrip airfare via Alaska Airlines and a screening of Moana on the park’s 20-foot-high television wall screen. One-day admission tickets will be $24 if you visit before 11:30 a.m.

Family-Friendly Event, Wet ‘N’ Wild, 400 Farrington Highway, wetnwildhawaii.com, @wetnwildhawaii

Photo: Courtesy of Hawai‘i Kai Towne Center

East End Hot Rod Car Show

Monday, May 29, 2 p.m.

Check out some of the island’s hottest cars gathered at the Hawai‘i Kai Costco’s parking lot for Memorial Day. Guests can also enjoy live music from Ka‘imi Hananoeau and Kevin Okimoto.

Family-Friendly Event, Hawai‘i Kai Towne Center, 333 Keahole St., hawaiikaitownecenter.com, @hawaiikaitownecenter