Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: May 4–10, 2023
Join a pineapple dessert bake-off, celebrate Lei Day, enjoy Asian street food, learn about the Hawaiian white tern and tour a fish pond.
Photo: Courtesy of Keoni Ahlo
Wahiawā Pineapple Festival
Saturday, May 6, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A benefit for the Wahiawā Historical Society’s proposed Wahiawā museum, this festival offers crafts, food, entertainment and a bon dance and showcases the agricultural, military and cultural roots of this historic town. Activities include pickleball and cornhole tournaments, a pineapple dessert bake-off, plus “cheehoo”, paper plane throwing, and tug-of-war contests.
Family-Friendly Event, Free, Ka‘ala Elementary School, 130 California Ave., pineapplefestival.org, @gowahiawa
Photo: Courtesy of Salt at Our Kaka‘ako
Lei Day Aloha Celebration
Saturday, May 6, 10 a.m. to noon
Celebrate Lei Day with live music, lei making and live performances by Kaniela Nakashima and Hālau Hula mai ka Pu‘uwai a ka Mana‘o. Spin a prize wheel to win gifts from Salt at Our Kaka‘ako merchants. Fresh flowers will be available to make lei wristlets while supplies last.
Family-Friendly Event, Free, The Barn at Salt at Our Kaka‘ako, 691 Auahi St., saltatkakaako.com, @saltourkakaako
Photos: Courtesy of C4 Table
Irasshai: Eat, Drink, Kanpai
Saturday, May 6, 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Attend this Yattai-style food and cultural festival and enjoy Asian-inspired street food by some of Hawaiʻi’s top chefs, including Chef Colin Hazama of C4 Table, Chef Chris Kajioka of Agaru, Chef Jeremy Shigekane of the Prince Waikīkī, and Chef Kin Wai Lui of Tane Vegan Izakaya. Sip sake, view live entertainment and art on display and explore the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i’s exhibits. The event is a fundraiser to support the center’s programs and resources.
$175 to $200, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i, 2454 South Beretania St., jcch.com, @jcchawaii
Bloom: A Floral Fête
Friday, May 5, and Saturday, May 6, 7 p.m.
Enjoy an evening with Honolulu’s best burlesque, belly dance and aerial troupes, including the Cherry Blossom Cabaret, Shakti Dance Movement and the Volary Aerial Burlesque. Drag artists will present a tribute to flowers in the Doris Duke Theatre that’s inspired by the Honolulu Museum of Art’s current exhibition Rebecca Louise Law: Awakening. A flower-themed cocktail reception begins at 6 p.m. in the Central Courtyard and the Luce Pavilion.
$65 to $95, Honolulu Museum of Art, 900 South Beretania St., honolulumuseum.org, @honolulumuseum
Photo: Courtesy of Amber Crago Photography
Lucky 7–A Grateful Dead Tribute Concert
Sunday, May 7, 5:30 p.m.
Pay tribute to the Grateful Dead at this “Lucky 7” concert series, produced by the Stephen Inglis Project. The series is taking place across the Islands and references the band’s famous Boston Garden concert that took place on May 7, 1977.
$30 to $50, Waikiki Shell Amphitheatre, 2805 Monsarrat Ave., rootsmusichawaii.com
Photo: Courtesy of David Livingston
53rd March for Babies: A Mother of a Movement
Saturday, May 6, 8:30 a.m.
Join this well-attended charity walk of 1.22 miles and support the March of Dimes mission to end preventable maternal health risks and death. Try dishes from onsite food trucks, including Kona Ice, Joe’s Backyard BBQ, Lion Coffee Mobile Café, Simply ‘Ono, So Fat Catering and more.
Family-Friendly Event, Kaka‘ako Waterfront Park, 102 Ohe St., marchforbabies.org
Bedlam in the Badlands or The Lucky Penny
Fridays and Saturdays, May 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20, 7:30 p.m.
The Lanikai Mortgage Players performs a new melodrama set in the Badlands of South Dakota and written by local author Andi Merriam. A land baron plans to seize a long-gone general’s ranch, but the general’s daughter, her aunt and some madcap actresses arrive unexpectedly to complicate his plan. Tickets include free popcorn.
$10, Lanikai Community Park, 126 Kaiolena Dr., tickets are available here.
Manu-o-Kū Festival
Saturday, May 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Now in its eighth year, this annual celebration of the Hawaiian white tern offers educational booths, keiki games, crafts, prizes, a costume contest, digital photo exhibit, bird tours and a spotting scope. Enjoy entertainment by Kumu Hula James Dela Cruz and Hula Hālau Nā ‘Opio A Me Nā Kūpuna O Ko‘olau.
Family-Friendly Event, Free, ‘Iolani Palace Coronation Lawn, 364 S King St., conservehawaii.org, @conservation_council_hawaii
Photo: Courtesy of PAF ‘Ohana
7th Kanikapila o Mahina
Saturday, May 6, 5 to 9 p.m.
Spend a relaxing evening at the Waiakalua Loko I‘a with pond tours at 5 p.m. and a concert beginning at 6 p.m. with Jerry Santos, Kamuela Kimokeo, Hawai‘i Loa, George Kuo and Kailua Moon. Food will be available for sale. Bring mats and lawn chairs for lawn seating.
$45 online, $50 at the door, Family-Friendly Event, Waiakalua Loko I‘a, thepaf.org, @pacificamericanfoundation
Photo: Courtesy of Brian McGowan via Unsplash
May the 4th Be With You Nerd Night
Thursday, May 4, 7:30 p.m.
All Star Wars fans know it’s May the Fourth this week! Celebrate with fellow fans and Improv Hawai‘i at their comedy night dedicated to a galaxy far, far away.
$10, Tiny Stage Hawai‘i, 419 South Street #163, improvhi.com, @improvhi
