Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: Sept. 14–20, 2023

Sample choke seltzers in Kaka‘ako, learn how to plant Native Hawaiian ipu, say ciao to Festa Italiana and indulge in brunch and shopping at The Laylow.

September 13, 2023

Jasmine Chagnon,

Photo: Credit Travis Okimoto, Courtesy of Festa Italiana

Festa Italiana

Saturday, Sept. 16, 4 to 10 p.m.

Eat pasta, drink European wine and admire fancy Lamborghinis. The annual festival will feature food, culture and history via music, art, pasta and wine. Here’s your chance to express your amore for the beautiful country of Italy. For those looking for a more exclusive experience, the Passaporto Italiano VIP Experience will take place at Velocity Honolulu on Friday, Sept. 15, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. for $175.

Family-Friendly Event, free entry, Mother Waldron Park, festaitalianahawaii.com, @festaitaliana

Photo: Courtesy of Bishop Museum

Native Hawaiian Ipu Planting with Momi Greene

Thursday, Sept. 14, and Sunday, Sept. 10, 2 to 5 p.m.

Learn how to plant and care for Native Hawaiian ipu from practitioner Momi Greene, whose work is featured in the museum’s Ola Ka No‘eau: Excellence in Hawaiian Artistry exhibition. The intention is to start the plant in the pot, then plant it in the ‘āina to perpetuate ipu growing in Hawai‘i. A similar workshop geared towards keiki ages 10 and older (and parents!) is happening on Sept. 16 from 9 a.m. to noon.

$20 general admission, $15 for members, registration is required and the fee includes pots, seeds and materials. Atherton Hālau at Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice St., bishopmuseum.org, @bishopmuseum

Photo: Courtesy of Ala Moana Center

Pau Hana Concert Series

Friday, Sept. 15, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Ala Moana Center just launched its new Pau Hana Concert Series featuring local singers and songwriters. Check out the free show daily at the ‘Ewa Wing Stage before or after a shopping session or dinner plans. This Friday, musician Lina will perform a mix of R&B, pop and gospel, bringing a soulful lift to Hawaiian and Island music.

Family-Friendly Event, free, Ala Moana Center, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., alamoanacenter.com, @alamoanacenter

Photo: Courtesy of Malia Maunakea

Lei and the Fire Goddess Author Talk and Book Signing

Saturday, Sept. 16, 10 to 11 a.m.

Hawai‘i-born author Malia Maunakea will be talking story about her debut children’s book Lei and the Fire Goddess. Shar Tui‘asoa of Punky Aloha Studio, who did the chapter illustrations for the book, will join Maunakea to talk about their creative processes and their inspiration for indigenous and Pacific Islander stories.

Family-Friendly Event, free, reservation required, Da Shop: Books + Curiosities, 3565 Harding Ave., dashophnl.com, @dashophnl

Passport: A Seltzer Tasting Event

Saturday, Sept. 16, 4 to 10 p.m.

Sip, sip, hooray! Enjoy a night out in Kaka‘ako and taste a variety of hard seltzer brands and unique flavors while grooving to live entertainment and sets by DJ Anit. Plus, delight your palate with curated food pairings from Salt at Our Kaka‘ako’s vendors like Pitch Sports Bar, Olive Branch and Butcher and Bird.

Free entry, tasting tickets start at $35, The Barn at SALT Kaka‘ako, 327 Keawe St., tickettailor.com, @saltourkakaako

Photo: Brandon Miyagi, Courtesy of Mānoa Valley Theatre

Sweeney Todd

Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 14 to Oct. 1, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Watch the thrilling musical by Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler that tells the tale of a resourceful pie shop owner and a vengeful barber. Together, the two wreak havoc on Fleet Street and serve up the most desired—and unsettling—pies in London.

$25–$45, Mānoa Valley Theatre, 2833 E. Mānoa Road, manoavalleytheatre.com, @manoavalleytheatre

Photo: Courtesy of Ward Village

Hawai‘i Pregnancy, Baby & Kids Expo

Saturday, Sept. 16, and Sunday, Sept. 17, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Whether you’re expecting, have kids, thinking about having kids or you’re shopping for a loved one, you’ll want to check out this expo. Expect to find keiki clothing and accessories as well as the latest in baby and kid’s services, meet prenatal and birthing experts, participate in giveaways and activities and more. These local vendors will be there to offer invaluable information (and the cutest stuff!).

Family-Friendly Event, free, East Village Shops (next to Nordstrom Rack) at Ward Village, 1240 Ala Moana Blvd., wardvillage.com, @wardvillage

Center Court. Photo: Courtesy of Kamakana Ali‘i

Aloha Festivals ‘Ohana Event & Royal Court Appearance

Saturday, Sept. 16, 1 p.m.

Celebrate one of the most cherished traditions of Hawai‘i as you enjoy hula, music and pageantry that honors Hawai‘i’s ali‘i in a stately ceremony at the Aloha Festivals ‘Ohana Event and Royal Court Appearance. This year’s Aloha Festivals Royal Court will don regalia worn only by ali‘i of the highest rank.

Family-Friendly Event, free, Center Court at Ka Makana Ali‘i, 91-5431 Kapolei Parkway, Kapolei, kamakanaalii.com, @kamakanaalii

Brunch With a Side of Shopping

Sunday, Sept. 17, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Grab your girls and guys because brunch is back with a side of shopping at Hideout’s open-air lānai. Eat, drink and be merry, then peruse an array of local items from brands like Island-Boy Shop, Kuiki Hawai‘i, Ku Kolo Designs and more. Expect brunch favorites like the loco moco made with wagyu beef, and for those with sweet tooth, the buckwheat pancakes are smothered in Kona coffee maple syrup and macadamia nut butter. Don’t forget about the brunch cocktails and beats by DJ Compose—perfect accompaniments!

Hideout at The Laylow, 2299 Kūhiō Ave., hideoutwaikiki.com, @laylowwaikiki

Cover Kids 2023 Event. Photo: Jasmine Chagnon

HONOLULU Family 2024 Cover Kids Search

Saturday, Sept. 16, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Calling all keiki ages 1 to 12—head to Pearl Highlands Center to be entered in HONOLULU Family’s Cover Kids contest. Kids will have the chance to show off their star quality in a photo shoot by professional photographer LucieXYZ Photography Hawai‘i, who will capture their best side. All keiki who enter will also receive a boba pop fidget (while supplies last) and a Pearl Highlands Center 30th anniversary Savings Pass.

Family-Friendly Event, free, Pearl Highlands Center, top level outside of Highlands Market (food court area), 1000 Kamehameha Highway, Pearl City, honolulufamily.com, @honolulufamily

Fighting Eel Sample Sale

Thursday, Sept. 14, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Fighting Eel fans—now’s your chance to snatch up some chic threads at a discount. Plus, you’ll find prints from years past, one-of-a-kind styles, items that were never released, home decor and so much more. There won’t be any dressing rooms though, so plan/dress accordingly!

Cash only, 110 Fort Street Mall, fightingeel.com, @fightingeel

Halloween Crafts at Keiki Kingdom

Monday through Friday, through Sept.

Spooky season is already here so the keiki can enjoy an indoor playground and Halloween-themed arts and crafts available Monday through Friday. Make your own Halloween candy bags that will be perfect for trick-or-treating or as a gift to friends and family.

Family-Friendly Event, free with admission, Keiki Kingdom, 1460 South Beretania St., keikikingdom.com, @keikikingdom

SEE ALSO: We Tried It: Keiki Kingdom

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

Foam Fridays at Wet ’n’ Wild

Every Friday through the end of the year, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Get even wilder at Hawai‘i’s only water park when the foam party happens! Keiki and adults alike can participate in the fun.

Family-Friendly Event, free with admission (kama‘āina admission is $39.99 plus tax, or $44.99 at the door; general admission runs from $53.99; senior discounts available; kids age 2 and younger get in free), 400 Farrington Highway, Kapolei, wetnwildhawaii.com, @wetnwildhawaii