Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: Sept. 7–13, 2023
Make lei by a Waikīkī pool, catch live music to benefit Maui and learn about Native American culture at the Honolulu Intertribal Powwow.
Photo: Ikaika Anderson. Courtesy of Bishop Museum
47th Annual Honolulu Intertribal Powwow 2023
Saturday, Sept. 9, and Sunday, Sept. 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Celebrate Native American heritages and learn about indigenous traditions and their cultural diversity. This year, the annual event will be on the Great Lawn at Bishop Museum. Expect music, dance and food. Head dancers include men and women from Standing Rock Lakota Nation.
Family-Friendly Event, $5 admission, free for members, bishopmuseum.org, @bishopmuseum
Photo: Thomas Obungen
Hale ‘Aina Celebration: Whimsical Wonderland
Saturday, Sept. 9, 6 to 9 p.m.
Transport into a whimsical wonderland at the 40th anniversary Hale ‘Aina Celebration presented by First Hawaiian Bank Priority Destinations® World Elite MasterCard. This event unites our restaurant winners, including 100 Sails Restaurant & Bar, Arancino at the Kāhala, Kapa Hale, Miro Kaimukī, MW Restaurant, Tim Ho Wan and The Seaside. VIPs can enter early at 5 p.m. 10% of ticket sales will go to the Hawai‘i Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund.
$150, Hawai‘i State Art Museum, 250 South Hotel St., honolulumagazine.com, @honolulumag
SEE ALSO: What You’ll Feast on at the 40th Annual Hale ‘Aina Celebration
Photo: Jake Shimabukuro
Hana Hou Festival
Friday, Sept. 8, and Saturday, Sept. 9, 7:30 p.m.
Enjoy a unique two-day concert festival featuring amazing talents from the Islands as well as musicians from the continent, Asia and beyond. Co-produced by Jake Shimabukuro, the festival is elevating Hawai‘i’s talent in a new way, including artists from various musical genres, performing solo and collaborating with each other—many for the first time ever live on stage. Along with Shimabukuro, expect performances by Brother Noland, Mick Fleetwood, Kimié Miner, Kawika Kahiapo and more. The festival is donating 100% of proceeds to the Hawai‘i Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund.
Family-Friendly Event, live stream tickets $50, in-person tickets from $65, Hawai‘i Theatre, 1130 Bethel St., hanahoufest.com, @hanahoumusicfestival
SEE ALSO: What You Need to Know About Hana Hou Festival
Live Stream the Holo Holo Music Festival, a Benefit for Maui
Saturday, Sept. 9, and Sunday, Sept. 10
Enjoy a free live stream of the upcoming California edition of the island music-centric gathering. The festival—featuring artists like Kolohe Kai, Common Kings, J Boog, Steel Pulse and more—is shining a light on the Hawaii Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund and the Chef Hui Maui Relief Fund. Whether you can make it to the in-person concert at Wheatland, California’s Toyota Amphitheatre or watch via live stream, you’re encouraged to donate and share.
Free live stream, holoholofestival.com, @holoholofest
SEE ALSO: Your Ultimate Guide to Concerts and Live Music in Honolulu
Comedy U Local Comedy Showcase
Wednesday, Sept. 13, 7 p.m.
Support Hawai‘i’s local comics at a hilarious showcase hosted by Nelly Jones, featuring Harold Wong, Patrick Tyrrell, Jose Dynamite and Andrew Joyce.
$15–$20, Blue Note Hawai‘i, 2335 Kalākaua Ave., bluenotejazz.com, @bluenotehawaii
Photo: Mariko Reed
Leis, Lattes & Lazy Pool Days
Saturday, Sept. 9, 12 to 3 p.m.
Feel like you’re worlds away while you lounge by the hotel pool and enjoy a lei-making workshop, complemented by delicious sips, snacks and a custom swag bag at the Redfish Patio at Wayfinder Waikīkī.
$99, The Wayfinder Waikīkī, 2375 Ala Wai Blvd., wayfinderhotels.com, @wayfinderwaikiki
SEE ALSO: 6 Staycation Deals on O‘ahu for Kama‘āina
E aha ‘ia ana ‘o Mauna Kea!
Friday, Sept. 8, 7:30 p.m.
Celebrate Hawaiian heritage and resilience by checking out the world premiere of this groundbreaking performance that weaves together Hawaiian mo‘ōlelo, contemporary dance and music. The captivating portrayal of the snow goddess Poli‘ahu is presented by the Kanaka Maoli Juilliard-trained composer, pianist, māhū drag artist and cultural practitioner T.J. Keanu Tario, AKA Laritza Labouche. Enjoy a transformative voyage through culture, history and emotion.
$40 general admission, discounted rates available for UH students and kūpuna, Leeward Theatre, 96-045 Ala Ike, Pearl City, leeward.hawaii.edu, @leewardtheatre
SEE ALSO: Honolulu Pride: LGBTQIA+ Events in September 2023
Wai Kai Show, A Waterman’s Journey
Mondays throughout September, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Take a journey through history and learn how surfing came to be in Hawai‘i as you enjoy delicious food and drinks and soak in ocean views. This special event series is part of the new ‘Ohana Events, an expansion of Aloha Festivals, Hawai‘i’s longest-running cultural festival.
Family-Friendly Event, The LookOut at the LineUp at Wai Kai, reservations can be made through OpenTable, 91-1621 Keoneula Blvd Suite 1100, alohafestivals.com, @alohafestivals
SEE ALSO: Our Guide: Honolulu Summer Festivals
Out of the Darkness O‘ahu Walk
Saturday, Sept. 9, 9 a.m.
Join the Hawai‘i chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) in raising awareness about suicide prevention, honoring loved ones lost to suicide and supporting survivors. This annual community-driven event welcomes participants from all walks of life to join together and draw attention to the importance of mental health. “Our goal is to reduce stigma, raise awareness and provide vital resources that can help save lives,” says Kathleen Merriam, AFSP Hawai‘i Chapter co-chair.
Family-Friendly Event, Skygate at Frank Fasi Civic Center Park, 650 S. King St., afsp.org, @afsphawaii
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
SEE ALSO: We Tried It: Lil Kahuna Beach at Wet ’n’ Wild Hawai‘i
A Culinary Experience in Collaboration With The Imperial Hotel Tokyo
Wednesday, Sept. 13, and Thursday, Sept. 14, 6 to 9 p.m.
Treat yourself to an epicurean adventure at La Mer at Halekulani with an exclusive culinary experience in collaboration with The Imperial Hotel Tokyo. Delight in a five-course tasting menu comprised of signature dishes prepared by Thierry Voisin, Chef du Cuisine of Les Saisons at Imperial Hotel Tokyo, and Alexandre Trancher, Executive Chef of La Mer at Halekulani. Expect unique twists to classic French delicacies.
$485 per person, La Mer at Halekulani, 2199 Kalia Road, halekulani.com, @halekulanihotel
