Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: May 8–14, 2025

Photo: Courtesy of Ko Olina Children’s Festival

Ko Olina Children’s Festival

Saturday, May 10, 3 to 8 p.m.

This fan-favorite for local families celebrates childhood with ocean awareness activities, cultural arts and crafts, live entertainment—and of course, the highly anticipated Disney character appearances. End the afternoon with a picnic from local food vendors and a sunset showing of Moana 2. The event raises funds for Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children.

BUY TICKETS

Family-friendly, $25–$40 online presale, $32.50–$45 at the door, Ko Olina Resort, Grand Lawn, Ulua Lagoon #4, Kapolei, koolinachildrensfestival.com, @koolinakids

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Bird Watching Tour

Saturday, May 10, 8 a.m.

Search for species that can be spotted in your own neighborhood with experts from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Hawai‘i Audubon Society, such as the Java Sparrow, Saffron Finch and Red-Crested Cardinal. Keiki can also make a binocular craft to take home.

Family-friendly, free, registration limited, email hono_superintendent@nps.gov to sign up, Kapolei Community Park, 91-1049 Kama‘aha Loop, Kapolei, nps.gov, @honouliulinps

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Photo: Courtesy of Cravings Media

Letterpress Open Studio

Saturday, May 10, 5 to 9 p.m.

Make a gift for Mom while learning about letterpress and printing a handset vintage type design card. Then line the envelope with letterpress heart prints. In addition to workshops, the boutique design studio sells stationery and offers custom printing services by owner-artist Celia Cheng.

$5 per card/envelope set, Cravings Media, 547 Halekauwila St., Suite 102, Kaka‘ako, cravingsmedia.com, @findyourcraving

SEE ALSO: In the Mood for Lei: Where to Take Lei-Making Classes on O‘ahu

Photo: Courtesy of ‘Iolani Palace

Kama‘āina Sunday at ‘Iolani Palace

Sunday, May 11, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Treat Mom like royalty with a day of culture and live entertainment at this free monthly event. Take a self-led audio tour of the palace, listen to music from the Royal Hawaiian Band, make kūpe‘e (bracelets), enjoy keiki activities and join a nose flute workshop.

Family-friendly, free for Hawai‘i residents (I.D. or proof of residency is required), 364 South King St., Downtown, iolanipalace.org, @iolanipalacehi

SEE ALSO: Gorgeous Winning Lei from O‘ahu’s Lei Day Contest 2025

Photo: Courtesy of Chamber Music Hawai‘i

The General

Saturday, May 10, 7 p.m.

Experience Buster Keaton’s beloved silent film the way audiences first did nearly a century ago—with live music performed by an 11-piece chamber ensemble. Expect roaring train chases, heart-stopping stunts and lots of laughs.

$50, Mae Zenke Orvis Auditorium, 2411 Dole St., Mānoa, chambermusichawaii.org, @chambermusichawaii