Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: March 9–15, 2023
Attend a three-day Asia Pacific festival, tour ‘Iolani Palace for free and attend a street festival in Kaka‘ako that’s all about keiki.
Photo Courtesy of Honolulu Festival Foundation
Honolulu Festival
Friday, March 10 through Sunday, March 12
Back in-person for the first time since the pandemic, the Honolulu Festival is a three-day celebration of the friendship between Asia Pacific countries like Hawai‘i, Japan, Philippines, Australia and more. New this year are the Sake and Food Fest and the Kyushu Food Fair. The event culminates with a grand parade down Kalākaua Avenue and Nagaoka fireworks on Waikīkī beach.
Family-Friendly Event, free, Friendship Gala $100, Hawai‘i Convention Center, Ala Moana Center and Waikīkī Beach Walk, honolulufestival.com,@honfestival
Rebelution
Saturday, March 11, 7 p.m.
Grammy-nominated reggae rock band Rebelution performs live. They’re a popular group with songs like “Roots Reggae Music,” “Feeling Alright” and “Safe and Sound.” They recently released a new concert album in 2022 entitled Live in St. Augustine.
$49.50 and up, Waikīkī Shell, 2805 Monsarrat Ave., waikikiamp.com, @rebelutionmusic
Irish Tenors
Friday, March 10, 7:30 p.m.
Celtic music group Irish Tenors perform with the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra for a memorable evening. With ten best-selling CDs under their belt, the Irish Tenors have played to packed audiences around the world and are famous for their homage to Irish music.
$75 to $105, Hawai‘i Theatre, 1130 Bethel St., hawaiitheatre.com, @hawaiitheatre
Photo Courtesy of Blue Note Hawai‘i
Shaun Cassidy
Friday, March 10 & Saturday, March 11, 6:30 p.m.
‘70s American singer and producer Shaun Cassidy has created and produced a number of television series including American Gothic, Roar and Invasion. He’s also famous for songs like “That’s Rock ‘n’ Roll” and “Hey Deanie.”
$45 to $55, Blue Note Hawai‘i, 2335 Kalākaua Ave., bluenotejazz.com, @hawaiitheatre
Quick Breads at KCC
Saturday, March 11, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
Chef Dan Wetter will teach aspiring bakers how to make delicate biscuits, scones, muffins and loaf breads at this workshop—it’s all about technique!
$125, Kapi‘olani Community College, ‘Ōhelo Building Room 202, farringtonhighschool.org
Photo: Brandon Miyagi
Tick, Tick…Boom!
Thursday, March 9 through March 26, showtimes are Thursday, Friday and Saturdays 7:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m.
An autobiographical musical about Pulitzer and Tony Award-winner Jonathan Larson, composer of the musical Rent. The story follows Larson considers joining corporate America, moving to Cape Cod with his girlfriend or continuing his work on the musical he’s had in development for the past five years. Doors open for seating half an hour before showtime. The play is performed in one act with no intermission. No outside food or drinks are allowed.
Family-Friendly Event, $24 to $42, Mānoa Valley Theatre, 2833 East Mānoa Rd., manoavalleytheatre.com, @manoavalleytheatre
Photo: Leni Acosta Knight
Awakening the Hero in All Of Us Fundraiser
Monday, March 13 & Tuesday, March 14, 1 to 7 p.m.
A fundraiser benefiting the people of Turkey who were devastated by deadly earthquakes in February, this event will feature artwork by Leni Acosta Knight and a special menu and drinks by Chef Nili Yildirim and Chef Ahu Hettema of Istanbul Hawai‘i Restaurant.
Free entrance to public, Istanbul Hawai‘i, 1108 Auahi St., Suite 152, istanbulhawaii.com
Photo: credit Anne Lipscomb
Ola Ka No‘eau: Excellence in Hawaiian Artistry
Saturday, March 11, noon to 5 p.m.
A new exhibit at Bishop Museum featuring works by 13 Hawai‘i artists. Mediums include barkcloth, tool-making, decorated gourds, visual design, and plaiting. Opening weekend festivities will have talk story sessions with artists, products for sale, live music and hula performances.
Family-Friendly Event, Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice St., bishopmuseum.org, @bishopmuseum
Photo Courtesy of The Friends of ’Iolani Palace
Kamaʻāina Sunday at ‘Iolani Palace
Sunday, March 12, Starting at 8:30 a.m.
Kama‘āina Sundays return to ‘Iolani Palace with free tours for local residents, entertainment, family-friendly activities, and ‘ono food options to enjoy. The March theme centers around kalo (taro) and will have performances by Kuana Torres Kahele, the Royal Hawaiian Band and hula halau. Future themes include hula, lauhala and lei. The next event will take place on Sunday, April 2.
Family-Friendly Event, free; gates open at 8:30 a.m.: activities and tours begin 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ‘Iolani Palace, 364 South King St., iolanipalace.org, @iolanipalacehi
Dashboard Confessional
Friday, March 10, 8 p.m.
Bring back the side bangs and eyeliner for a night with Dashboard Confessional. “Vindicated,” anyone? Or, “Circles”? They’ll be joined by special guest Jenny Yim, a local songwriter from Honolulu.
$49.50, The Republik, 1349 Kapi‘olani Blvd. #30, jointherepublik.com, @jointherepublik
Photo Courtesy of Our Kaka‘ako
Keiki Street Festival
Saturday, March 11, noon to 5 p.m.
A keiki-centric festival with exploration stations by vendors like Storybook Entertainment, Teddy Bear Mobile Hawai‘i, Nalo Keiki Paniolo and more; classes by Still & Moving Center and My Treehouse Club; and food vendors including Asato Family Shop, Boxed Up Cookies and Dipped by Dee. There will also be giveaways from The Old Spaghetti Factory and Wet’n’Wild Hawai‘i.
Family-Friendly Event, Free, Our Kaka‘ako, Keawe St. and Auahi St., ourkakaako.com/events/keiki-street-festival, @ourkakaako
