Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: Jan. 19–25, 2023
Go to a drive-in movie, watch a play written by Da Pidgin Guerrilla or attend a new keiki-friendly event with food trucks, hopscotch and face painting.
Windward Mall Chinese New Year Celebration
Saturday, Jan. 21, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Celebrate Chinese New Year at Windward Mall as the Ben Au’s Shaolin Arts Society performs. Master Chinese calligraphy artist Ina Chang will be writing complimentary good luck fortunes for folks in Center Court.
Family-Friendly Event, free, Windward Mall, 45-480 Kāne‘ohe Bay Drive, windwardmall.com, @windwardmall
Photo: David Croxford
Vans Triple Crown of Surfing
Through Monday, Jan. 23
The popular North Shore surfing series began earlier this month, but there’s still time to catch some epic waves. Surfers have three weeks to submit digital video clips of their best waves, and fans can watch clips online or check out the action in person at Pipeline/Backdoor, Sunset Beach and Hale‘iwa.
Family-Friendly Event. vanstriplecrownofsurfing.com, @vanssurfevents
Korea: There and Here
Open through Friday, Feb. 10
Presented by the Korean American Foundation Hawai‘i, this photograph exhibit commemorates the 120th anniversary of Korean immigration to Hawai‘i. In the Honolulu Hale courtyard, view poignant photographs by Marie Ann Han Yoo, the only known female Korean American photographer who covered what life was like in South Korea as the country rebuilt itself after the Korean War. Over in Lane Gallery, there will be rubbings from tombstones of early Korean laborers on exhibit. The exhibit is open weekdays, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Free, 530 S. King St., honolulumoca.org, @hnl_moca
Photo: Courtesy of Pearlridge Center
Cars Under the Stars Drive-In Movie
Saturday, Jan. 21, 5 p.m.
Attend a drive-in movie fundraiser to benefit U.S. Vets, a nonprofit that supports local homeless families and veterans in Hawai‘i. Watch Star Wars: A New Hope in your car, purchase dinner and snacks from food vendors and enter fun prize drawings. The event will take place at the street level mauka parking lot in front of Macy’s and Pieology. Check-in begins at 5 p.m. and the film will play at 6 p.m. Note that tickets may not be available on-site, so advance tickets are recommended. Get them online at usvets.org/events/2023-cars-under-the-stars.
Family-Friendly Event, $40–$150 per vehicle, Pearlridge Center, 98-1005 Moanalua Road, ‘Aiea, pearlridgeonline.com, @pearlridge
FarmLovers Family Fun Fest
Friday, Jan. 20, 4 to 8 p.m.
This new family-oriented event boasts a plethora of booths to visit: balloon artists, shave ice, henna and face painting, hopscotch, a build-your-own pizza booth, hula lessons and much more. Swing by early for fun keiki activities, pick up snacks and dinner from food trucks and stick around to watch the Hilton fireworks go off in Waikīkī at 7:45 p.m.
Family-Friendly Event, free admission, Fisherman’s Wharf at Hakuone, 1011 Ala Moana Blvd., (808) 388-9696, @alohafarmlovers
Justin Willman
Saturday, Jan. 21, 8 p.m.
American magician and comedian Justin Willman takes the stage—he’s known for creating and starring on the show Magic for Humans on Netflix. His live shows are both awe-inspiring and hilarious and you’ll walk away laughing and believing in magic. You might have also seen him on The Tonight Show and Conan, or on his YouTube channel “Magic Meltdown.”
$38–$148.50, Hawai‘i Theatre, 1130 Bethel St., hawaiitheatre.com, @hawaiitheatre
Photo: HNL Tool Library
Woodworking Basics: Koa Chopsticks
Saturday, Jan. 21, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Swing by this tool-sharing nonprofit and learn from its expert staff about how to make your own set of chopsticks. You’ll be using koa wood and will get to use the library’s benchtop spindle sanders to smooth out the chopsticks.
$40, HNL Tool Library, 200 Keawe St., hnltoollibrary.com, @hnltoollibrary
Photo: Credit Tracy Chan/Downtown Art Center
Make Sketchbooks with Esther Nowell
Wednesday, Jan. 25, 1 to 3:30 p.m.
Spend an afternoon with versatile 102-year-old artist Esther Nowell and create your own sketchbook. Participants are welcome to bring their own materials or share what’s provided in the class. If you can’t make it to the Wednesday class, you can swing by the center’s $15 weekly noninstructional drawing sessions—life drawing classes take place Mondays from 6 to 8:30 p.m., and portrait sessions on Tuesdays from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Sign up online at downtownarthi.org.
$30, Downtown Art Center, 1041 Nu‘uanu Ave., downtownarthi.org, @downtownartcenter
SEE ALSO: The Centenarian: Esther Nowell
Photo: Courtesy of Kumu Kahua Theatre
Gone Feeshing
Thursday, Jan. 19, through Sunday, Feb. 19; 7 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. on Sundays
Written by prominent playwright Lee A. Tonouchi, Gone Feeshing is a story about two brothers who go fishing and find reconciliation out at sea in regards to their father’s tragic death. The play explores themes of love, communication, forgiveness, and the universal issues of sibling rivalry and father-son relationships.
$5–$25, Kumu Kahua Theatre, 46 Merchant St., kumukahua.org, @kumukahua
Photo: Courtesy of Young the Giant
Young the Giant
Thursday, Jan. 19 and Friday, Jan. 20, 8 p.m.
Indie rock band Young the Giant had an impressive debut album with three singles—“My Body,” “Cough Syrup” and “Apartment”—all landing on the U.S. Alternative Songs chart in 2010. With charismatic lead singer Sameer Gadhia, the band has been on its American Bollywood tour since October 2022.
$32, $5 ticket increase on day of show, The Republik, 1349 Kapi‘olani Blvd., #30, jointherepublik.com, @jointherepublik
Howie Day
Sunday, Jan. 22, 6:30 and 9 p.m.
Early 2000s pop artist Howie Day takes the stage this weekend and you can be sure he’ll perform his hit song “Collide,” which became Epic Records’ first platinum single, with 1.5 million downloads. You might also know “She Says,” another popular single on his album Stop All The World Now.
$35–$45, Blue Note Hawai‘i, 2335 Kalākaua Ave., bluenotejazz.com, @bluenotehawaii
