Your Guide to the Perfect Halloween Weekend: October 28–November 3, 2020

Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

Okinawan FEASTival

November 2–8

We were bummed that the Okinawan Festival had to cancel its in-person festivities this year, but our andadog prayers have been answered: Starting next Monday, the inaugural Okinawan FEASTival will offer specials and deals at local Okinawan-owned restaurants through November 8. Get your awamori, andagi and other Okinawan dishes—including an andadog from Hank’s Haute Dogs, kokuto andagi ice cream from Heiho House, shoyu pork and sparerib soup from Tatsuo’s, and kandaba jushi (rice porridge with sweet potato leaves) from Utage Restaurant—by checking out the list and ordering instructions at hawaiiokinawans.com/specials. The website also lists restaurants that offer Okinawan dishes year-round. Grab some takeout and eat it while watching September’s virtual Okinawan Festival performances on YouTube.

For more info, go to hawaiiokinawans.com

SEE ALSO: How 5 Popular Ethnic Festivals in Honolulu Adapt While Keeping Traditions Alive

Hawai‘i Book and Music Festival

Through November 4

It’s the final week of the Hawai‘i Book and Music Festival, which turned its normally weekend-long programming into an entire month’s worth of virtual panels, readings, workshops and more this year. Some final highlights include talks on the post-pandemic future of Hawai‘i (Nov. 1, 11:30 a.m., 12:30 and 2 p.m.) and a few more stories in the Fall International Storyteller Series, including a Halloween special kicked off by Jeff Gere (Oct. 31, 7 p.m.). Missed something earlier? Check out the recorded sessions on Facebook, such as this one about merfolk and water spirits across cultures.

Free, for more info, go to hawaiibookandmusicfestival.com

2020 Hawai‘i Comedy Festival

Through October 31

This time of year can be a real fright for people who don’t actually enjoy being terrified by strange tales, horror films and ghostly tricks. Fight the darkness with laughter in the final few days of the Hawai‘i Comedy Festival. The annual laugh fest took place earlier this month but replays of the sketches are available through Saturday. Tune in to “Live from Honolulu: The Musical,” featuring a special video presentation by Jonah Ray; “Two Scoops Funny,” from the cast of Waikīkī PD; “A Filipino Comedy Variety Show”; and the family-friendly, “Whose Da Kine Is It Anyway?”

$15 per show per household, $50 for the entire festival, for more info go to hicomedyfest.com

SEE ALSO: Jonah Ray’s Delicious POG-Flavored Beer Just Became Available In Hawai‘i 

Musical Matinees: Drive-In Concert Series

Friday, October 30–Sunday, November 1, 4:30 p.m.

No one said you couldn’t do the monster mash in your car. Pull up to the back lot of Diamond Head Theatre for live performances of some favorite Halloween songs, sung from the balcony. This drive-in event can fit up to 45 cars, but tickets must be purchased in advance (Halloween is already sold out) and you must remain in your vehicle. Come at 3:45 p.m. when the gates open for a good spot. Bring some spooky snacks and drinks to get in the spirit, and roll down your windows to sing (or shout) along.

$30 per car, purchase tickets at diamondheadtheatre.com

SEE ALSO: Halloween Events in Hawai‘i for Families—2020 on HONOLULU Family

Spooky Reads

Haunted Hawai‘i: My Personal Experience With the Supernatural and the Unexplained

HAWAI‘I Magazine editor Catherine Toth Fox shares stories of her interactions with ghosts and paranormal activity in the Islands.

3 Creepy Hawai‘i Tales That Won HONOLULU’s Ghost Story Contest

In 2017 we asked readers to submit their scariest ghost stories. We still get chicken skin reading them.

Scary Ghost Stories from Hawai‘i’s “Haunted” Plantation Village

The spooky characters of Haunted Plantation took a break this year, but Hawai‘i Plantation Village remains one of the most haunted places on the island year-round.

Chilling Ghost Stories from Nu‘uanu Pali Lookout

We took a ghost tour with Mysteries of Hawai‘i and lived to tell the tales.