Your Guide to the Perfect Labor Day Weekend in Honolulu: Sept. 1–7, 2022

Photo: Greg Yamamoto

Okinawan Festival

Saturday, Sept. 3, and Sunday, Sept. 4

In its 40th year, this two-day annual festival is slated to take place at the Hawai‘i Convention Center with bon dancing, andagi, arts and crafts, keiki activities and more. Click here for our comprehensive guide on what to expect, what to eat, where to park and everything in between.

Family-Friendly Event, $5–$10, Hawai‘i Convention Center, 1801 Kalākaua Ave., (808) 676-5400, @hawaiiunitedokinawaassociation

Photo: Consolidated Theatres

$3 Movies at Consolidated Theatres

Saturday, Sept. 3

To celebrate National Cinema Day, moviegoers can attend any movie at a Consolidated theater on O‘ahu or Maui for just $3. This includes all formats and all showtimes. All sizes of popcorn and soda will also be sold for just $3 on Sept. 3.

Family-Friendly Event, consolidatedtheatres.com

Babyface

Saturday, Sept. 3, 8 p.m.

R&B legend Kenneth Brian Edmonds, better known as Babyface, is here to perform live—he’s known for love songs like “Every Time I Close My Eyes” and “Wonderful Tonight,” and has produced for many artists including Ariana Grande, Barbra Streisand and Foxes. In fact, he’s named one of NME’s greatest producers ever. Opening the show will be Grammy-nominated singer Josh Tafoti.

$69–$169, Neal Blaisdell Center, 777 Ward Ave., (808) 768-5252, blaisdellcenter.com, @blaisdellcenter

Join Us on Instagram for Our Author Interview

Thursday, Sept. 1, noon

We have a special IG Live happening with contributing editor @donwallace212 and local author @chrismckinney808. This is an interactive talk story on Don’s epic round up of 134 books about Hawai‘i and we’ll be taking questions and comments throughout.

@honolulumag

Photo: Courtesy of Omiyage Market

Second Annual Ube Fair

Saturday, Sept. 3, 1 to 5 p.m.

Ube lovers, rejoice! You’ll find ube cookies, tarts, mochi, pancakes, cream cheese cupcakes and more at this annual purple-y goodness fair. There will be a total of 13 vendors, including Boxed Up Cookies, Cookies by Jesh, Manang Kitchen and The Mochi Bar.

Family-Friendly Event, free, Omiyage Market & Gifts, Waimalu Shopping Center, 98-020 Kamehameha Highway, #119, ‘Aiea, (808) 487-9933, @omiyagemarket

Eric Nam: There and Back Again World Tour

Thursday, Sept. 1, and Friday, Sept. 2, 8 p.m.

Named GQ Korea’s 2016 Man of the Year, Korean American singer Eric Nam is known for his catchy K-pop beats. He’ll be in Honolulu for two concerts. All ages are welcome; minors are required to be accompanied by an adult.

$40–$140, The Republik, 1349 Kapi‘olani Blvd., #30, (808) 941-7469, jointherepublik.com, @jointherepublik

Hawaiian History Month

Friday, Sept. 2, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In celebration of Queen Lili‘uokalani’s 184th birthday, the Hawai‘i Pono‘i Coalition will stage five weeks of in-person and virtual events throughout the month. This weekend, attend a live virtual birthday celebration in honor of Queen Liliʻuokalani, at 9 a.m., with mele and hula as part of He ʻŌlelo Ola: ʻAha Kūkā ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. Afterward at 4 p.m., join an in-person stroll to notable locations where the queen lived and prayed, like St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Washington Place and ‘Iolani Palace. At the end of the stroll, gather at Kawaiahaʻo Church for a live concert. Song books will be available for everyone to sing along with the Kawaiahaʻo Church Choir, the Hawai‘i Youth Opera Chorus, organist Buddy Nalua‘i, singer Starr Kalahiki and more. The concert will also be livestreamed via YouTube. Register online at hawaiiponoi.info.

Free, both virtual and in-person, hawaiiponoi.info, @hawaiiponoicoalition

Photo: Edmar Castillo Photography and Healthy Baby Contest

69th Annual Healthy Baby Contest

Saturday, Sept. 3, 10 a.m. to noon

Hosted by nonprofit Honolulu Chinese Jaycees, this oh-so-adorbs contest will have 25 little finalists between 1 and 2 ½ years old vying for a chance to win up to $800 in scholarship money. Cheer them on as part of the organization’s approach to raising awareness for healthy living.

Family-Friendly Event, free, Windward Mall, 46-056 Kamehameha Highway, Kāne‘ohe, (808) 235-1143, hawaiihealthybabycontest.com, @healthybabycontest

Photo: Courtesy of Hawai‘i Kai Towne Center

Hot Rod Car Show

Monday, Sept. 5, 2 p.m.

Check out the island’s hottest vintage cars this Labor Day at the Costco parking lot in Hawai‘i Kai. While there, you can enjoy live entertainment and snap photos with your favorite cars. Don’t forget to tag @HawaiiKaiTowneCenter and post your hot-rod selfies on Facebook or Instagram.

Family-Friendly Event, free, Hawai‘i Kai Towne Center, Costco Parking Lot, 333 Keāhole St., (808) 396-0766, hawaiikaitownecenter.com, @HawaiiKaiTowneCenter

Book Launch: Ask the Brindled

Thursday, Sept. 1, 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Celebrate the launch of award-winning poetry book Ask The Brindled by No‘u Revilla. Enjoy performances by Revilla and other authors like Jocelyn Ng, Alohalani Brown, Kahala Johnson and more. There will be pūpū and raffle prizes and Revilla will be there to sign copies of her book.

Free, Ka Waiwai, 1110 University Ave., (808) 892-1813, eventbrite.com/e/ask-the-brindled-book-launch-tickets-379555289087, @waiwaicollective

Tom Papa

Friday, Sept. 2, and Saturday, Sept. 3, 6:30 and 9 p.m.

Comedy fans are likely familiar with Tom Papa’s Netflix special, Tom Papa: You’re Doing Great! He’s intrigued fans everywhere with his take on body image, social media and Staten Island. With more than 20 years of experience, Papa has dabbled in other worlds, including film, podcasts and books.

$30–$50, Blue Note Hawai‘i, 2335 Kalākaua Ave., (808) 777-4890, bluenotejazz.com, @bluenotehawaii

Photo: Courtesy of Blue Note Hawai‘i

Honolulu Jazz Quartet

Sunday, Sept. 4, 6:30 & 9 p.m.

Founded by bassist John Kolivas, the Honolulu Jazz Quartet showcases the best of the groovy post-bop jazz scene in Hawai‘i. The group just celebrated its 20th anniversary and released a new album, Straight Ahead.

$15 to $25, Blue Note Hawai‘i, 2335 Kalākaua Ave., (808) 777-4890, bluenotejazz.com, @bluenotehawaii

SEE ALSO: The Lineup: Where to Catch Comedy in Honolulu

All That Glitters – Adult Prom

Saturday, Sept. 3, 4 to 8 p.m.

If you missed prom in high school, or maybe had a blast and want to do it again, here’s your chance to dress in your best 1920s/1930s outfits and dance the night away at an adult prom. There will be food and drink specials, live music, DJs and contests to ramp up the fun.

$25–$220, The Republik, 1349 Kapi‘olani Blvd., #30, (808) 941-7469, jointherepublik.com, @jointherepublik

Photo: Courtesy of Battleship Missouri Memorial

Battleship Missouri: 77th Anniversary of the End of World War II

Friday, Sept. 2, 9:02 a.m., guests must be seated by 8:45 a.m.

To celebrate the 77th anniversary of the end of World War II, the Battleship Missouri Memorial is hosting a special ceremony with keynote speaker John A. Tokar, chief of the Center for Cryptologic History at the National Security Agency, and distinguished guest speaker Navy Capt. Christopher Eng, commander of the NSA’s Central Security Service in Hawai‘i. Dress in summer whites, service equivalent or aloha attire. Complimentary round-trip shuttle service from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center will be provided from 8 a.m. Note: Bags are not allowed on the shuttle.

Family-Friendly Event, free, Battleship Missouri Memorial, 63 Cowpens St., (808) 455-1600, ussmissouri.org, @battleshipmissouri

Photo: Courtesy of HNL Tool Library

Laser Cutting 101: Fruit Bowl

Saturday, Sept. 3, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Check out this beginner class that teaches you how to safely use the library’s CO2 laser cutter. You’ll learn how to start up the machine, load files, and cut and engrave wood. You’ll take the lead after a quick demo and make your own fruit bowl and also be cleared to book appointments and operate the laser cutter unsupervised.

$65, HNL Tool Library, 200 Keawe St., (808) 746-2299, hnltoollibrary.org, @hnltoollibrary