Your Guide to the Perfect Presidents' Day Weekend: February 16–20, 2017

A lineup of the best events this three-day weekend.

February 15, 2017

Marisa Heung,

This month’s Weekend Picks are brought to you by:

Photo: Courtesy of POW! WOW! Hawai‘i

2017 Pow! Wow! Hawai‘i

Thursday, Feb. 16 through Saturday, Feb. 18

It’s a three-day weekend, y’all, and we can think of no better way than to celebrate at Pow! Wow! Hawai‘i, the state’s weeklong showcase of contemporary art and music in Honolulu’s own ultra-hip Kaka‘ako district. This weekend marks the last few days of Pow! Wow! Head over to Kaka‘ako Agora Thursday evening for a viewing of Saving Banksy, a documentary chronicling the rise of infamous graffiti artist Banksy, and a Q&A with the film’s creators. On Friday, art and soccer make an unusual—and intriguing—combo in Art to the Pitch, an art-inspired soccer match brought to you by Kicks to the Pitch, Paradise Soccer Club and participating artists. The event ends with a bang (and heart-thumping bass) on Saturday with the Dim Mak 20th Anniversary Tour, presented by Electric Palms, Dim Mak and Pow! Wow! Spinning from EDM heavyweights ILoveMakonnen, Autoerotique and Max Styler will get your head nodding à la A Night at the Roxbury, but it’s headliner Steve Aoki’s infectious energy—and outlandish on-stage gimmicks—that will put rhythm in even the shyest of concertgoers. Hey, Steve, you can throw cake at us any day.

P.S. Stop by the SALT at Our Kaka‘ako Community Blood Drive on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Bloodmobile will be parked on Auahi Street, and one pint of donated blood will help the Blood Bank of Hawai‘i save lives and get you exclusive coupons to SALT merchants!

Throughout the Kaka‘ako district. For more information on Pow! Wow! Hawai‘i’s event schedule, go here. To purchase tickets to the Dim Mak 20th Anniversary Tour, go here.

Lōkahi Festival Waikīkī

Saturday, Feb. 18, 4 to 10 p.m.

Lōkahi is a Hawaiian word that means harmony and balance, and that includes the balance between mind, body and spirit needed for a healthy life. This Saturday, Kalākaua Avenue will be closed between Seaside and Kapahulu avenues to host the Lōkahi Block Festival, a benefit for the American Heart Association. Free to the public, locals and visitors alike can enjoy food, retail and handmade items from local vendors, as well as rides and games offered throughout the festival. A portion of sales from the festival will be donated to the nonprofit in support of its efforts to improve the lives of millions of Americans living with heart disease.

Free, Kalākaua Avenue between Seaside and Kapahulu avenues. For more information on the Lōkahi Block Festival, go here.

Photo: Courtesy of Great Aloha Run

Great Aloha Run

Monday, Feb. 20, 6 a.m. to noon

Whether you’re a marathon addict looking for a quick running fix or just a girl looking to catch up with friends over a long walk, the Great Aloha Run welcomes you to join in on its annual fundraiser, which for the past 32 years has raised more than $11 million for 150-plus nonprofits throughout Hawai‘i. The 8.15-mile-long race begins at Aloha Tower and winds around Nimitz Highway before finishing at Aloha Stadium. Tons of live entertainment along the course, including radio DJ booths, school bands and more, will be there to keep your pace—and spirits—up. Celebrate your accomplishment and revel in your runner’s high at the stadium awards party with free snacks, entertainment and giveaways. When your legs feel like jelly and you’re ready for a nap, a free shuttle service will take you back to downtown Honolulu.

Into fitness (or just think about getting into it), but don’t want to commit to an eight-mile race? Visit the Great Aloha Sports, Health & Fitness Expo, Friday through Saturday at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center. Enjoy tons of offerings and activities, including clothing and exercise gear at discounted prices, free health screenings, giveaways and much more.

Race begins at Aloha Tower, 155 Ala Moana Blvd. For more information on the Great Aloha Run and Great Aloha Sports, Health & Fitness Expo, go here.

Paw Crawl

Saturday, Feb. 18, 4 to 10 p.m.

Have a couple pints of beer on a Saturday night and it’s just your normal weekend hangout. But throw in a few dogs and free shuttle service to two other bars and you’ve got your first-ever Paw Crawl, a benefit for the Hawaiian Humane Society and your opportunity to bring your best non-human bud out with you for wingman duty. The shuttle begins with pickup at Real a Gastropub, stopping at Palate Craft & Eatery, then Brew’d Craft Pub before circling around to do it all again. The service ends at 10 p.m., but you and your friends are welcome to stay where you are until your glass is empty (or Champion needs a walk). Drink up the Lagunitas—the brewing brand is co-sponsoring the event and a portion of sales from its beer at all three venues will be donated to the Hawaiian Humane Society. Each guest participating in Paw Crawl will receive a beer passport—get it stamped at all three bars for a chance to win gift cards valued at $75, $100 and $200, as well as some cool beer swag.

Free admission, event begins at Real A Gastropub, 1020 Auahi St. For more information on Paw Crawl, visit Real a Gastropub’s Facebook page.

Looking for more things to do this month? Click here for more events.