Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: Aug. 31–Sept. 2, 2018

Get your fill of fresh andagi, belly laughs and Hawaiian royalty.

August 29, 2018

Marisa Heung,

PHOTO: COURTESY Of Okinawan Festival

Okinawan Festival

Saturday, Sept. 1, 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 2, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Hurricane Lane may have put a damper on our plans last weekend when it forced several events to cancel due to possible severe weather. But, rain or shine, this time around you’ll find us at the Hawai‘i Convention Center, devouring our weight in crisp andagi and grilled yakitori sticks. In anticipation of any less-than-favorable weather, typical of hurricane season in the Islands, this year the Okinawan Festival has opted to move its event indoors. While we’ll miss its old, arguably more festive, location at Kapiʻolani Park, the Hawai‘i Convention Center means more space, plenty of covered parking and the cool comfort of air conditioning. This year also marks another new for the festival as it holds its first-ever awamori—its native, 600-year-old spirit—tastings on the third floor of the convention center.

Free, Hawai‘i Convention Center, 1801 Kalākaua Ave. For more information, go here. To purchase tickets for awamori tastings, go here.

Trevor Noah

Saturday, Sept. 1, at 8 p.m.

After selling out two shows in Honolulu last year, multiple-award-winning comedian Trevor Noah returns to the 808 this weekend to fill your night with sharp political satire centered around the latest hot topics. (It’s going to be huge!) The South Africa native has hosted numerous TV shows—including his current stint as senior correspondent of Comedy Central’s satirical news program, The Daily Show—authored a New York Times best-selling book and, earlier this year, was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine.

$35.50–$95.50, Blaisdell Arena, 777 Ward Ave. For more information and to purchase tickets, go here.

photo: courtesy of aloha Festivals

Aloha Festivals Royal Court Opening Ceremony

Saturday, Sept. 1, at 4 p.m.

In 1946, Aloha Festivals was started as a way to carry on the unique traditions of our Islands. Today, it’s regarded as the largest Hawaiian cultural celebration in the U.S. The annual monthlong festival kicks off this Saturday on the grounds of Helumoa, originally the home of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. Following the ancient customs of Hawai‘i’s ali‘i, members of the court will receive their royal cloaks, helmets and other symbols of their reign, accompanied by traditional hula and chants and musical performances at the Royal Hawaiian Center’s center stage. Seating and standing-room space both fill up fast, so we recommend getting there early for the best view.

Free, The Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Royal Grove and Royal Hawaiian Center, 2201 Kalākaua Ave. For more information, go here.

Jim Jefferies

Friday, Aug. 31, at 8 p.m.

“If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all.” The Thumperian Principle (monikered after the long-eared, hyperactive sidekick of Disney’s Bambi) is a valuable adage to live by—unless, maybe, you tell jokes for a living. Case in point: Jim Jefferies, who for years has made the world laugh (and, at times, blush) with his trademark crude, rude and often incredibly offensive humor. Originally scheduled to perform Aug. 25 (thanks, Lane) as part of his The Night Talker Tour, the comedian will finally hit the stage this Friday to dish out some in-yo’-face stand-up to hungry Honolulu fans.

$49.50–59.50, Blaisdell Concert Hall, 777 Ward Ave. For more information and to purchase tickets, go here.

Looking for more things to do? Check out our events calendar.

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