Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: Dec. 8–14, 2022

Photo: Courtesy of Honolulu Marathon

Kalākaua Merrie Mile and Honolulu Marathon

Saturday, Dec. 10, 7 a.m., and Sunday, Dec. 11, 5 a.m.

The Kalākaua Merrie Mile is an easy 1-mile run in Waikīkī that precedes the Honolulu Marathon. The course starts on Monsarrat Avenue and ends at Queen’s Beach, where you can receive your medal and enjoy a beach party with post-race food and drinks. Keiki of all ages are welcome, along with strollers, and all children must have a registered parent or guardian in the event with them. You’ll need to collect your race packets and race bibs from the Honolulu Marathon Expo on Thursday, Dec. 8, or Friday, Dec. 9.

The Honolulu Marathon takes place the day after the Merrie Mile. The fourth largest marathon in the U.S. begins on Ala Moana Boulevard and finishes at Kapi‘olani Park. For registration, it’s the same deal as the Kalākaua Merrie Mile. Online registrations are no longer available, but you can still sign up in person at the expo.

The expo is open Thursday, Dec. 8, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 9, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturday, Dec. 10, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hawai‘i Convention Center.

Family-Friendly Event, honolulumarathon.org, @honolulumarathon

Photo: Pekuna Hong

Hapa Symphony – Kimié Miner

Saturday, Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m.

Singing songs from her newest album, Christmas in Hawai‘i, Kimié Miner joins the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra to kick off the holiday season with her Christmas in Hawai‘i: Kimié Miner & Friends Tour. Performing live with her are fellow artists Imua Garza, Izik, Jenn Wright and Lina Robins, along with Hālau Hula Ka Lehua Tuahine. Miner’s known for songs that reflect her Native Hawaiian and Portuguese roots, and she earned a Grammy nomination back in 2019 for her album Hawaiian Lullaby. The majority of available seats are located on the loge, balcony and upper balcony, but there are still a good number of orchestra seats available.

Family-Friendly Event, $27–$99, Hawai‘i Theatre, 1130 Bethel St., hawaiitheatre.com, @playkimie

SEE ALSO: Catch a Special Episode of Nā Mele with Robert Cazimero and Kuana Torres Kahele on Dec. 12

Photo: Joan Marcus/Courtesy of Broadway in Hawai‘i

Hamilton

Wednesday, Dec. 7, to Sunday, Jan. 29

This massively popular musical shares the story of America and founding father Alexander Hamilton through a blend of hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway. With book, music and lyrics by (the amazing) Lin-Manuel Miranda, this show nabbed the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, plus Tony and Grammy awards. Each week, a lottery opens for $10 tickets—click here for details. [https://hamiltonmusical.com/lottery/] Otherwise, tickets start at $39.

Neal Blaisdell Center, 777 Ward Ave., broadwayinhawaii.com

SEE ALSO: The Lineup: Musicals, Plays and Theater Performances Happening in Honolulu

Photo: Courtesy of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation

Kapolei City Lights

Opening night block party on Saturday, Dec. 10, 5 to 9 p.m. Lights will be on display through Tuesday, Jan. 3

View the 45-foot Christmas tree and ocean-inspired decorations inside and outside Kapolei Hale. The opening night block party will take place at Ala Kahawai and Ulu‘ōhi‘a streets near Kapolei Hale, hosted by Augie T. Food vendors will be there too, so you can have dinner with the family while enjoying musical performances by Jahli‘i, Teanu Music and B.E.T.

Family-Friendly Event, free, Kapolei Hale, 1000 Ulu‘ōhia St., Kapolei, bit.ly/kapoleicitylights

SEE ALSO: The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Happenings on O‘ahu

Photo: Courtesy of Wellness and Metaphysical Holiday Expo

Wellness and Metaphysical Holiday Expo

Saturday, Dec. 10, and Sunday, Dec. 11, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Craft and gift fairs are everywhere during the holidays, but this expo focuses on self-care and holistic products and services, including acupuncture, tarot readings, healing crystals, vegan food and more. You can also listen to educational talks from international speakers and participate in workshops such as breathwork, quantum energy and sound healing, meditation and more. Refreshments, snacks and packed lunches will be provided by ‘Ōlena Café.

Family-Friendly Event, free admission, Blaisdell Hawai‘i Suites, 777 Ward Ave., wellnessandmetaphysical.com, @wellnessandmetaphysical

Mele Kalikimaka Marketplace

Saturday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Here’s another holiday shopping option: Peruse more than 300 vendors that include made-in-Hawaiʻi products, holiday gifts and crafts. Think gourmet gifts, prepackaged baskets and holiday pop-up shops. Keiki can enjoy Ben Franklin make-and-take crafts, too.

$5 for adults under 60; $4 for those 60 and older, students and military (ID required for all); children 12 years and under free with a paid adult. Blaisdell Center, 777 Ward Ave., melekalikimakamarketplace.com

SEE ALSO: Holiday Gift Guide

Hawai‘i Kai Marina Festival of Lights Christmas Boat Parade

Saturday, Dec. 10, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Hawai‘i Kai had its holiday street parade in November, and this weekend it’s celebrating again, only this time with boats! Arrive early to find a spot along the marina and grab a bite to eat before the parade, which is set to begin at sunset. Boats will be decked out in colorful lights and movie or other pop-culture themes, with music blasting as they sail by. And if past events are any indication, the people onboard will be singing and dancing too, to get everyone in the holiday spirit.

Family-Friendly Event, free, along the marina docks, 6370 Hawai‘i Kai Drive, hawaiikaimarina.com

Photo: Ho‘omau Hawai‘i Market

Ho‘omau Hawai‘i Market

Saturday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Shop a pop-up market featuring more than 60 Native Hawaiian-owned businesses and local shops selling home goods, accessories, art and more. Confirmed vendors include Mahina Made, Kihene LLC, Kahui Palaka, The Keiki Dept., Pualei Designs and Nake‘u Awai Designs. See the full list of vendors at hoomauhawaiimarket.com. There will be musical performances by Walea, Keauhou and The Pakeles, along with giveaways throughout the two days.

$3 for adults, free for keiki 12 and under, tickets must be purchased in-person, Hawai‘i Convention Center, 1801 Kalākaua Ave., hoomauhawaiimarket.com, @hoomauhawaiimarket

SEE ALSO: Holiday Gift Guide 2022: 5 Picks from da Shop

Earth, Wind & Fire

Saturday, Dec. 10, 8 p.m.

Famous for smash hits like “September,” “Let’s Groove” and “Boogie Wonderland,” this popular band is one of the most critically acclaimed groups from the ’70s and will be performing this weekend. It looks like most of the loge tickets are sold out, but there are still plenty of balcony seats, along with pricier floor seats.

$90 and up, Blaisdell Arena, 777 Ward Ave., ticketmaster.com

SEE ALSO: Your Ultimate Guide to Concerts and Live Music in Honolulu

Watch Short Film Hawaiian Soul

Through Thursday, Dec. 15

The local short film Hawaiian Soul is currently up for consideration to be nominated for an Oscar, and it’s available to watch for free online now through Dec. 15. Directed by ‘Āina Paikai, the film tells the story of George Helm during the 1970s Native rights movement as he tried to gain the support of kūpuna on Maui to help protect Kahoʻolawe from military bombing.

hawaiiansoulmovie.com, @hawaiiansoulmovie

Photo: Courtesy of Blue Note Hawai‘i

Frank Sinatra Birthday Celebration

Monday, Dec. 12, 6:30 p.m.

Doors open at 5 p.m. for this Frank Sinatra tribute, which will take place on what would have been the famous crooner’s 107th birthday. New Yorker and trumpeter Mike Lewis will be performing a selection of famous Sinatra tunes with some friends. Tickets are categorized by premium seating ($35) and loge seating and bar area ($25), and individual seats within these areas are first come, first served. So, plan to arrive early to get your pick of the best seats and note that there is a $10 food or beverage menu per person.

$25–$35, Blue Note Hawai‘i, 2335 Kalākaua Ave., bluenotehawaii.com, @bluenotehawaii

SEE ALSO: Things to Do on O‘ahu in December and January

Kodak Black & Friends

Saturday, Dec. 10, 6 p.m. to midnight

Rapper Kodak Black is best known for his debut studio album Painting Pictures in 2017 and continued to gain popularity with works like Bill Israel and Back for Everything. One of his recent singles, “Super Gremlin,” earned a nomination for Song of the Year at the BET Hip Hop Awards. Pizza Dadi at Ward Center is selling a limited edition “Super Gremlin” pizza, featuring béchamel melt with red onions, fried chicken, ranch, bacon, barbecue sauce, green onions, shaved Parmesan and mozzarella.

$40, The Warehouse, 2020 Auiki St., kodakhawaii.eventbrite.com