Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: July 15–22, 2020
Transport yourself back to Hawai‘i circa 1820, participate in an ‘ukulele festival from home, watch a film about Hawai‘i’s future Olympian and more.
A CORNER OF THE EARTH (2019) DIRECTED BY SPENCER FROST. 2019. AUSTRALIA. 41 MIN.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF HONOLULU SURF FILM FESTIVAL
The Honolulu Surf Film Festival 2020
July 18–August 2
Want to hit the waves from home? The Honolulu Surf Film Festival has gone virtual. See the works of local filmmakers and surf photographers, and watch surfers get personal about their experiences abroad. Make sure to tune in on July 18 at 7:45 p.m. to see world champion surfer Carissa Moore host a discussion about her new film Riss. Other highlights include short films curated by acclaimed surf photographer Zak Noyle, and Freeze Frames 2020, a lineup of cold-water surfing films. Throughout the festival, you can vote for your favorite features and shorts online. All film screenings and online events will be free to the public and live-streamed. For more information click here.
Hawai‘i Shakespeare Festival 2020
July 17–August 23
Love poetry, comedy or romance? Tune into the Hawai‘i Shakespeare Festival’s 19th season, held on Zoom this year. Transport yourself to a world full of song, dance and puppets beginning this Friday. The season kicks off with As You Like It on July 17, directed by R. Kevin Garcia Doyle, an HSF veteran and director of Mānoa Valley Theatre’s production of Tony n Tina’s Wedding in 2019. Love’s Labour’s Lost opens on Aug. 7, followed by Merry Wives of Windsor on Aug. 14. Shows will continue every weekend until mid-August. Tickets are available for $10 per household and can be purchased up to two hours before each performance. For more information click here.
Photo: David Croxford
Hawaiian Mission Houses Reopen
Open Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays by reservation only
Miss the days before COVID-19? Go back (way back) in time to the 1800s at Hawaiian Mission Houses, which reopened to the public on July 14. Get a glimpse of life from centuries ago by going on one of the three tours offered: Hawaiian Perspectives Tour to learn about Native Hawaiians and the Missionaries, Architecture Perspectives Tour to understand the significance of architectural development, and History Buff Tour to discuss the ins and outs of the 19th century. Make a reservation online at least 24 hours in advance. Tickets are free for kama‘āina for the first month. For more information, click here.
50th Annual ‘Ukulele Festival Hawai‘i
July 19 at 6 p.m. on KHNL, July 21 at 7 p.m. on K5
Join the largest ‘ukulele festival of its kind in the world right from your living room. See some of our favorite artists, including Roy Sakuma, Jack Johnson and Jake Shimabukuro, perform as the annual ‘Ukulele Festival Hawai‘i celebrates its 50th year with a TV special this Sunday. Want to participate? Learn how to play and sing along with “I Am What I Am,” which Sakuma composed 50 years ago. You can download a song sheet here, then upload your video on social media and tag it #UFH50Challenge. And if you miss it this Sunday, don’t worry—it airs again next Tuesday. For more information, click here.
More Events
George Kahumoku Jr. Virtual Concert
July 17 at 5 p.m.
Tune into Grammy Award winning musician George Kahumoku Jr.’s live-streamed concert on Facebook to kick-start your weekend.
Ronald McDonald House Virtual Fundraiser
Through July 31
Ronald McDonald House Charities Hawai‘i will hold its first-ever virtual golf tournament fundraiser throughout July at the Bayview Golf Course driving range using new TopTracer gaming technology. Registration is online here.
Hawai‘i’s Political Primaries: What to Expect
July 16, noon
The Hawai‘i Society of Business Professionals is hosting a live webinar focusing on Hawai‘i’s primary election. Two local political commentators will be discussing candidates and issues, including mail-in ballots and the race for Honolulu mayor. Tickets are available here.
Blue Note Hawai‘i: Beat-Lele
July 17 to July 19 (showtimes vary)
Watch three-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award nominee Beat-Lele perform at Blue Note Hawai‘i. For safety purposes, only complete tables are available for purchase. Get your tickets here.
