Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: July 22–29, 2020

Explore the surprising history of Island strings, watch polo ponies on the North Shore, check out a reopened Waikīkī concert venue and learn about local leadership.

July 22, 2020

Robbie Dingeman,

Ernest Kaai’s Royal Hawaiian Troubadours, ca. 1912.

Photo: Courtesy of Hawai‘i State Archives, PP33-1-006

Kaula Piko: The Source of Strings

Daily, from July 18

This new original exhibit delves into the significant yet little-known influence and lineage of Hawaiian music on the global scene at the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, in partnership with Kealakai Center for Pacific Strings. Find out about the historic yet surprising role played by Joseph Kekuku’s invention of what became known as the steel guitar. Visit the J.M. Long Gallery to see rare and historical instruments, from King Kalākaua’s to Johnny Cash’s; photos, illustrations and film clips contribute to the multimedia display. The museum now offers 500 daily tickets that must be reserved in advance for one of two time periods: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1 to 5 p.m.

$14.95–$24.95 adults; senior, youth and kama‘āina discounts available; 1525 Bernice St., (808) 847-3511. $5 parking. bishopmuseum.org

Watch A Polo Match on the North Shore

Sunday, July 26, 2 p.m.

Check out some fancy horse footwork and expert riders and bust out your poshest tailgating gear for an afternoon outdoors. Polo in the country is back with two matches this Sunday and every Sunday through August. Spectators buy tickets for the match and parking, and BYO food and drink for a socially distanced but still swanky opportunity to get out safely. Expect food vendors but no liquor sales or live music.

$18 and up for tickets, reserved parking from $25, 68-411 Farrington Highway, Waialua, (808) 220-5153, hawaii-polo.org

Listen to Hawai‘i Musician-Composer Kimié Miner in Person

Friday, July 24, and Saturday, July 25, shows at 6 and 9 p.m.

Ready to see and hear live music in an intimate yet socially distanced setting? Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter/producer Kimié Miner takes the stage at Blue Note Hawai‘i for two nights this weekend, with two shows per night. The club reopened this month with extensive safety precautions, including private table seating for parties of two, four, six, eight or 10 people. Miner walks through the new procedures—including a Plexiglas stage guard—in the preview video above. On July 31, Hawaiian vocalist Amy Hānaialiʻi performs.

$25–$35 per person, 2355 Kalākaua Ave., (808) 777-4890, bluenotehawaii.com

Hawai‘i Business Leadership Conference

Tuesday, July 28, through Thursday, July 30

Join Hawai‘i Business Magazine for a three-day conference as local leaders discuss how to chart a new path for our community during the pandemic. The virtual conference will include more than 50 speakers, 14 sessions and time for live Q&A sessions. Topics include ways to: develop valuable new relationships, build influence in your space, challenge yourself to think differently and push yourself to grow as a leader. Our sister publication rounds up more than the usual suspects for an always thought-provoking agenda.

$10–$65, leadershipconference.hawaiibusiness.com

More Events

Pau Hana Fridays at HoMA

Fridays through Sept. 11, 4 to 9 p.m.

The Honolulu Museum of Art just reopened for in-person visits this month and is now offering free museum admission for kamaʻāina every Friday from 4 to 9 p.m. through Sept. 11.

Get timed admission tickets here

Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea Concert

Saturday, July 25, 6 to 8 p.m.

Enjoy a mix of Hawaiian, reggae and hip-hop performers raising awareness about Hawaiian independence at a concert at Waiwai Collective that can be experienced two ways: by buying tickets and showing up in person or virtually streaming on Facebook. Artists include Kawika Kahiapo, Del Beazley, Shawn Pimental, Dwight Kanae, along with Kapu System and Punahele, Illnomadic and Rukkah the Magnificent.

1110 University Ave. Suite 100, (808) 892-1813, waiwaicollective.com

Go on a Forest Bathing Walk

In-person small groups start Friday, July 24

Join certified forest therapy guide Phyllis Look for a small group in-person walk at Lyon Arboretum in Mānoa starting Friday as Forest Bathing Hawai‘i reopens. Or go online to experience the restorative feel of nature via Zoom.

$50 in person, $15–$25 online, forestbathinghi.com

Priceless Hawaiian Artifacts Back for Good

On view now

Visit an ʻahu ʻula (feather cloak) and mahiole (feather helmet) dating back to 1779, which were returned to Hawai‘i by the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in 2016. This month, it was confirmed that they will remain in Hawaiʻi in perpetuity.

1525 Bernice St. (808) 847-3511, bishopmuseum.org