Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: June 16–22, 2021
Celebrate Father’s Day weekend with some laughs at Blue Note Hawai‘i, volunteer at Koko Crater or relax with free yoga at Victoria Ward Park.
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
Father’s Day Weekend
Sunday, June 20
Mother’s Day was easy. Chocolate, some flowers, brunch and she was happy. Father’s Day can be a bit trickier. If you’re struggling to find ways to celebrate dad’s special day, we have some suggestions. Check out our go-to outdoor list or 20 of our favorite O‘ahu hikes if your dad enjoys spending time outside. Interested in trying something indoors, but still active? Ax-throwing at Blade & Timber, which just moved to a new location on Keawe Street, might be the perfect fit. For dinner we recommend checking out our list of best steakhouses and for dessert enjoy a 48-hour preordered ice cream pie at home from Slice by HB Baking.
SEE ALSO: 70 Thoughts We Had While Throwing Axes at Blade and Timber Honolulu
Photo: Courtesy of Blue Note Hawai‘i
Wayne Brady: A Night of Music & Comedy
June 18 to 20, 6:30 & 9 p.m. shows Friday, 5 & 7:30 p.m. shows Sunday
It’s not every night you can enjoy music and comedy from a five-time Emmy Award winner and Grammy Award nominee. He’s an actor, singer, dancer, songwriter, television personality and recent TikTok star. And after a sold-out run at Blue Note Hawaiʻi in March 2020, Wayne Brady is returning this weekend. Hear Brady sing songs from his old records, Radio Wayne and A Long Time Coming, and new releases such as his original single, “Flirtin’ w/ Forever.” From his award-winning daytime talk show, The Wayne Brady Show, to starring as Aaron Burr in the Chicago rendition of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton, Brady has done it all. COVID-19 safety protocols require tickets to be sold by tables. Saturday’s shows are already sold out and Friday and Sunday’s shows are filling up quickly. So grab a group of six or eight friends and sit back for a night of music and comedy.
Tickets are sold by table, premium tickets $65 each, bar and loge tickets $55 each, purchase tickets at bluenotehawaii.com, @bluenotehawaii
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Da Shop Author Talk: Calabash Stories with Jeffrey Higa
Saturday, June 19, 3 p.m.
Join Da Shop’s virtual talk-story with Jeffrey Higa, author of Calabash Stories. Higa’s book celebrates and immortalizes the local culture of Hawaiʻi through stories passed down through generations. The author’s Japanese-Hawaiian heritage is at the core of his book, which includes stories from his Okinawan-immigrant grandparents who worked on the sugar plantations. Join the talk-story and you’ll have the chance to ask the author how he collected all the different stories and what inspired him to write his book. Visit Da Shop: Books + Curiosities Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to pick up a copy of the book for $17.95 or visit dashophnl.com to have it delivered to your home.
Register for free, dashophnl.com, @dashophnl
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Volunteer at Koko Crater
Saturday, June 19, 7 a.m. to noon
Interested in a workout, with a view, while feeling good about yourself? Volunteer with Kokonut Koalition to restore the Koko Crater stairs. Put on some sunscreen, a hat, a good pair of shoes that you won’t mind getting dirty, and get ready to sweat. Volunteers fill gravel bags near the trailhead, carry the bags, buckets and lumber up the stairs, and build steps and retaining walls. Although strenuous work, at the end of the day you’ll be able to say “I built a part of that” when looking up at the Koko Crater stairs. Click here to track the progress of the repairs.
Click here to sign up. Park at Koko Head District Park, 423 Kaumakani St., kokonutkoalition.org, @kokonutkoalition
Other Ideas
Photo: Courtesy of Ward Village
Yoga in the Park
Sunday, June 20, 9 to 10 a.m.
I can hear you doing your “oms”. After a long week at work, relax, breathe and calm down with Yoga in the Park at Victoria Ward Park. Practice with the team from CorePower Yoga and perfect your downward dog, tree pose and my personal favorite—savasana (try not to fall asleep in this one). Registration is free but required and classes are suitable for all fitness levels. Once you click “Book your class now” and are taken to the CorePower Yoga website, scroll to Sunday June 20 to find “FREE – Outdoor C2 Located at Victoria Ward Park.” Remember to bring a mat, towel and water.
Free, 980 Auahi St., wardvillage.com, @wardvillage
SEE ALSO: Open for Fitness: CorePower Yoga
Make Music Day
June 21
Enjoy and support local musicians across O‘ahu on Make Music Day, a worldwide music celebration held annually in more than 120 countries and 1,000 cities. Founded in 1982 in France, this international celebration demonstrates the power of music to connect communities and spread joy. The Royal Hawaiian Center Royal Grove Stage is one of dozens of locations welcoming musicians of all ages, amateur and professional, to perform and share their music, including Nalani Jenkins, Kathleen Stuart and Kamakakehau Fernandez. Some other locations include Bishop Museum, Windward Mall and the Hawaiʻi state Capitol. Visit Make Music Hawai‘i to see the full 2021 event schedule, which includes a map of the different event locations as well as the list of musicians.
Free, for more details visit makemusichawaii.org, @makemusichawaii
Photo: Diane Lee
Summer Solstice
Monday, June 21
The longest day of summer is here. For those of us stuck inside working all day on Monday, celebrate the summer solstice by watching the sunrise before and sunset after work. Sunrise will be at 5:50 a.m., so pack your favorite to-go breakfast from home and enjoy it from Kailua Beach or any other favorite beach on the East Side. For sunset at 7:16 p.m., head west for the best view at Mākaha Beach Park or Yokohama Bay.
SEE ALSO: Honolulu Summer Bucket List: The 41 Best Things to Do This Summer on O‘ahu
Photo: Melissa Chang
International Sushi Day
Friday, June 18
It seems like every day in Hawaiʻi is Sushi Day, with so many fresh options around town, but Friday, June 18 is International Sushi Day—and we love any reason to celebrate. Some of our favorites for lunch include a Neba Neba ($15) from Mama Kim’s on King Street, or visit ‘Ohana Hale Marketplace to scout out Toshi Sushi, @Sushi and Kai Sushi. For dinner head to Kaimukī to try the Maguro Iro Iro ($28) at Maguro-Ya, or to the Hale ‘Aina winner for Best Sushi, Yanagi Sushi on Kapi‘olani Boulevard. Check out our extensive list of options.
