Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: Nov. 3—9

Photo: Courtesy of Mana Up

Mana Up Showcase 2022

Thursday, Nov. 3, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Mana Up, the accelerator program exclusively for Hawai‘i-based companies, is back and has added an in-person event to celebrate Hawai‘i entrepreneurs. The showcase will livestream globally on Nov. 3 in travel-show style format combined with a live audience and marketplace, while the in-person event features shopping, giveaways and local entertainment (ahem, Paula Fuga). Guests will also have a chance to meet and hear from entrepreneurs in Mana Up’s Cohort 7, including Tag Aloha Co., Mālama Mushrooms and Pō Naturals.

$125, Bloomingdale’s, Ala Moana Center, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., houseofmanaup.com, @houseofmanaup

Hawai‘i International Film Festival 

Thursday, Nov. 3 to Sunday, Nov. 13, various times

The Pacific’s premier cinematic event is also known for being one of the top film festivals in the U.S. HIFF showcases movies from more than 40 countries, and is also host to industry panels and career development workshops. Catch in-theater screenings at Bishop Museum, BoxJelly; Consolidated Kāhala, Kapolei, and Ward Theaters; and Doris Duke Theatre. Select features and short films are also available for online streaming.

Family-Friendly Event, General Admission, $14; seniors, students and members of the military, $12; various locations, hiff.org, @hiffhawaii.

SEE ALSO: 6 Reasons to Attend the Hawai‘i International Film Festival This Fall

Photo: Courtesy Pearlridge Center

Inaugural Pearlridge Night Market

Friday, Nov. 4, 5 p.m.. to 9 p.m.

Pearlridge hosts its first Night Market on the Mauka parking lot in from of TJ Maxx. The event features a 7,000-square-foot beer garden with signature brews from Beer Lab HI and food, drink and crafts booths from local vendors. There also will be lawn games, live music and giveaways throughout the evening.
 

Family-Friendly Event, free admission, Pearlridge Center, 98-1005 Moanalua Road, @pearlridge

Photo: Courtesy of Hanahau’oli School

Hanahau‘oli Children’s Fair 

Saturday, Nov. 5, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Students and families are invited to the campus to enjoy pony rides, Keiki Treasure bargains, baked goods, farm-fresh produce, shave ice, face painting, a dunking booth and silent disco and much more. This annual event is open to everyone, both inside and outside the Hanahau‘oli community, and marks the school’s 104th year of progressive, child-centered education.  

Family-Friendly Event, free admission, 1922 Makiki St. (free parking with regular shuttle service at Roosevelt High School—drop-off parking entry off Makiki Heights Drive), hanahauoli.org, @hanahauoli

Photo: Unsplash

Holiday Gift and Decor Trade and Swap

Saturday, Nov. 5, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Join Keep it Simple Honolulu for a holiday gift and decor swap. The holidays can generate a ton of waste this zero-waste shop offers a way to limit overconsumption without limiting the holiday cheer.

Family-Friendly Event, 3571 Wai‘alae Ave, Suite 102A, keepitsimplezerowaste.com, @keepitsimplehonolulu

Photo: Looks Can Be Deceiving, 2022, Courtesy of Noah Harders

Noah Harders: Moemoeā

Nov. 3 to July, 27 2023

Maui-based Native Hawaiian artist Noah Harders’ wearable art will be on view at his debut museum exhibition. Harders draws inspiration from his love of nature, re-imagined through fantasy, and his masks and wearable garments are made from found and discarded materials such as flowers, molted crustacean shells, fish bones, and beach glass.

Family-Friendly Event, free for members and visitors 18 and younger; kama‘āina, $10; general, $20; Honolulu Museum of Art, 900 S. Beretania St., honolulumuseum.org, @honolulumuseum

Mom Made Market Hawai‘i 

Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 5 & 6, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Support and shop more than 35 local mom-made vendors each day. The weekend pop-up features fashions and accessories for women, men, keiki and even pets; beauty products; foodie favorites; and more. Kick-start your holiday shopping and find items from brands like Twiggy Hawai‘i, The Keiki Dept., Love + Monsters and Surf Shack Puzzles to gift (or to keep all to yourself).

Family-Friendly Event, Free, Kāhala Mall, 4211 Wai‘alae Ave., themommademarket.com, @themommademarkethawaii.

Photo: Kris Labang Photography

Let’s Play The Game! at International Market Place

Saturday, Nov. 5, noon to 3 p.m.

Emcee Nolan Hong hosts this zany YouTube game show that’s fast, fun and entertaining for both contestants and spectators. Contestants won’t know the game they’re about to play until they’re onstage. Winners receive prizes from stores and restaurants at the International Market Place.

Family-Friendly Event, Free, International Market Place, Level 1, Queen’s Court, 2330 Kalākaua Ave., Waikīkī, shopinternationalmarketplace.com, @intlmktplace

SEE ALSO: Things to Do on O‘ahu in November

Photo: Courtesy of Leeward Community College

Leeward CC Discovery Fair

Saturday, Nov. 5, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

After a two-year hiatus, the 2022 Discovery Fair is back! Expect new cultural activities like Hawaiian Makahiki games—‘ulu maika (rolling stone disks), moa pahe‘e (dart sliding) and kōnane (a board game). Other new activities will allow keiki to learn about the world’s oceans and human senses, and the Hawai‘i Lego Users Group will bring a display of original creations and Legos for keiki builders. Also, the University of Hawai‘i Institute for Astronomy will provide telescopes for solar viewing, and a scale model solar system will be on display. Local food vendors include HI Cravings, Jeremiah’s Island Fusion, Kona Ice, Olay’s Thai Food Express, Paradise Kettle Corn and Simply Ono.

Family-Friendly Event, free, 96-045 Ala Ike, Pearl City, leeward.hawaii.edu, @leewardcc

Photo: Jenny Herron / Red Bull Content Pool

Red Bull Foam Wreckers 

Saturday, Nov. 5, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Red Bull and Catch Surf have partnered to bring the world’s most fun surf competition to O‘ahu for the first time. Red Bull Foam Wreckers is the anti-surf contest surf contest—meaning, the rules are minimal and the fun maximal. Surf enthusiasts of all skill levels and backgrounds can register to showcase their creativity and style on soft-top boards. Judges include Jamie O’Brien, Ben Gravy, Kalani Robb, Blair Conklin and the rest of the Catch Surf team.

Family-Friendly Event, Sandy Beach, 8801 Kalanianaʻole Highway, register to compete at redbull.com/us-en/events/foam-wreckers-sandy-beach, @redbullsurfing

Photo: Courtesy of Ward Village

First Saturday at Ward Village

Saturday, Nov. 5, 1 p.m.

First Saturday is back at Ward Village—complete with a complimentary candle-making workshop presented by MORI by Art+Flea. In addition, Kālele Eats will be serving a fall treat to celebrate the season (hint: pumpkin spice malassadas!).

Family-Friendly Event, free, Ward Centre Courtyard (workshop will take place inside South Shore Market), 1200 Ala Moana Blvd., wardvillage.com, @wardvillage

Bacardí Presents Cheers & Queers

Sunday, Nov. 6, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Cheers to the Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival and Honolulu’s iconic drag performers—the Party Monsters—ahead of their epic show. During the show, you and your most fabulous loved ones will enjoy brunch and cocktails from local chefs Dean Kamiye of Kani Ka Pila Grille, Nikolaos Lobendahn of Over Easy, Robynne Mai‘i of Fête, Jon Matsubara of FEAST by Jon Matsubara and Gary Matsumoto of Basalt.

From $150, Blue Note Hawai‘i, 2335 Kalākaua Ave., hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com, @hifoodwinefest