Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: Oct. 13–19, 2022

Check out an epic floral exhibit, experience a frightening haunted drive-thru and shop all things Disney-inspired.

October 12, 2022

Maria Kanai,

Photo: Courtesy of Royal Hawaiian Band

Royal Hawaiian Band Concert

Friday, Oct. 14, 7 p.m.

After two years of no concerts and then performing only in small ensembles during the pandemic, the Royal Hawaiian Band is ready to relaunch full-scale live performances—and we’re excited! In celebration, the City and County of Honolulu is throwing a free concert at Hawai‘i Theatre. With the theme “E Kani Mau” or “To Resound Forever,” artists such as Amy Hānaiali‘i, Nathan Aweau, Keauhou and the Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus will join the band onstage.

Family-Friendly Event, free, Hawai‘i Theatre, 1130 Bethel St., rhb-music.com, @royalhawaiianband

Photo: Courtesy of Blue Note Hawai‘i

Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness

Tuesday, Oct. 18, 7 p.m.

Andrew McMahon’s been part of the music scene for decades—first as lead singer and songwriter for punk-pop group Something Corporate and then again for piano-rock group Jack’s Mannequin. He’s now on a solo endeavor, and you might recognize his songs “Fire Escape,” “Cecelia and the Satellite” and “Ohio.” His newest song, “Skywriting,” came out today, so take a listen before the show so you can sing along. Premium seating is sold out but there are still tickets for the loge and bar area. Doors open at 5 p.m., and don’t forget that $10 minimum for food and drink.

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

Photo: Cliff Kimura

Shakacon 2022

Wednesday, Oct. 19, 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Get a taste of the red carpet movie experience and be a part of the finale scene for Alex Boccheri’s documentary Shaka, A Story of Aloha. Your red carpet treatment includes a lū‘au dinner, plus a live “shaka contest” show and a performance by legendary musician Henry Kapono. Keep in mind that audience members may be recorded for the documentary. Aloha attire is recommended. You can check out the trailer for the film at shakafilm.com.

Family-Friendly Event, $175–$225, Polynesian Cultural Center, 55-370 Kamehameha Highway, Lā‘ie, shakacon2022.eventbrite.com

Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival

Thursday, Oct. 13, to Sunday, Oct. 23, various times

In its 33rd year, the Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival returns with feature films, shorts, documentaries, workshops, panel discussions and much more. One of the longest-running queer film festivals in the country, the event is presented by the Honolulu Queer Gay and Lesbian Foundation.

Prices and locations vary, hglcf.org, @hrfilmfest

Photo: Courtesy of Malama Learning Center

Calabash & Cooks

Saturday, Oct. 15, 5:30–8:30 p.m.

The fundraiser features live entertainment; a silent auction; a country store featuring local foods, clothing, plants and artwork; and delicious dishes prepared by Leeward O‘ahu public school culinary students and chefs from such restaurants as Roy’s Ko Olina, Taqueria La Marea and Kalapawai Café and Deli. Proceeds from the event benefit the Mālama Learning Center, a community nonprofit that promotes sustainable living in Hawai‘i.

Family-Friendly Event, tickets start at $50 for general admission and $85 for VIP. Youth tickets $25 for keiki ages 5 to 15. Teachers of grades K-12 students receive a 10% discount off pre-sale tickets. A limited number of tickets available for $60 at the door. Kapolei High School, 91-5007 Kapolei Parkway, malamalearningcenter.org, @malamalearningcenter

Photo: Courtesy of Rebecca Louise Law

Rebecca Louise Law: Awakening

Through September 2023, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays; 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Renowned British artist Rebecca Louise Law has transformed two galleries into a gorgeous floral exhibit. Using flower petals, leaves and other organic matter found on O‘ahu, Law showcases Hawai‘i’s deep connection to pua—using more than a million endemic and imported flowers. Click here to read more about the exhibit.

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

Photo: Courtesy of Honolulu Dept. of Parks & Recreation

Talk Story Festival

Friday, Oct. 14, 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Hawai‘i’s longest-running storytelling event returns in-person with the theme “Mālama O‘ahu: Care for O‘ahu.” In its 34^th year, the event honors the tradition of perpetuating Hawaiian culture and heritage through oral history. Volunteer groups that will be sharing stories include Hui o He‘e Nalu, Kingdom Pathways, Mālama Pu‘uloa, Lo‘i Kalo, 808 Cleanups, and Parks and Recreation staff. At the end of the night, there will be a Q&A with all groups. Doors open to the public at 5:30 p.m.

Family-Friendly Event, free, Mission Memorial Auditorium, 550 S. King St., honoluluparks.com

Photo: Courtesy of Habilitat

Habilitat’s “Dead End: The Aftermath”

Oct. 8, 9, 14, 15, 16 & 22, entry times between 7 and 11 p.m.

Habilitat’s annual haunted drive-thru returns to Aloha Stadium with six new interactive scenes and some truly frightening creatures. The experience will take a little over 20 minutes—if you can handle the scares for that long! All participants have to be seated legally—no riders are allowed in the back of trucks. All proceeds go toward Habilitat’s mission of providing substance abuse treatment on the Windward Side of O‘ahu.

$65–$75 per vehicle, Aloha Stadium, 99-500 Salt Lake Blvd., oahuhauntedhouse.com, @oahuhauntedhouse

Photo: Courtesy of Magical Boo Bash Hawai‘i

Magical Boo Bash Hawai‘i

Oct. 15 & 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Check out this Disney-inspired pop-up event with crafts, food and live performances. All products sold are based on Disney characters and movies, and vendors include Scentsy, Bit of Sugar, Hawai‘i Bath Bombs, Simply Made by Jay and Scoop Scoops HI. If you purchase a “Boo Bag” for $50, you’ll receive a canvas zipper bag, early entry to the event at 9 a.m., discounts from select vendors and a Mickey Mouse keychain bottle opener. Parking is $5, and all proceeds benefit the Nā Maka O Pu‘uwai Aloha Foundation.

Family-Friendly Event, free admission, $5 parking, Mililani Tech Park Center, 400 Kahelu Ave., Mililani, @magicalboobash_hi

Photo: Courtesy of The Republik

Electric Feels

Saturday, Oct. 15, 9:30 to 11:30 p.m.

Dance to all your favorite indie rock and indie dance hits at this traveling party from Los Angeles. Doors open at 9 p.m.; attendees must be 18 or older.

$15 to $25, The Republik, 1349 Kapi‘olani Blvd., #30, jointherepublik.com, @jointherepublik

The Secret Garden rehearsal. Photo: Courtesy of Hawai‘i Opera Theatre

The Secret Garden

Friday, Oct. 14, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 16, 4 p.m.

Soprano Laura Corina Sanders and local tenor talent Taka Komagata perform this classic family-friendly opera about a young girl who befriends an ailing boy and takes him to a secret garden—as told with a tropical flair.

Family-Friendly Event, Blaisdell Concert Hall, 777 Ward Ave., Hawai‘i Opera Theatre subscriptions start at $81, tickets are $30–$135, hawaiiopera.org, @hawaiioperatheatre

2022 Kamayan Feast

Saturday, Oct. 22, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Held by the Filipino Jaycees of Honolulu and the Filipino Community Center, this annual event offers a chance to try a variety of Filipino staples from Sinublan Catering. Attendees can also learn more about Philippine history and support Filipino-owned businesses at the Pusong Filipinx Market. It’s not until next weekend but tickets go fast so buy now—they include access to the shopping market, cocktail hour drinks and dinner; a chance to win door prizes; and one alcoholic drink for guests ages 21 and older.

$80 for FJCH members, $90 for general public, Filipino Community Center, 94-428 Mokuola St., Waipahu, givebutter.com/2022Kamayan