Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: September 16–23, 2021
Go see a new art exhibit, have a beach picnic, whip up an ‘uala casserole and pay tribute to Queen Lili‘uokalani.
Daniel Kauwila Mahi, Kuikawalakii, 2021. 3-D printed sculpture. Photo: Courtesy of the Daniel Kauwila Mahi
Artists of Hawai‘i Now
Opens Thursday, Sept. 16, through Jan. 16, 2022
Honolulu Museum of Art’s latest exhibition opens this week with a moving array of never-before-seen works by 18 local artists. There’s something for everyone: technology, sculpture, traditional art. But across all of the works is a recurring theme: the questioning of power dynamics and studying of our relationship with our environment. Bring the fam, go with a friend, take a date or go solo for an introspective weekend.
900 S. Beretania St., (808) 532-8700, honolulumuseum.org, @honolulumuseum
AARP’s “Fast, Healthy and ‘Ono” Cooking Seminars
Thursdays, Sept. 16 through Oct. 21, 5 to 6 p.m.
Eating local sounds like a great idea, but putting it to practice can be daunting. What do you do with all that sweet potato you just bought at the farmers market or the breadfruit from your neighbor? Check out Windward Community College’s online cooking seminars featuring chef Daniel Swift of ‘Uala Leaf Café, which show you how to work ‘uala, ‘ulu and kalo into your meals. On Sept. 16, it’s ‘uala sweet potato casserole for dinner, and on Sept. 23, bacon-wrapped ‘ulu pops. Register for the Zoom link and take a look at the recipe ahead of time so you can cook together with the chef live. Bonus: Stick around after the program to learn more about how you can grow, harvest and buy your own local food. Check out the full schedule online to see when you can make lemongrass chicken stir-fry, kabocha pie and more.
Free, aarp.cvent.com/HIcooking
Mālama Hawai‘i Makers Market
Saturday, Sept. 18, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Spend your Saturday perusing a monthly pop-up marketplace in Hale‘iwa with more than 30 Hawai‘i-based businesses, including Hearts of Wonder with its handmade leather goods; TART and its earth-inspired coffee mugs; and Vintage Vinegars, known for its pineapple vinegars. Listen to live music, add to your local art collection or find new home décor. Make a day of it by grabbing a drink, food or baked goods and having a picnic at the beach park nearby.
Free, Waialua Community Association, 66-434 Kamehameha Highway, Hale‘iwa malamahawaiimarket.com, @malamahawaiimarket
Celebrating ‘Inoa ʻĀina: Hawaiian Place Names Virtual Talk Story
Saturday, Sept. 18, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
In honor of Hawaiian History Month, listen to mo‘olelo, oli and mele and pay tribute to Queen Lili‘uokalani, whose 183rd birthday was on Sept. 2. Kumu hula and Kamehameha Schools cultural consultant Manu Boyd shares the history of Kaka‘ako and the meaning behind ‘inoa ʻāina (place names) in this virtual talk. If you miss it, a recording will be available afterward on Our Kaka‘ako’s website and Facebook page. You can also test your Hawaiian history knowledge by taking an online Hawaiian History Month quiz and be entered in a prize drawing from Our Kaka‘ako’s tenants.
Other Ideas
Buy tickets to a comedy show
Mark your calendars for Ronny Chieng’s “The Hope You Get Rich” tour at Hawai‘i Theatre on Nov. 27. Yes, it’s still a ways out but it is Ronny Chieng, so expect tickets to go fast. The stand-up comedian is known for his sarcastic delivery and blunt commentary on racism and consumerism. Chieng’s been busy—he just worked with Maui-born director Destin Daniel Cretton on Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and he has a recurring role on the new Hawai‘i-based show Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. It only makes sense that he’s performing stand-up here in Hawai‘i this fall.
$35–$50, must be at least 21 to attend, 1130 Bethel St., hawaiitheatre.com
Photo: Justin Turkowski
Listen to a female-empowerment podcast
In early August, local ‘ukulele virtuoso Taimane Gardner got the international spotlight in the BBC World Service podcast “The Conversation,” which highlights awesome women around the world who are in arts, sports, science and business. Listen to the podcast and get inspired by how Gardner and fellow ‘ukulele enthusiast Zee Avi turned their love for the instrument into successful music careers.
Photo: Brandon Miyagi
Buy theater tickets
Oct. 14 through 31
Mānoa Valley Theatre just announced its fall season starting with Be More Chill, a sci-fi musical about high school drama and the pains of growing up. Jeremy Heere is an average New Jersey teenager who finds “The Squip,” a tiny supercomputer that could give him everything he wants: a date with his crush, an invite to the biggest party of the year and, ultimately, a chance to survive high school. Intrigued? We are, too.
$22–$40, Mānoa Valley Theatre, 2833 E. Mānoa Road, (808) 988-6131, manoavalleytheatre.com, @manoavalleytheatre
Listen to Ark Woods’ “Slide On You”
Since people are staying home more often—again—we need a mood booster. Get your funk on and check out this new music video by Kaua‘i boy Ark Woods, “Slide On You.” Can you hear the Bruno Mars vibes? It’s catchy and entertaining and yes, we might be listening to it all weekend.
Looking for fun new ways to experience the city? HONOLULU’s got you covered with HNLTix, your brand-new local resource for all things social—fundraisers, concerts, comedy shows, expos and everything in between. Discover your next can’t-miss event, share your favorites with friends, or promote your own event and sell tickets online. To see what’s coming up next in Honolulu, visit HNLTix.com.
