Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: September 23–29, 2020
Tune in to a virtual cooking class, watch the premiere of a new play, celebrate the Aloha Festivals and more.
PHOTO: Courtesy of Aloha Festivals
Aloha Festivals: Nā Mele ʻUkulele
Thursday, September 24, 9:30 p.m., and Saturday, September 26, 6:30 p.m. on KHON2; Sunday, September 27, and Sunday, Oct. 4, at 8 p.m. on KHII
Though we can’t head down to Waikīkī to watch the Aloha Festivals Floral Parade this year, we can still celebrate the 74th annual event with a special broadcast on KHON2. The programming will celebrate the legacy of Aloha Festivals and cultural traditions, and feature performances by local ʻukulele artists including Pōmaikaʻi Lyman, Jake Shimabukuro and Kawika Trask. Additional Aloha Festivals-themed programs will include Aloha Authentic on Friday, Sept. 25, at 9 p.m. on the CW and Sunday, Sept. 27, at 8:30 p.m. on KHII; and Modern Wahine Hawai‘i on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 7 and 11:05 p.m. on KHII, and Saturday, Oct. 3, at 9:30 p.m. on KHON2. Aloha Authentic follows Hawaiian culture, experiences and local lifestyle. Host Kamaka Pili will share stories from Shirly Brenner, a past pāʻū queen, and others. Modern Wahine Hawai‘i focuses on women throughout the Pacific and their stories. Host Brook Lee will share stories from Antoinette Lee, chairwoman of the Aloha Festivals Parade, and others. You can livestream all the shows on the Aloha Festivals website.
Alohafestivals.com, facebook.com
Fast, Healthy and ‘Ono Cooking Demonstration
Thursday, September 25, 5 p.m.
Join Windward Community College chef Daniel Swift as he cooks up a whole-grain porridge. He will be demonstrating with easy step-by-step directions. If you can’t watch the free demonstration at that time, you can check out the recipe and the recorded video via @AARPhawaii on Facebook. The dish will use a blend of whole grains to make a healthy and creamier version of risotto. Make it fun by inviting your family to assist you in the kitchen. WCC will also be offering a series of other cooking classes for free. Find the schedule online. You can view the demonstration on Facebook Live or Zoom. Register beforehand via AARP to get the link.
Photo: Courtesy of Kumu Kahua Theatre
Kumu Kahua Theatre presents Lovely Lee
September 24 through October 11
Sit back, grab some snacks and watch the first show in Kumu Kahua’s fall season, a digital performance of Lovely Lee, which takes place in 1970s Chinatown. Lee, a queer Hawaiian prostitute, goes on a journey of self-discovery while trying to find a place of acceptance. Lovely Lee will be presented live, rather than pre-recorded, to create a virtual world of theater in your own living room for each performance (Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.). One ticket will get you a link to stream the show on one screen. Tickets can be purchased on the Kumu Kahua website.
$5 for students and $15 for adults, kumukahua.org
Blood Drive
Sunday, September 27, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Some of us are looking for any reason to leave the house right now, and if it’s for a good cause, even better. The Blood Bank normally gets most of its supply from blood drives, which have been on hold since spring. There will be a drive to help restore the island’s low supply at Ala Moana Center this Sunday. All the morning slots are filled already, so make sure to call ahead or create an online account to schedule an appointment in the afternoon. Watch for other future drives at bbh.org.
1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Street Level 1 near Champs Sports, bbhdonor.org, (808) 848-4770
Weekend Adventures
Photo: Katrina Valcourt
Have a Virtual Pau Hana
I try to get takeout at least once a week to support my favorite local restaurants, and it’s even more fun when combined with a Zoom dinner with friends across the ocean. I recently picked up a few dishes from Rangoon Burmese Kitchen, poured a glass of wine and caught up with some of my favorite people that I never get to see anymore, pandemic or not. Other times we’ve all just grabbed a drink and talked for hours or watched a movie together with Netflix Party (Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, The Lovebirds, Time to Hunt). —Katrina Valcourt, managing editor
Secluded Beach Day
Beach day is an option to get some sun and fresh air. Whenever my kids start getting a little stir crazy, we head to a secluded beach. We don’t go anywhere if there are a lot of people. —Kerri Mokulehua, advertising executive
Try a New Recipe
We have been testing lots of recipes from the Hawaiʻi ʻUlu Co-op ‘Elima Sampler Box, which has a variety of local starches including ʻulu, cassava, ‘uala, kalo and squash (@hawaiiulucoop has some really good cooking videos that are easy to follow along). My favorite thus far is an ʻulu gnocchi that chef Paul Matsumoto made using ʻulu flour and ʻulu fruit and [husband Mark Noguchi’s] ʻulu flatbread. We’ve also been cooking with venison from Maui Nui Venison. We’ve done it ground in things like spaghetti and tacos and have tried several different ways of grilling it. —Amanda Corby Noguchi, president of Under My Umbrella
Binge Broadway
Knowing that it will likely be a long time before I can sit in a theater for a live performance again, I’ve been enjoying Broadway shows at home. One of the benefits of being a PBS Hawaiʻi member—besides, of course, supporting local programs—is access to the PBS Passport, the station’s online streaming service. This weekend, I watched the revival of She Loves Me with Laura Benanti, Zachary Levi and Jane Krakowski. I own the soundtrack (on CD, remember those?) but have never had the opportunity to watch the second musical adaptation of The Shop Around the Corner. The traditional musical, with tunes by Jerry Bock, is more reminiscent of my favorite 1940s shows than modern productions, which makes the lilting songs and simple storyline a welcome escape from today. Next on my playlist is Kinky Boots then a binge session with the Henry Louis Gates, Jr.-hosted genealogy series Finding Your Roots. —Christi Young, editorial director
PBS Passport is free for members who contribute $60 or more annually. pbs.org
