Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Weekend in Honolulu: April 29–May 1

Lei Chic’s guide to the weekend’s best events.

Watch: Pali Road

Opens Friday, April 29

The locally shot and set thriller Pali Road popped up on our radar last year, when it was up for the Halekūlani Golden Orchid Award. Now that it’s finally hitting theaters, we can’t wait to see all the local shooting locations (bonus: an early scene takes place at Morgan’s Corner! The Hawai‘i-raised child in us is shivering). Plus, there are a couple of names we know and love, including Sung Kang from the Fast and the Furious franchise and Henry Ian Cusick from Lost. In the film, a young doctor wakes up from a car accident and discovers she is married to another man and living a life she can’t remember. Her search for the truth to her past life will lead her to question everyone and everything around her
See available showings here.

Attend: Sunset Mele on the Roof

Friday, April 29, 4:30 p.m.

It’s time to raise the roof again at this month’s Sunset Mele on the Roof. For April, the Hawai‘i Convention Center’s rooftop event features live performances by Kapena and The Easies, along with delicious culinary creations and one-of-a-kind handmade crafts at the Sunset Mele Market Place. There will also be a special screening of Soul Surfer beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Kalākaua Ballroom.
Hawaiʻi Convention Center. Parking at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center for the event is $5 per vehicle. Outside food, beverages and coolers will not be allowed. However, guests are welcome to bring low beach chairs, mats and blankets.

Attend: Hawai‘i Book and Music Festival

Saturday, April 30, 10 a.m. to Sunday, May 1, 5 p.m.

Bookworms finally have a reason to peek their nose out of that latest novel. The 11th Annual Hawai'i Book & Music Festival is a celebration of story and song at the Frank F. Fasi Civic Grounds in downtown Honolulu this weekend. Multiple stages and pavilions will be set up for readings by, and discussions with, local, national and internationally known authors. Enjoy performances by musicians, storytellers, actors and dancers, with ongoing entertainment happening for the kids. There will also be book-sellers and publisher booths, the Bank of Hawai‘i Book Swap and an open-air food court.  
Visit hawaiibookandmusicfestival.com for more information.
 

Shop: Arts and Flavors of Hawai‘i

Sunday, May 1, 11:00 a.m.–3 p.m.

Eat, shop and be merry: That’s our motto. Thanks to this weekend’s Arts and Flavors of Hawai‘i event in Hawai‘i Kai, we have a feeling it’s going to be one seriously merry weekend. Get your munching and retail therapy on at this food and products show, which will feature local vendors from across the island. We’re already getting excited about the granola from The Stick and the Ball and the yummy baked treats from Sugar and Spice Cupcake Co. Our shopping appetites will get their fill as well, with accessories from Sandyfeet Hawai‘i and Komakai Jewelry, as well as Izzy and Luke’s adorable collection of kidswear and S.I.E. Swim for the beach babes.
Hawai‘i Kai Retirement Community, 428 Kawaihae St. Visit artsandflavorshi.com for more information.

Make: Once Again Hawai‘i Succulent Workshop

Sunday, May 1, noon

You’ve got a black thumb, as that doomed basil plant you killed would attest to—but you’re stilling craving some green in your apartment! Go the safe route with a succulent and stop by Windward Mall for the Once Again Hawai‘i succulent workshop. Check out informal, one-on-one, ask-the-expert sessions and tutorials on home-grown succulent gardening, plus learn how to build a successful garden using your own upcycled planters. You’ll get all the nitty gritty details for succulent success: proper drainage, the ideal soil mixture for succulent gardens and how to care for transplanted gardens. Bonus: There will be chances to win prizes and succulents at the event.
Windward Mall, 46-056 Kamehameha Highway. Email onceagainhawaii@gmail.com to RSVP, or learn more at the Once Again Hawai‘i Facebook page.  

Apply: Reach the Runway

Through June 1

Middle school students with a passion for fashion just got thismuch closer to their dreams in high-styling industries. Help your little mini chicsters realize their stylish aspirations by applying for this year’s Reach the Runway program. Applications are being accepted now through June 1. If you’re unfamiliar with the program, which is the official nonprofit arm of HONOLULU Fashion Week, it creates mentorship opportunities for middle school students interested in journalism, photography, fashion design, magazine design, hair and makeup, styling, or modeling. If you know anyone, including parents, teachers, and after-school program leaders, who can share this with kids in grades 6, 7 or 8, please have them check out reachtherunway.com.
Reachtherunway.com.