Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Weekend in Honolulu: April 7– April 10
On our agenda: trunk shows, a cultural fair and lemonade.
Kawaii Kon 2016
Friday, April 9, 9 a.m. through Sunday, April 10, 7 p.m. Visit kawaiikon.com for times and dates for specific events.
You’ve been prepping your costume for months, finding the perfect makeup, ensemble—even contact lens combo! You are ready for Kawaii Kon. OK, even if you haven’t been prepping for ages, you’ll still have a blast at the event, which takes place this weekend and is all about everything anime. This huge convention will host panels, events, contests, video games, tabletop games, concerts, dances and cosplaying uber-fan-filled crowd that’s worth going for in its own right. Japanese band Loverin Tamburin will make an appearance, along with popular pop-punk-meets-post-grunge artist Eyeshine.
$55–$60, Hawai‘i Convention Center.
We Are Iconic Anniversary
Friday, April 8, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Time flies when you’re shopping fly, which explains why we can hardly believe it’s already been two years with We Are Iconic in our lives. The ultra-stylish shop in the Ala Moana area carries a range of coveted denim brands, edgy accessories and sleek separates—and here’s your chance to get them at a discount! In honor of the store’s second year, the team is offering 10 percent off everything. Yes: everything. Plus, snag a $100 gift card when you spend $1,000 in store, $50 when you spend $500 in store or $25 when you spend $250 in store. If you really can’t make it out there this weekend, you can still get the 10 percent off online with the code 2YEARS.
We Are Iconic, 1236 Waimanu St.
Magnolia Trunk Show
Saturday, April 9, noon–3 p.m.
Got a need for pretty things? One of our favorite stores for pretty trinkets, Magnolia, is hosting two local artists this weekend for a positively lovely trunk show that has cute finds for both you and your little one. The Meeknest Hawai‘i team creates adorable nursery art (think sweet turtles and vibrant seahorses) to brighten up your babe’s room, while Vested Interest Hawai‘i’s ornate scarves and jackets have a beautiful, vintage feel that will brighten up your ensemble. Enjoy refreshments while you shop, and take advantage of special offers from the vendors: a free art print with every $40 spent from Meeknest Hawai‘i and a free scarf for every Vested Interest scarf purchased.
Magnolia, Kāhala Mall.
The Hawaiian Scottish Festival
Saturday, April 9, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. and Sunday, April 10, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Ready to have fun this weekend? We’ve got an event that’s Scot on. The Hawaiian Scottish Festival will be two days of Scottish-themed music, dance, athletics, food (Scotch eggs, anyone?) and cultural displays. Watch a performance by world-renowned band Celtica Pipes Rock, whose theatrics and bagpipes are known far and wide. Japanese strongman Kengo Kubota will participate in the athletic games, highland dancers will show off their skills and the Society for Creative Anachronism will be demonstrating its unique martial talents.
$1 admission, McCoy Pavilion, Ala Moana Park.
Hawai‘i Ocean Expo
Saturday, April 9 and Sunday, April 10, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Let’s go diving this weekend! OK, we’re not taking about hitting up Waimea Bay (but maybe next week?). We mean getting deep into it at the Hawai‘i Ocean Expo happening at Aloha Tower Marketplace this weekend. This celebration of the sea includes everything from a poke contest, kids’ fun zone, awards events, food truck and concerts. Even the fashion vendors are ocean-minded: Mermaids can snag their next bikini and shell jewelry from local vendors.
Aloha Tower Marketplace, hawaiioceanexpo.com.
Lemonade Alley
Saturday, April 9, 3–7 p.m.
Something pretty sweet is happening at PearlridgeCenter this weekend, and it’s too cute to miss. We’re talking about this year’s Lemonade Alley. The annual event invites kiddos from all ages and all parts of the Island to come down to the mall for a lemonade-selling fundraiser. The money goes to these mini entrepreneurs’ favorite charities; plus, participants get a chance to win awards during the four-hour sales contest. Nonprofits registered for the event include the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association, American Youth Soccer Organization, Blue Planet Foundation, Music For All, The Hawaiian Humane Society and more. Toys R Us parking lot, Pearlridge Center, 98-1005 Moanalua Road, ‘Aiea.
