Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Weekend in Honolulu: August 26–28

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

August 25, 2016

Bianca Sewake,

Shop: International Market Place Grand Opening

Thursday, Aug. 25, 10 a.m.

Celebrate the return of this Waikīkī icon at its grand opening on Thursday, Aug. 25. Check out the fun mix of shops, ranging from local boutiques to luxury brands, including Hawai‘i’s first Saks Fifth Avenue. This open-air center will also be home to a diverse selection of some of the hottest restaurants that will continue to roll out next year. Can’t make it to the grand opening? Tune in to our Facebook livestream as we give you the inside scoop, and you can check our Instagram and Twitter for more updates.

International Market Place, 2330 Kalākaua Ave. For more information, go here.

Give: Paws For A Cause

Saturday, Aug. 27, 1 to 6 p.m.

Got that end-of-summertime sadness? Go out with one final bangin’ pool party at the Surfjack Hotel + Swim Club. It’s a benefit for the O‘ahu SPCA, which is bringing puppies—yes, puppies!—that you can play with, and, if there’s one that really steals your heart, you could adopt it. You must be 21 or older. Just stop by Urban Outfitters that day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to score a pool party wristband when you make a purchase of $40 or more. And, if you can’t get a pass, just make a cash donation or donate pet essentials (high quality dog food, kitty litter, to name a few) and you’ll receive entry.

The Surjack Hotel + Swim Club, 412 Lewers St. For more information, go here.

Eat: Matsumoto’s Shave Ice’s 65th Anniversary

Saturday, Aug. 27, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Photo: Courtesy of Matsumoto's Shave Ice

$0.65 for one-flavor shave ice? We are so there and you’ll want to be, too. This sweet one-day super discount celebrates 65 years of Hale‘iwa’s longtime staple: Matsumoto Shave Ice. Stop by from 9 a.m. to noon to for this shave ice special. We suggest going early so you can be one of the 500 lucky people who will score a special print shirt for $6.50. The party keeps on going with live entertainment from DJ Shift and Mike Izon.

Matsumoto Shave Ice, 66-111 Kamehameha Highway, Hale‘iwa. For more information, go here.

Attend: 35th Annual Greek Festival

Saturday, Aug. 27, noon to 9 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 28, noon to 9 p.m.

Photo: Courtesy of Greek Festival

Wish you were in Greece? Well, Greece is coming to you at the 35th annual Greek Festival. Experience authentic Greek culture at this end-of-summer party. Eat all the gyros you want and other tasty offerings including pizza, grilled items and pastries. Catch live performances featuring Greek music and dance. You’ll have so much fun celebrating the culture that it will be hard to imagine this started as a small and simple bake sale years ago.

$3 general admission, $1 entry if wearing a toga, free for children 11 and under and active military, McCoy Pavilion at Ala Moana Park, 1201 Ala Moana Blvd. For more information, go here.

Eat: Brewmaster’s Brunch

Sunday, Aug. 28, 10:30 a.m. to noon

Love breakfast? Love beer? Of course you do. Waikīkī Brewing Co. is taking Sunday brunch to the next level, serving up a yummy four-course brunch menu by Chef Nicholas Stewart and each course is paired with—you guessed it—beer. Strawberry banana bread with critrus glazed bacon and a Scotch egg loco moco are among the dishes that will be served along with an assortment of beer, from an IPA to amber ale. Bring your appetite.

$50, Waikīkī Brewing Co., 1945 Kalākaua Ave. For more information and to purchase tickets, go here.

Play: 15th Annual Korean Festival

Saturday, Aug. 25, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Photo: HONOLULU Magazine

The culture that brought us K-pop and some damn good barbecue is having its 15th annual Korean Festival this weekend, and you don’t want to miss it. Experience traditional music and dance performances to modern day K-pop music. Taste Korean dishes you love and discover new favorites. And, if you want to learn how to make them, stop by the cooking show. There will also be a kim chee eating contest if you can handle the spicy fermented dish, or if you just want to see how much other people can handle it. There’s lots to see and do.

Free admission, Honolulu Hale Civic Grounds, 530 S. King St. For more information, go here.