Your Weekend: The Best Family Fun in Hawai‘i for June 17–23, 2021
Make a mobile and watch the live revealing of a new mural, bring a blanket for a free in-person concert, watch beautiful riders on horses and save a space at a holiday concert.
The Chinese Courtyard at the Honolulu Museum of Art. Photo: Courtesy of Honolulu Museum of Art
Family Sunday at Honolulu Museum of Art
One nice thing about the virtual version of this event (although we miss the hands-on fun of the in-person days!) is that you can join in the fun anytime. The activities are online now so you and your child can create a mobile, turn a toilet paper tube into a loom or download the gallery hunt to learn more about three pieces you can visit. If you do stop by on Sunday, you may want to schedule it around lunchtime to watch Matt and Roxanne Ortiz, the artists of Wooden Wave, reveal the next sections of the new Joyful Return mural. As a reminder, admission is still free for Hawai‘i residents from 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday, so you can also swing past the café for live music (at 5:30 p.m.) and a drink or small bite.
- All ages
- Free on Sunday and Friday evening. Kids 17 years and younger are always free.
- Sunday, June 20 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Exhibit reveals are scheduled for 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m.
- 900 S. Beretania St.
- (808) 532-8700
- honolulumuseum.org, @honolulumuseum
Make Music Hawaiʻi Day
Virtual concerts have been fine. But Monday, Bishop Museum is celebrating Make Music Day with free performances outside on the great lawn. Stop by (and bring sunscreen and a hat) to hear Mākaha Sons and Nalani Jenkins, Kupu Dalier-Na‘auao, the Hawai‘i Youth Opera Chorus and more. Note that if you want to visit the exhibits including Pow Wow, you will need to buy a ticket to the museum.
- All ages
- Free
- Monday, June 21, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- 1525 Bernice St.
- (808) 847-3511
- makemusicday.org/hawaii
Photo: Hideharu Yoshikawa, Courtesy of Nā Kamehameha Commemorative Pā‘ū Parade
2021 Nā Kamehameha Commemorative Virtual Pāʻū Parade and Hoʻolauleʻa
If you missed the celebrations of culture in years past, Maui’s King Kamehameha Day celebration will stream this weekend on Facebook. Watch beautifully dressed pā‘ū riders in the parade starting at 10 a.m., then stay tuned at lunchtime for cooking and craft demonstrations and livestream music by Kamaka Kūkona and Ka Pilina.
- All ages
- Free
- Saturday, June 19. Preshow begins at 9 a.m. followed by the parade at 10 a.m.
- Watch all the events on Facebook.
For a look at another favorite Kamehameha Day tradition on O‘ahu, you can watch the lei draping on the King Kamehameha statue on ‘Ōlelo Channel 53 on June 23, 6 p.m, or join Maui County’s Festivals of Aloha’s virtual ho‘olaule‘a which features daily workshops and demonstrations filmed on Maui, Lana‘i and Moloka‘i from Monday, June 21 through Friday, June 25 at 5:30 p.m.
See also: 🌺 Quote Unquote: Meet the Aloha Festivals Floral Parade’s Pā‘ū Rider
🌞 Note: Sunday is the official first day of summer and the summer solstice will also bring the us the most daylight we’ve seen this year: 13 hours, 25 minutes and 52 seconds. Find more astronomical highlights here.
DHT also used its freshly painted back loading dock as a stage for its drive-in concerts last summer and fall. Photo: Courtesy of Diamond Head Theatre
Reserve: Drive-In Concert at Diamond Head Theatre, “Let Freedom Sing”
The fireworks shows have all been canceled, but you can celebrate the long weekend with a medley of patriotic showtunes in the backlot of Diamond Head Theatre. Right now, the roster includes performers Mary Chestnut Hicks, Ahnya Chang and the young Shooting Star Rockell Kim singing songs including “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and “I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy.” There is space for 30 cars and the last few drive-in performances sold out so you may want to reserve your parking spot now. DHT notes that people must stay in their vehicles, but car dancing and singing are permitted and, we are sure, encouraged.
- All ages
- $30 per car
- Saturday, July 3, 6 p.m.
- 520 Makapu‘u Ave.
- (808) 733-0274
- diamondheadtheatre.com
Lā ‘Ohana Day at Waimea Valley-Father’s Day
Every Sunday, kama‘āina and military families receive 50% off admission. And this weekend at Waimea Valley, kids can plant an orange pepper plant to take home.
- All ages
- Lā ‘Ohana admission rates for kama‘āina and military are $5 for adults, $3 for kids 4 to 12 years, kids 3 years and younger are free.
- Sunday, June 20, the park is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- 59-864 Kamehameha Highway, Hale‘iwa
- (808) 638-7766
- waimeavalley.net, @waimeavalleyoahu
