Wayfinders
Explore the exhibit to meet inspirational leaders and teachers who have led the charge in the revival of these ancient traditions. Through interactive displays, you will learn how the Hawaiian Star Compass, or Kukuluokalani, and other navigation tools are used to chart a course across the Pacific, using the stars, waves, and wildlife to guide voyagers on their journeys.
Bishop Museum’s After Hours: 2nd Friday Monthly
Need a place to pau hana? We’ve got you covered! Explore Historic Hawaiian Hall, experience unique changing exhibitions, hear about the latest scientific discoveries, and engage with Hawaiian cultural practitioners all at Bishop Museum’s After Hours events. This monthly evening event welcomes kamaʻāina and visitors to explore Hawaiʻi’s unique and unparalleled cultural and natural history. See Kalaniʻōpuʻu’s feather ʻahu ʻula (cape) and mahiole (helmet) in Hawaiian Hall; check out Hawaiʻi’s animal and plant biodiversity in the Science Adventure Center; explore the newest exhibitions in the Castle Memorial Building and J.M. Long Gallery; or spend your evening under Honolulu’s star-lit sky on the Great Lawn with food and drinks for sale by local vendors.
Kama‘āina Sundays (second Sundays of the month)
Kamaʻāina Sunday | 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
ʻIolani Palace welcomes all residents to Kamaʻāina Sunday when guests can explore the Palace, immerse themselves in Hawaiian culture, taste ‘ono food, support local vendors, enjoy lively entertainment, and more. The free event is held on the second Sunday of every month.
Self-led audio tours will be available for the first 500 attendees. A valid Hawaiʻi State ID, Hawaiʻi driver’s license, or proof of Hawaiʻi residency is required for each complimentary ticket. One complimentary ticket per Hawaiʻi resident. Kamaʻāina are encouraged to come early!
Kamaʻāina Sunday’s entertainment and workshops are supported by Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority through the Kūkulu Ola Program.
HoMA Nights - Every Friday Evening
Join us for HoMA Nights, every Friday until 9pm, to explore the galleries, stargaze in the courtyards, enjoy art experiences and music, and connect with the museum community.
HoMA Café and Coffee Bar
The HoMA Café and Coffee Bar are open for bar service with a selection of cocktails, beer, wine, non-alcoholic refreshments, dinner, and grab-and-go menu items.
Café: 5–8:30pm (Food served until 7:30pm)
Coffee Bar: 5–8pm
Music
Hear performances from some of Hawai‘i’s best musicians and DJs every Friday from 6-8pm.
Interactive art experiences and activities
From lawn games to scavenger hunts to art talks, guests will enjoy engaging and interactive art experiences and activities as part of HoMA Nights.
Aloha Bricks ‘26
Aloha Bricks ’26: Stories of Hawaiʻi transforms Bishop Museum’s Castle Memorial Building into a vibrant, brick-built celebration of the islands. Created in partnership with the Hawaii LEGO® Users Group (HILUG) and middle school students from across the state, this original, family-friendly exhibition brings together culture and creativity through dynamic models, original artwork, and hands-on experiences. From beloved landmarks to native species and legendary tales, the exhibition highlights the people, places, plants, animals, and stories that shape Hawaiʻi.
MOCA Call For Exhibitions - Honolulu Hale and Kapolei Hale
The Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts (MOCA) oversees civic exhibition spaces at Honolulu Hale and Kapolei Hale, providing a platform for local visual artists, nonprofit organizations, and schools to showcase their creative work. Through partnerships with community organizations, the program presents a rotating selection of exhibitions throughout the year, featuring a wide range of artwork and perspectives from across our diverse community. All exhibitions are free and open to the public.
Click below for details and application form.
First Friday at Downtown Art Center (every 1st Friday of the month)
Every First Friday evening of the month, DAC joins other creative organizations in the Chinatown Arts District with special art activities, performances, make & take crafting projects, exhibition opening receptions, artist meet & greets, and more!
Photo: IONA Contemporary Dance Theatre
Experience Ea Mai Eiwa - Patterns of Practice: A Multigenerational Artistic Legacy Rooted in Hula
A powerful new exhibition featuring the work of Nālani Kanakaʻole (1946–2026), Sig Zane, and Kūhaʻoʻīmaikalani Zane — a Hilo-based family of artists whose creative practices are deeply rooted in hula ʻaihaʻa.
The exhibition title references “Kūhaʻimoana,” a chant describing the migration of shark gods from Kahiki to Hawaiʻi. Interpreted as “structures of nine,” Ea Mai ʻEiwa reflects the strength, resilience, and environmental knowledge embodied in these ancestral stories.
Out of the Shadows
Photography, in its most literal sense, means “drawing with light.” When you take a picture, the camera’s aperture opens briefly to capture rays of light on a photosensitive surface within. Darkness, however, has also been a source of fascination for photographers.
See how Ansel Adams, Manuel Álvarez Bravo, O. Winston Link, Richard Misrach, Sonya Noskowiak, and Edward Weston used the medium to bring images out of the shadows.
As its name suggests, black-and-white film photography is always a push and pull of light and dark. The works here guide viewers into the shadows and into the slow act of noticing what lies hidden within them.
Quiet Luxury: Subversive Fashion in the Edo Period
Fashion trends have always been deeply connected to the economy and society. Amid the recent tumultuous economic times, contemporary fashion has seen a shift toward minimalism and sustainability, with people avoiding large brand logos and vivid colors in favor of simple designs and high-quality, long-lasting materials This shift has given rise to the fashion concept of quiet luxury. And it is not the first time this has happened.
Divine Disruption: The Art of Tsherin Sherpa
Acclaimed Nepalese artist Tsherin Sherpa boldly explores the complexities of some of the most pressing social issues of the 21st century, including migration and the ways in which traditional cultures respond to the challenges and opportunities of internationalization. He does this by recontextualizing tradition Himalayan Buddhist art with a new contemporary relevance.
This major solo exhibition includes more than twenty paintings, sculptures, and a carpet, some of which are well-known artworks that established Sherpa as a significant voice in the world of contemporary art, as well as new pieces on public view for the first time.
Bon Dances & Obon Festivals 2026 on Oahu
IT’S BON DANCE SEASON 2026 ON OAHU!
Click on the links below to learn more about individual Bon Dances and Festivals taking place on Oahu in 2025.
JUNE 6, 2026
Obon Dance Workshop presented by Hawaii State Library
JUNE 6, 2026
36th Annual Obon Celebration at Hawaii Plantation Village
JUNE 12, 2026
Bon Dance at Pan-Pacific Festival Hoolaulea
JUNE 12, 2026
Bon Dance at Wahiawa Hongwanji
JUNE 13, 2026
Bon Dance at Wahiawa Hongwanji
JUNE 20, 2026
Bon Dance at Ewa Hongwanji Mission
JUNE 26, 2026
Bon Dance at Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin
JUNE 27, 2026
Bon Dance at Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin
JULY 4, 2026
Bon Dance at Waipahu Hongwanji Buddhist Temple
JULY 4, 2026
13th Annual Moiliili Summer Fest & Bon Dance
JULY 10, 2026
Obon Bon Dance at Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Church of Hawaii
Bon Dance at Haleiwa Shingon Mission
Bon Dance at Koboji Shingon Mission
Bon Dance at Higashi Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin
JULY 11, 2026
Obon Bon Dance at Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Church of Hawaii
Bon Dance at Haleiwa Shingon Mission
Bon Dance at Koboji Shingon Mission
Bon Dance at Higashi Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin
Bon Dance at Windward Buddhist Temple
JULY 17, 2026
Bon Dance at Shinshu Kyokai Mission
Bon Dance at Wahiawa Ryusenji Soto Mission
Bon Dance at Haleiwa Jodo Mission
JULY 18, 2026
Bon Dance at Jikoen Hongwanji Buddhist Temple
Bon Dance at Wahiawa Ryusenji Soto Mission
Bon Dance at Shinshu Kyokai Mission
Bon Dance at Haleiwa Jodo Mission
JULY 24, 2026
JULY 25, 2026
JULY 31, 2026
Bon Dance at Waipahu Soto Zen Temple Taiyoji
AUGUST 1, 2026
Bon Dance at Waipahu Soto Zen Temple Taiyoji
AUGUST 7, 2026
Bon Dance at Waipahu Soto Mission of Aiea
AUGUST 8, 2026
Bon Dance at Waipahu Soto Mission of Aiea
SEPTEMBER 5, 2026
SEPTEMBER 12, 2026
4th Annual Megabon
More bon dance dates to come.
E Mālama i ke Kai: Hawaiʻi Sea Grant's Youth Ocean Art Exhibit
The University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant) is proud to present its annual sci-art exhibit featuring youth ocean art. Running concurrently at three locations across Honolulu, this inspiring multi-venue gallery showcase highlights the creativity, deep cultural ties, and ecological understanding of local keiki (grades 3–12) expressing their unique relationships with the ocean.
The exhibition is a direct community extension of the "Symphony of the Hawaiʻi Seas". The Symphony began as a one-of-a-kind collaboration among cultural practitioners, marine science researchers, animators, educators, and composers who transformed stories based on observations and understanding of the ocean into a symphonic experience. Seeking to amplify the voices of the next generation, students across Oʻahu were invited to share their own voices, understandings, and visions for the future of Hawaiʻi’s ocean.
The resulting exhibition is centered entirely around the theme: "E mālama i ke kai, a mālama ke kai iā ʻoe" (Care for the ocean and the ocean will care for you). Through the eyes of Hawaiʻi’s youth, visitors will be reminded that our connection to the sea is not only ecological, but also cultural, emotional, and deeply personal.
Please visit seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu/symphony-of-hawaii-seas-art for more information.
First Friday at Capitol Modern (every 1st Friday of the month)
An evening of art and music at Capitol Modern: the Hawai'i State Art Museum! Free admission, all ages welcome. This event will feature the annual Producer Showcase with Slapp Good. Please note that the museum is closed during the day (Fourth of July state holiday observed) and will open at 5:00 p.m. for the First Friday event.
Making Art for Art’s Sake (Saturdays)
Unleash your creativity in our weekly make-and-take workshops, where DAC teaching artists guide small groups through fun, one-off projects in various media, designed to spark inspiration and introduce new art-making techniques.
— JULY —
July 4 - Mixed Media Dragon Headdress with Tricia Brubaker
July 11 - Mixed Media Tryptch in Miniature with Jeddie Kawahatsu
July 18 - Embossed Postcards with Cathy Gleason
July 25 - Pyrography/Woodburning with Cathy Gleason
— AUGUST —
August 1 - Mixed Media Butterflies Headdress with Tricia Brubaker
August 8 - Watercolor Landscape with Charlene DeLory
August 15 - Screenprinting with Stencils with Cathy Gleason
August 22 - Mixed Media Collage with Jeddie Kawahatsu
August 29 - Easy Batik on Fabric with Cathy Gleason
— SEPTEMBER —
September 5 - Mixed Media on Canvas Board with Charlene DeLory
September 12 - Mixed Media Flower Headdress with Tricia Brubaker
September 19 - Wallpaper Booklet with Cathy Gleason
September 26 - DIY Dip Pen and India Ink Swatching with Hope Hamada
Island Pulse at Capitol Modern (Every 3rd Friday of the month)
Free, all-ages evening of island roots and reggae music. Museum galleries are open and the Art + Flea urban market will include local artists and food/beverage vendors.
Imagined Flora: Ralph Iwamoto’s Surrealist Beginnings
In Hawaiʻi, Ralph Iwamoto is well known for his later minimalist abstractions. This summer, the Honolulu Museum of Art presents a rare look at an earlier moment in his career, with seven paintings from 1955 on loan from the Vilcek Foundation.
These works reveal a brief but compelling engagement with Surrealism. During this period, Iwamoto worked in New York City at a shop that sold objects and flowers from Hawaiʻi. His paintings are replete with floral reminders of his native land, combining heliconia, orchids, and other plant forms with skeletal components, set against flat backgrounds reminiscent of Japanese prints. The hybrid creatures are similar to those found in Cuban artist Wifredo Lam’s The Jungle (1942–43).
Arts of Oceania Mini-Exhibit
Juried works of traditional and contemporary craft selected from across the state of Hawaiʻi.
Artists of Hawaii Biennial 2026 - Call to Artists!
Downtown Art Center is proud to present the Artists of Hawai'i Biennial 2026. This exhibition, held in DAC’s Main Gallery from November 6 through December 19, 2026, is dedicated to showcasing the best of Hawai'i’s contemporary art. Works will be juried by Trisha Lagaso Goldberg, Director of Programming & Engagement for Anderson Collection at Stanford University and former public art project manager for the Hawai’i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.
Artists of all ages and experience levels, working in any medium, who reside in the state of Hawai'i are encouraged to apply. Submission guidelines, deadlines, and more are provided below.
The Queen’s Will by Sean T.C. O’Malley
WRITTEN BY Sean T.C. O’Malley
AUGUST 20 – SEPTEMBER 20, 2026
In the tumultuous early days of the Territory of Hawai‘i, Princess Theresa Owana Kaʻōhelelani Laʻanui Wilcox Belliveau fights for her freedom and her identity as she is accused of conspiracy to commit forgery of the last will and testament of Queen Liliʻuokalani. The Princess and her legal team struggle to expose the lies, contradictions, secrets, and bribes in the testimony of increasingly eccentric witnesses. Finally she must decide who she is and what she must do in the aftermath of this highly sensational 1918 trial. The Queen's Will is based on historical events which are little-known in the present day.
Street Nihonga - The Art of Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani
Street Nihonga sheds light on Mirikitani’s creative practice, intertwining artmaking, life narration, and street activism through the largest assembly of his works to date. The exhibition unfolds through six thematic sections: Sidewalk Stories, Street Nihonga, Tule Lake Memory-Scape, Multiple Ground Zeros, Affinities and Connections, and Entangled Memories. Traveling across Sacramento, Hiroshima, Tule Lake, and New York—and fusing Japanese painting aesthetics with street materials in collaboration with passersby and neighbors—Mirikitani’s art invites us to engage with his extraordinary life stories beyond national divides, emphasizing artmaking’s power as a means of survival, political expression, and cross-cultural dialogue.
Address: Earth - ArtistBooks in a Suitcase, An International Traveling Exhibition
Address: Earth – ArtistBooks in a Suitcase is a global artistic exchange project organized by the Inspiration Art Group International, a New York–based collective dedicated to fostering cross-cultural collaboration and unity. It brings together fifty artists from around the world, each contributing a one-of-a-kind artist’s book, housed collectively in a single suitcase. The mobile exhibition travels across cities and countries, connecting diverse artistic voices while fostering meaningful local community engagement. The project explores pressing environmental and social challenges, encouraging dialogue, reflection, and awareness. Address: Earth - ArtistBooks in a Suitcase bridges cultures and perspectives through the shared language of art.
Honor Thy Mother and Father: Depictions of Filial Piety in Japan
In the gallery devoted to woodblock prints, explore illustrations of literary works that discuss the concept of filial piety—respectful behavior towards those in positions of authority, particularly one’s own parents.
On view are prints by Okumura Masanobu, Utagawa Hiroshige, and Utagawa Kuniyoshi illustrating The Twenty-four Paragons of Filial Piety (1730s), The Tale of the Soga Brothers (1644), and Kanadehon Chūshingura (The Treasury of Loyal Retainers), 1748.
MADE POSSIBLE BY THE ROBERT F. LANGE FOUNDATION
TOP BANNER
Okumura Masanobu (1686–1764). Twenty-Four Paragons of Filial Piety: Guo Ju. Japan, Edo period (1615–1868), early 1730s . Woodblock print; ink on paper with hand-coloring . Gift of James A. Michener, 1991 (21665) .
Hawaiʻi Craftsmen: Annual Statewide Exhibition 2026
Juried works of traditional and contemporary craft selected from across the state of Hawaiʻi.
Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill: The Musical
LYRICS BY ALANIS MORISSETTE MUSIC BY ALANIS MORISSETTE AND GLEN BALLARD
BOOK BY DIABLO CODY
ALANIS MORISSETTE’S JAGGED LITTLE PILL: THE MUSICAL IS AN EXHILARATING NEW MUSICAL INSPIRED BY THE THEMES AND RAW EMOTIONS LAID BARE IN ALANIS MORISSETTE’S SEMINAL ALBUM OF THE SAME NAME. THE HEALYS APPEAR TO BE A PICTURE-PERFECT SUBURBAN FAMILY – BUT LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING. WHEN THE CRACKS BENEATH THE SURFACE BEGIN TO SHOW, THEY MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN MAINTAINING THE STATUS QUO OR FACING HARSH TRUTHS ABOUT THEMSELVES, THEIR COMMUNITY AND THE WORLD AROUND THEM.
Why Art is Good for Your Brain: The Science Behind It
Discover from experts why art makes you feel better.
Find out why the arts are being called “the fifth pillar of health” by world-renowned specialists. The exhibition Vital Connections: Art & the Brain explores the intersection of art, the brain, and health and well-being. Dr. Hugo Spiers, professor of cognitive neuroscience at University College London, Ma Ry Kim, co-founder of Honolulu-based B+HARI (Brain Health Applied Research Institute) and HoMA's Director of Curatorial Affairs Catherine Whitney discuss the science behind the health benefits of art.
4th Annual Megabon
Come on down to the 4th Annual Megabon – Hawaiʻi’s Biggest Bon Dance.
Want to beat the crowds? Early Access and VIP ticket holders will be able to enter, shop, and enjoy food before everyone else at 3pm. VIP tickets are limited to the first 50, so purchase yours early!
Beat the traffic by parking at a C&C Park & Ride location and taking the Skyline directly to the event. We will also offer free shuttle service to and from nearby parking lots. Shuttle locations and schedules will be announced soon, so please check our website and social media for updates.
⭐ VIP Ticket Includes:
• Early entry for ONE beginning at 3:00 p.m. — beat the crowds and lines while enjoying first access to more than 80 vendors, food, games, and Japanese festival games!
• ONE VIP parking space on campus — enjoy the convenience of guaranteed on-site parking.
• Access for ONE to the VIP Lounge — take a break from the crowds, enjoy VIP amenities, and conveniently access the bar. VIP guests will receive a wristband allowing in-and-out access to the lounge.
2026 Māhū Madness - A Celebration of Pride & Identity
Unapologetically Māhū
Celebrating the artistry, resilience, and enduring legacy of māhū through an unforgettable evening of world-class entertainment. From seasoned icons of Hawaiʻi's drag community to rising performers pushing creative boundaries, Māhū Madness showcases the incredible diversity, talent, and brilliance of Native Hawaiian and local LGBTQIA+ artists. Inspired by the glamour and legacy of the legendary Glades Era, the production brings together beloved queens and emerging stars for an electrifying night of live performances, storytelling, music, comedy, and unapologetic self-expression.
2026 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour - Living with a Visionary
6 Standout Short Films from this year’s Sundance Film Festima
Living with a Visionary / U.S.A. (Director, Screenwriter, and Producer: Stephen P. Neary, Producer: Mireia Vilanova)
After 50 years of marriage, John must care for his wife while learning to live alongside her vivid hallucinations. Cast: James Cromwell, Katherine LaVictoire. Short Film Jury Award: Animation
The 2026 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour is a curated collection of six standout short films from this year’s Festival, including three award winners. This 96-minute program offers a mix of stories that highlight bold perspectives and next-gen storytellers.
This tour invites audiences across the world to experience a collection of resonant, provocative, tender, and human-centered fiction, nonfiction, and animated shorts that showcase truly dynamic independent storytelling.
The Festival’s Short Film Program has long been established as a place to discover talented directors, such as past alumni Andrea Arnold, Lake Bell, Damien Chazelle, Hawai‘i’s Destin Daniel Cretton, Jay and Mark Duplass, Todd Haynes, Sterlin Harjo, Taika Waititi, and many others.
2026 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour - Marga en el DF
6 Standout Short Films from this year’s Sundance Film Festima
Marga en el DF / Mexico, U.S.A. (Director and Screenwriter: Gabriela Ortega, Producers: Karla Luna Cantú, Natalia Gonzalez, Eugenio Valero, Carlos López Estrada, Valerie Bush, Stacy Perskie)
In the wake of Selena Quintanilla’s murder, Marga’s life takes an unexpected turn at 21 weeks pregnant during a surprise visit to Mexico City. Cast: Camila Santana, David Palacio, Xabiani Ponce de León, Andrea de Fátima.
The 2026 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour is a curated collection of six standout short films from this year’s Festival, including three award winners. This 96-minute program offers a mix of stories that highlight bold perspectives and next-gen storytellers.
This tour invites audiences across the world to experience a collection of resonant, provocative, tender, and human-centered fiction, nonfiction, and animated shorts that showcase truly dynamic independent storytelling.
The Festival’s Short Film Program has long been established as a place to discover talented directors, such as past alumni Andrea Arnold, Lake Bell, Damien Chazelle, Hawai‘i’s Destin Daniel Cretton, Jay and Mark Duplass, Todd Haynes, Sterlin Harjo, Taika Waititi, and many others.
Island Pulse at Capitol Modern
Free, all-ages evening of island roots and reggae music. Museum galleries are open and the Art + Flea urban market will include local artists and food/beverage vendors.
Carnival of the Nearly Extinct Animals
Discover a world of imagination, where music, movement, and art reveal the beauty and wonder of some of our planet’s most extraordinary animals.
Carnival of the Nearly Extinct Animals is a visually captivating, multidisciplinary performance celebrating some of the planet’s most rare and remarkable creatures. Through a seamless blend of live music, dance, and larger-than-life puppetry, audiences are invited on an unforgettable journey into the beauty of the natural world.
Presented by Ocean Music Action in partnership with Hawaiʻi Theatre Center, this World Premiere performance features newly commissioned choreography by Dance Heginbotham with dancers of Ballet Hawaiʻi, performed alongside an evocative live musical score. Large-scale animal puppetry by Obie Award–winning puppeteer Greg Corbino brings each creature to life with striking detail and expressive storytelling.
Original poetry by local students is woven throughout the performance, offering a poignant reflection on connection, care, and our shared responsibility for the future of these animals. Bringing together internationally recognized artists and leading local creatives, Carnival of the Nearly Extinct Animals is a feast for the senses and a powerful call to action— an unforgettable theatrical experience for audiences of all ages.
Lei Poʻo Workshop with Kumu Kuhi
Poʻo means "head" in Hawaiian, and a lei poʻo is a head lei or flower crown, often worn to celebrate special occasions such as weddings, graduations and hula performances.
Often made with ferns, flowers, and foliage, a lei poʻo can be made using various methods, including wili (wrapping) or haku (braiding), making all haku leis lei poʻo, but not all lei poʻo haku leis.
Your instructor, Kuhi Rowland of "Lei Poʻo Slay by Kuhi," grounds her teaching in aloha ʻāina (love for the land) and ʻike kūpuna (ancestral knowledge), guiding students to create, learn, and connect with Hawaiian culture.
Look & Listen: Poetry Storytelling and Book Art
Free family-friendly celebration of poetry, storytelling, and books. Storytime and book art display, hands-on art activities, and live poetry readings. A partnership with Bess Press publishing.
Carnival of the Nearly Extinct Animals
Discover a world of imagination, where music, movement, and art reveal the beauty and wonder of some of our planet’s most extraordinary animals.
Carnival of the Nearly Extinct Animals is a visually captivating, multidisciplinary performance celebrating some of the planet’s most rare and remarkable creatures. Through a seamless blend of live music, dance, and larger-than-life puppetry, audiences are invited on an unforgettable journey into the beauty of the natural world.
Presented by Ocean Music Action in partnership with Hawaiʻi Theatre Center, this World Premiere performance features newly commissioned choreography by Dance Heginbotham with dancers of Ballet Hawaiʻi, performed alongside an evocative live musical score. Large-scale animal puppetry by Obie Award–winning puppeteer Greg Corbino brings each creature to life with striking detail and expressive storytelling.
Original poetry by local students is woven throughout the performance, offering a poignant reflection on connection, care, and our shared responsibility for the future of these animals. Bringing together internationally recognized artists and leading local creatives, Carnival of the Nearly Extinct Animals is a feast for the senses and a powerful call to action— an unforgettable theatrical experience for audiences of all ages.
Aloha Festivals 72th Annual Waikīkī Ho‘olaule‘a
Get ready for a beachfront street festival like no other!
Kalākaua Avenue will be transformed with booths showcasing Hawai‘i cuisine, crafts and culture stretching as far as the eye can see. Taste the best of local flavors from around the island in one place, and peruse artisan-made crafts. Multiple stages with incredible entertainment will rock the evening featuring top local artists, award-winning hālau hula, and more.
2026 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour - Pankaja
6 Standout Short Films from this year’s Sundance Film Festima
Pankaja / U.S.A., India (Director, Screenwriter, and Producer: Anooya Swamy, Producers: Nakirekanti Swamy, Archana Swamy, Vindhya Gupta)
Pankaja, along with her daughter, Lalli, searches for her missing husband through the city slums of Bangalore to bring him back home. Cast: Harshini Boyalla, Padmashree G.
The 2026 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour is a curated collection of six standout short films from this year’s Festival, including three award winners. This 96-minute program offers a mix of stories that highlight bold perspectives and next-gen storytellers.
This tour invites audiences across the world to experience a collection of resonant, provocative, tender, and human-centered fiction, nonfiction, and animated shorts that showcase truly dynamic independent storytelling.
The Festival’s Short Film Program has long been established as a place to discover talented directors, such as past alumni Andrea Arnold, Lake Bell, Damien Chazelle, Hawai‘i’s Destin Daniel Cretton, Jay and Mark Duplass, Todd Haynes, Sterlin Harjo, Taika Waititi, and many others.
Sing Along Broadway
SINGALONG BROADWAY is a high-octane love letter to Broadway musicals that will have audiences singing along to Broadway's greatest tracks at an all-out Broadway themed party.
For every musical novice to the Broadway expert - all ages and any musical experience will enjoy this full-blown, high-energy Broadway party where you are the star. Join us and prepare to sing your heart out to iconic showstoppers from all of your favorite Broadway musicals!
The entire show will be hosted by a male and a female host who will actively engage with the audience from on stage and in the audience.
The entire night will be interspersed with Medleys, Solos, Broadway themed games, Comedy and lots of audience participation.
2026 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour - Sauna Sickness
6 Standout Short Films from this year’s Sundance Film Festima
Sauna Sickness / Sweden (Director, Screenwriter, and Producer: Malin Barr)
Struggling to maintain the peace she mistakes for love, Cleo’s steamy New Year’s Eve plans fissure into a chilling nightmare. Cast: Thea Sofie Loch Næss, Adam Lundgren, Magnus Krepper, Sanna Krepper.
The 2026 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour is a curated collection of six standout short films from this year’s Festival, including three award winners. This 96-minute program offers a mix of stories that highlight bold perspectives and next-gen storytellers.
This tour invites audiences across the world to experience a collection of resonant, provocative, tender, and human-centered fiction, nonfiction, and animated shorts that showcase truly dynamic independent storytelling.
The Festival’s Short Film Program has long been established as a place to discover talented directors, such as past alumni Andrea Arnold, Lake Bell, Damien Chazelle, Hawai‘i’s Destin Daniel Cretton, Jay and Mark Duplass, Todd Haynes, Sterlin Harjo, Taika Waititi, and many others.
Nature in Harmony: Music and Nature Journaling at MHC
Music, art, and nature can deepen our experience of the world around us.
Inspired by Carnival of the Nearly Extinct Animals, this special collaboration between Mānoa Heritage Center and Ocean Music Action invites participants to celebrate Hawaiʻi's remarkable biodiversity through live music, exploration, and hands-on art making.
The evening begins with a musical performance featuring harpist Megan Conley, bassist Shawn Conley, and violinist Iggy Jang. The program will feature music by inspired by the flora and fauna of Hawaii, including whales, butterflies, and kāhuli.
Following the performance, local artist and naturalist Kate Righter will lead a guided nature journaling experience through the beautiful gardens of Mānoa Heritage Center. Participants will observe native plants that provide food and habitat for Hawaiʻi's endangered species—including ʻōhiʻa and māmaki—and will be guided in the creation of their own nature journal pages, while learning how careful observation through writing and drawing can foster a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
This unique experience offers an opportunity to engage the senses— to listen, look closely, and deepen our understanding of the beauty and interconnectedness of Hawaiʻi's living landscapes.
Advance registration required; space is limited to 20 participants.
Hokus Pokus Live!
Get ready to run amok, amok, amok! The witches are back and confused about what is happening in this new world of 2026! Hokus Pokus Live! is a hilarious, high-camp parody of everyone’s favorite Halloween cult classic, brought to life by drag royalty. With the power of Magica Mystica, Salem’s most infamous and glamorous trio is resurrected from the grave for one night only. Be wary; they are willing to attack and suck the life force out of everyone in their way to stay young, beautiful, and alive forever! This all live singing, fully scripted theatrical experience is unlike any other show you've ever seen!
All ages.
Miss Showgirl of the Pacific Pageant 2026
The Miss Showgirl of the Pacific Pageant is a premier LGBTQIA+ cultural event, proudly presented by UTOPIA Hawai’i Inc..
Celebrating its first annual event in Hawai’i, the pageant provides a dynamic platform to honor Pacific Islander culture, heritage, and artistry, while championing diversity, inclusivity, and LGBTQIA+ pride.
Designed to go beyond the traditional beauty pageant format, the competition uplifts and empowers participants by showcasing not only physical presentation but also talent, creativity, leadership, and advocacy. Contestants are encouraged to express their personal and cultural identities through traditional and contemporary attire, choreographed performances, and storytelling, highlighting the richness and diversity of Pacific Islander communities.
HSO presents Rhapsody in Blue and Mahler
The 26/27 Halekulani Masterworks Season launches with a clash of the musical titans! Experience the exhilarating collision of jazz and classical worlds as virtuoso pianist Makoto Ozone brings Gershwin’s iconic Rhapsody in Blue to life. Music and Artistic Director Dane Lam conducts the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra in a performance to remember, featuring Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, “Titan,” and a Hawaiʻi premiere by acclaimed Native Hawaiian composer Leilehua Lanzilotti.
Aloha Festivals 78th Annual Floral Parade
A colorful procession of Hawaiian culture through Waikīkī
Intricate floats decorated with a rainbow of fresh flowers and men and women on horseback showcasing the traditional art of pāʻū riding. Participants from marching bands to hālau hula to civic leaders display the unique aloha spirit that unites Hawai‘i’s community.
DAC Storytelling Night with David O’Shea
Stories of close calls, lousy food, of buddies and homecomings; stories of who made it and who didn't. Stories of men who didn't want to be called heroes or warriors.
Stories of old soldiers returning to Europe 60 years later to find out they made a difference. And the story of how David began and what keeps him recording their stories two decades later. This is his first public performance sharing these true war stories.
HSO presents Matt Catingub: From Samoa to Sinatra
The son of Mavis Rivers, “Polynesia's First Lady of Song,” and a proud Pacific Islander bestowed the Samoan chiefly title of La'auli, Matt Catingub has spent 50 years living at the intersection of two worlds. Saxophonist, pianist, vocalist, and award winning composer, he brings his landmark celebration to the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra. From the islands of Samoa to the stages of Carnegie Hall. From his mother's voice to Sinatra's legacy. 50 years in the making.
Honouliuli - A History Awakened 80th Commemoration
A unique immersive theatrical experience bringing the history of the Honouliuli Internment Camp to life through a powerful fusion of dance, music, and poetry. The performance will illuminate the experiences, resilience, and humanity of those who were incarcerated — offering audiences an unforgettable and deeply moving journey into this important chapter of history.
Featuring, Jake Shimabukuro, Kenny Endo, Hawai’i Youth Symphony, Hui ʻIwa Academy, Jill Togawa’s Purple Moon Dance Project, Halla Huhm Korean Dance Studio, Will Espero and Sharon & Lauren Fujimoto-Johnson.
Our Okinawan ʻOhana Stories We Share fromHawaiʻi’s Uchinānchu Community - Preview Show
By Lee A. Tonouchi
Based on stories gathered by PlayBuilders Volunteers
Directed by Harry Wong III
Born from story circles and interviews with members of Hawaiʻi’s Okinawan community, Our Okinawan ʻOhana brings stories of family, immigration, culture, humor, resilience, and belonging to the stage.
Preview Show
Hawaii United Okinawan Ballroom
Sunday, September 27 at 4 pm (Free)
Paliku Theatre, Windward Community College
October 17, 2026 (6 p.m.)
October 18, 2026 (2 p.m. )
(Possible 3rd performance on Oct. 17 may be added at 2 pm)
Hawaiʻi Watercolor Society: Open Exhibition 2026
A juried selection of fine water media by local artists.
First Friday at Capitol Modern
An evening of art and music at Capitol Modern: the Hawai'i State Art Museum! Free admission, all ages welcome. This event will feature the annual Producer Showcase with Slapp Good. Please note that the museum is closed during the day (Fourth of July state holiday observed) and will open at 5:00 p.m. for the First Friday event.
Tightrope - Stories From the Brink
Join The Moth this fall for TIGHTROPE, an evening of extraordinary true stories about what happens when there's no clear path—only the courage to keep moving forward.
Stories of balancing without a net. Trusting your gut. Taking the leap before you know where you'll land. Of big gambles and near misses, quiet acts of bravery and glorious mistakes. Of sending the text, booking the flight, sharing the secret you've carried for years, and watching everything change.
The Mainstage tour is The Moth’s signature live show, featuring a carefully curated lineup of tellers—writers, artists, adventurers, community members, and unexpected voices—sharing true personal stories, told live and without notes.
Lei Poʻo Workshop with Kumu Kuhi
Poʻo means "head" in Hawaiian, and a lei poʻo is a head lei or flower crown, often worn to celebrate special occasions such as weddings, graduations and hula performances.
Often made with ferns, flowers, and foliage, a lei poʻo can be made using various methods, including wili (wrapping) or haku (braiding), making all haku leis lei poʻo, but not all lei poʻo haku leis.
Your instructor, Kuhi Rowland of "Lei Poʻo Slay by Kuhi," grounds her teaching in aloha ʻāina (love for the land) and ʻike kūpuna (ancestral knowledge), guiding students to create, learn, and connect with Hawaiian culture.
Honolulu Theatre for Youth presents Move
by Danica Rosengren, Reiko Ho and the HTY Ensemble
MOVE! is a celebration of our bodies and how they dance, squiggle, wiggle and giggle! How does the world around us affect our movement? How does our movement change our world? Join the creative team that brought you Line, Circle, Sphere and Under the Blue in an all new, interactive, creative adventure built for our littlest audience members.
Created in collaboration with Capitol Modern: The Hawai’i State Art Museum
PUBLIC PERFORMANCE DATES
Sat Oct 3 @ 10:30am
Sun Oct 11 @ 2pm
Sun Oct 25 @ 2pm
A Taste of Ireland
Direct from Off-Broadway and London’s West End , the internationally acclaimed A Taste of Ireland Company brings its flagship production — ‘A Taste of Ireland — The Irish Music Dance Sensation’ to Hawaii for the first time. Laugh, cry, and jig into the night with production that is Celtic, for this generation.
Performed by former World Irish dance champions, and featuring dancers from Lord of the Dance, Riverdance, and the recent West End cast of Éireann, ‘A Taste of Ireland’ brings the spirit and energy of modern Ireland to life with a pint of Irish wit. Watch world-class performers blend melodic folk mash-ups, live jaw-dropping acapella tap battles, and heartfelt storytelling in a live celebration of Irish music and dance.
Brian Culbertson’s HIJG Hawaii Jazz Getaway
Brian Culbertson & Friends
Join award-winning jazz-fusion artist Brian Culbertson for two unforgettable nights at the Hawaii Theatre!
Friday, October 9, 2026: Brian Culbertson & Friends featuring David Benoit and Paul Taylor
Saturday, October 10, 2026: Brian Culbertson & Friends featuring Candy Dulfer and Keiko Matsui
Each evening showcases an all-star lineup of world-class musicians for a unique blend of smooth jazz, funk, and soulful grooves.
DAC Walking Tour: Art, History & Architecture in the HEART of Honolulu
Downtown Art Center (DAC) offers a unique way to experience the historical and artistic heritage of the HEART district of downtown Honolulu with this walking tour, led by Historian Gary R. Coover, author of "Pocket Walking Tour of Honolulu's Royal Mile,” and veteran artist and educator Susan Hogan.
Your guides will lead you on a lively 1.5 to 2-hour walk through streets layered with cultural, architectural and historical backstory. Pivotal events, locations and commemorative artworks will be pointed out and discussed. Don’t miss this chance to experience the artistic and historical heritage of Downtown Honolulu!
HEART is an acronym that stands for Heritage, Entertainment, Arts & Culture, Restaurants, and Theatre & Performing Arts. Together, these elements make up the core of the vibrant creative community that exists in the Bethel and Nuʻuanu Avenue district, between King Street and Beretania Avenue.
Honolulu Theatre for Youth presents Joseph Kekuku and the Voice of the Steel Guitar
By Moses Goods in collaboration with Kealakai Center for Pacific Strings
Back for a limited run before heading out on a national tour! The multi-media production features live music, oli, and is based on the real life story of Joseph Kekuku. In 1889, Joseph, a student at Kamehameha Schools, fabricated a steel bar in the school’s machine shop, slid it across the strings of his guitar and created a new sound that would impact music across the globe.
PUBLIC PERFORMANCE DATE
Sat Oct 10 @ 4pm
Mele Tūtū: Songs of our Grandparents
The Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives (HMH) invites the community to experience “Mele Tūtū: Songs of our Grandparents”, the next installment of HMH’s acclaimed Mele Program. “Mele Tūtū means to invite guests to look closely at the memories and songs of our grandparents or great-grandparents’ generation from the 1930s/1940s. Connection to our kūpuna, our elders, helps us to maintain the genealogies, histories, and mana of generations that we revere today. Expressed through mele (song), oli (chant), and hula (dance), Mele Tūtū embodies the enduring principle of Mālama Kūpuna: caring for our elders and those whose shoulders we all stand upon in our present-day lives.
In the 1930s and 1940s, during the time of our grandparents and great-grandparents, live music performances and radio broadcasts were important ways of sharing local music not only across the islands, but also to the Continental U.S. and further abroad. Radio shows like “Hawaiʻi Calls” and its descendant program in the 1970s and 1980s, “Territorial Airwaves” helped to broadcast Hawaiian music, mele, and culture to people otherwise unfamiliar with Hawaiʻi, its history, or its people. Orchestras playing hapahaole music, jazz, and other forms of popular Hawaiian music were instrumental in connecting people across the airwaves.
For many kamaʻāina, the mele and hula of the 1930s and 1940s are direct connections to their ancestors who danced hula, played in world-renowned touring Hawaiian bands, and kept the memory and music of previous generations alive in new contemporary ways for the time period. These mele and hula evoke memories of family musicians in the yard or on the lānai, at family gatherings, or times when kūpuna would share the knowledge and history of the family with the younger generations. It brings back memories of joy, happiness, fun, and genuine connection between family members.
Brian Culbertson’s HIJG Hawaii Jazz Getaway
Brian Culbertson & Friends
Join award-winning jazz-fusion artist Brian Culbertson for two unforgettable nights at the Hawaii Theatre!
Friday, October 9, 2026: Brian Culbertson & Friends featuring David Benoit and Paul Taylor
Saturday, October 10, 2026: Brian Culbertson & Friends featuring Candy Dulfer and Keiko Matsui
Each evening showcases an all-star lineup of world-class musicians for a unique blend of smooth jazz, funk, and soulful grooves.
Geoff Tate’s Operation: mindcrime - the final chapter
ALL AGES WELCOME!
Multi-platinum selling, Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Geoff Tate is best known for his 30-plus years as the creative and driving force behind the progressive metal band Queensryche. Since its inception with Geoff at the helm, Queensryche has sold over 20 million albums worldwide and has performed in upwards of fifty countries. Geoff is regarded as one of the most skilled vocalists in the genre with hundreds of modern, popular artists citing him and his former band as a major influence. Combining social consciousness and expertly crafted lyrics with high-energy, melodically complex music, Queensryche with Geoff Tate at the forefront became internationally recognized as the thinking man's rock band. The band's first three albums -- their self-titled EP (1983), The Warning (1984) and Rage for Order (1986) -- all hit gold status selling over 500,000 units each.’
Big Freedia’s Honolulu Pride Concert
The larger-than-life ambassador of New Orleans Bounce music, Big Freedia, is a nationally recognized hip-hop artist, TV personality and cultural influencer. Known by her fans as the "Queen Diva," Big Freedia is a loud and proud advocate for racial and gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights.
Island Pulse at Capitol Modern
Free, all-ages evening of island roots and reggae music. Museum galleries are open and the Art + Flea urban market will include local artists and food/beverage vendors.
HSO presents JoAnn Conducts Beethoven's Triple
HSO Conductor Emeritus JoAnn Falletta returns to conduct Beethoven's Triple Concerto. Pianist Lisa Nakamichi, HSO Concert Master Ignace Jang, and cellist Julian Schwarz unite in an alliance of virtuosity for a program that includes the turbulent First Symphony of Sibelius and the Hawaiʻi Premiere of American composer Randall Svane’s super-colliding Quantum Flight.
Kelli O’hara
Kelli O'Hara has established herself as one of Broadway's greatest leading ladies. The Tony Award winner, Emmy, SAG, and Grammy-nominated actress has appeared in twelve Broadway shows for which she has garnered eight Tony Award nominations.
She won the 2015 Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical, along with Grammy, Drama League and Outer Critics nominations for her portrayal of Anna Leonowens in The King and I. O’Hara’s other Broadway credits include Kiss Me Kate, The Bridges of Madison County, Nice Work if You Can Get It, South Pacific, The Pajama Game, The Light in the Piazza, Sweet Smell of Success, Follies, Dracula, and Jekyll & Hyde.
Aloha Nuʻuanu - Celebrating 50 Years of A Day at Hānaiakamalama
As it celebrates 50 years of aloha, heritage, and community, Daughters of Hawaiʻi are honored to introduce Aloha Nuʻuanu as the new name of their beloved annual gathering at Hānaiakamalama (Queen Emma Summer Palace). Rooted in the spirit of Nuʻuanu, this inoa reflects a deeper pilina to this wahi pana- place of refuge, renewal, and aloha, and the shared kuleana to preserving its legacy for generations to come.
Join them for a day of mele, hula, hana noʻeau, ʻono food, local artisans, and meaningful connections as they hoʻi hou, returning once again to celebrate Queen Emma’s enduring legacy in the uplands of Nuʻuanu.
Save the date, and stay tuned as they share more exciting announcements in the weeks ahead.
Our Okinawan ʻOhana Stories We Share fromHawaiʻi’s Uchinānchu Community
By Lee A. Tonouchi
Based on stories gathered by PlayBuilders Volunteers
Directed by Harry Wong III
Born from story circles and interviews with members of Hawaiʻi’s Okinawan community, Our Okinawan ʻOhana brings stories of family, immigration, culture, humor, resilience, and belonging to the stage.
Preview Show
Hawaii United Okinawan Ballroom
Sunday, September 27 at 4 pm (Free)
Paliku Theatre, Windward Community College
October 17, 2026 (6 p.m.)
October 18, 2026 (2 p.m. )
(Possible 3rd performance on Oct. 17 may be added at 2 pm)
HSO presents Lea Salonga in Concert
From Princess Jasmine to Miss Saigon, Tony Award-winning icon Lea Salonga joins the Hawai’i Symphony for an unforgettable night of Broadway favorites, Disney classics, and timeless hits brought to life by her luminous voice and symphonic splendor.
Our Okinawan ʻOhana Stories We Share fromHawaiʻi’s Uchinānchu Community
By Lee A. Tonouchi
Based on stories gathered by PlayBuilders Volunteers
Directed by Harry Wong III
Born from story circles and interviews with members of Hawaiʻi’s Okinawan community, Our Okinawan ʻOhana brings stories of family, immigration, culture, humor, resilience, and belonging to the stage.
Preview Show
Hawaii United Okinawan Ballroom
Sunday, September 27 at 4 pm (Free)
Paliku Theatre, Windward Community College
October 17, 2026 (6 p.m.)
October 18, 2026 (2 p.m. )
(Possible 3rd performance on Oct. 17 may be added at 2 pm)
HSO presents Lea Salonga in Concert
From Princess Jasmine to Miss Saigon, Tony Award-winning icon Lea Salonga joins the Hawai’i Symphony for an unforgettable night of Broadway favorites, Disney classics, and timeless hits brought to life by her luminous voice and symphonic splendor.
Felipe Esparaza - Laughter Will Save Us Comedy Tour
Comedian Felipe Esparza brings his signature storytelling, sharp observations, and hilarious take on everyday life to the Hawaii Theatre. Best known for winning NBC's Last Comic Standing, Felipe continues to entertain audiences nationwide with his unique style and unforgettable humor.
Paula Poundstone
Iconic comedian Paula Poundstone is known for her smart, observational humor and a spontaneous wit that has become the stuff of legend. She regularly plays theaters across the country, hosts a weekly comedy podcast, Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone, and is a regular panelist on NPR’s Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me. She also voiced the character ‘Forgetter Paula’ in the feature films Inside Out and Inside Out 2.
Kupua by Hailiʻopua Baker
WRITTEN BY Hailiʻopua Baker
October 29 – November 29, 2026
Kupua presents two traditional stories: “Ka ʻEnuhe” and “Ka Puhi a me Ka Loli,” that explore the perilous allure of hidden appetites that masquerade as love or comfort while quietly consuming the life of the ʻohana. In each story, kupua embody forces that drain sustenance and vitality under cover of night, and it is only through vigilance and decisive action that balance is restored. Together, the plays suggest that survival depends on seeing clearly, confronting deception, and protecting the bonds of family and community from what would quietly devour them.
Who’s Bad: Thriller Nights - The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience
A high-energy, live concert celebration of the music, movement, and spirit of Michael Jackson. Founded in 2003, Who’s Bad is the longest-running Michael Jackson tribute in the world, performing over 2,500 shows worldwide and captivating audiences across the U.S., Europe, Asia, and beyond.
Inspired by Michael’s legendary live tours, the show features a full live band, dynamic dancers, iconic choreography, and the unforgettable hits that defined generations — from Billie Jean and Smooth Criminal to Thriller and beyond. Fronted by the electrifying vocals and pinpoint dance of Taalib York, the performance delivers the energy, precision, and emotional connection fans expect from an MJ concert experience.
HSO presents Rachmaninoff and Copland
Dane Lam, conductor
Anthony McGill, clarinet
Salina Fisher - Kintsugi (Hawai’i Premiere)
Aaron Copland - Clarinet Concerto
Sergei Rachmaninoff - Symphony No. 2, Op. 27, E minor
Enter a world of lush melodies, radiant colors, and sweeping emotion as the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra presents an evening of musical beauty and discovery.
Artists of Hawaiʻi Biennial 2026
The state’s largest and longest-running all-media juried exhibition, designed to showcase the best of Hawaiʻi’s contemporary art.
First Friday at Capitol Modern
An evening of art and music at Capitol Modern: the Hawai'i State Art Museum! Free admission, all ages welcome. This event will feature the annual Producer Showcase with Slapp Good. Please note that the museum is closed during the day (Fourth of July state holiday observed) and will open at 5:00 p.m. for the First Friday event.
The Epic Tale of the Ramayana
A Hawaii Theatre production in partnership with the Still & Moving Meditation Fellowship + Still & Moving Community Center
For nearly two decades, Still & Moving has marked Diwali, the Indian festival of lights, with a living retelling the world's oldest epic: the Ramayana. What began as a small community gathering — a story shared among students and teachers — has grown into a full theatrical production, drawing dozens of performers ranging in age from 5 to 85. This year, for the first time, that story steps onto one of the most storied stages in the Pacific: the Hawaiʻi Theatre.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show Original Cast Spooktacular - Featuring Barry Bostwick
Join the original 'Brad Majors' - BARRY BOSTWICK - for a screening of the movie in a new 4k restoration with a live shadow cast and audience participation!
Plus a memorabilia display with artifacts and an actual costume from the movie, a costume contest, and more!
VIP Meet & Greet Available!
Honolulu Theatre for Youth presents According to Coyote
by John Kauffman, A Collaboration with Spokane Ensemble Theatre
Directed by Josephine Keefe
According to Coyote was created by the late HTY Artistic Director, John Kauffman, who performed this vibrant anthology of trickster tales worldwide. This production is directed by John’s niece and performed by indigenous actor Kellen Lewis, who is a member of the Nez Perce tribe. The production showcases some of the most popular characters in Native American mythology through traditional music, dance, and storytelling.
PUBLIC PERFORMANCE DATES
Sat Nov 7 @ 7pm
Sun Nov 15 @ 2pm
Sun Nov 22 @ 2pm
The Art & Science of Longevity: Creativity and Healthy Aging
New studies have found a link between experiencing the arts and longevity. As part of programming for Vital Connections: Art & the Brain, the Queen's Medical Center neuro-specialists Dr. Kazuma Nakagawa, chief of neurology, and Dr. Brita Aramaki, chief of geriatrics, and Dr. Courtnee Nunokawa of B+HARI (Brain Health Applied Research Institute), specializing in neuro-rehab, plasticity, and lifestyle medicine, discuss the science behind why art is a critical tool to optimize brain health for longevity.
This talk examines how making art, experiencing it, and engaging with it can regularly strengthen the cognitive capacities most protective of long-term brain health: curiosity, emotional intelligence, creative thinking, empathy, and the ability to find meaning. Grounded in science and the realities of aging in Hawai‘i, this talk offers an honest, hopeful, and practical vision of the capabilities of the aging brain.
Godfrey
Godfrey is one of the hottest comedians on the circuit. Growing up in Chicago, he constantly got in trouble for misbehaving and being an all-‐around class clown. Godfrey’s Nigerian parents unknowingly encouraged his bad behavior by showing him classic comedy films from an early age. While performing impressions of his college football teammates, Godfrey realized his irreverent style of comedy might be more than just a hobby.
Peter Pan Goes Wrong
BY JONATHAN SAYER, HENRY LEWIS, AND HENRY SHIELDS
BRACE YOURSELVES FOR AN AWFULLY BIG ADVENTURE WHEN THE INEPT AND ACCIDENT-PRONE CORNLEY DRAMA SOCIETY SET OUT TO PRESENT J.M. BARRIE’S MUCH-LOVED CLASSIC TALE OF PETER PAN, THEIR MOST AUDACIOUS PRODUCTION TO DATE. FLYING? PYROTECHNICS? SHARP HOOKS? WHAT ENSUES IS TWO ACTS OF HILARIOUS DISASTER, BATTLING TECHNICAL HITCHES, FLYING MISHAPS AND CAST DISPUTES. BUT WILL THEY EVER MAKE IT TO NEVERLAND?
CONTAINS THE SAME POTENT BLEND OF HILARITY THAT FEATURES IN THEIR AWARD-WINNING THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG.
Lei Poʻo Workshop with Kumu Kuhi
Poʻo means "head" in Hawaiian, and a lei poʻo is a head lei or flower crown, often worn to celebrate special occasions such as weddings, graduations and hula performances.
Often made with ferns, flowers, and foliage, a lei poʻo can be made using various methods, including wili (wrapping) or haku (braiding), making all haku leis lei poʻo, but not all lei poʻo haku leis.
Your instructor, Kuhi Rowland of "Lei Poʻo Slay by Kuhi," grounds her teaching in aloha ʻāina (love for the land) and ʻike kūpuna (ancestral knowledge), guiding students to create, learn, and connect with Hawaiian culture.
Lucy Darling - Simply Darling
Award-winning performer Carisa Hendrix stars as charming socialite and cocktail enthusiast Lucy Darling as she continues her vivacious vagabond voyages with Simply Darling, a touring variety show featuring her razor-sharp wit, unquestionable advice, and skillful magic.
DAC Walking Tour: Art, History & Architecture in the HEART of Honolulu
Downtown Art Center (DAC) offers a unique way to experience the historical and artistic heritage of the HEART district of downtown Honolulu with this walking tour, led by Historian Gary R. Coover, author of "Pocket Walking Tour of Honolulu's Royal Mile,” and veteran artist and educator Susan Hogan.
Your guides will lead you on a lively 1.5 to 2-hour walk through streets layered with cultural, architectural and historical backstory. Pivotal events, locations and commemorative artworks will be pointed out and discussed. Don’t miss this chance to experience the artistic and historical heritage of Downtown Honolulu!
HEART is an acronym that stands for Heritage, Entertainment, Arts & Culture, Restaurants, and Theatre & Performing Arts. Together, these elements make up the core of the vibrant creative community that exists in the Bethel and Nuʻuanu Avenue district, between King Street and Beretania Avenue.
Moolelo Christmas Spectacular 2026
Specific dates and details to come.
WATCH A HEARTWARMING AND FUN CHRISTMAS MUSICAL
FEEL THE THRILL OF THE SNOW AND LIGHT SHOW
TAKE A FAMILY PHOTO WITH SANTA
WRITE A LETTER TO SANTA
ROAST S'MORES OVER COZY FIRE PITS
ENJOY LIVE MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT
WATCH A HOLIDAY MOVIE UNDER THE STARS
GRIND HOLIDAY TREATS AND 'ONO PLATES FEATURING YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL BUSINESS
Kaimuki Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting
Approximately 40 Kaimuki businesses, schools bands, and community groups participating this year.
Lighting of the Kaimuki Christmas tree on top Pu'u O Kaimuki (also known as Menehune Hill.
First Friday at Capitol Modern
An evening of art and music at Capitol Modern: the Hawai'i State Art Museum! Free admission, all ages welcome. This event will feature the annual Producer Showcase with Slapp Good. Please note that the museum is closed during the day (Fourth of July state holiday observed) and will open at 5:00 p.m. for the First Friday event.
Lei Poʻo Workshop with Kumu Kuhi
Poʻo means "head" in Hawaiian, and a lei poʻo is a head lei or flower crown, often worn to celebrate special occasions such as weddings, graduations and hula performances.
Often made with ferns, flowers, and foliage, a lei poʻo can be made using various methods, including wili (wrapping) or haku (braiding), making all haku leis lei poʻo, but not all lei poʻo haku leis.
Your instructor, Kuhi Rowland of "Lei Poʻo Slay by Kuhi," grounds her teaching in aloha ʻāina (love for the land) and ʻike kūpuna (ancestral knowledge), guiding students to create, learn, and connect with Hawaiian culture.
HSO presents Hapa Holiday Extravaganza
The Hapa Holiday Extravaganza is back — and it's the most wonderful night of the year. Maestro Dane Lam and the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra bring their signature energy to Blaisdell Concert Hall for an evening of timeless holiday classics, local flair, and pure festive joy. Bring your ʻohana and celebrate the season the Hawaiʻi way.
HSO presents Elf in Concert
Buddy was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa’s elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn’t fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. This holiday season, relive this heartwarming holiday classic on a giant screen as every note of John Debney’s wonderful score is played live to picture in: Elf in Concert!
ELF and all related characters and elements © & ™ New Line Productions, Inc.
HSO presents Elf in Concert
Buddy was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa’s elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn’t fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. This holiday season, relive this heartwarming holiday classic on a giant screen as every note of John Debney’s wonderful score is played live to picture in: Elf in Concert!
ELF and all related characters and elements © & ™ New Line Productions, Inc.
Honolulu Theatre for Youth presents Tales of the Sun & Moon
By Reiko Ho
No matter where or when you live, all people look at the same sun and the same moon and every culture has their own tale about the heavens. This epic steampunk adventure celebrates celestial myths and legends from Hawai‘i, China, and Korea, as well as astronomy and movement inspired by traditional Asian theatre forms. Returning to Tenney for a limited run before heading out on a national tour.
PUBLIC PERFORMANCE DATE
Sunday January 10, 2027 @ 2:00pm
All Buss Up in a HI State: A Trilogy of Hawaiʻi Plays
WRITTEN BY Hannah Ii-Epstein
January 21 - February 21, 2027
Hannah Ii-Epstein’s All Buss Up Trilogy reveals how personal choices are shaped by historical forces, and how cycles of loss can echo through families as powerfully as love. Yet even in their darkest moments, these stories insist on the resilience of ʻohana and the enduring connection to the ʻāina. Spanning generations, these three plays offer a lyrical and unflinching portrait of a community confronting colonization, commodification, and addiction — while searching for healing in the land, in memory, and in each other.
Purpose
BY BRANDEN JACOBS-JENKINS
THIS ELECTRIFYING PRODUCTION IS AN INTIMATE AND INTRIGUING
BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT THE INFLUENTIAL JASPER FAMILY. AND LIKE ALL FAMILIES, THERE ARE CRACKS BENEATH THE SURFACE. WHEN THE SON RETURNS HOME WITH AN UNINVITED FRIEND, THE FAMILY IS FORCED INTO A RECKONING WITH ITSELF, ITS FAITH, AND ITS LEGACY.
WINNER OF THE 2025 PULITZER PRIZE FOR DRAMA.
Honolulu Theatre for Youth presents Listen
by Jarren Amian and Mattea Mazzella
What is that?! Sound? Music? Come play and explore the grooves and sounds of Hawaiʻi in this original interactive experience created and performed by two of HTY’s resident composer-musicians and built specifically for our youngest audience members. Listening will never feel so fun!
PUBLIC PERFORMANCE DATES
Sat Jan 23 @ 10:30am
Sun Jan 31 @ 2pm
Sun Feb 7 @ 2pm
Honolulu Theatre for Youth presents Heart Strings
by Lee Cataluna
Set in the territorial days of old Hawaiʻi, two hānai sisters face a big storm, a clash of cultures, and the knots of sibling rivalry. The story is told through the use of hei, traditional Hawaiian string games. The sisters must untangle what it means to be family and learn about the kuleana that comes with loving someone.
PUBLIC PERFORMANCE DATES
Sat Feb 20 @ 7pm
Sun Feb 28 @ 2pm
Sun Mar 7 @ 2pm
Sun Mar 14 @ 2pm
The Producers A Mel Brooks Musical
BOOK BY MEL BROOKS AND THOMAS MEEHAN
MUSIC AND LYRICS BY MEL BROOKS
A DOWN-ON-HIS-LUCK BROADWAY PRODUCER AND HIS MILD-MANNERED ACCOUNTANT HATCH A SCHEME TO PRODUCE THE MOST NOTORIOUS FLOP IN HISTORY, BILKING THEIR BACKERS—“LITTLE OLD LADIES”—OUT OF MILLIONS. ONLY ONE THING GOES WRONG: THE SHOW IS A SMASH HIT! MAX BIALYSTOCK AND LEO BLOOM FECKLESSLY NAVIGATE FINDING A SHOW, HIRING A DIRECTOR, RAISING MONEY, AND FACING PRISON. WITH A TRULY HYSTERICAL BOOK BY MEL BROOKS AND THOMAS MEEHAN (ANNIE) AND MUSIC/LYRICS BY BROOKS, THE PRODUCERS SKEWERS BROADWAY TRADITIONS AS AN EQUAL-OPPORTUNITY OFFENDER!
Honolulu Theatre for Youth presents The Mālama Musical
by The HTY Ensemble
How do we build empathy and choose kindness for those around us? How can we support others and show gratitude for the support we receive? This new musical is inspired by episodes of HTY’s Emmy® award-winning television series, The HI WAY. Created over a three-year collaboration with leaders in violence prevention and homeless services, the show focuses on the small actions we can take to bring more aloha to our communities and connects to the “Choose Love” curriculum.
PUBLIC PERFORMANCE DATES
Sat Apr 17 @ 7pm
Sun Apr 25 @ 2pm
Sun May 2 @ 2pm
Sun May 9 @ 2pm
Folks You Meet in Longs
BY LEE CATALUNA
IN A COMMUNITY AS DIVERSE AS HAWAIIʻS, THERE IS ONE THING WE ALL SHARE: WE ALL GO TO LONGS. WE GO FOR OUR LIFE-AND-DEATH NEEDS, OUR EVERYDAY SUPPLIES, AND SOMETIMES, JUST TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE AND TALK TO SOMEONE. THIS PLAY INTRODUCES US TO A VARIETY OF RECOGNIZABLE, LOCAL CHARACTERS AND HAS BEEN A PERENNIAL FAVORITE FOR HAWAII AUDIENCES AND ACTORS ALIKE. IT HAS EVEN BEEN ASSIGNED READING IN COLLEGE COURSES. THIS UPDATED VERSION INCLUDES TRIBUTES TO OUR VERY OWN MANOA LONGS, RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER FROM THE THEATRE.
Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaii
Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaiʻi is a ceremony conducted annually on Memorial Day at Ala Moana Beach in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi.
Candle-lit lanterns are set afloat on the water to carry our gratitude and prayers for all spirits and forms of life that have supported our existence since the beginning of time.
Lisa Matsumoto’s Once Upon One Kapakahi Time
AT KAIMUKI PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
MUSIC AND LYRICS BY ROSLYN CATRACCHIA
ADDITIONAL LYRICS BY LISA MATSUMOTO
ADDITIONAL MUSIC BY PAUL PALMORE
FEATURING SONGS FROM THE ONCE UPON ONE TIME TRILOGY
EXPERIENCE THE CRAZY LOCAL FAIRYTALE WORLD OF THE ENTIRE ONCE UPON ONE TIME TRILOGY! SET IN THE FOREST OF A MAGICAL FAIRYTALE KINGDOM, OUTRAGEOUS CHARACTERS MEET AND THE CRAZY “KAPAKAHI” (MIXED UP) ADVENTURE BEGINS! ENJOY NEW SURPRISES ALONG WITH THE MAGIC AND ALOHA OF THESE POPULAR MUSICALS ALL IN ONE SHOW. WITH BELOVED CHARACTERS AND STORY BY LISA MATSUMOTO, AND MUSIC AND LYRICS BY ROSLYN CATRACCHIA, THIS FEATURES THE BEST OF THE BEST OF THE TRILOGY AND PROMISES FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!
Shakespeare in Love - The Play
MĀNOA VALLEY THEATRE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HAWAII SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
BASED ON THE SCREENPLAY BY MARC NORMAN AND TOM STOPPARD
ADAPTED FOR THE STAGE BY LEE HALL. MUSIC BY PADDY CUNNEEN
ORIGINALLY PRODUCED ON THE WEST END BY DISNEY THEATRICAL GROUP & SONIA FRIEDMAN PRODUCTIONS, DIRECTED BY DECLAN DONNELLAN, AND DESIGNED BY NICK ORMEROD
YOUNG WILL SHAKESPEARE HAS WRITER’S BLOCK. THE DEADLINE FOR HIS NEW PLAY IS FAST APPROACHING, BUT HE’S IN DESPERATE NEED OF INSPIRATION. THAT IS, UNTIL HE FINDS HIS MUSE... THE FEISTY, BRILLIANT AND BEAUTIFUL VIOLA. THIS CRAFTY YOUNG WOMAN, WILL’S GREATEST ADMIRER, WILL STOP AT NOTHING—INCLUDING BREAKING THE LAW—TO APPEAR IN HIS NEXT PLAY. AGAINST A BUSTLING BACKDROP OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY, RUTHLESS SCHEMING, AND BACKSTAGE THEATRICS, WILL’S LOVE FOR VIOLA BLOSSOMS, INSPIRING HIM TO WRITE HIS GREATEST ROMANTIC MASTERPIECE.
Mamo Wearable Art Show
Unapologetically Māhū
Celebrating the artistry, resilience, and enduring legacy of māhū through an unforgettable evening of world-class entertainment. From seasoned icons of Hawaiʻi's drag community to rising performers pushing creative boundaries, Māhū Madness showcases the incredible diversity, talent, and brilliance of Native Hawaiian and local LGBTQIA+ artists. Inspired by the glamour and legacy of the legendary Glades Era, the production brings together beloved queens and emerging stars for an electrifying night of live performances, storytelling, music, comedy, and unapologetic self-expression.
2026 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour - Crisis Actor
6 Standout Short Films from this year’s Sundance Film Festima
Crisis Actor / U.S.A. (Director, Screenwriter, and Producer: Lily Platt, Producers: Sophie Seyd, Alex Bendo, Lexi Preiser)
Fired from her day job, an impulsive actress crashes a support group and spirals into a chaotic night that forces her to face her addiction to drama. Cast: Sarah Steele, Philip Ettinger. Short Film Jury Award: U.S. Fiction
The 2026 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour is a curated collection of six standout short films from this year’s Festival, including three award winners. This 96-minute program offers a mix of stories that highlight bold perspectives and next-gen storytellers.
This tour invites audiences across the world to experience a collection of resonant, provocative, tender, and human-centered fiction, nonfiction, and animated shorts that showcase truly dynamic independent storytelling.
The Festival’s Short Film Program has long been established as a place to discover talented directors, such as past alumni Andrea Arnold, Lake Bell, Damien Chazelle, Hawai‘i’s Destin Daniel Cretton, Jay and Mark Duplass, Todd Haynes, Sterlin Harjo, Taika Waititi, and many others.
Honolulu Theatre for Youth presents Anime Momotaro
by Alvin Chan, Eric Johnson, and the HTY Company based on the Japanese Folktale
Back by popular demand, this original staging of Japan’s most famous folktale draws inspiration from the visually rich world of anime as well as traditional Japanese theatre techniques and music. Teaching powerful lessons about inner strength and one’s ability to stand up against bullying, the story features cute ogres, brave animals, and a miraculous boy born from a peach.
Aloha Festivals Royal Court Investiture & Opening Ceremony
The Royal Court Investiture and Opening Ceremony will kick off the month-long Aloha Festivals celebration with its treasured cultural protocols. The evening will begin with The Royal Court Investiture. In a stately ceremony that honors Hawaiʻi’s aliʻi (ruling chiefs), this year’s Aloha Festivals Royal Court will don regalia worn only by aliʻi of the highest rank. As representatives of Hawaiʻi’s past, the Aloha Festivals Royal Court ensures the festival is rooted in the most cherished traditions of Hawaiʻi. Following the Investiture, the Opening Ceremony will feature hula and musical performances for a special evening in the heart of Waikīkī.
Ballet Hawaii Open Audition: The Nutcraker 2026
Ballet Hawaii is auditioning dancers and actors aged 7+ for its upcoming performance of The Nutcracker!
Performances will be held December 11-13, 2026 at the Blaisdell Concert Hall.
44th Annual Okinawan Festival 2026 (no bon dance this year)
No Early Admission or Bon Dance this year.
Due to renovations at the Hawaii Convention Center, we will be holding a scaled-down and modified festival in 2026. You will still be able to dive into a world of vibrant Uchinanchu traditions, ono food, and rich history.
Cultural performances, activities, exhibits, marketplace.
And FOOD! Freshly made ANDAGI, shave ice, Okinawa soba, Pig’s Feet soup, Champura and more.
First Friday at Capitol Modern
An evening of art and music at Capitol Modern: the Hawai'i State Art Museum! Free admission, all ages welcome. This event will feature the annual Producer Showcase with Slapp Good. Please note that the museum is closed during the day (Fourth of July state holiday observed) and will open at 5:00 p.m. for the First Friday event.
2026 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour - The Boys and the Bees
6 Standout Short Films from this year’s Sundance Film Festima
The Boys and the Bees / U.S.A. (Director and Producer: Arielle Knight, Producer: Sean Weiner)
On an idyllic farm in rural Georgia, Black beekeeping parents tenderly share their knowledge of life, love, and nature with their young sons while restoring their homestead.
Short Film Jury Award: Nonfiction
The 2026 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour is a curated collection of six standout short films from this year’s Festival, including three award winners. This 96-minute program offers a mix of stories that highlight bold perspectives and next-gen storytellers.
This tour invites audiences across the world to experience a collection of resonant, provocative, tender, and human-centered fiction, nonfiction, and animated shorts that showcase truly dynamic independent storytelling.
The Festival’s Short Film Program has long been established as a place to discover talented directors, such as past alumni Andrea Arnold, Lake Bell, Damien Chazelle, Hawai‘i’s Destin Daniel Cretton, Jay and Mark Duplass, Todd Haynes, Sterlin Harjo, Taika Waititi, and many others.
Noise Cabinet at Capitol Modern
Noise Cabinet is a forward leaning concert series created for listeners with openness and curiosity.
We welcome you to our third and final program of our inaugural season featuring the Grammy-winning percussion quartet Sō Percussion.
Noise Cabinet features several thoughtfully curated concerts and explores a wide spectrum of sound, from solo works and chamber music to free improvisations and electro-acoustic compositions. The concert series is proud to partner with Capitol Modern: The Hawai’i State Art Museum and is curated by Clara Kim. Admission is free of cost but requires an Eventbrite reservation.
Huliau - 40 Years of Dance, Chant & Traditions
Kumu Hula Michael Pili Pang presents HULIAU - A hula concert celebrating Hālau Hula Ka Noeʻau’s 40th anniversary. Kumu Pili Pang has been maintaining the art of hula as they have been passed down by his teacher Maiki Aiu Lake since 1986. He established HULIAU in 1996, to celebrate his first ten years and it became part of the inaugural season of the Hawaii Theater and continued as an annual concert at the Hawaii Theatre for 20 consecutive years till 2016. Now after a 10-year break, Kumu Pili Pang and Hālau Hula Ka Noʻeau returns to the Hawai’i Theatre with HULIAU ... 40 years of Dance, Chant and Traditions.
DAC Storytelling Night with David O’Shea
Stories of close calls, lousy food, of buddies and homecomings; stories of who made it and who didn't. Stories of men who didn't want to be called heroes or warriors.
Stories of old soldiers returning to Europe 60 years later to find out they made a difference. And the story of how David began and what keeps him recording their stories two decades later. This is his first public performance sharing these true war stories.
DAC Walking Tour: Art, History & Architecture in the HEART of Honolulu
Downtown Art Center (DAC) offers a unique way to experience the historical and artistic heritage of the HEART district of downtown Honolulu with this walking tour, led by Historian Gary R. Coover, author of "Pocket Walking Tour of Honolulu's Royal Mile,” and veteran artist and educator Susan Hogan.
Your guides will lead you on a lively 1.5 to 2-hour walk through streets layered with cultural, architectural and historical backstory. Pivotal events, locations and commemorative artworks will be pointed out and discussed. Don’t miss this chance to experience the artistic and historical heritage of Downtown Honolulu!
HEART is an acronym that stands for Heritage, Entertainment, Arts & Culture, Restaurants, and Theatre & Performing Arts. Together, these elements make up the core of the vibrant creative community that exists in the Bethel and Nuʻuanu Avenue district, between King Street and Beretania Avenue.
Prep Talk: Getting Ready for Artists of Hawaii Biennial 2026 with Tom Klobe
FREE and open to the public. No RSVP needed.
Join Tom Klobe, juror for the 2024 Artists of Hawaiʻi Biennial exhibition, for a practical workshop designed to help artists prepare for the upcoming 2026 Biennial.
The session will cover key topics, including how to prepare and present your artwork, what to expect from the jurying process, and business essentials such as pricing your work and writing effective artist statements.
Whether you're a first-time applicant or a returning artist, this talk offers valuable insight from a longtime arts industry professional to help you submit your work with confidence.
22nd Korean Festival Hawaii
Sharing, promoting, and raising awareness of Korean culture in the community. The Korean Festival presents a unique, authentic taste of Korean culture through food, dance, art, music, and entertainment. Organized by the Korean Festival Foundation.
Obon Festival & Bon Dance at Soto Mission of Aiea
2 NIGHTS - Friday & Saturday!
The Soto Mission of Aiea’s Bon Dance is perhaps the most festive event at Taiheiji. Hundreds upon hundreds of people come to Taiheiji to enjoy two evenings of dancing and food. Dancers form rings around the Bon Dance tower called the yagura and dance to both recorded music and live musicians.
The evening begins with an exciting performance by Hawaii Matsuri Taiko and Taiheiji’s own Somei Taiko Group. The Aiea Taiheiji Yagura Gumi which performs at several other Bon Dances each year, return for their homecoming at Taiheiji and play the popular Fukushima Ondo.
Gianmarco Soresi: The Drama King Tour
Gianmarco Soresi is a New York based stand-up comedian, actor, and creator known for his sharp societal observation and spry, energetic stage presence. Gianmarco effortlessly commands a room with his animated style, blending upbeat candor with dark comedic beats -- which has garnered him critical acclaim from NPR, Esquire, The Atlantic, Buzzfeed, ABC News, and many more. He's performed stand-up on The Late Late Show with James Corden, Comedy Central, Don't Tell, The Real Housewives of New York, and was selected as a JFL New Face in 2022. He will next be seen in the new multi-comic standup series on Netflix called "Verified Standup" which will debut on the platform on November 28, 2023. Gianmarco has also acted in Billy Crystal's Here Today, Netflix's Bonding, Hustlers, The Last OG, and is the host of the popular podcast "The Downside with Gianmarco Soresi."
Hawaiʻi's Woodshow™: Na Laʻau O Hawaiʻi
Now celebrating its 34th year, Hawai'i's Woodshow™ showcases outstanding furniture, sculpture, turned pieces, and fine crafts made from Hawai'i-grown wood. The exhibition champions sustainable forestry and connects artists with collectors, buyers, and the broader community.
First Friday Reception: August 7, 5–8 pm
Artists Reception & Awards: August 8, 2–4 pm
Ronny Chieng & Friends - A Comedy Benefit Show for the Hawaii Theatre
Ronny Chieng & Friends are back for TWO NIGHTS ONLY: Tuesday August 4 and Wednesday August 5, 2026. Join us for a throw back comedy variety music show featuring a surprise special guest line up of famous stand-up comedians, movie stars and local music.
These shows are a love letter to the people of Hawaii, their love of live performances, and the local independent businesses and restaurants—including the historic Hawaii Theatre itself—that make Hawaii special.
Housed in Honolulu’s historic Chinatown, the Hawaii Theatre has stood as a beacon for the arts since 1922. From silent films and vaudeville to symphonies, Broadway hits, and community performances, this landmark has inspired generations of artists and audiences alike.
All proceeds from the evening will directly support the restoration and preservation of the Hawaii Theatre’s iconic exterior, along with vital funding for community programs, youth education, and world-class live performances. Your support helps ensure that this historic treasure remains a vibrant gathering place for Hawaii’s creative spirit for generations to come.
Ronny Chieng is an Emmy Award winning stand up comedian, actor and host on "The Daily Show". He starred in "Crazy Rich Asians", Marvel's "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings", Disney's "Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.", NBC's "Young Rock", "M3GAN" and Hulu’s “Interior Chinatown”, "King of the Hill" and Peacock series "The Miniature Wife". He has three stand up comedy specials on Netflix including the recently released “Ronny Chieng - Love to Hate It” which was the New York Times 2024 Comedy Special of the Year.
This show is best enjoyed by patrons 18 years of age and older. Patrons should be aware that comedians will discuss adult topics and use language that may not be appropriate for children.
SIGNALS: The BINI World Tour 2026
The Philippines’ history-making girl group BINI continues their unstoppable rise on the global stage, announcing their highly anticipated ‘Signals’ World Tour, set to hit Asia, Europe, and North America. Hawaii is stop #1 on the North American segment
Crowned the Philippines’ “Nation’s Girl Group,” BINI is an eight-member Filipino girl group (Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, Jhoanna, and Sheena) with more than 1 billion global streams from viral hits like “Cherry On Top” and a passionate global audience of over 100 million followers, known as “Blooms”, the octet has rapidly emerged as one of Southeast Asia’s most influential musical forces.
Fresh from their groundbreaking appearance at this year’s Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, BINI made history as the first act from the Philippines to perform at the festival. Their set sparked massive global engagement, amassing tens of millions of views across social media, including the most-viewed Coachella 2026 performance by a female act on Instagram.
The Signals World Tourr follows the group’s latest highly anticipated release, the “Signals” EP, a new body of work that expands the group’s sonic and visual identity with polished production, layered vocals, and a seamless interplay of English and Tagalog.
HSO presents Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 1 in Concert
Get ready to embark on the penultimate leg of Harry’s journey as Warner Bros. and CineConcerts bring to the screen Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 1. Harry, Ron and Hermione face their latest set of challenges and foes both new and old as the seventh film comes to Blaisdell Concert Hall, projected on a giant screen and accompanied by Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra. Relive every harrowing moment with an experience you’ll never forget.
All characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR.
Hawaii Shakespear Festival presents Julius Caesar
"I AM GLAD THAT MY WEAK WORDS HAVE STRUCK BUT THUS MUCH SHOW OF FIRE."
Caesar returns triumphant from his civil war, but his ambition threatens the Republic. Some believe that the only recourse is his death, but their short-lived success simply leads to further bloodshed. Directed by Alex Munro, this fast-paced, modern-set production blends pre-recorded videos, livestreams, and live performance to imagine how the character of Julius Caesar would weaponize today’s technology to obtain power through persuasion. It directly confronts many of our current crises not by connecting its characters to specific individuals or administrations, but rather the power they draw upon from outrage-driven algorithms, fact-challenged social media influencers, and reality-altering generative artificial intelligence.
Les Misérables
Winner of over 100 international awards and seen by over 70 million, this musical phenomenon is an epic tale of passion and redemption in the throes of revolution.
Bon Dance at Waipahu Soto Zen Temple Taiyoji (Friday & Saturday)
2 Nights: Friday and Saturday
Bon Dance, Taiko Performance, Food Booths, Activities
HSO presents Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 1 in Concert
Get ready to embark on the penultimate leg of Harry’s journey as Warner Bros. and CineConcerts bring to the screen Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 1. Harry, Ron and Hermione face their latest set of challenges and foes both new and old as the seventh film comes to Blaisdell Concert Hall, projected on a giant screen and accompanied by Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra. Relive every harrowing moment with an experience you’ll never forget.
All characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR.
Key Project presents Hoʻomau Koʻolau - Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea
Save the date! Our Hoʻomau Koʻolau Festival this year will celebrate Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea. Live performances, Kuʻi Kalo, EAducation, food + merch vendors and MORE!
Ali Wong Live (Fri & Sat shows sold out)
Ali Wong is an Emmy award-winning actress, comedian, writer, and producer known for her breakout Netflix stand-up specials "Baby Cobra," "Hard Knock Wife," and the Emmy-nominated "Don Wong." She released her fourth and latest Netflix comedy special, "Ali Wong: Single Lady" in October 2024. Ali received a Golden Globe Award for the special and was nominated for a Critics Choice TV Award and a Directors Guild of America Award. Wong recently directed Frankie Quiñones' upcoming stand up special for Hulu.
Bon Dance at Aiea Hongwanji
Saturday night only
Bon Dance, Taiko Performance, Food Booths, Activities
51st Annual Queen Liliʻuokalani Keiki Hula Competition (Day 3)
The Annual Queen Liliʻuokalani Keiki Hula Competition is a yearly event for keiki (children) ages 6-12 that brings together hula hālau from all of the Hawaiian Islands and Japan to perform and compete for the coveted Miss and Master Keiki Hula Awards along with Kahiko and ‘Auana competitions that award for best keikikāne (boys) and kaimakahine (girls) in the top 5 places. Recognition is also given to the top hālau for Hawaiian Language (‘Olelo) Awards as well as for the Overall Winning hālau for their best in the overall keikikāne and kaimakahine competitions.
Taonga Pūoro: the Sounds and Stories of Māori Musical Instruments
Seating is limited. If this event reaches capacity, a wait list will open on Eventbrite. Free presentation by Kalama Fallau about traditional musical instruments of the Māori people of Aotearoa (New Zealand). Limited seating, registration required. ʻEwa Gallery (second floor).
51st Annual Queen Liliʻuokalani Keiki Hula Competition (Day 2)
The Annual Queen Liliʻuokalani Keiki Hula Competition is a yearly event for keiki (children) ages 6-12 that brings together hula hālau from all of the Hawaiian Islands and Japan to perform and compete for the coveted Miss and Master Keiki Hula Awards along with Kahiko and ‘Auana competitions that award for best keikikāne (boys) and kaimakahine (girls) in the top 5 places. Recognition is also given to the top hālau for Hawaiian Language (‘Olelo) Awards as well as for the Overall Winning hālau for their best in the overall keikikāne and kaimakahine competitions.