This weekend brings forth exceptional artwork, family fun events, climate considerations and ʻono food wherever you go. Here are just a few of the events happening around the island that are worth checking out. Email sarah.yamanaka@charter.com to share information on any upcoming events.
Experience an extraordinary showcase of traditional and contemporary works in ceramic, fiber, wood, metal and glass created by over 100 island artists featured in this annual exhibition, Oct. 4-26. This year, local artist Ruben Aira Jr. was selected to take part in the exhibit and will have two mixed-media surfboard pieces featured in the exhibit. There will be a First Friday reception, 6-8 p.m. Oct. 4, and opening reception and award ceremony, 6-8 p.m. Oct. 5, during which Aira will receive an award. Both events take place at the Downtown Art Center, 1041 Nuuanu Ave., Honolulu. Gallery hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.
Visit up to 10 design firms in the Honolulu area on the Firm Crawl (Oct. 4), get to know island architects in the Faces of Architecture exhibition (Oct. 7-Nov. 29), join a photography workshop, (Oct. 12), go on an architectural walking tour on the McKinley High School campus (Oct. 19) and more events are lined up in October to celebrate the impact of architecture on our daily lives. Read more or visit the website.
Capitol Modern celebrates Honolulu Pride with a drag show by Generation Next, 7-8 p.m., and drag tours with Cocoa Chandelier at 6 and 7 p.m. In addition, enjoy the Art+Flea urban market, “Nā Akua Ākea” exhibit tours at 6:15 and 7:15 p.m., a community mural with Solomon Enos, 5-9 p.m., plus special guest DJs, and food and beverage vendors. First Friday is 5-9 p.m. Oct. 4. Free.
On Oct. 4, 5:30-8 p.m., Taste of the Grand Lānai provides a sneak peek – make that “taste” – of sample portions from the menus of International Market Place restaurants participating in the upcoming 6th Grand Lānai Restaurant Week, Oct. 4-13. The Oct. 4 dine-around event previews menu favorites and special culinary creations from popular establishments. Ticket holders can also take part in complimentary stargazing provided by Stargazers of Hawaii, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tickets.
The 6th Grand Lānai Restaurant Week, Oct. 4-13, features limited-time special creations and popular prix fixe menus at eight eateries along with live music at several venues. On Oct. 8, kids under 12 eat for free off the kid’s menu with two paying adults entrees at Eating House 1849 by Roy Yamaguchi, Moani Waikiki and Stripsteak Waikiki. See what's on the menu.
The 24/25 Halekulani Masterworks season kicks off at Hawaii Theatre Center with acclaimed violinist Ray Chen joining the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra led by Music Director Dane Lam, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4. The evening lineup includes Barber’s “Violin Concerto,” Bernstein’s “Symphonic Dances from West Side Story” and a world premiere by HSO Composer in Resident Michael-Thomas Foumai. Tickets.
Welcome to Hānaiakamalama for a special community festival, 8:45 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 5. Visitors are invited to tour the palace, enjoy the lush grounds, immerse yourself in Native Hawaiian arts and crafts with cultural practitioners, indulge in jams and jellies by the Daughters of Hawaii, hear live musical entertainment, enter to win a king-size Hawaiian quilt, support local vendors and artisans and savor ʻono food! All proceeds will go toward the preservation, maintenance and operations of the historic palace and grounds. Tickets.
A Day at the Lake returns to the Wahiawa Freshwater State Recreation Area after a four-year break, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 5. The Wahiawa community partners with the Division of State Parks and the Division of Aquatic Resources to offer make-and-take projects, games, contests, conservation and sustainability education activities, food, local entertainment and the favorite boat rides. Rides are first-come, first-served and on-site registration and waivers are required by all boat riders. The boat ramp and lower lot will be closed on throughout the day for the event.
Halloween kicks off early at this free community event featuring food, music, sweet treats, games and prizes, crafts, merchandise for sale and a keiki corner, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 5.
The topic of climate change doesn’t have to be all negative. Focus on the positive and head to Ka Makana Aliʻi for a family-friendly event featuring interactive booths displaying the ways the state, counties and community organizations are addressing climate change, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 5. Be a force for good and sign up for beach clean-up events, native reforestation opportunities and other volunteer initiatives. There will also be prize drawings throughout the event. Hosted by the Hawaii State Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission and partners.
Windward Mall together with Windward Buddhist Temple and Kāneʻohe Higashi Hongwanji invites the community to enjoy traditional bon dance performances, live Okinawan music, unique cultural items available for purchase and a variety of traditional foods, 3:45-8:45 p.m. Oct. 5. Various dance groups will perform with new additions – Shishimai Lion Dance and Somei Taiko performing taiko drumming. Lahaina Ondo will also pay special tribute to those impacted by the Lahaina wildfire. Windward Buddhist Temple will offer andagi, bitter melon namasu, banana muffins, takuan, nantu (Okinawan mochi), manju and unique merchandise. Kāneʻohe Higashi Hongwanji will feature sekihan (red bean sticky rice), sweet potato manju, edamame rice and mochi, plus merchandise. They will also offer kimono dressing service 4-5 p.m.
The University of Hawaii Cancer Center observes Breast Cancer Awareness Month with its first-ever breast cancer community event, ʻOhana Pink, at the Sullivan Conference Center and lanai at 701 Ilalo Street in Kakaʻako, 8-11 a.m. Oct. 6. Cancer patients, nonprofit groups and medical experts will gather to connect and support one another in the fight against breast cancer. There will be exhibits and information from the American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen, Breast Cancer-Hawai‘i, REHAB Hospital of the Pacific, and UH Cancer Center’s clinical partners Hawai‘i Pacific Health and The Queen’s Medical Center. Learn about clinical studies, explore research opportunities and enjoy refreshments, gifts and prizes. Register to participate in person or virtually.
Accomplished painter, printmaker, poet and writer, John Pule will have his works on paper featured in an exhibition that illustrates the artist’s deep relationship with Hawaii at the Commons Gallery at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Enjoy an opening reception that opens with poetry readings by John Pule, Richard Hamasaki and friends, 2-4 p.m. Oct. 6. Gallery hours are noon-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, Sunday. Free. Located at 2535 McCarthy Mall.
If you care about the planet and are concerned about the plastic pollution slowly choking Earth and its inhabitants, this free event rooted in aloha ʻāina will focus on the situation and solutions bringing together environmental leaders, cultural practitioners and community members who are passionate about protecting Hawaii’s natural world for future generations. Hear educational presentations, cultural reflections, connect with local organizations and learn actionable steps to mālama ʻāina, 4:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at Ka Waiwai ma Mōʻiliʻili. Register.
Did you know wahine have long been celebrated as the gatherers and holders of limu knowledge? Learn about this often overlooked relationship between wahine and limu through a short documentary and live panel discussion with practitioners of today who are upholding limu cultural practices while restoring Hawaii’s coastal ecosystems, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 10 at Patagonia Honolulu located at 535 Ward Avenue. Food and beverages will be available for a suggested donation. RSVP.