If prepping for holiday festivities has got you overwhelmed, grab your friends or family for a short break with these activities over the weekend. No planning needed — just enjoy! If you have events, we could share with our readers, email them to sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.
1001 Nights Under Nā Hōkū at Istanbul Hawaii
Chef Andrew Black, Oklahoma City’s James Beard Award-winner for “Best Chef Southwest,” travels to Hawaii for Istanbul Hawaii’s second chief series dinner, a collaboration with owners and chefs, Chef Ahu and Chef Nili, Nov. 14. Diners will enjoy a blend of Chef Black’s inventive “possibility cuisine” with Chef Ahu and Nili’s authentic Turkish cuisine for a family-style, multicourse meal that blends flavors from Oklahoma City and Chef Black’s Indo, Jamaican roots, with local Hawaiian spices and ingredients, and the Mediterranean. Reservations.
ANA ʻAha Mele 2024
All Nippon Airways hosts its annual ANA ʻAha Mele event that celebates music, culture and environmental stewardship with events over three days, Nov. 14-17. The first event open to the public is a performance by Japan’s first Cliburn Award-winning pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii at Hawaii Theatre Center, 7 p.m. Nov. 14. Tickets. On Nov. 16-17 at 11:30 a.m., guests can enjoy an intimate solo concert by Tsujii with brunch at Blue Note Hawaii. Tickets.
“Once on This Island”
This enchanting musical about a woman’s quest for love features stunning choreography and melodies in a powerful story of resilience and hope at Manoa Valley Theatre, Nov. 14-Dec. 8. Tickets.
Friday Night Tempo
Enjoy a free family-friendly evening of live music at Capitol Modern with live jazz and soul music outdoors by the Subtonic Orchestra, in addition to an Art+Flea urban market, food/beverage vendors, open galleries and more, 5-9 p.m. Nov. 15.
HoMA Nights
Enjoy pau hana at the Honolulu Museum of Art every Friday until 9 p.m. with special art-related programs and activities, dinner and drinks, and live Micronesian dance performance, Nov. 15.
Cultural Animation Film Festival 2024
The Honolulu Museum of Art presents the 8th annual CAFF showcasing animated films based on diverse cultures in four different short film collections at Doris Duke Theatre, Nov. 15-17. Take part in an opening night celebration, a lineup of folk tales by Jade Dandan Evangelista aka Wetsipon, Saturday Night Animation Show and a night dedicated to kids. Tickets and info.
“Ke Kauā O Ka Lāhui: The Life of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole”
The life of one of Hawaii’s most influential leaders is portrayed in a powerful living history play through writer Victoria Nalani Kneubuhl and director Sammie Choy that weaves history and culture into a tribute to Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole. Performances at Aliiolani Hale — King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Nov. 15-16 and 2-4 p.m. Nov. 17. RSVP required. Final performance at ʻAlohilani Waikīkī Resort as part of the annual Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs convention open to the public, 7:30-9 p.m. Nov. 14. Presented by the Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī Coalition.
Mykal Rose
Island 98.5 presents “classic hard core Jamaican roots rock reggae” with Grammy Award-winning reggae singer Mykal Rose at Blue Note Hawaii, 6:30 and 9 p.m. Nov. 15-16. Rose was the lead singer of Black Uhuru from 1977 to 1985 and released his latest album, “I Give You Love,” in 2023. Tickets.
A Night with Cody Jinks & Ward Davis
Hawaii Theatre Center presents Cody Jinks, a country artist dubbed by Wide Open Country as “one of the most beloved and successful independent voices in country music,” performing together with Ward Davis, 8 p.m. Nov. 15. Tickets.
Celebrate Urban Makahiki at ʻAʻala Park
Waiwai Collective, American Savings Bank, Hawaii Tourism Authority and Trust for Public Land invite the community to enjoy a day of fun games, live performances and cultural demonstrations that highlight the rich history of the ahupuaʻa of Kapalama and Nuʻuanu, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 16. There will be local food, retail vendors as well. Performers and activities include Capoeira Besouro Hawaii, Paʻi Foundation, Hawaii Martial Arts Culture Association, Starr Kalahiki, Bradda Ash, Azato, Hanafuda Hawaii, Bad Luck Club (mahjong), Hoʻopili Tribal Council, Kaulike Academy, Downtown Art Center, and Honolulu Board of Water Supply.
Help Remove Invasive Algae
Join nonprofit Mālama Maunalua in the effort to remove invasive algae from Maunalua Bay, 9 a.m. Nov. 16, 30. RSVP by emailing volunteer@malamamaunalua.org.
Ceramics, Textiles & Glass Fair
Hawaii Handweavers Hui, Glass Fusion Collective and Oahu Potters’ Association presents a one-day fair featuring handcrafted treasures at Washington Middle School, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 16.
Winter Fair at Kaʻala Elementary
Enjoy a holiday craft fair featuring games, crafts, plants, music, food and gifts, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 16. Located at 130 California Ave. in Wahiawa.
McKinley High School Fall Craft Fair
Come down and support McKinley’s chorus and theater with any purchase of crafts, gift items, produce, food, Krispy Kreme and more, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 16.
Mele Makers Market at Sunset Beach Elementary
This fun community fair will offer baked goods, food, crafts and student vendor area with proceeds helping to support the school’s music program, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 16. Located at 59-360 Kamehameha Hwy. in Haleiwa.
Taste of Kalihi Market at Kapalama Kai
Get into the holiday season with family fun activities, music, crafts, vendors, Christmas-themed photo booth and a keiki corner at Dillingham Plaza, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 16. Keiki fun includes balloon animals, face painting and free holiday snacks.
Farmers Market 15th Anniversary Celebration
Windward Mall celebrates 15 years of its farmers' market, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 17. Shop at the market and mall merchants to receive a logo bento box with bamboo cover and utensils while supplies last.
Family Sunday at Honolulu Museum of Art
Bring the family for a full day of activities and performances highlighting the exhibition, “Home of The Tigers: McKinley High and Modern Art,” 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 17. Free for kamaʻāina.
AccesSurf 2024 Party Wave Fundraiser & Online Auction
AccesSurf, a nonprofit organization empowering people with disabilities through accessible water programs, announces Party Wave 2024 happening at the Hard Rock Café in Waikiki — a fundraiser featuring live music, pupu and a silent auction with online bidding, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 17. Proceeds will directly support programs that serve individuals with disabilities. Tickets $30, under 12 are free.
HSO – 24/25 Masterworks
Maestro Dane Lam conducts the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra and soprano Sofia Troncoso in what may be considered Gustav Mahler’s best work, “Symphony No. 4,” along with “Knoxville: Summer of 1915” by Samuel Barber and “Tipping Point” by Huang Ruo at Hawaii Theatre Center. 4-6:30 p.m. Nov. 17. Tickets.
Taimane & Her Trio
See four-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winner Taimane as she lights up the Blue Note Hawaii stage with her mashup medleys, original compositions and classic covers, 7 p.m. Nov. 17. Tickets.
The Lonely Hearts: Beatles and Beyond
Blue Note Hawaii and Aloha Growers present a special live concert that celebrates the 60th anniversary of The Beatles coming to America with Hawaii’s fab four — Jimmy Dillon, Justin Morris, Austin Hutto and Steve Morris, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 19. Tickets.
Tim Guard Distinguished Lecture Series
Friends of the Waikīkī Aquarium in partnership with the University of Hawaii at Manoa presents Dr. Carl Meyer, UH Institute of Marine Biology researcher, highlighting how “Science Reveals the Secret Lives of Sharks,” 6-7 p.m. Nov. 21. Deepen your understanding of how sharks survive in challenging environments and their vital role in maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems. At the UH Manoa Art Building, 2535 McCarthy Mall, Room 132.
WAR
One of music’s most enduring soul/funk groups of the 70s, WAR, fronted by co-founding member Lonnie Jordan, performs at Blue Note Hawaii, 6:30 and 9 p.m. Nov. 21-22. Tickets.
Kaiwi Coast Run & Walk
Take part in the only pedestrian race sanctioned for the Kaiwi Coast scenic highway, 6:45 a.m. Nov. 24. The four-mile run/walk begins with a Hawaiian oli and blowing of the pū. The race is limited to 3,000 participants. Information and registration.