Hawaii is blessed with generally good weather year-round, but summer is the time when the options for live music in open-air venues abound. Here are just a handful to get you out of the house.
• Twilight Concert Series, Wahiawa Botanical Garden, 5-6 p.m.: July 7, Hawaiian and contemporary music with Hale Hou; July 21, Japanese and Enka music with Tevita. Free.
• 2023 Wildest Show Concert Series, Honolulu Zoo, 6-7 p.m.: July 12, Sean Naʻauao & Paul Izak Trio; July 19, Darren Benitez & Kainani Kahaunaele; July 26, TheBrews with Keilana & Crossing Rain. Gates open at 4:30 p.m.; food and beverages available for purchase. $10/Honolulu Zoo Society members, $15/non-members, $5/keiki 3-12 years. Proceeds support the refurbishment of the zoo’s family playground. Tickets online or at the gate.
• Aloha Friday Music Series, South Shore Market Courtyard, noon-1 p.m.: July 14, Andrew + Jay Molina; July 21, Honoka; July 28, Sean Cleland. Free.
• Moonlight Mele, Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, 5-9 p.m.: July 14, Kapena, Walea, Kulaiwi and Maunalua, tickets; Aug. 11, Makaha Sons.
• “Peter and the Wolf” Keiki Concert Series, Honolulu Zoo, 10:30 and 11:45 a.m.: July 16, July 23, Aug. 6, Aug. 13. Included with zoo admission.
• Ke Kani O Ke Kai Summer Concerts, Waikiki Aquarium, 7-9:30 p.m.: July 20, Johnny Helm Band & Taimane, tickets; Aug. 10, Kawika Kahiapo & Bobbery Moderow Jr., Makaha Sons, tickets. Food will be available for purchase. Bring your own blankets and chairs. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
• Hawaii Symphony Orchestra’s Starlight Festival, Tom Moffatt Waikiki Shell, 7:30-9:30 p.m. July 22: Conductor Sarah Hicks leads the HSO in Rachmaninoff’s “Symphonic Dances” with the Hawaii Ballet Theatre for an evening of classical music and dance. Tickets.
• 6th Annual Makapuu Twilight Concert, Sea Life Park, 5-10 p.m. Aug. 5: Enjoy the sounds of Anuhea, Kalani Peʻa and Ledward Kaʻapana, along with entertainment by Huakai Polynesian Productions and emcee Dillon Ancheta. Pre-show begins at 4 p.m. Food and drink available for purchase. Tickets.
• Summer Concert, Waimea Valley, 2 p.m. Aug. 12: It’s an afternoon of Hawaiian mele and hula for the family with performances by Waiolohia, Kekoa Kane, Jerry Santos and Na Leo Pilimehana on the Main Lawn. Food and drink will be available for purchase. Gates open at 11:30 a.m. Tickets.
Movie-goers may prefer:
• Screen on the Green, Waimea Valley at sundown after the Haleiwa Farmers Market: July 13, “Super Pets”; July 20, “Puss in Boots – The Last Wish”; July 27, “Grease”; Aug. 3, “Hawaiian Soul” with a special Q&A with director ʻĀina Paikai. Free.
• Prince Waikiki Summer Flix, Prince Waikiki Hotel, 7 p.m.: Presented by the Hawaii International Film Festival, this free event features select made-in-Hawaii films in addition to recent Hollywood summertime gems presented on the hotel’s Muliwai Deck. Some screenings will feature special guests. Validated parking with purchase at Hinana Bar. Films are subject to change: July 12, “Super Mario Bros. Movie”; July 19, “This Is the Way We Rise (short) + “Every Day in Kaimuki”; July 26, “Hawaiian Soul (short) + “Waikiki”; Aug. 2, “The Wind & The Reckoning”; Aug. 9, “Everything Everywhere All At Once.”
Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.