Are you already thinking about the weekend? Check out these events occuring on Oʻahu this weekend. Some events, like Honolulu Festival’s parade in Waikīkī are free. Others require a bit of planning, so book those tickets fast!
“Rent.” 525,600 minutes. That’s the number of minutes in a year and also lyrics for the famous song “Seasons of Love,” which is part of the hit Broadway musical “Rent,” produced by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Department of Theatre & Dance. It is being directed by Joshua “Baba” Tavares. The shows started Feb. 28. Buy tickets for the newly added show this Thursday, March 6, or arrive early to get on the waitlist for sold out performances on Friday, March 7, Saturday, March 8 and Sunday, March 9. Tickets are $8 for students, $15 for youth, $22 for faculty, staff and military and $25 for adults.
A parade, shopping and more! The annual Honolulu Festival returns this Friday, March 7; Saturday, March 8; and Sunday, March 9. Check out some of the free activities. The festival kicks off with the Friendship Gala at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center at 7 p.m. on Friday. The event features food from famous Hawaii chefs, as well as performances. Tickets are $100. On Saturday and Sunday, enjoy the craft fair and food corner with 100 vendors, plus stage performances from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center. Additional performances will take place at Ala Moana Center Stage and Waikīkī Beach Walk. There will also be a Honolulu Art Market, featuring local artists, such as Heather Brown and Nick Kuchar, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Don’t miss the Japanese Film Festival, which has free admission, on Saturday or the Sake & Food Fest on Sunday. The grand parade starts at 4 p.m. and proceeds down Kalākaua Avenue in Waikīkī, followed by fireworks at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday. Additional events and details here.
Saxophonist performs one night show in Honolulu. Eric Marienthal, a two-time Grammy Award-winning saxophonist based in Newport Beach, California, will take the stage at Hawaiian Brian’s Social Club in Honolulu on Saturday, March 8. Net proceeds from the concert go to the Hawaii Saxophone Foundation, which provides annual scholarships to high school students majoring in music in college. Marienthal will also teach a free masterclass, which is open to the public, at ’Iolani School on Thursday, March 6. Tickets are $45 for general admission and $20 for students. Buy tickets.
Happy birthday, Hōkūleʻa! The double-hulled voyaging canoe celebrates its 50th birthday this weekend. Hōkūleʻa has sailed about 250,000 nautical miles, as previously reported by Aloha State Daily. This summer, when Hōkūleʻa leaves to repeat its Moananuiākea Voyage around the world, it won’t return to Hawaiʻi waters again until 2028. The public is invited to Kualoa Beach Park to welcome Hōkūleʻa’s arrival to shore at 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 8. The Polynesian Voyaging Society’s leaders, sailing aboard the Hōkūleʻa will be brought to shore and welcomed by the Hakipu'u 'Ohana and the 'Ohana Wa'a voyaging communities. PVS CEO Nainoa Thompson and award-winning musicians Paula Fuga and Kamuela Kimokeo, among others, will be part of the activities. The Hakipuʻu Waʻa Festival with cultural activities, storytelling and canoe tours will follow from 11 a.m to 4 p.m. Details and schedule.
Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
