Slack key guitar, barbecue and acai: What to do Friday, Sept. 19 to Sunday, Sept. 21

It’s a foodie weekend! Enjoy a barbecue that supports student scholarships at Windward Community College and a sweet deal on acai on Oʻahu's east side. Or catch live music and stage performances. Aloha State Daily did the research so you don’t have to. Read this list of 12 things to do this weekend and start planning fun.

KH
Katie Helland

September 17, 20255 min read

‘Alewa, an up-and-coming group of musicians and dancers, are gearing up perform at Windward Community College's Paniolo BBQ fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 20.
‘Alewa, an up-and-coming group of musicians and dancers, are gearing up perform at Windward Community College's Paniolo BBQ fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 20. (Aloha State Daily Staff)

 FRIDAY, SEPT. 19

“The Paper Bag Plan.” Catch “The Paper Bag Plan,” an independent film from Executive Producer Keʻalohi Lee Lucero, who grew up in Kaʻaʻawa and graduated from Kamehameha Schools and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. The movie, which was written and directed by her husband, Anthony Lucero, shares the story of a father, Oscar, who is diagnosed with cancer and seeks independence for his wheelchair bound son, Billy. It premieres at Consolidated Theatres at Ward on Thursday, Sept. 18. Lucero will be on Oʻahu on Friday, Sept. 19, and Saturday, Sept. 20, for post-screening Q&A’s with the audience.

Watch on YouTube

Slack Key Guitar. Enjoy music from the Hawaiian slack key guitar virtuoso Makana, as well as Lono Kaumeheiwa (vocals and bass) and Lopaka Colón (percussion), who will be the first featured performers in a Slack Fridays pau hana entertainment series that runs from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at ʻAlohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach’s Swell Restaurant and Pool Bar. There will also be a hula performance by Kaʻula Kamahele, Miss Aloha Hula 1980. Enjoy music that mixes contemporary Hawaiian with bluegrass, rock and Afro-Cuban rhythms. Concert is free. Self parking is $15 with validation. Details.

New Music from Iam Tongi. His new track, “Sugar,” drops Sept. 19. Read more about Tongi’s debut at the Grand Ole Opry and his song “Sunshine,” which dropped on April 25.

“Chief of War” season finale. The new television series “Chief of War,” which stars Jason Momoa, premiered Friday, Aug. 1, on Apple TV+. Now, the finale is being released. Haven’t started watching yet? If you start now, you can binge watch all nine episodes at once. Watch “Chief of War.”

Watch on YouTube

Night of 1000 Julias. Dress as Julia Child with a wig and apron for this comic performance of “Bon Appétit!” inspired by Julia Child’s iconic TV baking segment, as part of a fundraiser for Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre. Additional shows take place on Saturday, Sept. 20 and Sunday, Sept. 21. Single tickets start at $75. Details.

Theater performances. Catch live performances of the musical “Come from Away” at Diamond Head Theatre, “Smother” at Kumu Kahua Theatre, and “Da Mayah” at Mānoa Valley Theatre. Read the synopsis for each show and learn who is taking the stage in these three theater productions to see this week.

“Chaperone.” The movie “Chaperone,” filmed in Hilo, is now in Consolidated Theatres and other locations across the islands. This independent film, written and directed by Hawai’i Island-based Zoë Eisenberg, is an age-gap story. Set in Hilo, it explores the motives of a 29-year-old woman who decides she has nothing to lose in pursuing a relationship with a teenager. With music by Taimane and an entirely American Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pasifika cast, the movie is headed to theaters across the Islands through Sept. 28. Get tickets.

Watch on YouTube

SATURDAY, SEPT. 20

Paniolo BBQ. Enjoy Windward Community College’s Paniolo BBQ with a petting zoo, mechanical bull, Texas Hold 'Em, roping competitions and live music from ʻĀlewa and Hawaiʻi Loa. The event is free to attend, and orders of barbecue raise money for student scholarships. Preorder meals now for $20.

Instrument Petting Zoo. Starting at 10 a.m., take the keiki in your life to the Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony’s Instrument Petting Zoo where they can hold, touch and try out symphonic instruments, such as trumpets and violins, with guideance from the musicians who play them in the lobby of the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall. At 11 a.m. Maestro Dane Lam and Conductor in Residence Michael-Thomas Foumai will lead the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra in bringing Ottorino Respighi’s "Pines of Rome” to life in a family concert. Tickets are $10-20. Details.

Hawaiʻi vs. Fresno State. The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s Warriors will host California State University, Fresno at 6 p.m. at the Clarence T.C. Ching Complex. Spectrum Sports will not charge local fans extra to tune in to UH football games this fall, among other conditions in its new one-year deal. Details.

In the Key of Aloha fundraiser gala: The Henry Kapono Foundation will host its inaugural In the Key of Aloha fundraiser gala, which features Henry Kapono, Jerry Santos, Brother Noland, Kimié Miner and Tavana, as well as up-and-coming artists from the nonprofit’s On the Rise program performing at the ʻAlohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach. The foundation helps the next generation of artists get their start in Hawaiʻi with professional shows, mentorship, masterclasses and publicity opportunities. Its founder, singer and songwriter Henry Kapono, is a Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning artist, who performs regularly from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Duke’s Waikīkī as part of a series Duke’s on Sunday. The gala is part of the foundation’s Home in the Islands Music Festival, which includes more than 50 live music events across the islands this month. Get gala tickets. Read the full list of festival events.  

SUNDAY, SEPT. 21

Acai bowls. HI Cravings Windward is offering a buy one, get one deal from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for its acai bowls. The celebration will be at its Kāneʻohe storefront, and will include festivities like a lion dance, live music and food from popular vendor Pochos808.

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Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.

Authors

KH

Katie Helland

Arts, Culture & Entertainment Reporter

Katie Helland is an Arts, Culture & Entertainment Reporter for Aloha State Daily.