Thereʻs plenty to do this weekend. From live music in Waikīkī to stage performances at Kumu Kahua Theatre. There are also events like Rebuild Oʻahu to help those impacted by the floods; ʻIolani Fair, which raises funds for students; and Forest Bathing at Moanalua Gardens. See the full list of activities on Oʻahu:
Friday, April 17
ʻIolani Fair. There will be an auction, food, including mochisadas, rides and games, a general store — with lei poʻo, baked goods, exclusive logo wear, and handmade quilts — and an area for keiki. ʻIolani School will host ʻIolani Fair from noon to 10 p.m. on Friday, April 17, and Saturday, April 18. Details.
“Blu’s Hanging.” Kumu Kahua Theatre has “Blu’s Hanging” on stage now, which is based on the coming-of-age novel by Lois-Ann Yamanaka. The story follows a Hansen’s Disease survivor as he mourns the death of his wife and struggles to provide for their kids. The production runs Thursday to Sunday. It closes on April 26. Tickets start at $28, plus fees, and there are discounts for seniors and group orders. Details.
Saturday, April 18
Rebuild Oʻahu. The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Planning and Permitting will host a Rebuild Oʻahu event from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the gymnasium at Waialua District Park. The event is designed to help those impacted by recent floods get resources and support to rebuild. Participating vendors include the Building Industry Association, American Institute of Architects, Honsador Lumber and more. DPP is also offering free 20-minute sessions, by appointment, with staff to answer questions about zoning and permits. Details.
Symphony sets sail with ode to Hōkūleʻa. Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra will perform “Raise Hawaiki,” a symphony about Hōkūleʻa, the double-hulled voyaging canoe that has inspired generations of navigators this weekend. On Saturday, April 18, HSO will perform excerpts from “Raise Hawaiki” at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall. The family-friendly event includes opportunities for keiki to learn how to tie nautical knots and see classical instruments up close. On Sunday, April 19, “Raise Hawaiki” will be performed in its entirety for the first time by the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra. That performance will feature the Oʻahu Choral Society along with illustrations of voyaging canoes by Herb Kāne and narration from actor Moses Goods. Michael-Thomas Foumai, the composer of “Raise Hawaiki,” recently spoke with Aloha State Daily about his inspiration for the piece. Details.
Special Olympics Hawaiʻi Truck Pull & Spring Fest. Show your support for Special Olympics Hawaiʻi by participating in the truck pull. Teams of eight will compete to see which group can pull a 40,000-pound Coca-Cola semi-truck 30 feet with the fastest time at Ka Makana Aliʻi. There will be food trucks, vendors, a first responders vehicle display and family friendly activities and entertainment. Admission to the Spring Fest is free. Spectators are welcome for the truck pull. To participate in the truck pull, teams must raise at least $2,000, which is $250 per person for a team of eight. Details.
New music from Ziggy Marley. The eldest son of Bob and Rita Marley will release “Brightside,” his first studio album in eight years, with a vinyl exclusive on Record Store Day, which is Saturday, April 18. It includes “Make it Paradise,” which features Jake Shimabukuro. The album releases digitally on Friday, May 1. Marley recently spoke with ASD about his new music and his recent benefit at The Republik in Honolulu. Details.
Sunday, April 19
Forest bathing at Moanalua Gardens. Ahead of Earth Day, which is April 22, Forest Bathing Hawaiʻi is offering a guided forest therapy walk at this historic public park. The green space is part of property originally bequeathed by Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop to Samuel Mills Damon. This two-hour forest bathing walk will take attendees on a mindful stroll of the lawns and gardens. The event includes tea and light snacks. The walk starts at 10 a.m. Tickets are $70, plus taxes and fees. Details.
Ledward Kaapana performs for free in Waikīkī. Catch the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning slack key guitarist Ledward Kaapana’s free performance at Waikīkī Beach Walk. Kaapana performs with a range of instruments, including steel guitar, ʻukulele, autoharp and bass guitar, and is equally renowned as a baritone and falsetto vocalist. The National Endowment for the Arts named Kaapana a National Heritage Fellow in 2011. Kaapana has also been nominated for several Grammy Awards. His free hour-long performance starts at 5 p.m. at the Waikīkī Beach Walk Plaza. Details.
Still need to make plans for Mother’s Day coming up Sunday, May 10? Aloha State Daily’s Food and Dining Reporter Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can help. Check out the guide to Where to celebrate Mother’s Day-part 1.
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Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
