Ready to make plans for the long weekend? Some of the events coming to Oʻahu soon include Memorial Day ceremonies, a benefit gala for Hawaiʻi Foodbank, and a car show in Hawaiʻi Kai.
Friday, May 22
Sew lei for Memorial Day. Want to help create the 38,000 lei placed on the graves of the service members laid to rest at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific? Join one of these lei-making events across the island from Waiʻane to Waimānalo or bring lei you made at home to one of the donation sites. Free. Details.
Nourish: An Oʻahu gala. Hawaiʻi Foodbank is hosting its inaugural Nourish Gala where guests can enjoy a cocktail reception, multi-course dinner with curated tasting stations and live music from Kapena, Dillon Pakele, Tehani, and the Hoʻoheno Duo at ʻAlohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach. The event supports the Hawaiʻi Foodbank. Individual tickets are available for $375. Tickets must be purchased by Thursday, May 21. Details.
Catch this special exhibit about Robert Cazimero. A special exhibit honoring the legendary musician, composer and Kumu Hula Robert Uluwehionāpuaikawēkiuokalani Cazimero has been extended through Saturday, May 30, at Gallery ‘Iolani, which is located on Windward Community College’s campus in Kāneʻohe. Learn more about the kumu hula of Hālau Na Kamalei o Lililehua, which was the kāne overall winner for the Merrie Monarch Festival of 1976, the first year that men were allowed to compete, as previously reported by Honolulu Star-Advertiser. He was also part of The Brothers Cazimero, a Grammy-nominated group honored with more than two dozen Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, which performed decades of May Day is Lei Day concerts at Tom Moffatt Waikīkī Shell. The gallery is open from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. daily, except Sunday and Memorial Day. Free. Details.
Saturday, May 23
Genki Ball make & toss. Head to the Waikīkī Community Center and join in this hands-on event where attendees can make and toss Genki Balls. Made of clay, rice bran, molasses and microorganisms, Genki Balls are said to digest sludge and leave water cleaner, although there is some debate over their effectiveness. Up to 28 participants can attend this event which runs from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. Tickets cost $10 plus fees. Details.
Seas the Morning. Head to the Waikīkī Aquarium and support University of Hawaiʻi alumni owned businesses in a special market, starting at 9 a.m. Admission is $5 and includes access to the Waikīkī Aquarium. Want to start the day earlier? Arrive at 8 a.m. for a pilates sculpt workout led by Annie Chang, a current UH student, for $30, which include access to the aquarium, the class and a towel. Details.
All White Yacht Experience. Wear white and head to this yacht party, hosted by Atlantis Cruise. Drinks are available for purchase. Boarding starts at 9 p.m. The yacht returns at 1 a.m. Individual tickets start at $125. A pair of tickets can be purchased for $170, plus fees. Details.
Sunday, May 24
Bishop Museum shares film about T. rex. Ready to add some dinosaurs to your life? “T. rex” chronicles the story of three boys discovering a juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex fossil in North Dakota in 2022. It will be playing at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Bishop Museum’s J. Watumull Planetarium. Admission is $5 per person and includes access to the planetarium’s lobby exhibit, “Wayfinders: He Waʻa He Moku, He Moku He Waʻa,” plus a seat in the theater. Tickets to the rest of the museum are an additional cost. Details.
Tour & talk story at HoMA. The Honolulu Museum of Art will offer a guided tour of its Renaissance Collection. These tours start at 2 p.m. on Sundays. Gather in the front of the Central Courtyard for tours which are between 45 and 60 minutes. These tours are included in museum admission, which is $15 for kamaʻāina and free for youth who are 18 years old or younger. Details.
Monday, May 25
75th Mayor’s Memorial Day Ceremony. The event starts at 8:30 a.m. and there will be an oli, a speech from Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, a presentation of wreaths, a firearm salute, a military aircraft flyover, and performances from the Royal Hawaiian Band and Sounds of Aloha Chorus, as well as hula from the 96th Lei Court. The ceremony also features taps. Parking is limited. Additional parking is available at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School and Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School starting at 7 a.m., and a courtesy shuttle will take attendees to the cemetery. Free. Details.
Governor's Memorial Day Ceremony. Join Gov. Josh Green, Maj. General Stephen Logan, and Lt. Col. John Alamodin for the Governor’s Memorial Day Ceremony at 1 p.m. at the Hawaiʻi State Veteran’s Cemetery in Kāneʻohe. There will be a musical prelude by the 111th Army Band. Dress code: aloha attire. Free. Details.
Visit Pearl Harbor. Spend Memorial Day at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, where you can visit the USS Arizona Memorial (reservations recommended, although some standby admission is available) or the USS Missouri Memorial and USS Bowfin submarine. Visitors can also book a tour to Ford Island, where they can visit the USS Utah and USS Oklahoma Memorials. Don’t forget a stop at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, where authentic WWII hangers hold a variety of aircraft and visitors can step into flight simulators. The Pearl Harbor National Memorial’s visitor center is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Details.
East End Hot Rod Car Show. Cruise over to the Hawaiʻi Kai Towne Center and check out this showcase of classic cars in the parking lot in front of Costco. The event starts at 2 p.m. Free. Details.
Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaiʻi. This Memorial Day ceremony brings thousands to the water’s edge to release floating lanterns and remember loved ones and fallen service members at Ala Moana Beach. The ceremony starts at 6:30 p.m. Individual lanterns are available on a first-come, first-served basis with pick up between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., or as long as supplies last. Messages can also be added to a collective remembrance lantern. Learn why these volunteers keep coming back, here. Free. Details.
Share your sky photos. Planning to be outside this weekend? Send us your pictures of rainbows, sunsets and more for a chance to be featured in our Hawaiʻi Skies series. Include your name and where the picture was taken plus why the moment was special. Details.
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Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
