Looking to shop for the holidays ... in August? The Made in Hawaiʻi Festival and Hawaiʻiʻs Finest Best of Hawaiʻi Mākeke combined will bring more than a thousand local vendors to the heart of Honolulu.
The Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest also wraps up this weekend and puts the spotlight on surfing, swimming and more in Waikīkī.
Aloha State Daily put together this list of ways to spend the weekend:
Friday, Aug. 21
Attend Duke’s OceanFest. The Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest runs through Monday, Aug. 24. Some of the upcoming events include a surf invitational, a one-mile swim, surfboard water polo and more. Duke’s Ocean Fest honors Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, the legendary waterman who won five Olympic medals — including three golds — and was an ambassador of surfing to the world and part of the legendary Waikīkī Beach Boys. Details.
Shop the Made in Hawaiʻi Festival. This event brings more than 800 local vendors including artists, makers and entrepreneurs to the Hawaiʻi Convention Center from Thursday, Aug. 20, through Sunday, Aug. 23. Last year, the event drew about 70,000 visitors over three days and vendors reported just under $10 million in sales, as previously reported by Aloha State Daily. Food & Dining Reporter Kelli Shiroma Braiotta caught up with several first-time vendors for the upcoming Made in Hawaiʻi Festival including Green Times Matcha, Shawarma Break and Almond Tree. The event, which is run by the Hawaiʻi Food Industry Association, features live music from award-winning artists, chef demonstrations and more. ASD is an ‘Ohana Sponsor, and we look forward to meeting readers at booth S-3009! Stop by to play some games, win prizes, and learn more. Details.
Listen to Taimane’s new music. The ʻukulele virtuoso is releasing a new album “Li’ulā” just in time for spooky season. The album features the sounds of the ocean and coqui frogs, as well as a cello, ʻuliʻuli and a Hawaiian nose flue. Taimane spoke with ASD about “Li’ulā” ahead of its release, highlighting songs like “Kai Mahina,” “Nightmarchers” “Hilo Night” and “Until We Meet Again.” She will be one of the headliners at the third annual Maui Music & Food Experience on Friday, Aug. 21, which is the day of the album’s release. Details.
Saturday, Aug. 22
Catch live music at the Kani Ka Pila Grille Talent Search. Want to hear Hawaiian music at the Made in Hawaiʻi Festival? Stop by the Main Stage on Saturday, Aug. 22, to see the finalists for the 19th annual Kani Ka Pila Grille Talent Search. Past winners of the competition have gone on to win Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards. This year, the competitors are: Makana Arce, Moon Kahale, Keawe Kaluhiwa and ʻĀlewa. Starting at 2:30 p.m., each will play up to 20 minutes of non-stop music. The winner of the contest gets a one-month paid contract at Kani Ka Pila Grille, which is part of Outrigger Reef Waikīkī Beach Resort. Details.
Go to Hawaiʻi's Finest Music Festival. Catch Island music as part of Hawaiʻi’s Finest Music Festival, which runs from 4 p.m. until 11 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena. Featured entertainers include High Watah, Ooklah the Moc, Three Plus, Johnny Suite, Likkle Jordee, Small Axe, Kapu System and more. Tickets start at $30.75, including fees. From Friday, Aug. 21, through Sunday, Aug. 23, Hawaiʻi’s Finest will also host its free Best of Hawaiʻi Mākeke, which brings more than 300 local vendors selling food, fashion, and more, together at the Neal S. Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. Parking is $8. Details.
Watch Battle of the Bao. The Chinese Chamber of Commerce, American Savings Bank and Trust for Public Land will host the Battle of the Bao at ʻAʻala Park in the heart of Chinatown on National Bao Day. The event celebrates bau, which is known locally as manapua. Guests will receive free samples of bau, while supplies last. They can also vote for their favorites as local restaurants compete for the title of “Best Bao / Manapua” before a panel of judges. Free. Details
Catch the annual Makalauna Celebration. This event — which was rescheduled from its original date of Saturday, Aug. 15, due to weather — honors the enduring legacy of legendary slack-key guitarist and Hawaiian music pioneer Gabby “Pops” Pahinui. Listen to live musical performances at Waikīkī Beach Walk. Free. Details.
Go to the Perry & The Posse Show at Limelight. The Perry & The Posse Show will bring its second live show to Limelight Hawaiʻi near Ala Moana Hotel. The show, which runs from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and includes a breakfast buffet, will feature the KSSK 92.3 Saturday Morning Live Radio Show with Michael W. Perry, Sweetie Pacarro, and Karen Keawehawaii. The original Perry and the Price show began in 1983, bringing a live show to audiences in Waikīkī for years until 2016. Tickets are $60 for adults and $36 for keiki. Details.
Support Bishop Museum. E Ulu a Paʻa is an annual fundraiser for the museum, which includes a gala with keynote speakers Sig and Kūhaʻo Zane on Saturday, Aug. 22, as well as an online auction, which runs through Sunday, Aug. 23. The auction has more than 80 items, including a handmade vintage kimono and behind-the-scenes tours of the Bishop Museum. Details.
Sunday, Aug. 23
Attend the 10th Annual Hoʻolau Kanaka Oʻahu Ka ʻŌnohi o Nā Kai. This event, presented by Puaʻāinahau Foundation Inc. and Hālau Nā Mamo o Puʻuanahulu, brings award-winning hālau and Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning musicians to Moanalua Gardens. Hoʻolau Kanaka Oʻahu Ka ʻŌnohi o Nā Kai also features demonstrations from experts in Hawaiian crafts and traditional practices. The event includes a craft fair, plus options to purchase ʻono food. Presale tickets are $25. Admission for keiki who are between five and 11 years old is $15. Details.
Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
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