Make plans for Halloween and paint pumpkins or check out the OnoFest & Fall Expo. It’s also time for the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s homecoming football game.
Looking to Island hop? Check out the Slack Key Guitar Festival – Kona Style featuring more than a dozen musicians at the Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa.
Friday, Oct. 16
Go to the Aloha Tower Centennial Celebration. The 10th floor observation deck will reopen for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic on Friday, Oct. 16, offering panoramic views of the harbor and downtown Honolulu. Check out these photos from the past 100 years of Aloha Tower, compiled by Aloha State Daily Columnist DeSoto Brown. The tower has undergone an $8.5 million rehabilitation. There will be live entertainment, food trucks and a drone show between 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. as part of Aloha Tower’s Centennial Celebration. Free. Details.
Celebrate spooky season. Looking for ways to celebrate Halloween? Check out Aloha State Daily’s guide for 31 things to do for Halloween on Oʻahu. From Trial of Fears and Haunted Plantation to trick-or-treat opportunities and costume contests for surfers, there are lots of events happening on Oʻahu in the next few weeks. Details.
Saturday, Oct. 17
Paint pumpkins. Keiki and families can paint pumpkins, learn the art of lauhala weaving, and tour a fruit orchard as part of Saturday at the Garden: Fall Harvest. The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at CARES Waiawa, which was previously known as the Urban Garden Center, in Pearl City. There will be a plant sale, a chance to talk with Master Gardeners and more. The event is hosted by Oʻahu Master Gardener Program, which is a volunteer program of the University of Hawaiʻi Cooperative Extension Service. Admission is free. Some activities have a fee. Reserve a spot. Details.
Say ʻaloha’ to ASD at OnoFest & Fall Expo. Eat ʻono food and check out emerging brands at this family friendly event at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. The event is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 18. ASD is a stage sponsor. General admission is $6.50, with discounts for kūpuna and military. Keiki who are 12 years old or younger can attend free. Details.
Catch the Honolulu Pride Parade. About 5,000 marchers, 15 floats and five bands will be part of the Honolulu Pride Parade, which is sponsored by the Hawaiʻi LGBT Legacy Foundation. Pride 2026: Hoʻomau is a celebration of queer resilience, unity and perseverance. The parade route starts at Atkinson / Ala Moana Blvd and proceeds down to Kalakaua Avenue, eventually ending on Monsarrat Ave. at Queen Kapiʻolani Regional Park. The parade starts at 3 p.m. and will be broadcast by Hawaiʻi News Now. Free. Details.
Watch the Rainbow Warriors face New Mexico for Homecoming. The University of Hawaiʻi football team will take on New Mexico for the homecoming game at the Clarence T.C. Ching Complex. Kickoff is at 4:30 p.m., and the game will be broadcast nationally on Fox Sports 1. Details.
Sunday, Oct. 18
Tune up your favorite ʻukulele. The nonprofit Music for Live Foundation is hosting a free ʻukulele tune-up from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kamaka Community Center, located at 500 Alakawa St., Suite 100 A, Honolulu, next to Simply Storage of Hawaiʻi. Bring an ʻukulele and get a complimentary restringing with new strings provided at no cost, as well as minor repairs, advice and referrals. Chris Kamaka, Jake Shimabukuro and others will be on hand, along with staff from local music stores. Free. Details.
Catch Honolulu Pride at HoMA. Head to the Honolulu Museum of Art for Community Sunday: Honolulu Pride at HoMA, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be family friendly performances by drag artists Melody Lucas and Miss Tara Way and music by DJ A.i.T and sirdanpaul, who just released a new album, “Shapeshifter.” There will also be dance with Aloha TapCo., and opportunities to create art, connect, and celebrate community. Community Sunday events are free for kamaʻāina. Details.
Go to the final performances of “Duke.” The one-man show tells the story of the legendary waterman Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, who popularized surfing and was also a five-time Olympic medalist in swimming, in addition to being a lifeguard, actor and sheriff. The story is brought to life by Moses Goods, who wrote “Duke”and is an actor, playwright and cultural practitioner. The final shows of the tour will be at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and include an opening musical set from The Liliʻu Project. The sale of each ticket supports the nonprofit Inamona, which was started by Goods with a mission to preserve and perpetuate Native Hawaiian stories. Tickets start at $30.50. Details.
Learn who is part of Mana Up’s Cohort 11. The names of the newest cohort of Mana Up participants will be announced during a 7 p.m. television broadcast, which will be live streamed by Hawaiʻi News Now. The cohosts will be Meli James, one of the founders of Mana Up, and Honolulu-born singer and actress Hoku, the daughter of Hawai‘i entertainer Don Ho. The duo will also be sharing details for the Mana Up Showcase, which will take place on Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Bloomingdale’s which is part of Ala Moana Center. Details.
Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
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