Arts & Entertainment
Meet the artists and craftspeople keeping Hawai‘i traditions alive
Hawai‘i is filled with talented, passionate artists and performers. In recent months we’ve featured an ‘ukulele maker, sculptors, hula performers, Native Hawaiian language experts, anime cosplayers, symphony musicians, local filmmakers, Okinawan drummers, musical theatre performers, and more. We’ve covered film festivals, comedy acts, live theater and classical concerts and more. This is where you’ll also find news about TV shows and movies filmed in the Islands or about Hawai‘i, and the actors attached to them. Venues matter, too, and we’ll update readers on improvements such as the recent upgrades to the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall and the Waikīkī Shell.
News
31 things to do for Halloween on Oʻahu
Ready to get in the mood for Spooky Season? Here are 31 events happening between now and Halloween, which is Saturday, Oct. 31.
Katie HellandOctober 09, 2026
Oʻahu churches ‘treat’ the community with family-friendly Halloween events
Check out these fall-themed events held by churches around the O‘ahu — from Waikīkī to Lāʻie — for the entire ʻohana to enjoy.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosOctober 08, 2026
Adopt a book at this downtown Honolulu festival
The Books, Brews and Beats Festival started earlier this year as a passion project for Maia Mayeshiro — a Honolulu-based DJ, singer, and ʻukulele virtuoso — who wanted to bring the community together to celebrate "local business, reading and live instrumentation," she said. This Saturday, Oct. 10, attendees can visit Fort Street Mall to trade their book for another thoughtfully chosen read, while sipping single-origin coffee or ceremonial grade matcha and listening to ambient musical sounds.
Katie HellandOctober 08, 2026
Spooky season, jazz and more: what to do on Oʻahu this weekend
Aloha State Daily rounded up 10 ways you can spend the weekend. From a pumpkin patch visit at Waimānalo Country Farms to a craft beer event inside a hanger at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, there are lots of events happening on Oʻahu this weekend. ʻIolani Palace will also host its Kamaʻāina Sunday this weekend, which includes a kōnane tournament.
Katie HellandOctober 07, 2026
Kit Ebersbach shares how free jazz album came to life
This Renaissance man with almost 60 years of experience playing music in Hawaiʻi just released "Ala Pōʻai," a new album from Lō'ihi Records. Learn more about the places that inspired his music and the listening party taking place this week near UH Mānoa.
Katie HellandOctober 06, 2026
Brittni Paiva and ʻGod Mode’
This Hilo-born ‘ukulele virtuoso, who released her first album when she was just 15 years old, is back with new music. The recording artist recently shared her first album in more than a decade. This weekend, she will play music from “Through the Chaos,” at Henry’s at The Lounge in Hawaiʻi Kai.
Katie HellandOctober 02, 2026
Lego bricks inspire sky-high imagination on display at Bishop Museum
The sky might be the limit for this Lego enthusiast, who is a Hawaiian Airlines engineer and after work creates custom-built aircraft currently on display as part of the museum’s special exhibit “Aloha Bricks '26: Stories of Hawaiʻi.”
Katie HellandOctober 01, 2026
Walk, feast, and party: What to do on Oʻahu this weekend
From the Hawaiʻi Walk & Roll to Cure ALS to First Friday celebrations and Hawaiʻi Children & Youth Day, there are lots of events happening on Oʻahu this weekend.
Katie HellandSeptember 30, 2026
Aloha Beer Co.’s Oktoberfest celebration is coming
The event, which is from 5 to 10 p.m. on Oct. 2 at the Kakaʻako brewery, is open to the public and free to attend. Attendees can look forward to giant steins, a seasonal Aloha Fest Bier, German-inspired dishes, dancing and more. A limited number of VIP tickets are also available for the event.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 29, 2026
Lumpia on menu at Consolidated Theatres
“Forgotten Island," an animated film by DreamWorks about best friends, is bringing Filipino food to local movie goers at concessions across Consolidated Theatres on Oʻahu through this weekend.
Katie HellandSeptember 29, 2026
Filmmakers reflect on bringing Hawaiʻi to New York
The recent Pacific Island Film Festival, held in New York City, included stories filmed in Hawaiʻi, which reached audiences almost 5,000 miles from where the cameras rolled.
Katie HellandSeptember 26, 2026
Mele for Maui gets encore broadcast on Hawaiʻi News Now
Did you miss the free concert featuring Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra’s first performance on Maui in a decade last weekend? This Sunday, you can catch the encore broadcast of the event, which features guest artists, such as Keola Beamer, Amy Hānaiali‘i and John Cruz, on Hawaiʻi News Now.
Katie HellandSeptember 25, 2026
Kanaka Maoli author talks story at Native Books
Tori Eldridge is a Broadway dancer turned fifth-degree black belt who decided to become a novelist when she turned 50 years old. This week, she explores her latest books, which are set in Hawaiʻi, and hosts a 90-minute writing workshop as part of a stop at Native Books in Chinatown on Sunday, Sept. 27.
Katie HellandSeptember 25, 2026
Catch Aloha Festivals’ floral parade, films and snails: what to do on Oʻahu
Ready to plan the weekend? From a floral parade featuring the traditional art of pāʻū riding in Waikīkī to a showcase of Korean independent films at the Honolulu Museum of Art, there are lots of events happening on Oʻahu this Friday, Sept. 25, through Sunday, Sept. 27.
Katie HellandSeptember 23, 2026
ʻFrom Samoa to Sinatra’ gives one-night-only performance in Honolulu
Matt Catingub, who previously conducted a pops series for the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra, will be back on Oʻahu this Saturday, Sept. 26, to celebrate 50 years in the industry and pay homage to his late mother and vocalist, Mavis Rivers. He will take the stage at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall, where he once recorded a live album with Rosemary Clooney.
Katie HellandSeptember 22, 2026
Pacific Fashion Week unites Islanders through culture and design
Pacific Fashion Week brought designers and creatives to Waikīkī at Kaimama Beach Hotel on Friday to discuss challenges in the industry, priorities for the future and what authenticity looks like in their art.
Haley LehmanSeptember 19, 2026
Aloha Festivals celebrates 80 years
The festival underway consists of three events this weekend, including Hoʻolaulea, with four stages and more than 100 vendors in Waikīkī. Also coming up on Sept. 26 is the Aloha Festivals’ 78th Annual Floral Parade, where Sam Shenkus, co-chair of the Aloha Festivals board of directors, has watched some families grow up over time.
Katie HellandSeptember 19, 2026
Ballet Hawaiʻi is featuring a bespoke ballet performance at Noe
The Italian restaurant at the Four Seasons Resort Oʻahu at Ko Olina will offer an exclusive five-course dining experience — with ballet performances featured in between each course — on Saturday, Oct. 3. Attendees can look forward to a unique culinary experience; a portion of the proceeds benefits Ballet Hawaiʻi.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 18, 2026
Puppet designer puts spotlight on conservation
Artist Greg Corbino brings to life a manta ray and a larger-than-life native land snail, along with other creatures who call Hawaiʻi home as part of the world premiere of “Carnival of the Nearly Extinct Animals” this weekend. The production combines music, dance and puppets to tell the stories of the world’s disappearing animals.
Katie HellandSeptember 18, 2026
Pacific Media Group launches 'Culture'
CULTURE by Pacific Media Group offers up local podcasts, social media shorts, YouTube shows and documentaries, bringing new media platforms together with legacy media.
Stephanie SalmonsSeptember 17, 2026
Hawaiian History Month: A Month to Remember, A Year to Celebrate
This year’s celebration features living history performances, panel discussions, cultural demonstrations and more that bring Hawaiʻi’s history to life. See the list of remaining events this month.
Ka Wai Ola StaffSeptember 17, 2026
Buckle up, cellos! HSO heads to Maui
Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra, which was recently designated the official state orchestra, will make its first appearance on Maui in 10 years with a free concert, Mele for Maui, on Saturday, Sept. 19. The outdoor performance under the stars of Kā‘anapali celebrates the resilience and courage of Lahaina, Kihei and Kula, and features guest artists such as Keola Beamer, Amy Hānaiali‘i and John Cruz.
Katie HellandSeptember 17, 2026
Hollywood ponders movie remake of “Hawai‘i Five-0” directed by Ha‘ikū helmer Destin Daniel Cretton
If produced, this wouldn’t be the first time Tinseltown tried to bring the iconic CBS-TV crime series shot in the 50th State to the big screen.
Ed RampellSeptember 16, 2026
Hoʻolauleʻa, Mid-Autumn Festival, and more: Your guide to the weekend on Oʻahu
Listen to live music at Hoʻolauʻleʻa in Waikīkī, watch a sea turtle crafted from recycled cardboard float across the stage at Hawaiʻi Theatre, or create a lantern at the Mid-Autumn Festival in Chinatown. Ready to make plans for the weekend? Aloha State Daily has you covered!
Katie HellandSeptember 16, 2026