Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: Aug. 15–18, 2019
Spend the weekend at the Made in Hawai‘i Festival featuring about 400 local vendors or catch the beginning of Duke’s OceanFest.
Photo: Courtesy of Kelli Bullock
30th Annual Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival Closing Weekend
Thursday, Aug. 15 to Sunday, Aug. 18
You may think Queer Eye represents queer identity, but it barely scratches the surface. That’s where HRFF comes in. As one of the longest-running LGBTQ film festivals in the world, it features more than 50 films (chosen from more than 300 entries) to bring you the full spectrum of queer identity, beyond stereotypes. You can still catch nine feature films, two events and two short film showcases this weekend, including the Asian Pacific Queer Film Festival Alliance Shorts Showcase and the Red Carpet Gala at ‘Alohilani Resort with appearances by Ru Paul’s Drag Race stars Shangela and Gia Gunn.
$100 all-access pass, $12–$15 individual film tickets. Films shown at Doris Duke Theatre, Honolulu Museum of Art, 901 Kīna‘u St. honolulumuseum.org
Made in Hawai‘i Festival
Friday, Aug. 16 to Sunday, Aug. 18
A seemingly endless list of local vendors converge at the Made in Hawai‘i Festival this weekend. Both the Blaisdell Arena and Exhibition Hall will be packed with about 400 vendors selling food, crafts, apparel, books, gifts and more, all of which were at least 51% produced, made or assembled in the Islands. Plus, award-winning chefs will fire up the arena stage with cooking demonstrations. With so many products to choose from, make sure to check out our staff’s picks of 17 must-have made-in-Hawai‘i foods here.
$7, free for kids 6 and under. Blaisdell Exhibition Hall and Arena, 777 Ward Ave. madeinhawaiifestival.com
SEE MORE: 4 Island Food Favorites You’ll Find at This Year’s Made in Hawai‘i Festival
Picnic on the Pier of the USS Missouri
Friday, Aug. 16, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
The Mighty Mo hosts the final Picnic on the Pier for the year with live acoustic covers by Kristi Masuhara, keiki crafts and raffle prizes. Bring your own picnic, or purchase food at an Aloha Gourmet food truck and drinks from a pop-up beer tent. Pro tip: take a tour before the sun sets! It’s harder to view all the exhibits in the dark. Park at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and take a shuttle to the battleship.
$5–$150. Battleship USS Missouri Memorial, 63 Cowpens St. ussmissouri.org
Photo: Surfpix.com
Duke’s OceanFest
Saturday, Aug. 17 to Sunday, Aug. 25
This festival is a must-watch for every ocean lover, featuring the sports that legendary waterman Duke Kahanamoku loved most, including paddling, swimming, surfboard water polo, volleyball and every variation of surfing. See surfing dogs, gymnastics on the waves, and hydrofoil surfers 2 feet above water, plus free movies and a one-man show about Duke’s life. This weekend kicks off with the Matson Menehune kid’s surfing competition, Duke’s Waikīkī Ocean Mile Swim and the opening ceremony at Duke’s statue on Sunday.
$0–$125. Various locations. dukesoceanfest.com
SEE MORE: Your Ultimate Guide to Duke’s OceanFest
SALT Marketplace: Local Vendors and Live Music
Friday, August 16 & Saturday, August 17 | 5–10 p.m.
Na Koa Wounded Warrior Canoe Reception & Regatta
Reception Friday, August 9 | 7 to 9 p.m.
Read more about the reception and regatta
Ocean-Friendly Restaurants Pau Hana at Herringbone Waikīkī
Saturday, August 17 | 5:30–7:30 p.m.
The Don Ho Suck ’Em Up Show
Sunday, August 18 | 1–8 p.m.
Looking for more things to do? Check out our events calendar.
Looking for fun new ways to experience the city? HONOLULU’s got you covered with HNLTix, your brand-new local resource for all things social—fundraisers, concerts, comedy shows, expos and everything in between. Discover your next can’t-miss event, share your favorites with friends, or promote your own event and sell tickets online. To see what’s coming up next in Honolulu, visit HNLTix.com.
