Photo: Courtesy of Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs

Prince Kūhiō Parade

Saturday, March 29, 5 p.m.

Celebrate the birthday of the People’s Prince by cheering on colorful floats, trolleys, marching bands and equestrian groups as they march through Kapolei. The parade ends at Ka Makana Ali‘i’s center stage with a free concert, food and crafts vendors.

Family-friendly, free, route along Kapolei Pkwy. from Kapolei Hale to Ka Makana Ali‘i, aohcc.org, @hawaiiancivicclubs

SEE ALSO: Your Insider Guide to Keiki Street Festival

Image: Courtesy of Maui Public Arts Corps

Hui Mo‘olelo: Lāhainā Film Festival

Thursday, March 27, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

For the first time, this annual Maui-based film showcase is making its way to O‘ahu. See five animated shorts that celebrate Lāhainā’s rich history, culture and sense of place. Each piece is inspired by talk-story excerpts from Lāhainā residents, highlighting personal memories and historical narratives that have been passed down through generations. You’ll also be able to engage with the filmmakers and storytellers during a live Q&A session.

RSVP

Free, Waiwai Collective, 1110 University Ave., mauipublicart.org, @mauipublicart

SEE ALSO: ‘Ōpio Fest is HIFF’s New Signature Spring Showcase—and Tickets Are On Sale Now

Photo: Courtesy of Pacific Expos

FoodieCon & Spring Expo

Saturday, March 29, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sunday, March 30, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Come hungry and taste your way through more than 200 booths selling everything from treats and snacks to noodles and skewers. All food vendors will offer a $7 plate option, meaning you can try a few without breaking the bank.

Family-friendly, $6 general admission, $4 senior and military admission, free for keiki 12 and under, Neal S. Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall, 777 Ward Ave., pacificexpos.com, @pacificexposhawaii

SEE ALSO: Your Insider Guide to the Hawai‘i Triennial

Photos: Courtesy of Susanna Moore

Book Reading and Signing with Susanna Moore

Saturday, March 29, 2 to 4 p.m.

Jump on this rare chance to meet author Susanna Moore as she returns home to Hawai‘i for this special event. Hear passages from her memoir and other recent works, including The Lost Wife—a novel praised in HONOLULU Magazine’s inaugural HONOLULU Book Awards—listen to a talk-story session and get copies of the books signed.

RSVP

Free, Da Shop: Books + Curiosities, 3565 Harding Ave., dashophnl.com, @dashophnl

SEE ALSO: Feed Your Artistic Appetite With Fishschool Classes

Mayor’s Town Hall Meetings

Thursday, March 27, through Thursday, June 5

It’s your chance to be heard! Mayor Rick Blangiardi is making his rounds to neighborhoods across O‘ahu to meet you face-to-face and find out what matters to you most. The town hall meetings kick off in Nānākuli and continue at six more locations through June 5:

• Thursday, March 27, 7 to 9 p.m., Kalaniana‘ole Beach Park, Nānākuli
• Thursday, April 10, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Historic Hale‘iwa Gym
• Thursday, April 24, 7 to 9 p.m., Mililani High School, Mililani
• Thursday, May 1, 7 to 9 p.m., Kahuku High School, Kahuku
• Thursday, May 8, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Castle High School, Kāne‘ohe
• Thursday, May 22, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Radford High School, Salt Lake
• Thursday, June 5, 7 to 9 p.m., Kalani High School, East O‘ahu

Free, www8.honolulu.gov, @mayorrickhnl

Photo: Courtesy of Friends of St. Patrick Hawai‘i

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Monday, March 17, noon to 1:30 p.m.

Whether you’re Irish or just want to pretend for the day, all are welcome to celebrate in Waikīkī. Cheer on 300 parade participants, including community organizations, marching bands, military troupes and school groups, as they march down Kalākaua Avenue to Kapi‘olani Park. Remember to wear green, so you don’t get pinched!

Family-friendly, free, Kalākaua Ave. from Fort DeRussy to the Kapi‘olani Park bandstand, friendsofstpatrickhawaii.com, @friendsofstpatrick808

SEE ALSO: Celebrate the Irish in You at These St. Patrick’s Day Events

Photo: Courtesy of Prince Waikīkī

Cosmics & Cocktails

Thursday, March 13, 6:30 p.m. to 10:45 p.m.

Witness a blood moon total lunar eclipse, the first since 2022, from a swanky Waikīkī pool deck. See the celestial event through large, powerful telescopes guided by expert astronomers from Stargazers of Hawai‘i, sip on creative cocktails and groove to the music of DJ Compose.

Free admission, receive 2.5-hour parking validation (self-parking) with any purchase from Hinana Bar or 100 Sails restaurant, Prince Waikīkī Pool Deck, 100 Holomoana St., princewaikiki.com, @princewaikiki

SEE ALSO: Look Up for the “Blood Moon” Total Lunar Eclipse on Thursday Night

Alice in Wonderland, Jr.

Friday, March 14, 6 p.m.

Saturday, March 15, 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Sunday, March 16, 1 p.m.

Be transported to a whimsical world in this 60-minute stage adaptation of the classic Disney animated film and the Lewis Carroll stories. You’ll fall down the rabbit hole with Alice and meet curious creatures from an upside-down world—played by the talented students of Pacific Academy of Performing Arts.

BUY TICKETS

Family-friendly, $10 adults, $5 keiki, Hawai‘i Theatre, 1130 Bethel St., hawaiitheatre.com, @papahawaii808

SEE ALSO: St. Patrick’s Day on O‘ahu: Where to Find Corned Beef and Other Specials

Photo: Courtesy of Wet ’n’ Wild Hawai‘i

Adult Swim Neon Night

Friday, March 14, 6 to 11 p.m.

Don’t let keiki have all the fun this spring break. This adults-only swim party packs some major grown-up vibes with nighttime waterslides, DJ beats, dancing, food and drinks, cabana rentals and glow foam. Think: nightclub meets waterpark.

BUY TICKETS

Ages 21+, $19.99 early-bird general admission, $29.99 regular general admission, $69.99 VIP admission, Wet ’n’ Wild Hawai‘i, 400 Farrington Hwy., Kapolei, wetnwildhawaii.com, @wetnwildhawaii

SEE ALSO: Your Insider Guide to the Hawai‘i Triennial

Doris Duke Foundation x Hawai‘i Triennial 2025: Rebirth, Resilience & Resistance

Saturday, March 15, 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Hear from an all-female panel examining how women reclaim traditions, navigate adversity and challenge dominant narratives. Speakers include moderator Maurine Knighton, Chief Program Officer at the Doris Duke Foundation, Ahu Hettema, chef of Istanbul Hawai‘i, Vicky Holt Takamine, activist and kumu hula, and Melissa Chimera, Hawai‘i Triennial artist.

RSVP

Free, registration required, HT25 HUB, Davies Pacific Center, Second Floor, 841 Bishop St., ht25programs.eventcalendarapp.com, @hi_shangrila

Photo: Courtesy of Honolulu Festival Foundation

Honolulu Festival

Friday, March 7, through Sunday, March 9

Sunday, March 9, 4:30 p.m., Waikīkī Grand Parade

Sunday, March 9, 8:30 p.m., Nagaoka Fireworks Show

It’s a weekend that locals and visitors alike look forward to each year. Known for its spectacular fireworks over Waikīkī Beach, vibrant parade along Kalākaua Avenue, entertainment and activities, this expo showcases cultures from around the Pacific Rim. Learn to make sushi from the chef from Sushi Ginza Onodera, join Hawai‘i’s first bon dance of the year, shop the craft fair, catch a flick at the Japanese Film Festival, taste your way through the Sake and Food Fest and more. Check the full schedule of events here.

Family-friendly, free to view the fireworks and parade, $8 adult presale and $10 adult at-the-door admission to the cultural activities at Hawai‘i Convention Center, free for keiki under 18 years old, various locations, including Hawai‘i Convention Center, Ala Moana Center and Waikīkī Beach Walk, honolulufestival.com, @honfestival

SEE ALSO: Things to Do on O‘ahu in March 2025

Photo: Courtesy of Liliko‘i Project Hawai‘i

MakeHER’s Market

Friday, March 7, 4:30 to 8 p.m.

Celebrate International Women’s Day by supporting local female entrepreneurs at this sip-and-shop event. You’ll meet more than 30 small business owners, hear their unique stories, shop for gifts, art, clothing and treats, plus enjoy cocktails, too. The vendor lineup includes Clétte, Mohala Eyewear, Pakahi Baskets, Rice Blossoms HI, Ten Tomorrow and more.

BUY TICKETS

$15 admission, plus beverage tickets, located at a private club in downtown Honolulu, address provided with ticket purchase, eventbrite.com, @lilikoiprojecthawaii

SEE ALSO: Your Insider Guide to Hōkūle‘a’s 50th Birthday Celebration

Photo: Courtesy of Kapolei Commons

Touch a Truck

Saturday, March 8, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Get hands-on with more than 50 construction trucks, utility vehicles, fire engines, buses and more at this annual event. Keiki can push buttons, honk horns, grasp steering wheels, meet emergency responders and watch a Toyota truck show. Enjoy onsite food vendors, shop Kapolei Commons retailers and redeem your receipt for a complimentary toy truck, while supplies last.

Family-friendly, free, Kapolei Commons, 4450 Kapolei Pkwy., kapoleicommons.com, @kapoleicommons

SEE ALSO: Your Ultimate Guide to Concerts and Live Music in Honolulu

Photo: Courtesy Slo I Studio

Pottery Pop-Up

Saturday, March 8, noon to 5 p.m.

Scoop up gorgeous hand-built ceramic wares from Slo I Studio at potter Stacie Krajchir-Tom’s pop-up event at Olive Boutique.

43 Kihapai St., Kailua, oliveandoliverhawaii.com, @olive_boutique

Photo: Courtesy of Downtown Art Center

Watercolor Art Show

On view through Saturday, March 29, Tuesdays to Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admire 77 stunning works by 58 Hawai‘i Watercolor Society member artists. You’ll be in awe of the impressive range of pieces, from landscapes and botanicals to figures and abstracts. Stop by the First Friday Opening Reception on March 7 from 5 to 8 p.m. to meet some of the artists and celebrate the exhibition.

Free, Downtown Art Center, Second Floor, 1041 Nu‘uanu Ave., hawaiiwatercolorsociety.org, @hawaiiwatercolorsociety

SEE ALSO: 8 Amazing Things to Do With Kids

Photo: Courtesy of La Pietra – Hawai‘i School for Girls

La Pietra’s Tech & Family Fun Fair

Saturday, March 8, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Everyone (not just girls) is invited to explore cutting-edge technologies at this second annual community event. Experience the thrill of virtual reality, test your skills on flight and racing simulators and jump into esports play. There will also be plenty of low-tech activities, such as a rock-paper-scissors tournament, pony rides, bounce houses, a petting zoo, magic show, craft fair and live entertainment.

BUY SCRIP + PARKING

Family-friendly, free admission, scrip for purchase, La Pietra – Hawai‘i School for Girls, 2933 Poni Moi Road, lapietra.edu, @lapietraschool

The art and science of wayfinding has a rich and meaningful place not only in Hawai‘i’s history, but also in cultures throughout Oceania. Long before the advent of modern GPS, the people across the Pacific Islands relied on their study of the stars, sun, waves and other natural indications to navigate the open seas. In an effort to reclaim and perpetuate traditional knowledge for future generations, Hōkūle‘a was launched from the sacred shores of Hakipu‘u-Kualoa on March 8, 1975. Over the last 50 years, she has sailed more than 140,000 nautical miles across the Pacific while completing 15 deep-sea voyages.

More than just a milestone birthday for Hōkūle‘a, the forthcoming 50th is also a celebration of the wayfinding history and legacy that unites the Pacific peoples and a call to action for the future of environmental stewardship. In launching their vision, the Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) ushers forth a renewed focus on “protecting the earth’s oceans, fostering indigenous knowledge, and inspiring the next generation to embrace the values of Mālama Honua.”

In the spirit of voyaging for a better future, we’re proud to highlight these adult and children’s books that connect cultures and people from across the Pacific to celebrate the tradition of wayfinding.

SEE ALSO: Hōkūle‘a’s 50th Anniversary

Photo: Courtesy of Da Shop: Books + Curiosities

Mālama Honua

by Jennifer Allen

A stunning collection of photographs, narrative, and voices, Mālama Honua is a comprehensive account of Hōkūle‘a’s 2014 Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage, a 42,000-mile open-ocean journey around the world using only ancient Polynesian wayfinding techniques. Here, we hear from the navigators themselves, along with the scientists, educators, and even children who’ve been touched by Hōkūle‘a and engaged in championing its mission to raise awareness of and nurture worldwide sustainability.

Canoes of Oceania

by Alfred C. Haddon / Haddon & Hornell

Originally published as a trilogy in 1936 and 1938, Canoes of Oceania is a classic work that’s now widely regarded as an encyclopedic source of information about the ocean-going vessels of the Pacific. It’s believed that founders of the Polynesian Voyaging Society had consulted this text in their early days, spending hours in the Bishop Museum Archives where Canoes of Oceania first emerged. Intensively researched and thoughtfully compiled, Canoes of Oceania is a necessary and invaluable work.

Photo: Courtesy of Da Shop: Books + Curiosities

Reawakened: Traditional Navigators of Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa

by Jeff Evans

Reawakened features interviews with 10 master navigators from Aotearoa New Zealand, the Cook Islands and Hawai‘i, all of whom were trained under Mau Piailug, Micronesian master navigator from the island of Satawal. While each navigator offers their own unique stories, braided throughout the book is the joyful renaissance of tradition and ancestral knowledge around Pacific voyaging, recalling for readers the shared heart that beats behind this vital practice.

Photo: Courtesy of Da Shop: Books + Curiosities

Eddie Wen’ Go: The Story of the Upside-Down Canoe

by Marion Lyman-Mersereau

To introduce young readers to the legacy of Hōkūle‘a, we recommend Eddie Wen’ Go, a moving and inspirational tale of courage at sea. In this heartwarming picture book, author and Hōkūle‘a crewmember Marion Lyman-Mersereau imagines a continuation of beloved waterman Eddie Aikau’s paddling mission through the perspective of the creatures in the sea and the sky who were present in the water on that fateful day. Through eye-catching illustrations and an unforgettable story penned by Lyman-Mersereau, little readers will come to understand a vital part of Hawai‘i’s history.

Photo: Courtesy of Da Shop: Books + Curiosities

Pathway of the Birds: The Voyaging Achievements of Māori and Their Polynesian Ancestors

by Andrew Crowe

Lauded for its extensive research comprising over 400 maps, diagrams, photographs, and illustrations, Pathway of the Birds is a major scholarly work investigating the history of voyaging throughout Polynesia with a focus on Māori navigators. Grounding the book is a compelling story of migration and human ingenuity that’s written for audiences both general and scholarly. This is a wonderful book for readers of all interests.

To learn more about the 50th birthday of Hōkūle‘a and to follow along with her continuing journey, visit hokulea.com.

Da Shop: Books + Curiosities, 3565 Harding Ave., open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., (808) 421-9460, dashophnl.com, @dashophnl

They’re mothers, mentors, leaders and wave makers. Women are a powerful force, and HONOLULU’s first-ever Celebrating Wāhine awards aims to recognize and honor those fearless females who are shaping Hawai‘i in ways both big and small.

We’re shining a spotlight on entrepreneurs, educators, healthcare workers, creatives and those unsung heroes making a real difference in our communities. The ones who embody aloha, kūleana, and laulima in everything they do. And the best part? You help decide who gets recognized.

Now through March 31, nominate your favorite females in more than 10 categories, including:

• Art and design
• Education
• Finance
• Food and beverage
• Health care
• Media and marketing
• Public service
• Nonprofit
• Real estate
• Sports, fitness and wellness
• Tourism and hospitality
• Trade and craft

Know someone extraordinary? Help us give them the recognition they deserve by nominating them for Celebrating Wāhine. By nominating someone, attending the event, or simply spreading the word, you’re helping lift up the voices of incredible women in Hawai‘i.

Plus, validate your entry form at the bottom on the nomination page and you’ll be entered to win a $100 gift certificate to Koko Head Café.

Mahalo to our sponsor:

104-year-old Esther Nowell with her lucky cat work in progress. Photo: Andrea Lee

If you want to learn how to sew, craft jewelry, throw pottery or work with clay, Fishschool offers beginner-friendly instruction in Kaka‘ako taught by local artists. Tucked into the Fishcake store, the popular community art school hosts a breadth of classes, from one-time workshops and weekend series to weekly classes over a few months. The ceramics classes, in particular, are well worth the price as they include all materials and kiln firing.

I was fortunate to attend one of 104-year-old artist Esther Nowell’s last ceramic workshops before she passed away in January. The class ($60) focused on maneki-neko or lucky cats, the Japanese figurines often placed in businesses to bring good fortune. Nowell guided us through shaping the cat with clay, from forming the body with pinch pots to attaching arms and a fish or coin for it to hold. In the second session, we glazed our cats, letting our creativity flow through colors and brushstrokes.

Photo: Andrea Lee

“Do you know the Dr. Seuss quote?” asked Nowell as she admired our unique creations. “‘Today, you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you.’ That’s what we show with our art.”

307c Kamani St., fishcake.us/school, @fishschoolhawaii

SEE ALSO: Where to Take Fun Classes on O‘ahu

In honor of Esther Nowell’s teaching legacy, the Downtown Art Center established the Esther Nowell Art Fund, which will help support DAC’s creative education programs.

Photo: Courtesy of Polynesian Voyaging Society

Happy birthday, Hōkūle‘a! You’re invited to a week of festivities to honor the legendary canoe’s half-century anniversary. Step aboard the double-hulled watercraft, meet the crew members, attend a canoe festival, celebrate with a pau hana event and support the canoe’s mission at a fundraiser.

The special events celebrate Hōkūle‘a’s beginnings and her expeditions inspiring cultural renewal across the Pacific and environmental stewardship worldwide. From her launch in 1975, Hōkūle‘a has sailed nearly 300,000 miles and completed 15 deep-sea voyages while sharing messages of resilience, revival, cultural pride and earth-to-ocean connection.

The much-anticipated anniversary festivities are organized by the Polynesian Voyaging Society, a nonprofit dedicated to perpetuating the art and science of traditional Polynesian voyaging and the spirit of exploration. Other community partners are also part of the celebrations, including Bishop Museum and the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Parks and Recreation.

What’s next for Hōkūle‘a? After the birthday events, the canoe will set sail to continue her 47-month Moananuiākea voyage circumnavigating the Pacific which began in 2023. The canoe will stop in Tahiti first, then spend the rest of 2025 visiting the major Polynesian island groups.

SEE ALSO: Hōkūle‘a’s 50^th Anniversary

What to Do and See

Photo: Courtesy of Honolulu Parks & Recreation

Kualoa/Hakipu‘u Wa‘a Festival

Saturday, March 8, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Celebrate Hōkūle‘a’s historic launch on March 8, 1975, at the very site where the canoe was first assembled, blessed and entered the ocean. From 8 to 11 a.m., witness the ceremonial arrival of Hōkūle‘a leaders and crew, hear stories from Polynesian Voyaging Society navigators and watch hula and music performances, including from Paula Fuga and Kamuela Kimokeo. Starting at 11 a.m., enjoy the canoe festival with cultural activities, storytelling, voyaging education, wa‘a tours, paddling, sailing, food booths and entertainment.

Family-friendly, free, Kualoa Regional Park, 49-479 Kamehameha Hwy., Kāne‘ohe, www8.honolulu.gov, @honolulu_parks

Birthday Gala

Sunday, March 9, 5 to 9 p.m.

Dress up for an evening packed with star power. Watch performances by some of Hawai‘i’s favorite artists, including Amy Hānaiali‘i, Paula Fuga and Jack Johnson. You’ll dine on fine cuisine prepared by renowned local chefs, such as Mark Noguchi, Roy Yamaguchi and Michelle Karr-Ueoka. This fundraiser supports the Polynesian Voyaging Society’s mission of preserving voyaging traditions and protecting the world’s oceans.

BUY TICKETS

$500 and up, Hawai‘i Convention Center, 1801 Kalākaua Ave., hokulea.com, @hokuleacrew

Photo: Courtesy of Polynesian Voyaging Society

Dockside Canoe Tours

Monday, March 10, 3 to 6 p.m.

Step aboard Hōkūle‘a and talk story with crew members and navigators. Learn about the parts of the canoe, find out what daily life is like onboard and hear about the upcoming voyage.

Family-friendly, free, no reservations needed, Hawai‘i Convention Center, 1801 Kalākaua Ave., hokulea.com, @hokuleacrew

Photo: Courtesy of Bishop Museum

Bishop Museum After Hours

Friday, March 14, 5 to 9 p.m.

This month’s pau hana festivities will celebrate Hōkūle‘a’s birthday and honor visionaries associated with the museum who helped inform the creation of the canoe in the late 1960s. Explore the new permanent exhibit, Wayfinders: He Wa‘a He Moku, He Moku He Wa‘a, We Are One and the Same, watch the planetarium show Mai Ka Lewa Lani: Stories From Our Sky, hear a keynote presentation by Pwo Navigator and CEO of Polynesian Voyaging Society Nainoa Thompson and enjoy live music by Robert Cazimero.

BUY TICKETS

Family-friendly, $10 pre-sale, $15 at the door, free for keiki under four years old, 1525 Bernice St., bishopmuseum.org, @bishopmuseum

Photo: Courtesy of Polynesian Voyaging Society

Tips

• For the festival on March 8, arrive early to find parking. Bring a reusable water bottle, sunscreen and a mat to sit on.
• Remember your first Hōkūle‘a visit or experience? Share your memories for a chance to be part of a 50^th anniversary compilation project. Submit photos, videos and stories by Saturday, March 1.
• Be inspired by the Hōkūle‘a’s mission for a healthier planet. Download the #voyage4earth worksheet, make a pledge, upload it to social media or submit it here. As the crew sails to communities around the Pacific, they will share your pledges.
• Follow the canoe on her next voyage. View the Google map for her real time location, speed and current wind conditions. You can also trace past voyages.

Hōkūle‘a’s 50^th Birthday Celebration, Saturday, March 8, to Friday, March 14, various locations, hokulea.com, @hokuleacrew

Photo: Courtesy of Capitol Modern

The 62nd annual Scholastic Art Awards is here! Part of the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards founded in 1923, it is the longest-running recognition program for creative teens in the country. Open to students in grades 7–12 (ages 13 and up), the competition invites young artists from all islands to enter. Categories include painting, photography, mixed media, sculpture, fashion and more.

Each year, the Hawai‘i State Foundation for Culture and the Arts (SFCA) is entrusted with coordinating the regional competition, awards ceremony and exhibition space. “The Scholastic Art Awards have a significant positive impact on young artists by providing them with opportunities for recognition, growth and exposure,” says Aly Ishikuni, Public Programmer for Capitol Modern and this year’s competition organizer. “For many students, receiving a Scholastic Art Award can serve as a confidence booster, validating their creative abilities and encouraging them to continue developing their skills.”

2,211 entries were submitted from 59 different schools across the state for the competition. “As the only state to waive all entry fees, we ensure that every student has the opportunity to participate and submit their creations,” says Ishikuni.

Photo: Courtesy of Capitol Modern

Judges from the local art community carefully looked over each entry together, with some categories taking up to 4 hours to complete. The judges were Aly Ishikuni, Ridge Hirano, Brady Evans, Lila Lee, Kamran Samimi, Lauren Trangmar, Zoe Liu, Edd Tokarz Harnas, Hannah Shun, MaryAnne Long, Terry Savage, Kenyatta Kelichi, Diana Nicholette Jeon and Deborah G. Nehmad. They selected 103 Gold key winners and 141 Silver key winners.

“Each year, I always look forward to seeing how students continue to push boundaries and explore new mediums and techniques through the guidance of their art instructors. The work submitted is always so innovative and inspiring!” says Ishikuni. “There’s always a special energy in the air when these young artists are given the platform to showcase their vision in our museum. It’s an exciting opportunity to witness the future of art in the making!”

Dress by Miley Cox. Photo: Courtesy of Capitol Modern

With a background in fashion, Ishikuni becomes passionate when she sees “students take bold, personal ideas and turn them into something visually stunning.” A piece by Miley Cox (Grade 11) stood out amongst the rest for Ishikuni “because of its powerful theme and exceptional execution.” She explains, “The concept focused on imperfection and embracing uniqueness, and the dress was beautifully constructed with intricate details that truly brought the theme to life.”

On Saturday, March 1, from 2 to 4 p.m., winners of the Scholastic Art Awards competition will be honored at the awards ceremony on the front lawn of Capitol Modern. Featured guest speakers will be Jasper Wong from World Wide Walls and Solomon Enos, the museum’s Artist-in-Residence. There will also be a live performance by talented multi-instrumentalist Rhiana Alana Lewis.

Super Saturday, a family friendly event with artist-led workshops, will be held the same day in the museum from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., encouraging even more creative expression.

“We are honored to present scholarship awards from local arts organizations such as the Hawai‘i Watercolor Society, Mori by Art + Flea and the Windward Artists Guild,” says newly appointed Executive Director of Art in Public Places Kamakani Konia. “We are also excited to present scholarships gifted by individuals from the community who are dedicated to supporting our young artists. These include the Mihoku Ogawa Memorial Awards and the LONG on Arts scholarships.”

“When visitors experience this year’s show, I want them to fully appreciate the depth of imagination and passion behind each piece,” says Ishikuni. She hopes “they leave feeling inspired by the incredible talent and creativity of these students and motivated to support and nurture the next generation of artists.”

Photo: Courtesy of Capitol Modern

Konia adds, “We’re always looking for new scholarships to award to our winning students.” If you’re interested in offering a scholarship, please contact kamakani.p.konia@hawaii.gov.

2025 Scholastic Art Awards on view through April 1, free admission, Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Capitol Modern, 250 S. Hotel St., capitolmodern.org, @capitolmodern

SEE ALSO: See Hawai‘i Triennial 2025’s Featured Artists at Capitol Modern

Lisa Shiroma is a correspondent for Capitol Modern and an artist. She is the former owner of the Capitol Modern Museum Gallery Shop, which she ran with partners Aly Ishikuni and Travis Sasaki from Mori by Art + Flea.

Jane Jin Kaisen, Guardians (still), 2024, single-channel film, 4, color, stereo sound, 12 mins. Photo: Courtesy of the artist

Get excited for the largest contemporary art exhibition in Hawai‘i. We are extremely fortunate to have nonprofit art organization Hawai‘i Contemporary bring together artists and art collectives from Hawai‘i, across the Pacific and beyond to create Hawai‘i Triennial 2025 (HT25).

Curated by Wassan Al-Khudhairi, Binna Choi and Noelle M.K.Y. Kahanu, the triennial’s official theme is Aloha Nō—“a call to know Hawai‘i as a place of resilience, radical love, and deep connectivity.” In the HT25 guidebook, the curators state that Aloha Nō “invites all of us—natives, settlers, immigrants and visitors—to know aloha and embody new understandings of love as acts of care, resistance, solidarity, and transformation.”

SEE ALSO: Your Insider Guide to the Hawai‘i Triennial

A special launch event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Capitol Modern, followed by an opening celebration bash at the HT25 Hub at Pacific Davies Center from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public.

Capitol Modern will feature HT25 artists Rebecca Belmore, Kahi Ching, Rocky Ka‘iouliokahihikolo‘Ehu Jensen, Jane Jin Kaisen, Sonya Kelliher-Combs, Sung Hwan Kim, Lehuauakea, Jumana Manna, Brandy Nālani McDougall, Sancia Miala Shiba Nash, Carl F.K. Pao, Russell Sunabe, Wendelien van Oldenborgh and Warraba Weatherall. The works by these 14 artists will represent and emphasize “a focus on healing, sovereignty and transnational solidarity.”

Lehuauakea, Mele O Nā Kaukani Wai, 2018. Photo: Courtesy of Mario Gallucci, Collection of National Gallery of Victoria.

Take your time in the galleries with their dynamic and thought-provoking sculptures, paintings, films and more. Pick up a free HT25 guidebook to get more in-depth information about the artists and artwork as well as where you can find more exhibition locations and public events.

On Monday, Feb. 17, from 7 to 9 p.m., Capitol Modern will host a screening of Homegrown, a fascinating video portrait of Honolulu-based HT25 artist Russell Sunabe. Stick around afterward for a discussion moderated by its creators Kekahi Wahi.

RSVP FOR HOMEGROWN

For more info on HT25’s free public programs, visit hawaiicontemporary.org.

Hawai‘i Triennial on view through May 4, free admission, Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Capitol Modern, 250 S. Hotel St., capitolmodern.org, @capitolmodern

Lisa Shiroma is a correspondent for Capitol Modern and an artist. She is the former owner of the Capitol Modern Museum Gallery Shop, which she ran with partners Aly Ishikuni and Travis Sasaki from Mori by Art + Flea.

Salote Tawale, E da sa semati vata (still) 2025, video. Photo: Courtesy of the artist

From Waikīkī to Fort Street Mall, art is popping up in some unexpected locales as part of the Hawai‘i Triennial 2025—a limited-time contemporary art exhibition that only happens every three years. Find poetry at Lē‘ahi, sculptures in Foster Botanical Garden, a calabash at city hall, films in a Kaka‘ako warehouse and an oyster installation overlooking Pearl Harbor, just to name a few.

Let’s break down the numbers: you’ll have 78 days to visit more than a hundred artworks and projects by 49 artists and art collectives at 14 sites on O‘ahu and, for the first time, Maui and Hawai‘i Island, too. Despite the diverse venues, the pieces are all tied together with this year’s theme, Aloha Nō, inviting viewers to [re]consider their own notions and preconceptions of aloha.

Plus, you can meet the artists and engage with the artwork through dozens of free, public programs, including guided gallery tours, artist conversations, film screenings and discussions, hands-on workshops, poetry and arts writing sessions, performances, as well as family-friendly activities.

Click to the info you want to explore:

• What Is the Hawai‘i Triennial?
• What to See
• What to Do
• Tips

SEE ALSO: Things to Do on O‘ahu in February 2025

Image: Courtesy of Hawai‘i Contemporary

What Is the Hawai‘i Triennial?

Hawai‘i Contemporary presents HT25, the state’s largest, thematic exhibition of contemporary art bringing together artists from Hawai‘i, the Pacific and around the world. Previously known as Honolulu Biennial, this is the fourth edition since its inception ten years ago.

This year’s exhibition is curated by Wassan Al-Khudhairi, Binna Choi and Noelle M.K.Y. Kahanu and organized by nonprofit Hawai‘i Contemporary. HT25 is sponsored in part by Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and Hawaiian Airlines.

What to See

Image: Courtesy of Hawai‘i Contemporary

O‘ahu

Aupuni Space

Watch Futoshi Miyagi’s film installation that intertwines Okinawa’s complex geopolitical history with his personal exploration of identity, sexuality and societal issues by reflecting on the U.S. occupation of the island post WWII.

Free, open Wednesdays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Fridays, 3 to 7 p.m., 729 Auahi St., Kaka‘ako, (808) 600-0519, aupuni.space, @aupunispace

Salote Tawale, E da sa semati vata (still) 2025, video. Photo: Courtesy of the artist

Bishop Museum

See nine artists’ works exploring their personal and cultural relationships to land and colonized territories. Artists include J.D. Nālamakūikapō Ahsing, Sione Faletau, Emily Karaka, Kapwani Kiwanga, John Pule, Brandy Nālani McDougall, Tiare Ribeaux, Stephanie Syjuco and Salote Tawale.

$33.95 adults, $19.95 kama‘āina and military, senior and youth discounts available, open every day, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 1525 Bernice St., Kalihi, (808) 847-3511, bishopmuseum.org, @bishopmuseum

Jane Jin Kaisen, Halmang, 2023, single-channel film, 4K, color with stereo sound, 12 mins. Photo: Courtesy of the artist

Capitol Modern

Check out the works of 14 artists with a focus on healing, sovereignty and transnational solidarity. Artists include Rebecca Belmore, Kahi Ching, Rocky Ka‘iouliokahihikolo‘Ehu Jensen, Jane Jin Kaisen, Sonya Kelliher-Combs, Sung Hwan Kim, Lehuauakea, Jumana Manna, Brandy Nālani McDougall, Sancia Miala Shiba Nash, Carl F.K. Pao, Russell Sunabe, Wendelien van Oldenborgh and Warraba Weatherall.

Free, open Mondays to Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 250 S. Hotel St., 2nd Floor, Downtown, (808) 586-0900, capitolmodern.org, @capitolmodern

Fort DeRussy

Revisit Rocky Ka‘iouliokahihikolo‘Ehu Jensen’s Nā Lehua Helelei, five towering ki‘i, which has been restored 25 years after its initial installation. The piece embodies the steadfastness, forgiveness and generosity of the god Kū, who is associated with warfare.

Public installation, available for viewing 24/7, 2131 Kālia Rd., in front of U.S. Army Museum of Hawai‘i, wahipana.com, @wahipana

Fort Street Mall

Carl F.K. Pao’s work on Fort Street Mall is the artist’s visual interpretation of King Kamehameha I’s Ke Kānāwai Māmalahoe, or Law of the Splintered Paddle from 1797, which calls for the humane treatment of civilians during times of war.

Public installation, available for viewing 24/7, Fort Street Mall near Pauahi Street, wahipana.com, @wahipana

Foster Botanical Garden

The three alfresco pieces here invite visitors into a deeper meditation on the impacts of ecological migration and settler colonialism. Listen to the large-scale bamboo structure turned musical instrument by Art Labor + R Cham Tih, discover a soundscape by Brandon Ng and consider nature’s cycle of creation in Melissa Chimera’s installation.

$5 adults, $3 kama‘āina, $1 keiki ages 6 to 12, open every day, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 180 N. Vineyard Blvd., (808) 768-7135, honolulu.gov, @honolulubotanicalgardens

Hō‘ikeākea Gallery at Leeward Community College

In a venue overlooking Pearl Harbor, view exhibits from four artists (Megan Cope, Jane Jin Kaisen, Tiare Ribeaux and Russell Sunabe) whose examination of militoursim in the Pacific underscores the ravages and enduring impact of the U.S. military.

Free admission, open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Leeward Community College, 96-045 Ala ‘Ike, Pearl City, (808) 745-5993, leeward.hawaii.edu, @hoikeakeagallery

Honolulu Hale

Take in ‘Umeke Lā‘au by Meleanna Aluli Meyer, a larger-than-life sculptural calabash symbolizing care and cultural practice. Situated in the foyer of Honolulu Hale, the piece is nearly 2.5 meters tall and more than 6.5 meters in diameter.

Free, open Mondays to Fridays, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 530 S. King St., Downtown, (808) 768-6622, honolulumoca.org, @hnl_moca

Edith Amituanai, Vaimoe (still), 2024, digital video with sound, 16 mins. Photo: Courtesy of the artist.

Honolulu Museum of Art

Contemplate the work of eight artists whose respective practices are formed out of Indigenous heritages and strong matrilineal connections, comprising film, sculptures and paintings. Artists include Edith Amituanai, Teresita Fernández, Hayv Kahraman, Al Lagunero, Gisela McDaniel, Citra Sasmita, Rose B. Simpson and Kanitha Tith.

$25 adults, $15 kama‘āina, free for keiki under 18, open Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fridays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., 900 S. Beretania St., (808) 532-8700, honolulumuseum.org, @honolulumuseum

Nanci Amaka, Cleanse Three Walls (2017) performance documentation. Photo: Courtesy of the artist

HT25 HUB at Davies Pacific Center

Situated in the heart of downtown, the HT25 HUB features immersive installations, filmed performance, poetry, photography, paintings and more. Artists include Allora & Calzadilla, Nanci Amaka, Edith Amituanai, Shannon Te Ao, Ikaika Bishop, Stephanie Comilang, Nikita Gale, Yazan Khalili, Las Nietas de Nonó, Anchi Lin (Ciwas Tahos), Nanea Lum, Brandy Nālani McDougall, Christian Nyampeta, Carl F.K. Pao, Rice Brewing Sisters Club, Lieko Shiga and Taro Patch Creative.

Free, open Tuesdays to Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Davies Pacific Center, 841 Bishop St., 2nd and 14th floors, hawaiicontemporary.org, @hawaiicontemporary

Lē‘ahi (Diamond Head)

Walk a 2.5-mile route around the base of Lē‘ahi and stop at four markers where you’ll read poetic postcard installations by Brandy Nālani McDougall. These markers highlight select stanzas of the artist’s poem, Lē‘ahi, against the silhouette of the landmark itself.

Public installation, available for viewing 24/7, wahipana.com, @wahipana

Installation view. Lieko Shiga, RASEN KAIGAN [The Spiral Shore], 2012, Sendai Mediatheque, Miyagi, Japan. Photo: Courtesy of the artist

Maui

Hale Hō‘ike‘ike at the Bailey House

Opening March 7, this exhibition by four artists traces memory, destruction and resiliency in a solemn nod to nearby Lahaina. Artists include Rocky Ka‘iouliokahihikolo‘Ehu Jensen, Brandy Nālani McDougall, Sancia Miala Shiba Nash and Lieko Shiga.

$10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 students, $4 keiki ages 5 to 18, free for keiki under 5, open Mondays to Fridays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 2375A Main St., Wailuku, mauimuseum.org, @halehoikeike

Hawai‘i Island

Donkey Mill Art Center

Opening March 22, explore works by three HT25 artists, from very different parts of the world, who delve into the cycle of loss, healing and creation. Artists include Sonya Kelliher-Combs, Citra Sasmita and Kanitha Tith.

Free, open Wednesdays to Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., 78-6670 Mamalahoa Hwy., Hōlualoa, (808) 322-3362, donkeymillartcenter.org, @donkeymillartcenter

East Hawai‘i Cultural Center

Here, five artists present works that explore the dynamics of homecoming, including Rocky Ka‘iouliokahihikolo‘Ehu Jensen, Hayv Kahraman, Jane Jin Kaisen, Lieko Shiga and Russell Sunabe.

Free, open Tuesdays to Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 141 Kalākaua St., Hilo, (808) 961-5711, ehcc.org, @easthawaiiculturalcenter

Lehuauakea – Mele O Nā Kaukani Wai. 2018. Photo: Courtesy of Mario Gallucci, Collection of National Gallery of Victoria.

What to Do

This is just a sampling of the Hawai‘i Triennial events happening over the next two and a half months. Find a complete list of tours, workshops, screenings, discussions and more at hawaiicontemporary.org.

Bishop Museum’s After Hours

Friday, Feb. 14, 5 to 9 p.m.

Get a sneak peek of the HT25 artwork and hear from the curators, as well as enjoy hands-on workshops, kids’ activities, food vendors and live music.

Family-friendly, $10 pre-sale, $15 at the door, free for keiki under 4 years old, 1525 Bernice St., Kalihi, bishopmuseum.org, @bishopmuseum

Opening Event at Capitol Modern

Saturday, Feb. 15, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Be among the first to witness the work of 14 artists at this downtown museum, plus meet and mingle with a few of them.

Family-friendly, free, 250 S. Hotel St., 2nd Floor, (808) 586-0900, capitolmodern.org, @capitolmodern

Opening Celebration Block Party

Saturday, Feb. 15, 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Celebrate the kick-off of HT25 with live performances and ‘ono food at an electric evening of music, art and community. Enjoy live performances presented by Shangri La Museum featuring 8×8 artists Punahele, Ihilani Lasconia & Kauwila, Nick Kurosawa and Illnomadic as well as fun, educational activities. The Lei Bar will host lei-making, and there will be works by Art by Saumolia.

Food Vendors:

• Mary’s Girl in the Kitchen
• Milky Way
• Fry ‘Em Up
• Ocean Side Bakery
• Blue Truck Teppanyaki
• SingSing Thai Street Food
• This Lil Piggy

Family-friendly, free, Davies Pacific Center, 841 Bishop St., hawaiicontemporary.org, @hawaiicontemporary

Opening Reception at Ho‘ikeākea Gallery

Sunday, Feb. 16, 1 to 3 p.m.

Among other amazing works, admire Megan Cope’s “living sculpture” of some 40 poles comprised of local hardwood and indigenous oyster shells at this gallery overlooking Pearl Harbor.

Free admission, Leeward Community College, 96-045 Ala ‘Ike, Pearl City, (808) 745-5993, leeward.hawaii.edu, @hoikeakeagallery

Opening Reception at Foster Botanical Garden

Tuesday, Feb. 18, noon to 1 p.m.

Welcome and witness three new HT25 installations at this lush respite in downtown Honolulu.

Family-friendly, $5 adults, $3 kama‘āina, $1 keiki ages 6 to 12, 180 N. Vineyard Blvd., (808) 768-7135, honolulu.gov, @honolulubotanicalgardens

Limu Planter Workshop

Wednesday, Feb. 19, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Blending art, ecology and cultural sustainability, you’ll craft limu planters with artist Rice Brewing Sisters Club, education specialist at Purple Mai‘a Foundation Ikaika Bishop and scholar Dong Ju Lee, Ph.D.

Family-friendly, free, registration required, HT25 HUB at Davies Pacific Center, 841 Bishop St., hawaiicontemporary.org, @hawaiicontemporary

Foster Botanical Garden Family Sunday Picnics

Sunday, March 23, 10 a.m. to noon

Sunday, April 20, 10 a.m. to noon

Bring the whole family for a picnic and kid-friendly programing to engage with the HT25 art. The March event will focus on artist Brandon Ng’s installation inspired by Queen Lili‘uokalani’s song Aloha ‘Oe. In April, join artist Melissa Chimera for a walk and talk about her sculpture Hulihonua.

Family-friendly, $5 adults, $3 kama‘āina, $1 keiki ages 6 to 12, RSVP required, 180 N. Vineyard Blvd., (808) 768-7135, honolulu.gov, @honolulubotanicalgardens

SEE ALSO: Where to Take Fun Classes on O‘ahu

Tips

• Don’t be overwhelmed by the amount of art to see. Follow three well-planned O‘ahu itineraries (starting on p. 10) with suggested routes and tips, plus places to stop for a bite nearby.
• Score a discount. To celebrate opening weekend, Bishop Museum is offering discounted kama‘āina and military admission ($15) on Saturday, Feb. 15, and Sunday, Feb. 16.
• Engage with the art. Some works are interactive, while others are meant to be observed from a distance—always check the art label for guidance.
• Snap and post. When sharing your experiences on social media, tag #HawaiiTriennial2025 and #HT25 for a chance to be featured on Hawai‘i Contemporary’s platforms.

Hawai‘i Triennial, Saturday, Feb. 15, through Sunday, May 4, various locations, hawaiicontemporary.org, @hawaiicontemporary