Where to Take Fun Classes on O‘ahu

New year, new hobbies, crafts and skills for you to acquire at studios and community centers around town.

January 27, 2025

Andrea Lee,

Photo: Courtesy of Downtown Art Center

Downtown Art Center

The DAC holds art classes every month, some standalone and others across multiple sessions. Saturday’s Making Art for Art’s Sake, starting in February, covers a different workshop each week, from woodburning to marble painting.

1041 Nu‘uanu Ave., downtownarthi.org, @downtownartcenter

SEE ALSO: 40 Amazing Things to Do

Photos: Courtesy of Fishschool

Fishcake

The Fishschool art studio within Fishcake hosts various workshops, from bookbinding to making clay trinkets. If you’ve ever wanted to try wheel throwing, intro classes are offered periodically. And if you fall in love with it, you can apply for the open studio membership to continue your pottery practice.

307C Kamani st., fishcake.us, @fishschoolhawaii

Photos: Courtesy of Hawai‘i Ceramic Supply

Hawai‘i Ceramic Supply

This ceramic studio offers introductory wheel throwing classes that can be taken as a series or individually, with all materials and firing included. There are even private lessons for one to three students. Or if you’d like to take on a single project at a time, check out the upcoming one- to two-day ceramic workshops, which include making a manatee plate, a butt-shaped terra cotta planter, plus a candle and candleholder.

1920 Colburn St. Suite A, hawaiiceramicsupply.com, @hawaiiceramicsupply

SEE ALSO: 5 Wellness Classes to Try

Photo: Courtesy Of HiClimb

HiClimb

The Kaka‘ako climbing gym offers Climbing 101 for newbies that covers knots, belaying (rope management), harnesses and climbing as well as including two day passes and rental equipment, all for $60 for kama‘āina. Alternatively, a first visit comes with rental gear and a quicker intro to climbing, plus kama‘āina enjoy a discounted first visit rate of $29, then $32 for a return visit. Plus, a day pass gives you access to the onsite yoga and fitness classes, which you should reserve ahead of time. There’s also a weekly class dedicated to empowering women with rope and lead climbing skills.

825 Ilaniwai St., hawaiiclimb.com, @hiclimbhawaii

Photo: Courtesy of Honolulu Museum of Art

Honolulu Museum of Art

Artists of all ages can learn at HoMA, with some classes dedicated to keiki, ‘ohana and kūpuna. For the spring session that runs from April to June, classes will go online on Feb. 5 and registration will open on Feb. 19. The options include Drawing, Painting, Ceramics, Fiber Arts, Printmaking, Multimedia and Metalsmithing and Jewelry-Making.

There are also shorter classes available, from sketching to oil painting to printmaking. Plus, look out for the three-day keiki summer camps for ages 6 to 8 and 9 to 12 that will cover Sculpture; Drawing and Painting; and Printmaking and Collage.

900 S Beretania St., honolulumuseum.org, @honolulumuseum

Kapi‘olani Community College

Want to cook more this year? Learn how to prepare three to four new dishes at KCC’s culinary school. The only classes listed at this time, Local Japanese Favorites and Local Korean Favorites, are scheduled for August; you can fill out a Course Inquiry to get notified when registration opens. Check back for new listings throughout the year.

4303 Diamond Head Road, continuinged.kapiolani.hawaii.edu, @kccculinary

Mori Hawai‘i

Recently reopened at Capitol Modern, Mori is bringing back its workshops taught by local artists. First up in February, a songpyeon workshop in collaboration with Rice Blossoms; next in March, a basket-making workshop with recycled materials.

250 S Hotel St., morihawaii.com, @mori_hawaii

Parks and Recreation

Registration is open for the Parks & Rec Spring Program. The activities range from archery and canoeing to cooking and lei-making, with many tailored for keiki and kūpuna. There are even virtual offerings and, best of all, many classes are free.

Click on “Activities” at pros8.hnl.info

Queen Emma Summer Palace

Learn how to do yoga mixed with Hawaiian healing practices, sew a Hawaiian quilt and dance hula ‘auana at Hānaiakamalama. Classes are held weekly, and general admission is just $5 ($2 for members).

2913 Pali Highway, daughtersofhawaii.org, @queenemmasummerpalace