Don’t know what to do once you’ve stepped off the plane and fully enjoyed the scenery? We’ve got you covered with a diverse list of events all through February.
Image by Rachel Halemanu
Super Ball Game | Hula’s Bar and Lei Stand, Honolulu (O‘ahu) | February 1, 1:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Gather for the big game at Honolulu’s most renowned gay bar overlooking Waikiki Beach. Down beer, chili cheese nachos, and sliders, and cheer on your favorite team. Pre-game starts at 1:30 p.m. and the party lasts all night.
The Barefoot Beach Café | 2699 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu (O’ahu) | Every Saturday, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Chris Salvador plays live music every Saturday night from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Order a simple plate lunch, gaze out at Queens Beach, and listen to live tunes. What’s more blissful than that? (If your Saturday is booked, there is also live music every day but Monday at the same time).
barefootbeachcafe.wordpress.com
Kapa‘a Farmers Market | Kapa‘a New Town Park, roundabout at Kahau Rd., Kapa‘a (Kaua‘i) | Wednesdays, 3 p.m.
One underappreciated thing about Hawai‘i outside of the islands is the amazing bounty and diversity of produce grown. That’s because it’s thoroughly appreciated at home, of course. Get a taste of Hawai‘i’s greens and colorful fruits, or buy a bouquet of ginger blossom or an orchid for your partner, at this farmers market in Kapa‘a. (Note: If you can’t make it to this one, or are on a different island, don’t stress. There is a bounty of farmers markets around Hawai‘i.)
kauaigrown.org/kapaa-farmers-market
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang | The Safehouse at The Republik, Honolulu (O ‘ahu) | February 5, 10:30 p.m. | $5 cover
Join emcee Roxy on the Mic and a powerful punch of female DJs including DJ Tittabyte at this monthly event. Learn more about Roxy on the Mic and the birth of this event here<ROTM story link>.
Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival | Parker Ranch Historic Homes, Kamuela (Big Island) | February 7, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
This festival showcases the over-60-year-old cherry trees planted at Church Row Park and the Japanese tradition of viewing them, called “hanami.” The day at Parker Ranch includes a lineup of Japanese and multi-cultural performing arts, plus hands-on demonstrations of bonsai, origami, a traditional tea ceremony, and mochi pounding.
Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival Facebook page
‘Ukulele Picnic | Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalow’s Kekaha Lawn, Waimea (Big Island) | February 8, 11 a.m.
Grammy and Na Hoku award winners meet Japan’s finest. The show will feature artists such as Mark Yamanaka, John Keawe, Kohala, Sonny Lim, and more. Food will be available for purchase.
Upcountry Farmers Market | 55 Kiopa‘a St., Makawao (Maui) | Saturdays, 7 – 11 a.m.
This market features fresh local produce, ready-made foods and drinks (try the mochiko chicken cone!), and crafts by Maui farmers and artists.
Chinese New Year Festival | Chinese Cultural Center, Honolulu’s Chinatown (O‘ahu) | February 13, 5 p.m., February 14, 9 a.m.
Come down to Chinatown’s cultural plaza and view various cultural displays, entertainment, dragon dances and much more!
Hawaii Opera Theatre “HOT OUT” | Blaisdell Concert Hall, Honolulu (O‘ahu) | February 13, 6:30 – 11 p.m.
Enjoy the 2015 debut of Hawaii Opera Theatre’s performance of Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman from the best seats in the house during HOT OUT, a special evening affair for the LGBT community that a pre-show party with drinks and appetizers and a stimulating VIP reception at intermission, champagne included.
“Whale”abration | Ma‘alaea Harbor (Maui) | February 14, 2:30 p.m. | $45
A LGBT cruise and whale watch tour complete with fun music, raffle prizes, and tons of whales posing for photos. On-board snacks and drinks will be available for purchase.
Makaha Sons | Palace Theatre, Hilo (Big Island) | February 14, 7 p.m. | $30, $35 door
Join Makaha Sons on their annual Valentine’s Day Concert. Jerome Koko will perform alongside family and friends to preserve the unique sounds of The Makaha Sons.
Maui GLBT & Friends Hiking Group | Makawao Forest Reserve (Maui) | February 14, 8:30 a.m.
Join the Maui GLBT & Friends Hiking Group on a trip to Makawao Forest Reserve. You can hike multiple trails and also view a wide range of different trees native to Hawaii and others throughout the US.
Waimea Town Celebration | Waimea Town, various (Kaua‘i) | February 14 – 21
Waimea Town Celebration is Kaua‘i’s largest and oldest annual festival on the island. Throughout the week, events include a Hawaiian rodeo, canoe races, a film festival, softball tournaments, ice-cream eating and lei-making contests, food and craft vendors, a beer garden, keiki rides, and performances by talented local musicians.
Carnival Club Crawl | Honolulu’s Chinatown venues (O‘ahu) | February 17th | 6 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Entertainment, food, and drinks will abound, alongside a little Mardi Gras debauchery perhaps, within Chinatown’s plethora of bars and venues.
Learn more or buy tickets
Mardi Gras Hawaii 2015 with Louisiana’s cultural music ambassador Terrance Simien | Castle Theater, 1 Cameron Way, Kahului (Maui) | February 18, 7:30 p.m.
Louisiana’s cultural music ambassador Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience will bring bring a signature blend of New Orleans funk/world blues and American zydeco roots music that are guaranteed to get you out on the dance floor and grooving Creole-style.
Chinese New Year Celebration in Lahaina | Baldwin Home Museum lawn and Wo Hing Museum, 858 Front Street, Lahaina (Maui) | 5 – 9 p.m.
Experience a traditional lion dance, firecrackers and kung fu demonstration on the Baldwin Home Museum lawn at 5 p.m., after which the lion dance will proceed along Front Street. At Wo Hing Museum, experience Chinese foods and learn about new year traditions. At 9 p.m. there will be a grand finale dance, firecrackers, and blessing of the temple to ring in the Year of the Ram.
MAUI POPS presents Keola Beamer with Kumu Hula Moanalani Beamer | Castle Theater, 1 Cameron Way, Kahului (Maui) | February 22, 3 p.m.
One of Hawaii’s premiere singer/songwriters, Keola Beamer (the man behind Honolulu City Lights) will be joined by his wife, Kumu Hula (hula teacher and master) Moanalani Beamer, for a special evening of the islands’ song and dance.
Aloha Friday on the Porch: Lei Making | Volcano Art Center, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (Big Island) | February 27, 11 a.m.
Gather on the porch at the Volcano Art Center and talk story with farmer Kaipo AhChong as he demonstrates how to make traditional lei. As a member of Halau Na Kamaile, his unique experience combines both his knowledge of agriculture and hula tradition, and makes for unique stories and tips of the craft. If you can’t make it for this one, cultural demonstrations are held each week on the porch at the same time.