What To Do in Hawai‘i in May

Protea Maui Lei Magazine

While you are in Hawaiʻi, do you want to party? Stay fit, yoga-style? Eat out? Experience the culture? Any of the above? Then check out the events below.

 

Trivia Night | Bacchus Waikiki, 408 Lewers St. (Oʻahu) | May 1, 7–9:30 p.m.
Test your knowledge at Bacchus every first and third Monday of the month. Form a team of two or six people, enjoy drink specials and delicious food, and have good fun.
bacchus-waikiki.com

Open Mic Nite | Hula’s Bar and Lei Stand, 134 Kapahulu Ave. (Oʻahu) | Every Monday, 6–9 p.m.
Start off your week with some fun at Waikiki’s legendary gay bar. Whether you’re a soloist or part of a band for the night, all performers receive a free drink.
hulas.com

Blazing Saddles Hawaii | Ala Wai Golf Course Clubhouse Ballroom & Scarlet Honolulu (Oʻahu) | Every Tuesday of the month – except the second – at Ala Wai Golf Course, 6:30–9:15 p.m.; every second Tuesday of the month at Scarlet, 6:30–9:15 p.m.
Learn the two-step, waltzes, line-dancing, swing, and much more! Free dance lessons take place from 6:30-7 p.m. No entrance fee, and all events include food and refreshments.
blazingsaddleshi.org

George Kahumoku Jr.’s Slack Key Show Masters of Hawaiian Music | Napili Kai Beach Resort’s Aloha Pavilion, Lahaina (Maui) | Every Wednesday, 7:30–9:45 p.m.
Enjoy the beautiful sounds of Hawai‘i’s slack key guitars and ‘ukulele played by the biggest names in Hawaiian music. This concert series features a guest artist each week and is hosted by slack key guitar master George Kahumoku Jr.
slackkeyshow.com

Slack Key Guitar & Ukulele Concerts | Kapaʻa, Hanalei, and Princeville locations (Kaua‘i) | Every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
The longest running concert of its kind, the McMasters’ slack-key guitar and ‘ukulele concerts feature artists Doug and Sandy McMaster, who create a soothing musical ambience with a backdrop of the picturesque north shore of Kaua‘i.
mcmasterslackkey.com

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang | The Safehouse at The Republik, 1349 Kapiolani Blvd #30 (Oʻahu) | Every first Thursday, 9 p.m.
Come on down to this party that celebrates Honolulu’s LGBT community.
jointherepublik.com

Free Fireworks | Waikiki (Oʻahu) | Every Friday of the month, 7:45 p.m.
Every week, Hilton Hawaiian Village hosts a free fireworks show. Watch with a drink in hand from their pool bar, or await the show with a sit on the beach.

Aloha Friday on the Porch | Volcano Art Center Gallery, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park (Hawai‘i Island) | Every Friday, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Volcano Art Center Gallery, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
Join Hawaiian practitioners on the porch of the Volcano Art Center, as they share stories or lead hands-on workshops on how to make lei or gourd instruments, or demonstrate lauhala weaving, kapa beating, or ‘ukulele playing.
volcanoartcenter.org

First Friday | Downtown Chinatown (O’ahu) | May 5, 5 – 9 p.m.
Head downtown for the biggest block party of the month, including live music and art galleries. This month will include festivities for Cinco De Mayo, so be sure to stay for the late night party at some of the trendiest bars in Honolulu.
Firstfridayhawaii.com

Honolulu Biennial 2017 | Various sites within Honolulu (O’ahu) | March 8–May 8
The Honolulu Biennial 2017 is Hawaiʻi’s first ever involvement with the international biennial circuit. Focusing on art from the Pacific, Asia, and the Americas, 33 artists will present significant artworks that create a discussion on topics such as society, culture and the environment.
Purchase tickets at honolulubiennial.org.

Hula’s Catamaran | Hula’s Bar and Lei Stand, 134 Kapahulu Ave. (Oʻahu) | Every Saturday, 2–5 p.m.
Grab your captain hat and set sail with Hula’s Famous Gay Catamaran Cruise through the waters of Waikiki.
hulas.com, buy tickets here

Art Night In Lahaina Town | Throughout Lahaina (Maui) | Every second Friday night, 7–10 p.m.
Lahaina is called the “Art Capital of the Pacific” because it is home to more art galleries per capita than any other town in the United States. Each second Friday, galleries stay open late to hold special shows and feature artists in action. Guests may also enjoy live music and outdoor vendor booths.
mauifridays.com/lahaina

Booze Cruise with The Aloha Bears | Bacchus Waikiki, 408 Lewers St. (Oʻahu) | Every second Sunday, 11:30 a.m. | $35 members, $40 non-members
Meet other Bears at Bacchus before setting sail through Waikiki, then enjoying an open-bar while at sea. Guests are also invited back to Bacchus for lunch, included in ticket price.
thealohabears.com

MauiWine Tasting | Ulupalakua Ranch, 14800 Piilani Hwy. (Maui) | Monday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Come delight each of your senses and taste exquisite handcrafted wines. This rare vineyard experience will give you some unforgettable memories and is steeped in rich culture. It is perfect for a romantic getaway or a fun group experience with friends.
mauiwine.com

Moon Walk at Waimea Valley | 59-864 Kamehameha Highway | May 6, 6 – 9 p.m.
You haven’t experienced a moonlit dinner like this. Join for a buffet dinner catered by Ke Nui Kitchen in The Proud Peacock Restaurant. After dinner, enjoy your walk through Waimea Valley to the waterfall.
Tickets for the walk and buffet may be sold separately here.

Makapu’u Twilight Concert Series | Sea Life Park (O’ahu) | May 6, 5 – 11 p.m.
Watch the stars both in the sky and on stage at beautiful Makapu’u Point. This month’s Twilight Concert Series will feature Paula Fuga, Kapena, Makaha Sons and Anuhea. With limited chairs available, bring out your blankets, mats and low chairs.
Sealifeparkhawaii.com/twilightconcert

Courtyard Cinema at Ward Village | IBM Building (O’ahu) | May 11, 6 – 9 p.m.
Every second Thursday of the month, Ward Village hosts a free showcase of selected Hawaii International Film Festival curated films that are open to the public. Although this event is free, space is limited, so be sure to RSVP online in advance.
Wardvillage.com

“Artists of Hawaiʻi” | Honolulu Museum of Art, 900 S. Beretania St. (Oʻahu) | February 9–May 28, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Since 1950, the Artists of Hawai‘i exhibition has showcased the talents of the islands’ contemporary artists. This year’s exhibition format pushes artists to take their art to new levels through creating large installations.
honolulumuseum.org

Kona Nui Nights at Ward Village | IBM Courtyard (O’ahu) | Every third Wednesday, 6 – 8 p.m.
This monthly event honors and highlights Hawaiian language, music, and the art of hula. This month will feature Entertainment by Na Hoku winner Kawika Kahiapo and Hula by Kawika Mersberg and Halau Ku Mana.
RSVP at wardvillage.com.

5th Annual Kahumana Farm Festival | Kahumanu Organic Farm & Café (O’ahu) | May 20, 11 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Spend the day on O’ahu’s sunny West Side and engage in this community event, promoting local agriculture, crafts, education, artists and music. This free event will include tons of local vendors, educational workshops, a keiki zone, and a massive seed and plant exchange.
Eventbrite.com

Vision Without Limits | Sheraton Waikiki (O’ahu) | May 27, 6 – 10 p.m.
Join the Hawaii LGBT Legacy Foundation, Honolulu Pride™, and the LGBT Center Waikiki for a night to celebrate Jack Law, who will be awarded the Hawai’i LGBT Legacy Foundation Visionary Award. The reception includes pupus, drinks, and a silent auction.
For tickets, click here.

Cheers and Beers Pride Night | Maui Brewing Company (Maui) | May 28, 3–8 p.m.
Enjoy live music and ice-cold beers with friends! Special Maui Pride T-Shirts are available to support the Friends of Children’s Mental Health and help Maui’s LGBTQ Youth.
Mauipride.org

Lantern Floating Hawaii 2017 | Ala Moana Regional Park (O’ahu) | May 29, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Held annually on Memorial Day on O’ahu’s south shore, Lantern Floating Hawaii brings together an estimated 50,000 people on the beach – with thousands around the world – via live streaming online. Join for an evening of honoring loved ones and generating collective hope toward the future.
Lanternfloatinghawaii.com