Featured Events in Honolulu in May, 2025 (August Updated)

Click here to join Huaka'i by Hawaiian today! HONOLULU - Hawaiian Airlines May Day 2025 presented by Mele continues the annual Lei Day tradition by the Brothers Cazimero with Keauhou, the 19-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning group, returning to headline the concert experience alongside special guests, including Robert Cazimero, Hālau Nā Kamalei o Līlīlehua, Kaipo Hale, Kuana Torres Kahele, and co-hosts, Billy V. and Debbie Nakanelua-Richards, director of community & cultural relations at Hawaiian Airlines.   The live concert will be on Thursday, May 1, from 5-9 p.m. at the Great Lawn of Bishop Museum. Concert tickets are available for purchase at mele.com . Audiences around the world can enjoy the live broadcast on May 1 at 7pm, exclusively on mele.com .   As a production of nonprofit organization Kāhuli Leo Leʻa, the concert will feature performances of mele, hula, and moʻolelo that will not only serve to entertain, but to educate. Producer and executive director, Zachary Lum, explains that “the theme of this year’s show honors the 50-year hula legacy of Robert Cazimero.” Lum adds, “While Hawaiʻi and the world celebrates the legendary voice and music of Robert Cazimero, we don’t often get to celebrate the kumu hula that is Robert Cazimero. May Day will be one of many 50th anniversary celebrations for Hālau Nā Kamalei o Līlīlehua.”   The cultural celebration will be another memorable chapter in the series of May Day concerts with the joint support of co-title sponsors Hawaiian Airlines and Mele.com, and the following sponsors: Hawaii Tourism Authority, Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, Accel Rentals, The Ritz-Carlton Residences Waikīkī Beach, Highway Inn, Kahui Palaka, Noho Home, Hawaiian Host, Hawaiian Pie Co., Okinakalani Ltd., and more.   “Our purpose to connect people with aloha begins with honoring the traditions of our island home, and we’re excited to set the stage for a celebration of one of our most cherished holidays by showcasing several of Hawaiʻi’s greatest musicians,” said Nakanelua-Richards. Co-presenting sponsor, Mele.com, will be the exclusive broadcast platform for this year’s concert. For more information and updates, visit mele.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram ( @mele.stream ).   About Kāhuli Leo Leʻa and Mele.com Kāhuli Leo Leʻa is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to catalyze aloha ʻāina through the education, composition, and presentation of mele and other cultural practices. Mele.com , a program of Kāhuli Leo Leʻa, is Hawaiʻi’s first non-profit, community-driven streaming platform that aims to empower Hawaiʻi-based Creators with economic opportunity within Hawaiʻi’s Creative Industry. For more information about Kāhuli Leo Leʻa, visit us at kahulileolea.org , or follow us on Facebook and on Instagram ( @kahulileolea ).  About Alaska Air Group Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group, with McGee Air Services a subsidiary of Alaska Airlines. With hubs in Seattle, Honolulu, Portland, Anchorage, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco, we deliver remarkable care as we fly our guests to more than 140 destinations throughout North America, Latin America, Asia and the Pacific. Alaska is a member of the one world Alliance with Hawaiian scheduled to join in 2026. With one world and our additional global partners, guests can earn and redeem miles for travel to over 1,000 worldwide destinations. Guests can book travel at alaskaair.com and hawaiianairlines.com . Learn more about what’s happening at Alaska and Hawaiian . Alaska Air Group is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) as “ALK.”  About May Day Hawaiʻi’s cultural phenomenon is best explained in the simple words of Leonard Hawk: May Day is Lei Day in Hawaiʻi. Since 1927, May Day has hosted countless kamaʻāina and malihini who joined in the annual celebration of the flower lei and all things Hawaiian. Besides the making, wearing, and giving of lei, May Day celebrations eventually became synonymous with music, hula, crafts, and so many cultural practices.   In 1977, the celebration expanded further with the first May Day concert by the Brothers Cazimero at the Waikīkī Shell. This annual tradition would last decades and become the dependable beacon and culmination of this lei celebration. After what seemed to be the last May Day in the early 2000's, Robert Cazimero approached Keauhou, the group consisting of Jonah Kahanuola Solatorio, and brothers, Nicholas and Zachary Lum, to see if they would be willing to carry the torch forward – continuing the immense legacy of music, hula, and, of course, lei. Keauhou humbly accepted this kuleana and began a new chapter of this celebrated tradition on May 1, 2019, at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center. In 2020, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing cultural/educational programming, Kāhuli Leo Leʻa, took on the mantle of producing the annual spectacle in partnership with Keauhou and with the support of other community partners. Information Source: Kahuli Leo Leʻa | eventbrite

Check in at the register at least 15 minutes prior to class start time. The Lauhala are carefully harvested, cleaned and assembled prior to class. All materials are included in ticket price. Participants must sign up by May 1, 6pm to participate in workshop. Please note that cost for workshop is $50.00 + Eventbrite service fee. All workshops require extensive preparation time that can last hours and at times, days. Due to this effort done by our cultural practitioners once you book your workshop slot there will be no refunds issued. Please be thoughtful when booking your days. Information Source: Noʻeau Designers | eventbrite

You're invited to Civil Cafe: 2025 Legislative Wrap-up on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Civil Beat headquarters in Kaimukī. This in-person event will include a live-streamed and recorded discussion with leaders from both the House and Senate. Vice Speaker Linda Ichiyama (D) , Assistant Majority Whip Senator Tim Richards (D), Minority Floor Leader Representative Diamond Garcia (R) will join Civil Beat politics editor Chad Blair and reporter Blaze Lovell to discuss the takeaways from the 2025 legislative session. Complimentary light snacks will be provided. This event will be held at the Civil Beat headquarters in Kaimukī, located on the second floor above Goodwill Hawaiʻi. Parking is located within the building at 3650 Waiʻalae Avenue, entrance on Wilhelmina Rise. Parking validation for up to 2 hours will be provided for all attendees. Submit your questions for the panel here. If you require special assistance or auxiliary aids and/or services (i.e., sign language interpreter or wheelchair accessibility), please contact Civil Beat at 808-737-2300 or email your request for an interpreter to membership@civilbeat.org at least 4 business days prior to the event. By registering for this event, you'll receive a subscription to Civil Beat's free e-newsletters. And don't worry, we hate spam too! You can unsubscribe any time by clicking the link at the bottom of each email. Information Source: Civil Beat | eventbrite

This spring, we present our version of Don Quixote—a well-known 19th-century classical ballet based on the work of Miguel de Cervantes, with a musical score by Ludwig Minkus. The performance is filled with vibrant, Spanish-inspired dances and characters, as well as beloved classical and contemporary ballet sequences that showcase a variety of dancers and their talents. Staging and choreography, after Marius Petipa, are brought to life by our incredible team of instructors. Mei Yamanaka joins us again on stage as a guest performer. Choreographer Risa Yoshimura presents her version of Bolero, with original choreography by Maurice Béjart, in conjunction with our Don Quixote Suite. Information Source: Honolulu Classical Ballet | eventbrite

This spring, we present our version of Don Quixote—a well-known 19th-century classical ballet based on the work of Miguel de Cervantes, with a musical score by Ludwig Minkus. The performance is filled with vibrant, Spanish-inspired dances and characters, as well as beloved classical and contemporary ballet sequences that showcase a variety of dancers and their talents. Staging and choreography, after Marius Petipa, are brought to life by our incredible team of instructors. Mei Yamanaka joins us again on stage as a guest performer. Choreographer Risa Yoshimura presents her version of Bolero, with original choreography by Maurice Béjart, in conjunction with our Don Quixote Suite. Information Source: Honolulu Classical Ballet | eventbrite

Join us for an unforgettable celebration of talent and spirit at Mid-Pacific School of the Arts' annual Spring Hula Concert, "BTS," presented by Pūpūkahi I Ke Alo O Nā Pua. Mark your calendars for this extraordinary event on Mother's Day at 1 pm at Mid-Pacificʻs Bakken Auditorium. Information Source: Mid-Pacific School of the Arts | eventbrite

The AUSA LANPAC Symposium & Exposition 2025 is set to be a pivotal gathering for military professionals and defense industry leaders, taking place from May 13 to May 15 at the prestigious Sheraton Waikiki in Honolulu, Hawaii. This esteemed event serves as a crucial platform for discussing land power in the Indo-Pacific region, bringing together experts from around the globe to explore strategic challenges and opportunities. With its breathtaking location in the heart of Honolulu, attendees will have the unique opportunity to engage in high-level discussions and networking sessions, all while enjoying the serene backdrop of Hawaii's stunning landscapes. The symposium promises a comprehensive agenda, featuring keynote speeches, panel discussions, and exhibitions showcasing cutting-edge technologies and innovations in defense. As the AUSA LANPAC Symposium & Exposition 2025 approaches, anticipation builds for an event that not only fosters collaboration but also drives forward-thinking solutions in the realm of land power and security.

Join us for a night of celebration filled with entertainment, dinner, giveaways, and more—all to a "Let the Good Times Roll" theme! HMSA Employees' FCU Member Mahalo Dinner Ala Moana Hotel - Hibiscus Ballroom Saturday, May 17, 2025 Doors open at 5:00 PM Event starts at 6:00 PM Tickets are on sale as follows: Members: $25 Non-Members: $40 **Must be a HMSA EFCU Member to purchase tickets, limited to a member and one guest each. This is a private event with limited space. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The HMSA EFCU dinner committee will assign seating.** Parking Fees: With a validated banquet, event self-parking is $10.00, and valet parking is $35.00. Theme Contests, including at least the following: Dance contests: Swing contest, Twisting contest, Cha Cha contest, Limbo Rock contest Costume contests: Best female, Best male Hotel Rooms : Kama’aina Rates are the best available rates for Ala Moana Hotel for event guests interested in staying the night. Stay tuned for more information. Information Source: Hawaii State Federal Credit Union | eventbrite

Airstreams Renewables, Inc., is a CSP/SkillBridge approved accelerated Renewable Energy and Commuications Tower Technician Program. It is designed to outfit our students for success through specific safety and technical lessons reinforced with practice skills. It is designed to provide a solid foundation in the fundamentals of wind energy and communication towers and related industrial careers that prepared our graduates for an entry-level position in the industries. www.air-streams.com Follow us on our social media! Scan the QR code (with the arrows in the middle) and it will take you to our LinkTree. Scan the second QR code and it will take you to where we are located aboard MCB Hawaii. Questions? Contact us below: Email: angela.manipon@air-streams.com Mobile: 808-798-7650 Information Source: eventbrite

A Wish, A Light, A Journey... Follow the whimsical Journey of one girl's wish upon a star. In a jungle, she encounters mischievous monkeys and fierce wolves, coming face-to-face with her fears. In the ocean, she meets spirited dolphins and bouncy jellyfish, but struggles with entanglements in the depths. Trekking through the shifting desert sands, she sees playful fennec foxes and enchantingly beautiful Empresses of Dunes. All the while, discovering the light within. We have 3 performances! Information Source: Queen Emma Ballet | eventbrite

A Wish, A Light, A Journey... Follow the whimsical Journey of one girl's wish upon a star. In a jungle, she encounters mischievous monkeys and fierce wolves, coming face-to-face with her fears. In the ocean, she meets spirited dolphins and bouncy jellyfish, but struggles with entanglements in the depths. Trekking through the shifting desert sands, she sees playful fennec foxes and enchantingly beautiful Empresses of Dunes. All the while, discovering the light within. We have 3 performances! Information Source: Queen Emma Ballet | eventbrite

A Wish, A Light, A Journey... Follow the whimsical Journey of one girl's wish upon a star. In a jungle, she encounters mischievous monkeys and fierce wolves, coming face-to-face with her fears. In the ocean, she meets spirited dolphins and bouncy jellyfish, but struggles with entanglements in the depths. Trekking through the shifting desert sands, she sees playful fennec foxes and enchantingly beautiful Empresses of Dunes. All the while, discovering the light within. We have 3 performances! Information Source: Queen Emma Ballet | eventbrite

ABOUT DAVID ABRAHAM: Dancer, Choreographer, and Master Teacher. Graduated from the Arabian Dance School (ADS) in 2011, with Master Amir Thaleb. David is a world renowned oriental dance artist from Argentina. He is known for his unique and innovative style. His charisma captivates audiences and students worldwide. David Abraham will also be teaching workshops in Honolulu on Saturday, 5/31/25 & Sunday, 6/1/25 at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center. These workshops are geared for intermediate to advanced dancers eager to push their limits and refine their skills. Questions: natashiaelise512@gmail.com Workshop information can be found on the Facebook event page below: https://www.facebook.com/share/15wZKXW5Q2/ Information Source: Natashia Shiraishi | eventbrite

Join the Honolulu Mindfulness Community and the Bodhi Tree Center for a non-residential retreat and Vesak ceremony led by monastics from Deer Park Monastery in California. D ates: Fr iday, May 30th (6:30 - 9:00 pm) Saturday, May 31st & Sunday, June 1st (7 am - 4 pm) Location: Bodhi Tree Meditation Center, 654A Judd St, Honolulu, HI 96817 (Limited parking – Carpooling is highly encouraged - there may be offsite parking TBD) Theme: Building a Spiritual Community Led by: Senior Sister Kinh Nghiem, Sister Ao Nghiem, and Sister Thien Ly from Deer Park Monastery. Activities include: Sitting & walking meditation, mindful movement, total relaxation, dharma talks/sharing, and singing. Retreat Schedule : Friday (Optional) : Morning beach mindful cleanup (details TBA), 6:30-9:00 pm: Orientation & Sitting Saturday : 7 am: Walking meditation & light breakfast at Nuʻuanu Park; 8:30 am: Transition to Bodhi Tree; 12 pm: BYO Lunch; 4 pm: Closing Sunday : 7 am: Walking meditation & light breakfast at Nuʻuanu Park; 8:30 am: Transition to Bodhi Tree; Vesak – Buddha's Birthday Celebration (lunch provided); 4 pm: Closing (Full Schedule available below) What to bring : Cushion/zafu (some chairs available), yoga mat/towel, lunch for Saturday (no fridge/microwave), water bottle/mug, rain gear, appropriate footwear Cost : $75 (Sliding scale pricing available - contact honolulumindfulness@gmail.com ) Special Sunday Event: Vesak (Buddha's Birthday) Vesak is the annual celebration of the Buddha's life and enlightenment. It is the most important festival celebrated by Buddhist communities in South East Asia. The visiting sisters have graciously offered to bring this ceremony especially for the Vietnamese community of Honolulu. We will be joined by many more of our Vietnamese friends and have the opportunity to enjoy a mindful lunch together afterwards. The ceremony will include dharma talk, guided meditation, and chanting primarily in Vietnamese. We invite you to enjoy your breathing and the beautiful decorations that will adorn the alter. Look out for the ritual bathing of the baby Buddha! This act symbolizes watering the seeds of Buddha nature within all of us. Information Source: eventbrite