Community Calendar

On Saturday, June 13th, the Maui community is invited to gather at Maui Nui
Botanical Gardens for a day dedicated to honoring and revitalizing niu (coconut)
as a multi-use, culturally significant Hawaiian canoe plant and staple crop.
At ‘Aha Niu, cultural practitioners, farmers, educators, chefs, and families will
come together for hands-on workshops, moʻolelo, and coconut-centered food
and crafts. Through workshops, the whole ʻohana will have the opportunity to
learn how to weave pāpale lau niu, make cordage from the husk (kaula niu),
prepare ʻapu ʻawa, and plant and sprout niu (kanu niu), along with food
processing and cooking demonstrations. Cultural practitioners and niu farmers
will hold space for moʻolelo and conversations about stewardship and the future
of niu in Hawaiʻi. Educational and non-profit booths will share information and
resources, including how to identify, report, and mitigate the coconut rhinoceros
beetle (CRB). Food and craft vendors will demonstrate niu’s versatility,
highlighting traditional and contemporary uses of this staple crop.

The hope is that this festival reconnects Maui Nui with niu as a living resource
that nourishes, shelters, and sustains. A free niu sprout giveaway (while supplies
last) will help families bring that commitment into their backyards and kitchens.

Space is limited, register today! https://bit.ly/3QtP3JS

Volunteering is a great way to connect with the niu community, sign up here:
https://swettehawaii.ivolunteer.com/ahaniu2026

The the 109th King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade will take place at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 13, 2026. The event features floral floats, marching bands and Pāʻū riders on horseback as well as representatives from Hawaiʻi’s Royal Societies. As in year’s past, the parade will take a route beginning at King Street fronting ‘Iolani Palace. Participants will then head down Punchbowl Street, before making a left on to Ala Moana Boulevard and eventually Kalākaua Avenue. The parade comes to a finish at Monsarrat Avenue and Queen Kapi‘olani Park. Streets will begin to close in Downtown Honolulu at 7:30 a.m., with closures coinciding as the Parade moves along the route, several blocks before its approach. The Parade is expected to reach Kapiʻolani Park around 11:30 a.m.

The patience and consideration by residents, retail establishments, and the public along the parade route during this process is greatly appreciated. While parade organizers and volunteers work to ensure a timely delivery, congestion in the area can be expected, during the event. Motorists are advised to avoid the area by using alternate routes and allow for extra driving time in areas near the event. Please refrain from double-parking, which creates congestion, limits traffic flow and is illegal.

Also, on Oʻahu on June 13, the King Kamehameha Celebration Hoʻolauleʻa will take place at Kapiʻolani Park where the parade ends on Kalākaua Avenue. The event is from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with free admission as well as food booths, family friendly activities and more. Enjoy Hawaiian cultural activities, hula, live entertainment, cultural activities, games, education, demonstrations, and workshops. Attendees can partake in traditional Hawaiian games, such as konane, and learn about their historical significance. Additionally, interactive workshops and demonstrations will provide insights into Pupu Niʻihau lei making, ʻohe kāpala, lauhala weaving, and other traditional crafts, allowing participants to gain hands-on experience and appreciation for these cultural practices. The event has been become a tradition where parade-goers end their day. It is a time for families and supporters to relax and enjoy the afternoon with all who attend and meet and greet with Pāʻū Riders and those who will be participating in parade.

Support provided by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, the Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts and OHA. Lei Draping Ceremonies presented by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. For more information and full list of upcoming King Kamehameha Celebration events please visit www.KamehamehaDay.Hawaii.Gov.

Does your citrus have spots? Are your tomatoes looking tired? Don't let your garden woes wilt your spirits. Bring your gardening questions and plant samples to the Kauaʻi Master Gardener "Plant Doctor" booth every Saturday at the farmers market.

This free community service, provided by the University of Hawaiʻi’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, connects you with highly trained Master Gardener volunteers who specialize in tropical horticulture, pest management, and soil health. Whether you are a backyard grower or a small-scale farmer, the "Plant Doctor" is in to help your garden thrive.

Leave behind the stresses of the world and immerse yourself in the healing powers of nature and sacred sound. In a lush, private garden at the foot of the Koʻolaus, experience the restorative effects of a guided forest therapy walk integrated with the pure sounds of crystal singing bowls and other instruments. After the forest and sound bathing session, enjoy complimentary admission to the art galleries onsite.

The Hawaii Kai Community Bookstore will have 50% off in the Science and Tech Book Section as well as 50% off
on the History Book Section (Military, American, & World). The Home and Gardens and Home Improvement Section will also be 50% off. A storewide Book Sale of 50% will occur from May 5th to the 9th during store hours. Please note Library and Bookstore will be closed on Memorial Day from Saturday to Monday May23 to 25, 2026.

Discover tips for capturing beautiful botanical photos with your iPhone during this hands-on workshop at Lyon Arboretum.

Join us for a hands-on workshop designed for novice photographers eager to elevate their skills in botanical photography using their iPhone. This workshop offers valuable insights tailored to help you capture stunning images of plants, flowers, and nature.

The workshop will be divided into three sections:

Presentation: Learn the basics of botanical photography, including composition, lighting, color, texture, and detail.
iPhone Camera Settings Review: Explore helpful camera settings and tools to improve your images. (iPhone 14 or newer recommended.)
Guided Photo Walk: Practice your new skills while photographing the plants, flowers, and scenery throughout the Arboretum grounds.

About the Instructor
Hawkins Biggins discovered her passion for photography at age twelve and later earned her degree from the New England School of Photography in Boston. She returned to Hawaiʻi in 2008 to establish her photography business and has spent more than a decade creating compelling professional and fine art imagery.

Over the summer, our Kids Saturday Night Dance Parties will take place 4pm-7pm, with optional extended aftercare from 7pm-9pm. Optional aftercare will include a movie screening.

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Our Kids Saturday Night Dance Parties inspire movement, creativity, and connection. The night includes dancing, learning choreography, arts and crafts, karaoke, and an exciting Silent Disco experience.

Parents are invited to enjoy a night off while we take care of the fun! Simply send your child with dinner or snacks packed, and we’ll handle the rest. At pickup, families will be treated to a short performance showcasing what the kids have learned during the evening.

We begin with calm coloring and guided introduction activities to help children feel comfortable and connected with new friends. The evening continues with a hip-hop dance class, creative craft time, singing, and concludes with a high-energy Silent Disco complete with laser lights.

Drop-off begins at 4:45pm.

We look forward to welcoming your child for a memorable and joyful evening!

Looking to keep your kids active and engaged during spring break? Sign them up for our ridiculously fun kids hip hop dance camp!

Hawaii Dance Bomb's dance camps are designed to be a fun, nurturing environment for kids to enjoy some creative dance and play time. This break from academia gives kids an opportunity to learn through movement, experimentation and creativity.

There will be dancing, games, interactive activities, singing, arts and crafts, choreography, concerts and more! The kids will enjoy sweating, laughing, making new friends, being creative, playing and chilling together! There will always be a performance for the parents at the end of the camp.

See you on the dance floor!

Join us in Honolulu for an immersive honolulu turkish mosaic lamp workshop experience. You'll design and create your own Turkish mosaic lamp using hand-cut stained glass tiles and beads, learning traditional techniques passed down through generations.

Our Honolulu studio provides a welcoming, creative environment perfect for both beginners and experienced makers. In 2 hours, you'll complete your project with guidance from our expert instructor, working in a group of up to 1-20 participants. No prior experience is needed—just bring your creativity and enjoy the process of making something uniquely yours.

Oʻahu Cemetery Pūpū Theatre: Caring for Our Community
Hawaiian Mission Houses and the Oʻahu Cemetery Association mark the 15th anniversary of this acclaimed living history event. As dusk settles over Oʻahu Cemetery, performers portray five figures who shaped Hawaiʻi through healthcare, social work, and advocacy: Dr. Iga Mōri, James Arthur Rath, Maria Jane Chamberlain Forbes, Emily Whitney Alexander Baldwin, and Lucy Kaiaka Ward. Q&A follows.
When: Thursday–Saturday, June 11–13 & June 18–20, 2026
5:00 PM Doors open - drinks and bento dinner on the chapel lanai
6:00 PM - Performances begin
Where: Oʻahu Cemetery, 2162 Nuʻuanu Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96817
Admission: $60 per person — includes one drink ticket and choice of bento (fish, meat, or vegetarian). Cash bar for additional drinks.
Tickets & info: missionhouses.org/events/oahucemeterypuputheatre/