Every Wednesday, one of our awesome HPR besties will keep you posted on happenings across our Islands that we're most stoked about. While each of us has a different perspective and set of interests, we all share a goal of helping you stay curious and connected across our Hawaiian Islands. Not yet subscribed? Read the latest edition and subscribe today.
HPR’s Social Club — it's your guide to unique, can't-miss events across the islands. Sign up for the HPR Social Club.
Have an event to share? You can submit it to our HPR Community Calendar for consideration. We might feature it in a future newsletter or on the air!
HPR Social Club Picks of the Week (July 30 Edition):
On Hawaiʻi Island, in Waimea, “Broadway in Hawaiʻi Returns” to Kahilu (Aug. 2 and 3), reuniting original members of the Kahilu Youth Troupe with today’s young performers. Expect highlights from past productions like “Godspell,” “Grease,” “West Side Story” and more.
On Oʻahu, “The Spongebob Musical” (pictured) runs at Diamond Head Theatre through Aug. 9 — perfect for some family-friendly fun under the sea.
Prefer the classics? “Side by Side by Sondheim” has two more performances at Manoa Valley Theatre, Aug. 2 and 3. The show celebrates Stephen Sondheim, one of the greatest composers in the history of musical theatre.
Not a theatre person? No worry, beef curry — keep scrolling to see other happenings across the Islands.
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PACIFIC PRIDE: 23rd Annual Heiva i Kaua‘i
Celebrate Tahitian and Polynesian culture beachside in Kapaʻa at this annual dance and drumming competition. Enjoy captivating performances, and check out a marketplace featuring Pacific Island gifts, art and clothing — and of course, a variety of ʻono grindz. Don’t miss the fireknife competition on Saturday night!
23rd Annual Heiva i Kaua‘i
Kapaʻa Beach Park
4-1604 Kuhio Hwy in Kapaʻa, Kauaʻi
August 2 & 3, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
$5-8 at the door, free for keiki 12 and under
WATER WISE: 2025 Annual Unthirsty Plant Sale
It's been a sweltering summer! The Board of Water Supply reminds us to conserve and store water, in response to HECO's Public Safety Power Shutoff program. (Electricity is needed to pump water above ground.) Good thing BWS is hosting a plant sale featuring unique plants that can thrive with less water. Check out the educational booths while you're there!
2025 Annual Unthirsty Plant Sale
Hālawa Xeriscape Garden
99-1268 Iwaena Street in Hālawa, Oʻahu
Saturday, August 2, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Free, open to all
SEOUL VIBES: 21st Annual Korean Festival
Go for the food, stay for the entertainment and cultural activities! The Korean Festival returns with a day full of dance, art, music, performances and more! There will be kimchi and jjajangmyeon eating contests (first come, first served), a world-class Taekwondo demonstration and a two-hour K-Pop Celebration concert.
21st Annual Korean Festival
Honolulu Hale
530 South King St. in Honolulu, Oʻahu
Saturday, August 2, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Free, open to all
MYSTERIOUS MONSTERS: Yokai Parade: Supernatural Monsters from Japan
The Tokyo-based Japan Foundation brings the supernatural to Hilo with this world-traveling exhibition featuring yokai — better known in Hawaiʻi as obake. Curated by Koichi Yumoto, one of Japan’s leading yokai experts, the exhibit features prints, toys, films and more for an experience that’s both spooky and enlightening.
Yokai Parade: Supernatural Monsters from Japan
Hawaii Japanese Center
751 Kanoelehua Ave. in Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island
Select days, August 2 - 30, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Free, open to all
QUEER COUNTRY: Blazing Saddles Hawaiʻi
Get your two-step on at this fun and friendly country-western social dance meet celebrating Hawaiʻi's diverse LGBTQ+ community. Are you a beginner? Feel like you have two left feet? Not to worry — no experience is necessary! Friendly instructors teach you line dancing, swing, waltzes and more at this weekly social; check their website for the latest schedule.
Blazing Saddles Hawaiʻi
Ala Wai Golf Course Clubhouse Ballroom
404 Kapahulu Avenue, 2nd floor, O‘ahu
Tuesday, August 5, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Free to all, donations are welcome
Coming up…
This weekend, listen to “Feathers and Fire,” HPR's new podcast
launching July 31. Join HPR’s Russell Subiono and University of Hawaiʻi history instructor Mehana Makaʻinaʻi as they share their excitement for the upcoming series “Chief of War” which debuts on on Apple TV+ on Aug. 1.
Then on Saturdays, starting Aug. 2, they'll recap and discuss each episode. Russell brings experience in Hawaiʻi’s film industry to the discussion, and Mehana’s knowledge of Hawaiʻi history and ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi fluency provides deeper cultural context. Plus, hear from guests who worked on the series. New episodes drop Saturdays on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, and hawaiipublicradio.org.
Classical music in the Atherton spotlight
HPR's Live from the Atherton presents our Classical Music Performance Series, kicking off on Aug. 9 with a violin
performance by Clara Kim. Upcoming concerts feature the bassoon and oboe, the harp, and a brass quintet. Ticket sales directly support our featured artists. Mahalo for supporting the arts! Live from the Atherton is sponsored by HMSA.
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