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? Subscribe today.
This week, we hear from HPR Digital Content Producer, Sylvia Flores.
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!
It's here! It's Christmas Eve! Here's to wishing you all things merry and bright. For me, holiday celebrations feel bittersweet as my family is sprinkled across the globe, but I'm thankful for friends, chosen family, and the folks here at HPR for keeping the season filled with peace, love, joy and endless holiday treats!
As we head into the holiday weekend, celebrate the season with mele, music and more. All week long, you can listen to HPR's Holiday Programming, including a special Kanikapila Sunday featuring my favorite local guitarist, Jeff Peterson (Dec. 28 at 2 p.m. on HPR-1).
Interested in seeing live music in person on Oʻahu? On Saturday, Dec. 27 at Capitol Modern, check out the inaugural Lōʻihi Records Music Festival: Wayfind, a full-day celebration of sound, culture and contemporary experimentation.
From their event page, "Musicians, composers, cultural workers and thinkers from Hawaiʻi and beyond come together to explore how artists navigate the space between tradition, innovation, digital futures and the responsibilities of ʻāina, ʻohana, and kuleana." I especially love that the festival "places a local Kānaka artist in the headlining position, not as a supporting act, reflecting Lōʻihi Records' mission to flip the long-standing narrative of Hawaiʻi artists being secondary in their own homelands." The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and artist lineups can be found on their Instagram.
Keep scrolling for more of HPR Social Club's event picks for the upcoming weekend. I snuck our town-side New Year's firework watching opportunity in there too, noting that "The Conversation" recently discussed how public safety is top of mind regarding illegal fireworks.
If you have an event you'd like to share with the HPR team, submit it to our community calendar. We may feature it in a future newsletter.
Wishing you the happiest holidays you can manage!
Until we meet again,
Sylvia
HPR Social Club Picks of the Week
FRIDAY FLICK: Aloha Theatre Holiday Movie Night: Die Hard
Aloha Theatre Holiday Movie Night: Die Hard
Aloha Theatre
111 Ohe St. in Kealakekua
Hawaiʻi Island
Friday, Dec. 26, 7:00 p.m.
$10, book online
Catch the last holiday "Friday Flick" at Aloha Theatre. They celebrated the season with Christmas classics all month long and end with a bang with everyone's favorite holiday film, "Die Hard." Yippee-ki-yay. Yes, it's a Christmas movie.
MIC READY: Drag Me to Karaoke
Drag Me to Karaoke
ProArts Theatre
1280 South Kihei Rd. in Kihei
Maui
Friday, Dec. 26, 9:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Every fourth Friday in Kihei, swing by the ProArts Theatre for an evening of karaoke hosted by Elizabeth Winters. This month's event is a special late-night edition after Free Range Comedy. Singe a couple of tunes with your friends! Theatrical songs are available, but any song is welcome. 21+, $16 general admission
CHORAL CHRISTMAS: Wonder: A Christmas Concert
Wonder: A Christmas Concert
Kawahaiaʻo Church
957 Punchbowl St. in Honolulu
Oʻahu
Sunday, Dec. 28, 4:00 p.m.
Free and open to all
Enjoy a free, festive concert of Christmas songs and carols by Voices of Aloha — a 60-member community choir. From classical and jazz to contemporary favorites, their music will lift your spirits and fill you with wonder this holiday season.
MAKAHIKI MENAGERIE: Celebrate Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou
Celebrate Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou
Kauai Animal Education Farm
Located in Kapaʻa
Kauaʻi
Dec. 29 to Jan. 2, 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Advanced reservation is required
Celebrate Hau'oli Makahiki Hou with family, friends and more at this volunteer-operated sanctuary for rescued animals. Visit with over 15 animal species that live on the farm and enjoy tractor rides, a smores bar, makahiki games and the Mea Kokua (thrift store). $25 per ʻohana or purchase a feed bag for entry.
SHORELINE SPARKLE: Waikiki New Year's Fireworks
Waikiki New Year's Fireworks
Waikiki Beach
Oʻahu
Sunday, Dec. 31, midnight
Free and open to all
Ring in the new year with a fabulous fireworks display sponsored by the Waikiki Improvement Association. Visible throughout the Waikiki shoreline, be sure to turn your radio to 105.9 The Wave FM to listen to an exclusive music soundtrack that will accompany the show!
ICYMI: The Conversation team looks back at their favorite stories of 2025
From inspiring tales of triumph to in-depth discussions on public affairs, the team behind the show that brings listeners an hour of what’s happening in Hawaiʻi each day is looking back on their favorite headlines for this end-of-year roundup. Read more
Celebrate the season with HPR's holiday programming
Tune in for a festive lineup of music and talk programs today and tomorrow to keep you feeling merry and bright.
December 24 - Christmas EveHPR-2
12 p.m. A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
3 p.m. Classical Pacific - Christmas Eve with Sharene Taba
6 p.m. John Zak's Evening Concert Christmas Celebration
8 p.m. St. Olaf Christmas Festival
December 25 - Christmas DayHPR-1
11 a.m. Tinsel Tales: NPR Christmas Favorites
HPR-2
8 a.m. A Chanticleer Christmas
9 a.m. Welcome Christmas
10 a.m. The Christmas Revels: In Celebration of the Winter Solstice
3 p.m. Classical Pacific - LIVE with Sharene Taba
Here's where to listen. Happy Holidays from HPR!
Mahalo to our holiday programming sponsor Maui Fruit Jewels.
