Entertainment

Hawai‘i Entertainment: Music, Shows, and Island Performances

So many reasons to get out of the house and enjoy the best entertainment in the Islands — local music, hula halau performances, film festivals, comedy acts, live theater, classical concerts and more. This is where you’ll also find news about TV shows and movies filmed in the Islands or about Hawai‘i, and the actors attached to them. Venues matter, too, and we’ll update readers on improvements such as the recent upgrades to the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall and the Waikīkī Shell.

Comedian Heston Kaʻaihue to headline at Blue Note Hawaiʻi this weekend

This Hawaiʻi Island comedian with Oʻahu roots believes “laughter heals.” He will take the stage on Sunday, April 27, at Blue Note Hawaiʻi in Waikīkī. Special guests include comedians James Mane and Kinohi Betts.

Katie HellandApril 24, 2025

Have a ball at Central O‘ahu's new sports simulator experience

Sports Box is opening another location in Pearlridge Center’s Wai Makai on May 1.

Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 23, 2025

Kumu Hula Kamaka Kūkona encourages dancers to “leave it all on the stage” at Merrie Monarch

This Maui-based hālau is sending eight kāne to compete in Merrie Monarch at the Edith Kanakaʻole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo this week. Aloha State Daily spoke with Kumu Hula Kamaka Kūkona about the performances, his advice for dancers, and more.

Katie HellandApril 23, 2025

Watch “Pride & Prejudice” on the big screen

This cinematic take on Jane Austen’s classic novel was released in 2005 and will be playing on the big screen this week at Consolidated Theatres in Kāhala, Pearlridge, Mililani and Kapolei.

Katie HellandApril 21, 2025

Country music festival heads for Bishop Museum

This concert, called Boots ‘n Beers, features singers and songwriters based in Texas, Tennessee and Hawaiʻi.

Katie HellandApril 17, 2025

The Mango Theater opens on Molokai

Molokai still has no stop lights, but starting this month one thing residents will have is a movie theater. Previously, fans of the big screen had to board planes and fly to neighbor islands to catch highly anticipated releases of new films.

Katie HellandApril 17, 2025

ʻAmerican Idol’ winner Iam Tongi announces new single ʻSunshine’

The singer and songwriter talked about his father in his audition for ʻAmerican Idol.’ He grew up in Kahuku and also spoke about being priced out of paradise.

Katie HellandApril 15, 2025

Kumu Kahua Theatre seeks first-time writers for free workshop

This theater is bringing Hawaiʻi-based playwright Daniel A. Kelin II and longtime director Harry Wong III together to teach Oʻahu residents how to write plays. The one-day workshop opens first to Windward and North Shore residents.

Katie HellandApril 15, 2025

Kalani Peʻa to headline back-to-back Lei Day performances

The Maui-based singer and songwriter has won four Grammy Awards and five Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards. He is teaming up with award-winning singers and dancers to bring several memorable Lei Day performances to Oʻahu.

Katie HellandApril 12, 2025

Inside Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre’s production of “Carmen”

Opera singer Robert Feng shares the Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre performance that made him want to be a singer. The Punahou School graduate is now performing in the same group’s upcoming production of “Carmen.”

Katie HellandApril 11, 2025

What you're dying to know about Dave & Buster’s Honolulu at Ala Moana Center

The nearly 45,000-square-foot space, featuring a “Human Crane” game and a variety of immersive experiences, is slated to open on Monday, April 14.

Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 10, 2025

Tony Pisculli shares behind-the-scenes moments from his play, “The Magic of Polly Amnesia”

Hawaiʻi-based Tony Pisculli is the playwright of “The Magic of Polly Amnesia,” which is on stage at Kumu Kahua Theatre through April 27. He is also a former software developer, a founder of the Hawaiʻi Shakespeare Festival and — sometimes a magician.

Katie HellandApril 10, 2025