Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: July 27–29, 2018

Sip on some sake, listen to live local music and race across Ala Moana Beach Park in a dragon boat.

By Sarah Etinas

Photo: Courtesy of Sip and Style

July's Weekend Picks brought to you by:

Sip and Style at Pai Honolulu

Thursday, July 26, 5 to 7 p.m.

Are you a local businesswoman? At this Sip and Style event, meet other local businesswomen and grow your professional network while sipping on cocktails and dining on pau hana bites from Pai Honolulu. Shop for locally designed clothing and accessories from Valia Honolulu at special discounted prices—and, as a special bonus, get personal styling tips from the owner, Camille Heung. (Disclaimer: Heung is the sister of HONOLULU special projects editor and Weekend Picks writer Marisa Heung.)

$25, Pai Honolulu, 55 Merchant St. For more information, go here.

Photo: David Croxford

The Joy of Sake

Friday, July 27, 6:30 to 9 p.m.

The Joy of Sake is considered the world’s largest sake festival outside of Japan. Sip on your choice of nearly 400 different types of sake—some of which aren’t even sold in the United States. Pair your drinks with some dishes prepared by several local chefs, including those from the Halekūlani, Koko Head Café and Morimoto Asia Waikīkī.

$105 to $155, Hawaiʻi Convention Center, 1801 Kalākaua Ave. For more information, go here.

Hawaiʻi Dragon Boat Festival

Saturday, July 28, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Looking for a little competition? Pile 18 of your friends, family members or co-workers into a dragon-shaped boat and race against other teams in this paddling race around Ala Moana Beach Park. If you simply want to see the event from the shore, grab your beach mat, watch the dragon boats glide across the water and cheer for your favorite team.

$300 per person to register, free to watch. Ala Moana Beach Park, 1201 Ala Moana Blvd. For more information, go here.

Mele on the Marina Festival

Saturday, July 28, 3 to 8 p.m.

Celebrate local culture at this family-friendly event at the Hawaiʻi Kai Towne Center. The festival starts with performances by Hālau Hula ʻO Napunaheleonapua, followed by local music group Kailua Moon. To top off the event, four-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner Kūpaoa will take the stage. While watching these performances, grab some delicious food from the many restaurants at Hawaiʻi Kai Towne Center.

Free, Hawaiʻi Kai Towne Center, 333 Keāhole St. For more information, go here.

Looking for more things to do? Check out our events calendar.

Looking for fun new ways to experience the city? HONOLULU’s got you covered with HNLTix, your brand-new local resource for all things social—fundraisers, concerts, comedy shows, expos and everything in between. Discover your next can’t-miss event, share your favorites with friends, or promote your own event and sell tickets online. To see what’s coming up next in Honolulu, visit HNLTix.com.