7 Absolutely Free Honolulu Events to Check Out in March 2018

Attend a female-focused film festival, take a Biki bike out for a spin, get your nerd on, celebrate one of Hawai‘i’s favorite foods and more, all for free.

By Enjy El-Kadi

2018 Women of Wonders Film Fest

March 1–2

Finding Kukan

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF NESTED EGG PRODUCTIONS



Not to be confused with DC Comics’ Wonder Woman, this film festival is dedicated to the lives and accomplishments of women around the world and here in Hawai‘i. The lineup includes Finding Kukan, an investigative film by local Chinese-American producer/director Robin Lung about Li Ling-Ai, the uncredited female producer of Kukan, a landmark film that exposed atrocities in World War II China to audiences around the world.

Donations welcome (all proceeds go to a scholarship fund for the Reel Camps for Girls), Doris Duke Theatre, 901 Kīnaʻu St., view the full screening schedule at hawaiiwomeninfilmmaking.org

SEE ALSO: How One Female Chinese-American Filmmaker Inspired Another, Decades Later

2018 Prince Kūhiō Festival

March 3–31

Photo: Courtesy of Prince Kūhiō Festival



Celebrate the birthday of Hawaiʻi‘s last prince with a monthlong festival that includes a commemorative parade in Waikīkī, a Ho‘olaule‘a/Hō‘ike‘ike at Kapi‘olani Park Bandstand, the rare opportunity to hear Hawaiian a cappella singing and more.

For the full schedule of festivities, visit princekuhiofestival.com

SEE ALSO: 9 Things You Didn’t Know About Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana‘ole

90th Annual Lei Court Selection

March 3

Photo: Courtesy of the City and County of Honolulu



What does it take to be crowned Lei Queen or King? Contests will be judged on: 1) their lei-making skills (they have an hour to make one. On site. With everyone watching. No pressure); 2) their poise and personality; 3) how well they can speak in both English and Hawaiian and 4) how well they perform hula. One Lei Queen or King and up to two Lei Princesses and/or Princes will be selected that day in preparation for Lei Day in May.

9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Kapolei Hale, honolulu.gov

Biki Hawai‘i Free Rides Day

March 4

Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino



If you’ve always wanted to go for a ride on a Biki bike, here’s your chance to take one out for a spin—without spending a dime. Biki Hawai’i is offering free 30-minute rides to all first-timers in an attempt to beat a record of more than 4,000 trips in one day. (Returning riders are also encouraged to take a Biki trip that day, but at the normal rate.) As an added bonus, the bike-sharing program will be randomly giving out prizes throughout the day. We’d say that’s a pretty sweet deal.

gobiki.org

SEE ALSO: Honolulu’s First Bike-Sharing Program Brings 1,000 Bikes to the Streets June 28

Nerd Nite Honolulu: Bishop Museum Takeover!

March 6

Photo: Courtesy of Nerd Nite Honolulu



Get your nerd—and your drink—on at Bishop Museum’s takeover of Nerd Nite as part of this year’s Hi-Sci Festival. Hear museum scientists discuss their weirdest specimens and nerdy occupations: “Physics and Fizzyology: The Battle of the Bends in Deep Sea Diving” by Richard Pyle, associate ichthyologist; “Mighty Cephalopods!” by Regie Kawamoto, malacology collection technician; and “Prime-Time Slime-Time” by Norine Yeung, malacology researcher and collections manager.

8 to 10 p.m. (doors open at 7:30 p.m.), Anna O’Brien’s, 2449 S. Beretania St., ages 21 and older, bring your own food, bishopmuseum.org

31st Annual Great Hawaiian Rubber Duckie Race

March 24

Photo: Courtesy of United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawaiʻi



Just when you thought rubber duckies were only good for bathtime, here they are winning races and raising money for United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawaiʻi. Cheer for 20,000 brave duckies as they take their annual dive into the infamous Ala Wai Canal (or adopt your own for a $5 suggested donation). The first 50 and the absolute last duck to cross the finish line win awesome prizes. Stop by the Honolulu Coffee Experience Center before the race for kiddie games, duckie adoptions and more. Go, duckie, go!

Race: 1:01 p.m., Kalākaua Avenue bridge, Ala Wai Canal; pre-race festivities: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Honolulu Coffee Experience Center, 1800 Kalākaua Ave., ucpahi.org

Noodle Fest Hawai‘i

March 24

Photo: Courtesy of Noodle Festival Hawaiʻi



Joining the ranks of Spam Jam and Rice Fest, another one of Hawai‘i’s favorite foods gets its own festival. Eat noodle selections from 12 local restaurants, including Goma Tei, Asahi Grill and The Pig & The Lady/Piggy Smalls, compete in a fastest-udon-eating contest (with udon provided by Tsuru Ton Tan), listen to live music at the entertainment stage and shop cool noodle-themed merch in the retail section.

Free admission (prices vary per station), 3 to 9 p.m., Auahi Street, fronting Ward Center, 1240 Ala Moana Blvd., noodlefesthawaii.com