7 Absolutely Free Honolulu Events to Check Out in January 2018

Start the new year right with celebrations, networking, community service and more.

By Lennie Omalza

Hatsumōde 2018

JAN. 1

Photo: Courtesy of Irene Takizawa



The new year is here! In the Japanese community, it is the most important of all cultural holidays, with millions of people visiting a shrine on this special day. Embrace the spirit of this occasion by receiving a blessing for 2018, getting your head “bitten” by a Japanese lion for good luck and partaking in ozoni mochi soup and gold-flake-infused sake.

Midnight to 5 p.m., Hawaiʻi Kotohira Jinsha - Hawaiʻi Dazaifu Tenmangu, 1239 Olomea St., e-shrine.org

SEE ALSO: Ring in 2018 with These Fun New Year Cultural Celebrations in Honolulu

First Friday at Hawaiʻi State Art Museum

JAN. 5

Photo: Courtesy of Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts



Admission is always free at HiSAM’s monthly family-friendly fete. The first Friday of the year will feature Ronald J. K. Loo, a slack-key guitarist and professor at Windward Community College who is recognized as a slack-key master by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

6 to 9 p.m., Hawaiʻi State Art Museum, 250 S. Hotel St., sfca.hawaii.gov

Sony Open in Hawaiʻi

JAN. 8 to 14

Photo: David Croxford



Sony Open in Hawaiʻi is the largest charity golf event in the Islands and celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. More than 100 of the greatest golf professionals from around the world gather at Waiʻalae Country Club to raise funds for local nonprofits. Admission is free for most of the events during the first three days. Check the website for details.

Times vary, Waiʻalae Country Club, 4997 Kāhala Ave., sonyopeninhawaii.com

Kupu’s 10th Annual Martin Luther King Service Day

JAN. 15

Photo: Kelli Bullock



Martin Luther King Jr. Day is recognized by Congress as a national day of service. Spend your holiday with nonprofit organizations Kupu and Mālama Maunalua and natural-resource-management company Pono Pacific for a community workday at Maunalua Bay. Help restore the marine environment by removing invasive limu from our Island waters. Since 2009, a team of dedicated volunteers and staff has removed more than 3 million pounds of invasive algae.

8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Maunalua Bay Beach Park, 6505 Kalaniana‘ole Highway., malamamaunalua.org

New Year, New You, Ladies Night Out + Networking Social

JAN. 17

Photo: Courtesy of Honolulu Housewives in the City



Calling all ladies! Kick off 2018 by meeting some amazing women and connecting with local business owners. Bring your business cards and get ready to network, mingle and shop. The first 50 guests will receive a swag bag full of goodies. Register online.

5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Eating House 1849 Waikīkī, 2330 Kalākaua Ave., #322, eventbrite.com

Aloha Home Market

JAN. 21

Photo: Courtesy of Aloha Home Market



Shop, enter all-day-long giveaways and enjoy coffee and scones at January’s Aloha Home Market. The monthly Kailua event features locally made furniture, art, housewares and more.

8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., 25 Maluniu Ave., Kailua, barefootagent.com/aloha-home-market

Film Screening of Dhanak

JAN. 21



Held in connection with the exhibition Irresistible Resist: The Art of Indian Dyes and Design, on view through Feb. 11, Dhanak is the story of a blind boy who crosses the Rajasthani desert to meet movie star Shah Rukh Khan. Seating is first-come, first-served.

2 to 3:45 p.m., East-West Center Gallery, John A. Burns Hall, 1601 East-West Road, arts.eastwestcenter.org