Longer days and later sunsets during Hawaii’s summer months make them prime for enjoying outdoor musical events. Oahu has five concert series to look forward to; four are casual, the fifth less so.
Roy Sakuma returns to emcee The Wildest Show in Town, the Honolulu Zoo’s popular family-oriented event. In keeping with Sakuma’s promotion of all things concerning the ukulele, someone in the audience will win an instrument each week. Raiatea Helm opens this year’s series at the zoo on Wednesday.
The Waikiki Aquarium’s Ke Kani o ke Kai concerts are back for a series of Thursday sunset concerts, starting with a triple bill — Ben & Maila, Kawika Kahiapo and Chad Takatsugi — on Thursday. All but one of the other shows on the schedule are also three-fers. The one exception is June 23, when Streetlight Cadence returns from Los Angeles to open for HAPA.
On the Windward side, Sea Life Park has been the scene for an assortment of evening concert events in years past. That tradition continues when Amy Hanaiali‘i and Hoku Zuttermeister play the first of three Twilight Concerts there June 25.
Waimea Falls Park has assembled a Saturday afternoon Summer Concert Series designed to make the trip to the North Shore worthwhile for those in other reaches of Oahu. Each concert showcases widely known Hawaiian artists and halau hula — and all for a bargain price.
For something more formal, a new Mele at the Moana concert series continues through November, held on the last Friday of the month at the Moana’s Banyan Courtyard. Four can attend at a competitive price: $80 with a pupu plate included. A $100 dinner option is something to consider for a special night out.
THE WILDEST SHOW IN TOWN
Where: Honolulu Zoo
When: 4:35 p.m. gates; music at 6 p.m.; Wednesdays, June 8-Aug. 10
Cost: $3 (under 3 free)
Info: 926-3191 or honoluluzoo.org
Schedule:
June 8 — Raiatea Helm
June 15 — Manoa DNA
June 22 — Roy Sakuma’s Super Keiki
June 29 — Hoku Zuttermeister
July 6 — Rolando Sanchez & Salsa Hawaii
July 13 — Willie K
July 20 — Ohta-san with Nando Suan
July 27 — Kapena
Aug. 3 — Artist TBA
Aug. 10 — Artist TBA
KE KANI O KE KAI
Where: Waikiki Aquarium 2777 Kalakaua Ave.
When: 5:30 p.m. gates; music at 7 p.m., June 9 and 23, July 7 and 21, and Aug. 4
Cost: $20-$50; children under 4 are free. Series package, $75-$200. Includes admission to aquarium.
Info: 923-9741 or waikikiaquarium.org
Schedule:
June 9 — Ben & Maila, Kawika Kahiapo and Chad Takatsugi
June 23 — Streetlight Cadence and HAPA
July 7 — Kupaoa, Mark Yamanaka and Amy Hanaiali‘i
July 21 — Lehua Kalima, Maunalua and Raiatea Helm
Aug. 4 — Jeff Peterson, Melveen Leed and Natalie Ai Kamauu
MELE AT THE MOANA
Where: Moana Surfrider, 2365 Kalakaua Ave.
When: Entertainment starts at 5 p.m.; headliner plays two 45-minute sets starting at 7 p.m.; last Friday of the month through Nov. 28
Cost: $80 preferred courtyard seating for four includes pupu platter; $100 per person includes “surf and turf” dinner, champagne and parking
Info: 550-8457 or honoluluboxoffice.com
Schedule:
June 24 — Jeff Peterson
July 29 — John Cruz
Aug. 26 — Cyril Pahinui with Jeff Au Hoy and Peter Moon Jr.
Sept. 30 — Willie K, pictured
Oct. 18 — Pomaika‘i Keawe Lyman
Nov. 28 — Raiatea Helm & Friends
TWILIGHT CONCERT SERIES
Where: Sea Life Park Hawaii, 41-202 Kalanianaole Highway
When: 5:30 p.m. gates; music starts at 7 p.m.; June 25, July 16, Aug. 13 (all Saturdays)
Cost: $49.50, ($39.50 presale), additional discounts for season pass holders
Info: 259-2500 or sealifeparkhawaii.com
Schedule:
June 25 — Amy Hanaiali’i and Hoku Zuttermeister
July 16 — Anuhea and Makaha Sons
Aug. 13 — Na Leo Pilimehana and Willie K
SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: MELE KULAIWA
Where: Waimea Falls Park, 59-864 Kamehameha Highway
When: 3 p.m. June 25, July 30 and Aug. 27 (all Saturdays)
Cost: $15 (adults) and $10 (children and seniors); discounts available for individual presale tickets ($12/$8) and concert series ($30/$20)
Info: waimeavalley.net
Schedule:
June 25 — Nathan Aweau, Sean Na‘auao, Maunalua, Maila Gibson & Ben Vegas and Kumu Hula Maelia Lobenstein-Carter & Ka Pa Hula o Kauanoe o Wa‘ahila
July 30 — Kapena, Raiatea Helm, Brother Noland, Mailani Makainai and Kumu Hula Tracie & Keawe Lopes & Ka La Onohi Mai o Ha‘e Ha‘e
Aug. 27 — Del Beazley, Mark Yamanaka, Kupaoa, Kawika Kahiapo, the Lim Ohana and Kumu Hula Hiwa Vaughan & Halau Hula Ke Lehua Tuahine
