Kona Nui Nights

While roaming about Ward Village, we noticed recent announcements of new monthly events such as Kona Nui Nights and Courtyard Brunch in addition to their other popular Center Events. Their other free events feature weekly yoga sessions, Courtyard cinema, Mahalo Tuesdays, Kaka’ako Farmers Market, hula classes and Country line dance classes. For future event schedules you can check out the website for Ward Village or sign up for their emails. These events help to create a sense of community and family in the Kaka’ako area.
These free events are open to the public however the more intimate events such as Kona Nui Nights and Courtyard Cinema require registration for tickets. If you want «IN» you can sign up online through Ward Village or through Eventbrite. You must show your ID along with your tickets. Kona Nui Nights promptly starts at 6:00 PM and ends at 9:00 PM. Patio-​type seating is provided under a big tent. Lots of parking is at the Ward Village Shops parking structure or at Ward Centre’s parking structure.
Kona Nui Nights is a celebration or honoring of Hawaiian language, culture and music. There are hula performances by well-​known local hula hālau. Unfortunately, one of tonight’s scheduled performers, Sean Na’auao, a slack key guitarist, canceled. Tonight we were treated to the talents of Jeff Rasmussen, Robi Kahakalau, Hālau Ke Kai O Kahiki (2010 Merrie Monarch Men’s Division & 4-​time winners) and Na Hoku Award winner Natalie Ai Kamauu.
Tonight’s food is provided by La Creperie and a cash bar by Freespirits Mobile bartendering.
Kona Nui Nights is a wonderful and exciting night of entertainment under the stars. We were surprised that this event wasn’t filled… it was 3 hours that just blew by. We can’t wait until the next Kona Nui Nights which is scheduled for October 21^st, Wednesday.
# 401

Kona Nui nights is a great (free!!) monthly event hosted by ward village. In the little courtyard of the IBM building, ward sets up a magnificent tent and brings amazing performers to entertain attendees with Hawaiian music and dance. I can’t believe this event isn’t more popular. With performers like performances Nā Mamo o Pu’uanahulu, Roddy Lopez, Jeff Rasmussen and Robi Kahakalau, they could charge an arm and a leg and people would still want to come!
My aunty invited my family to the event and reminded us to reserve tickets online; this is how you get in! Even though the event is free, you need to reserve tickets online. I reluctantly agreed to go, not expecting there to be such great performers at a free event. However, I had nothing else planned on a Sunday evening and went along.
Our «tickets» were checked at the entrance to the event and we found a seats in the very comfy and relaxed «we are ward» lounge chairs. From there we were serenaded with classic Hawaiian music and sat 5 feet away from the award winning halau of Sonny Ching (one of my favorite halaus when watching Merrie Monarch!). I have to brag and say that I used to be in this halau when I was younger. But that doesn’t make my admiration any less credible; this halau is seriously amazing.
Food and drink are available for purchase as well, but there isn’t a lot of variety. You can always plan on going to dinner at one of the ward center restaurants after the event – there are a lot to choose from.
Another great part of this event was the old IBM building’s new bathrooms. Gorgeous. A little confusing, but gorgeous!
I was a little disappointed with small details of the event… I don’t think they did enough to promote themselves or the performers, as there were no announcements or flyers about next month’s event or where to see the performers on a normal basis. This event has so much potential, especially because they brought in such amazing talent. I can’t wait for next month’s Kona Nui nights! Woooo!