SATURDAY
>> Waikiki Spam Jam returns to showcase new cuisines
Spam, Spam, Spam, baked bodies and Spam. That’s what you can expect at the Waikiki Spam Jam, which returns on Saturday.
A wide-range of Spam-based concoctions will be offered. Some intriguing options: Flour & Barley’s Aloha Pie (pizza with Spam, bacon, Maui Gold pineapple, mozzarella and Calabrian Chili, $7); Ono Pops’ PB&J (made with peanut butter ice cream and jaboticaba jam, incorporating the pulpy Brazilian fruit, along with candied Spam bites, $4); and Spam Fries, offered by Hormel Foods, the creator of Spam.
Check out llinois cook Jim Cutler’s Spam Monkey Bread (cinnamon sugar-coated biscuit dough, Spam, Hormel Bacon, topped with a browned butter-bourbon sauce), which won the Great American Spam Championship in March. It’ll be available at the Basalt restaurant booth.
WAIKIKI SPAM JAM 2018
>> Where: Kalakaua Avenue, Waikiki
>> When: 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday
>> Cost: Free admission
>> Info: spamjamhawaii.com
Three stages of entertainment will keep you busy as you bite. Highlights include Jeff Rassmussen and Robi Kahakalau at 6:15 p.m, and Maunalua at 8:30 p.m. in front of the Moana Surfrider hotel; one-woman band Olivia Thai at 6:30 p.m. and Close the Distance (the former EMKE) at 8:30 p.m. in front of the Royal Hawaiian Center; and an evening of hula halau in front of Hyatt Waikiki.
Don’t forget to bring a can of Spam to donate to the Hawaii FoodBank. The Foodbank, Waikiki Community Center and the Visitor Aloha Society will also accept monetary donations.
>> Waimea Valley Park launches annual moon walking event
There’s nothing like the light of the moon. Debussy expressed its warm mystery with his “Clair de Lune.”
You can enjoy the light of a full moon on the North Shore of Oahu this weekend, amidst the beautiful Waimea Valley, as the park and cultural site launches its annual series of Moon Walk events. Visitors can set their own pace along the main path to the valley’s famous 45-foot waterfall, enjoying the nighttime views and shadows.
WAIMEA VALLEY MOON WALK
>> Where: Waimea Valley
>> When: 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Saturday (moon walk entry at those times only); dinner buffet starts at 6 p.m.
>> Cost: $10 for moon walk; $17.50 to $34.95 for dinner buffet (walk included)
>> Info: 638-7766, waimeavalley.net
The evening includes a presentation on the importance of the moon in Hawaiian culture.
“They are an opportunity for us to share how significant the Hawaiian lunar phases are and what they meant to the lives of Native Hawaiians,” said Richard Pezzulo, executive director of Waimea Valley, in a statement.
If you want to make an evening of it, Ke Nui Kitchen offers a dinner buffet at the site, featuring a taco bar and other Latin specialities.
Additional moon walks this year are scheduled for May 31, June 29, July 27, August 30, Sept. 29 and Oct. 27.
TUESDAY
>> Robert Cazimero and his halau perform on Lei Day
May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii, and it only seems appropriate that May Day brings out the best in Hawaiian entertainment.
Bishop Museum’s celebration, May Day on the Great Lawn, will be hard to beat. The great Robert Cazimero and his Halau Na Kamalei o Lilihua headline the show, with Vicky Holt Takamine’s Pua Ali’i ‘Ilima, Mapuana de Silva’s Halau Mohala ‘Ilima, Michael Pili Pang’s Halau Hula Ka No’eau and Manu Boyd’s Halau o Ke ‘A’ali’i Ku Makani as guests. Each of these renowned kumu hula and their halau will be a treat.
MAY DAY ON THE GREAT LAWN
With Halau Na Kamalei o Lilihua, Halau Mohala Ilima, Halau Hula Ka Noeau and Halau o Ke Aalii Ku Makani
>> Where: Bishop Museum
>> When: 4:30 p.m. Tuesday
>> Cost: $25-$100
>> Info: greatlawnhawaii.com
Cazimero will also feature the gifted young trios Keauhou and Ei Nei, and seminal island music band Kapena will open the event. A portion of proceeds will benefit for Groove Child Charities and Bishop Museum.
If you prefer a beachside celebration, head to Waikiki, where two events will celebrate Lei Day.
An all-day celebration at Kapiolani Park features lei-making demonstrations by Hawaiian artisans, talk story sessions, and a lei exhibit from 1 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Entertainment includes the investiture ceremony of the Lei Court at 11 a.m. and music by the Hawaiin Steel Guitar Association from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit 808ne.ws/cityleiday for more info.
On the beach in front of the The Royal Hawaiian, a May Day celebration runs from 3 to 5 p.m. and honors the Waikiki Beach Boys, with a concert by Henry Kapono and guests following. Visit facebook.com/MayDayWaikiki to watch live online.
WEDNESDAY-MAY 5
>> John Mayall returns to Blue Note Hawaii
Master bluesman John Mayall returns to Blue Note Hawaii, sporting a new album and more accolades for the musician named “the Godfather of British Blues.”
After performances here two years ago in which he featured so much material that he didn’t repeat anything in his two shows, he’s giving eight shows this time around over four nights, and there’s likely to be a lot of variety from night to night.
JOHN MAYALL
Presented by Blue Note Hawaii
>> Where: Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, 2335 Kalakaua Ave.
>> When: 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Wednesday through May 5
>> Cost: $29.75 to $45
>> Info: 777-4890, bluenotehawaii.com
Mayall has just added to his opus of more than 60 recordings with the 2017 album “Three for the Road,” recorded during live performances in Germany. “One of the top live performance albums of the year,” said Blues Blast Magazine, singling out Mayall’s keyboard talent.
Mayall is famous for his guitar and harmonica chops, which brought him notice during his early breakout years playing with his band, the Bluesbreakers. Blues Hall of Famer-to-be Eric Clapton and future Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Jack Bruce cut their teeth with Bluesbreakers, who would continue until 2008 when Mayall was in his 70s.
He’ll be joined by bassist Greg Rzab and drummer Jay Davenport, who comprised the trio on “Three for the Road”; and Carolyn Wonderland, a guitarist and singer whose powerful voice has drawn comparisons to Janis Joplin.
Correction: John Mayall will appear at Blue Note Hawaii starting Wednesday through May 5. The original version of this story contained incorrect information.