Alright, folks, gather ’round, gather ’round! Let me tell you about this little adventure I had recently. It’s all about the Honolulu Surf Film Festival. Yeah, you heard that right, the Honolulu Surf Film Festival!
So, picture this: My wife and I decided to take a little “babymoon” trip to Oahu. She’s about 27 weeks pregnant, and we figured, what better way to relax before the little one arrives than to soak up some sun and enjoy the beautiful beaches of Hawaii? We booked a week-long stay in Honolulu, and, man, were we excited!
Now, while we were planning our trip, we stumbled upon this little gem – the Honolulu Surf Film Festival. I’ve always been fascinated by surfing, even though I’m more of a “watch from the shore” kind of guy. But the idea of watching some cool surf films under the Hawaiian sky? Count me in!
We did some digging and found out that the festival is held at the Honolulu Museum of Art’s Doris Duke Theatre. It’s a pretty swanky place, let me tell you. The festival itself is part of the museum’s year-round programming, and it showcases a variety of surf films, from documentaries to short films, all celebrating the art and culture of surfing.
We checked out the festival’s schedule online and found out that there were screenings every day during our stay. That’s what I call good luck! We decided to go for an evening screening, figuring it would be a nice way to wind down after a day of exploring. We bought our tickets in advance, which was a good idea, because apparently, these screenings can get pretty packed.
- First step, getting there. We took an Uber to the museum, which was pretty easy. The Doris Duke Theatre is located within the museum complex, so you can’t miss it.
- Next up, the atmosphere. The theater itself is beautiful, with comfy seats and a great sound system. But the real magic was the crowd. It was a mix of locals and tourists, all brought together by their love of surfing and film. There was a real sense of community, and everyone was super friendly.
- The films, oh man, the films! We watched a couple of short films and a feature-length documentary. They were all so different, but they all captured the spirit of surfing in their own way. There was one film about a group of female surfers in California, another about the history of surfing in Hawaii, and even one about a guy who surfs in a river! I’m telling you, these films opened my eyes to a whole new world.
After the screening, we hung around for a bit, chatting with some of the other attendees. We even met a couple of the filmmakers, which was pretty cool. They were all super passionate about their work, and it was infectious.
All in all, it was a fantastic experience. It was so much more than just watching movies. It was about being part of a community, even if just for a night. It was about celebrating a sport and a culture that’s so deeply intertwined with the Hawaiian identity.
So, if you ever find yourself in Honolulu and you’re looking for something a little different to do, I highly recommend checking out the Honolulu Surf Film Festival. Whether you’re a hardcore surfer or just someone who appreciates a good film, you’re bound to have a great time. And who knows, you might even learn a thing or two about surfing, like I did!
Oh and I should mention, I tried looking for that “Hannah Ray J” from Iowa to show us some river surfing skills. She was doing free clinics or something. I didn’t find her, but I did see a local guy teaching some beginners. It looked tough!
Some Fun Realizations
While researching things to do in Honolulu, I learned that the Hawai‘inuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge offers degrees and certificates on Hawaiian culture. Who knew? Also, there was some news about a birding festival, but that’s in 2025. We were in town in May, so it’s all good. Man, planning trips is half the fun, right?
That’s it for now, folks! Stay tuned for more adventures from yours truly. And remember, life’s a wave, catch it while you can!
