Hawaii Celebrates Landmark Entertainment Events in 2025

A series of remarkable entertainment events shaped Hawaii’s cultural landscape in 2025, featuring a groundbreaking miniseries, record-breaking concerts, and the revival of local theater. This year marked significant milestones for both established and emerging artists, solidifying Hawaii’s vibrant artistic community.

Major Productions and Performances

The Apple TV+ miniseries “Chief of War,” co-created by Jason Momoa and Thomas Pa‘a Sibbett, captured audiences with its authentic portrayal of Hawaii’s historical struggles during the late 18th century. Momoa starred as the alii Ka‘iana, supported by Native Hawaiian actor Moses Goods as Moku. The production, notable for its commitment to cultural accuracy, featured the Hawaiian language, ʻōlelo Hawaii, prominently. Most filming took place in New Zealand due to budget constraints, sparking discussions about enhancing support for Hawaii’s film industry.

In September, the community gathered to honor the late musician George “Fiji” Veikoso with a tribute concert at the Tom Moffatt Waikiki Shell. The event attracted approximately 8,100 attendees inside the venue and over 20,000 who enjoyed the concert from Kapiolani Park, utilizing large screens and sound systems. This concert became the largest one-day event in the Shell’s history, showcasing the power of music to unite people in times of mourning.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the band Kalapana held a special concert on October 4, featuring founding members alongside current artists. The performance utilized innovative technology to honor former members with re-engineered music videos, blending nostalgia with modern artistry.

The final concert at Aloha Stadium took place on October 25, featuring local legends such as Henry Kapono and the Makaha Sons. This marked a poignant moment as the venue prepared to transition into a Hawaiian-themed recreation complex, set to open in 2028. The Paradise Cove Lu‘au concluded its 47-year run on New Year’s Eve, further signaling a shift in Hawaii’s entertainment landscape.

Local Theater and New Voices

The local theater scene experienced a resurgence with several notable productions making their mark. Ballet Hawaii’s beloved rendition of “The Nutcracker” returned to the Blaisdell Concert Hall after a two-year absence, marking the farewell performances of local stars Megan Fairchild and Lucien Postlewaite, who are retiring at the end of the ballet season. The show also featured New York City Ballet principal Chun Wai Chan in a standout role.

Broadway in Hawaii brought national tours of popular musicals, including “Tina! The Tina Turner Musical,” “Six,” and “Chicago,” to the Blaisdell Concert Hall. These productions attracted enthusiastic audiences and showcased the diverse appeal of musical theater.

Emerging playwrights shone brightly this year, contributing to the rich tapestry of local theater. Allison Bruce-Maldonado made her directorial debut with “Dolls! A Toy Story,” exploring themes of interracial love in 1940s America. Similarly, Sara Ward presented her first play, “Smother,” which examined complex mother-daughter dynamics.

Other notable works included Tony Pisculli‘s “The Magic of Polly Amnesia,” a character-driven story about a mixed-race queer woman, and “Joseph Kekuku and the Voice of the Steel Guitar” by Moses Goods and Noa Gardner, which celebrated Hawaiian music history.

The Actors’ Group continued its commitment to African-American theater, presenting multiple productions from August Wilson’s Century Cycle, while former television stars Pat Sajak and Joe Moore collaborated on a stage adaptation of “Prescription: Murder,” benefitting the historic Hawaii Theatre.

As 2025 came to a close, Hawaii also faced loss. The passing of beloved actor Richard Chamberlain on March 29, just shy of his 91st birthday, and the deaths of renowned kumu hula Kealoha Kalama and musician Gary Aiko highlighted the impact of these artists on the local community and their contributions to Hawaii’s cultural legacy.

This year in entertainment not only celebrated the achievements of established figures but also embraced emerging voices, ensuring that Hawaii’s rich artistic heritage continues to thrive and evolve.