HoMA Nights

HoMA Nights has been reimagined and revitalized as Honolulu’s go to destination for a date night or pau hana. Happening every Friday from 6 to 9 p.m., HoMA Nights offers an engaging evening of art, live music, special programming and activities, and dinner and drinks. Throughout July, HoMA Nights will have surf-themed music, films, and activities as part of the 15th Annual Honolulu Surf Film Festival, which takes place July 11 to Aug. 4.

Friday, July 5

Music: Aloha Got Soul; Café; 6-8 p.m.
Activity: Lawn games; Central Courtyard; 6-9 p.m.
Café: Dinner and drinks

Friday, July 12

Music: Temple Waves; Palm Courtyard; 6-8 p.m.
Activity: Social Scavenger Hunt; Palm Courtyard; 6-7 p.m.; chance to win two VIP passes to the Honolulu Surf Film Festival
Artmaking Workshop: Composition and Design: An Artist’s Perspective; 6 p.m.; Registration required at https://honolulumuseum.org/adult-classes/19472/
Film: Maya and the Wave; Doris Duke Theatre; 7 p.m.
Café: Dinner and drinks

Friday, July 19

Music: Tuesday on Mars
Activity: Lawn games; Central Courtyard; 6-9 p.m.
Film: Corners of the Earth: Kamchatka; Doris Duke Theatre; 7 p.m.
Café: Dinner and drinks

Art Talk: How Miyabi Works; Gallery 3; 7 p.m.
Included with museum admission, free for residents and members, registration required at honolulumuseum.org/events

HoMA Nights guests can get the inside scoop on art during the period covered in the Hulu series “Shogun.” Robert Huey, University of Hawai’i Professor of Japanese Literature, will be in the exhibition “Miyabi: Renaissance of Court Culture” to talk about how miyabi, translated as “courtly elegance,” is achieved in traditional Japanese culture. According to Huey, miyabi comes through competition, ordering, and polishing, and relies on a shared understanding of the cultural past.

Friday, July 26

Music: Backset Band; Palm Courtyard; 6-8 p.m.
Activity: Lawn games; Central Courtyard; 6-9 p.m.
Film: Surf Like a Girl 2024; Doris Duke Theatre; 7 p.m.
Local Designer Pop-up: Malai Hawaii; HoMA Shop; 4-8 p.m.
Café: Dinner and drinks

Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea–Sovereignty Restoration Day
Sunday, July 28 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Kamaʻāina receive free entrance to the museum. HoMA encourages the public to attend Lā Ho‘iho‘i Ea festivities in Thomas Square Park then visit the museum to see exhibitions such as “Ke Kumu Aupuni: The Foundation of Nationhood” and “Kapulani Landgraf: ‘Au‘a.”

Art Talk
Kū I Ka Mana: Caring for Communities
Sunday, July 28 at 2 p.m.; Doris Duke Theatre
Included with museum admission, free for members, registration required at honolulumuseum.org/events

As part of programming for “Kapulani Landgraf: ‘Au‘a,” artist Kapulani Landgraf is joined by activists and community leaders Lynette Cruz, Kaheleonolani Dukelow, Walter Ritte, and Tammy Smith to discuss the challenges, strategies, and victories embedded in the customary practices of kapu, mālama, and aloha as a means to protect, sustain, and empower Kanaka ‘Ōiwi communities. Moderated by Mehanaokalā Hind.

15th Annual Honolulu Surf Film Festival
The 15th Annual Honolulu Surf Film Festival (HSFF) returns with a primo lineup of shorts and features from Hawaiʻi and around the world as well as events, talk story sessions and other programming from July 11 to Aug. 4. All film tickets are $12 for members and $15 for general admission and are available for purchase at honolulumuseum.org/theatre.

The HSFF opens with a reception and screening of “The Shape of Things: The Dick Brewer Story” on Thursday, July 11. Tickets to the opening reception are $40 for members and $45 for general admission. The reception in Luce Pavilion starts at 6 p.m. and includes live music by Men in Grey Suits, a buffet dinner at the HoMA Café, and a cash bar. Media is invited to attend the opening reception.

“The Shape of Things” screens at 7:30 p.m. and will be followed by a post-screening talk story.  

Throughout the month-long festival, films will look back at the history of surfing as well as look to its future. Closing out the HSFF on August 4, a special afternoon screening of Bud Browne’s “Locked In!” will be followed by a talk story panel of intergenerational surfing luminaries. 

HSFF Films:

The Shape of Things: The Dick Brewer Story
Directed by Bob Campi. 2024. USA. World premiere. 58 min.
Thursday, July 11 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, July 20 at 2 p.m.

This chronicle of surfing’s “da Vinci of design” dives into the mysterious and rollercoaster life of Dick Brewer at the forefront of a burgeoning surf culture in the 1960s and 70s. Post-screening discussions with the filmmakers and special guests to follow both screenings. 

Point of Change
Directed by Rebecca Coley. 2023. UK. 90 min.  
Friday, July 12 at 2 p.m. and Sunday, July 14 at 2 p.m.

Stumbling across the perfect wave in 1975, two surfers start a chain reaction of unintended consequences on the isolated Indonesian island of Nias. Screens with “Movers and Shapers,” directed by Ciara Kelleher and Alanna MacNamee.

Maya and the Wave
Directed by Stephanie Johnes. 2022. USA. 95 min.  
Friday, July 12 at 7 p.m.

After a brush with death, Maya Gabeira makes history in the male-dominated world of big wave surfing. 

Many Classic Moments
Directed by Gary Capo. 1978. USA. 70 min.  
Saturday, July 13 at 2 p.m. and Friday, July 19 at 2 p.m.

A new restoration of the1978 classic showcasing talents of the era—such as Dane Kealoha and Mark Liddell--set to an original soundtrack by Kalapana. Much of the footage was shot on the North Shore and other O‘ahu spots. Preceded by “Surf Wars,” directed by Gary Capo.

The Road to Patagonia
Directed by Matty Hannon. 2023. Australia. 91 min.  
Saturday, July 13 at 7 p.m. and Thursday, July 18 at 2 p.m.

This stunning documentary tracks a surfer’s journey from Alaska to the tip of Patagonia by motorcycle and horse. Preceded by “Kin,” directed by Lauren L. Hill. 

Corners of the Earth: Kamchatka
Directed by Spencer Frost. 2023. Australia. 90 min.  
Friday, July 19 at 7 p.m.

Follow a group of filmmakers and surfers as they journey to the far east of Russia in search of new waves along the frozen, unexplored coastline. Preceded by “Bloody Mess,” directed by Gustav Hugo Olsson. 

Trilogy: New Wave
Directed by Andrew Mackenzie. 2024. USA. 73 min.  
Saturday, July 20 at 7 p.m.

Follow three of the best surfers in the world—Griffin Colapinto, Seth Moniz, and Ethan Ewing—on an epic eight-trip surf adventure.  

Uncle Bully’s Surf Skool
Directed by Leah Warshawski and Todd Soliday. 2023. Hawaiʻi. 39 min.  
Sunday, July 21 at 2 p.m.

A film about Maui surf instructor Bull “Bully” Kotter and the power of one person to shape a more hopeful future for our community. A Q+A with the directors and cast will follow the screening. Preceded by “Ministry of Surf,” directed by Collins Reagan. 

Calypte
Directed by Ishka Folkwell. 2023. Australia. 88 min.  
Thursday, July 25 at 2 p.m.

Torren Martyn and Aiyana Powell embark on an epic surfing and sailing adventure in Southeast Asia. 

Spotlight: Basque Country
Friday, July 26 at 2 p.m.

See three films that showcase the history of surfing in the Basque Country and the adventures of the surfers and surf filmmakers that call it home. 

Mundaka: The Legendary Day
Directed by Jon Aspuru. 2023. Spain. 30 min. Spanish with English subtitles.   

Beyond Frames
Directed by Samuel Müller. 2023. Spain. 13 min. Spanish with English subtitles.

Feather in the Wind
Directed by Alex Heitler. 2024. France. 43 min. Spanish with English subtitles.

Surf Like a Girl 2024
Friday, July 26 at 7 p.m.

A collection of films from around the world showcasing empowerment and sisterhood in and out of the waves. 

Camilla
Directed by Sebastian Bechtel. 2023. Germany. 10 min. German with English subtitles.   

The Granny Grommets
Directed by Leah Rustomjee. 2023. UK. 9 min. 

Emergence
Directed by Amanda Prifti. 2023. USA. 6 min. Spanish with English subtitles.

Mahoroba
Directed by Naoko Hara. 2023. Japan. 23 min. Japanese with English subtitles. 

WOMP
Directed by Hannah Walsh. 2023. USA. 10 min. 

Convergence
Directed by Perry Gershkow. 2023. USA. 43 min.  
Saturday, July 27 at 2 p.m. and Thursday, Aug. 1 at 2 p.m.

“Convergence” follows Golden State surf icons Conner Coffin, Nate Tyler and Greyson Fletcher as they travel up the coast to surf, skate, share cold ones and reflect on the journey their love for surfing and the Californian way of life has taken them. Preceded by “Spicy Knives,” directed by Jon Aspuru. Post-screening Q+A with director Perry Gershkow on Thursday, Aug. 1 at 2p.m.

Wave Warriors 
Directed by Bill Philips. 1985. USA. 40 min.  
Saturday, July 27 at 7 p.m. and Friday, Aug. 2 at 2 p.m.

This newly restored 1980s classic captures the era’s greats at Sunset and Pipeline. A post-screening panel discussion with special guests to follow the screening. 

Some Like It Classic
Directed by Romain Juchereau. 2024. USA. 74 min.  
Friday, Aug. 2 at 7 p.m.

This beautiful 16mm film documents longboarding and early hotdogging through some of the most influential surfboard evolution designs in history. 

Of the Sea (Sou Do Mar)
Directed by Bruno Lemos. 2023. Brazil/Hawaiʻi. 75 min.  
Saturday, Aug. 3 at 2 p.m.

The story of Bruno Lemos, a Brazilian surfer who became a successful surf photographer in Hawaiʻi.

HSFF 2024 Shorts 
Saturday, Aug. 3 at 7 p.m.

See a lineup of shorts showcasing the ever-expanding reach of surfing and surf culture throughout the world.

Locked in! + Talk Story
Sunday, Aug. 4 at 5 p.m.

HoMA continues its collaboration with the Bud Browne Film Archives to present Bud Browne’s film short “Yesterday” followed by his epic classic “Locked In!” A post-screening talk story with local surf luminaries such as Jock Sutherland, Jeannie Chesser and Joey Cabell to follow—it has become a surf world tradition.

Special thanks to the 2024 festival committee members Manny Aloha and Crystal Thornburg-Homcy. Major support for the festival provided by Aqua-Aston Hospitality.

Images available on request.