Editor’s note: This summary, first published in 2025, has been updated for this year.
Ben Franklin Crafts
This local craft store not only sells the materials you need for new artistic endeavors, but also hosts them classes that can help you start your journey. You can learn to crochet lei, make resin coasters, assemble key chains and more.
Multiple locations, benfranklinhawaii.com, @bfcrafts
SEE ALSO: 42 amazing things to do
Photo: Courtesy of Downtown Art Center
Downtown Art Center
The DAC offers art classes every month, some stand-alone and others in several sessions. Making Art for Art’s Sake Saturday features a different workshop each week, from wood burning to marble painting.
1041 Nu’uanu Ave., Downtown, downtownarthi.org, @downtownartcenter
Photos: Courtesy of Fishschool
Fish cakes
Fishcake’s Fishschool art studio hosts a variety of workshops, from sewing to making clay trinkets. If you’ve ever wanted to try wheel throwing, introductory classes are offered periodically. And if you fall in love, you can apply for open studio membership to continue your pottery practice.
307C Kamani St., Kaka’ako, fish cake.us, @fishschoolhawaii
SEE ALSO: Feed your artistic appetite with Fishschool classes
Photo: Courtesy of Hana Kitchens
Hana kitchens
Learn how to cook pasta, sushi, pastries and more from local chefs while enjoying a meal cooked by your instructor, often paired with wine or another spirit. All January classes are sold out. Follow Hana Kitchens on Instagram and sign up for the email newsletter to receive the latest updates on upcoming classes available.
55 Merchant St., Suite 20, Downtown, hanakitchens.com, @hanakitchens
SEE ALSO: Expand your culinary horizons with expert-led cooking classes
Well, WE ARE ORDERED
Don’t let the name of the hui fool you; her classes cover much more than hand weaving. All textiles and fiber are explored, from needlepoint to boro sashiko and loom weaving.
Downtown Art Center, 1041 Nu’uanu Ave., Second Floor, Downtown, hawaiihandweavers.org, @hawaiihandweavershui
Photo: Courtesy of HiClimb
HiClimb
Kaka’ako Climbing Gym offers Climbing 101 for beginners that covers knots, belaying (rope management), harnesses and climbing, as well as two-day passes and rental equipment, all for $60 per kama’āina. Alternatively, a first visit it comes with rental equipment and a faster introduction to climbing, plus kama’āina enjoys a discounted rate for the first visit of $29, then $32 for a return visit. In addition, a day pass gives you access to the establishment yoga i fitness classes, which must be booked in advance. There is also a weekly class dedicated to empowering women with rope and lead climbing skills.
825WAHOLwai ST. HALLAKOA ST. HalakalaKoki, hawaiiclimb.com, @hiclimbhawaii
Photo: Courtesy of the Honolulu Museum of Art
Honolulu Museum of Art
Artists of all ages can learn at HoMA, with some classes dedicated to keiki, ‘ohana and kūpuna. For the spring session, which runs from April to June, registration will open on February 24 at 10 a.m. Options include Drawing, Painting, Ceramics, Fiber Arts, Printmaking, Multimedia and Metallurgy and Jewelry. Shorter classes are also available, from drawing to oil painting and printmaking, for adults and keiki.
900 and ULTIM ST. honolulumuseum.org, @honolulumuseum
Photo: Denise Karabinus
Honolulu Stampers
Learn all things printmaking, from screen printing to intaglio and risography, at this downtown studio. Although most of the classes hosted on the site are for a fee, there are occasional free workshops. Coming soon: Woodblock Embossing at Hawai’i Plantation Village’s New Year’s Celebration on February 7th, plus Learn to Screen Print Valentines at the Waldorfaire at the Waldorf School of Honolulu on February 14th. Follow Honolulu Printmakers on Instagram for the latest class updates.
888 Mililani St., Suite 701, Downtown, honoluluprintmakers.org, @honoluluprintmakers
Iuliu Kilaco
Every second Sunday of the month, ‘Iolani Palace hosts Kama’āina Sunday, a free event for local families to enjoy music, entertainment and crafts. Previous craft workshops have covered how to make lei kupe’e (bracelets), lauhala anthuriums and feather hairpieces. Some classes require registration, while others are welcome.
364 S King St., Downtown, iolanipalace.org, @olawalaluughi
Photos: Courtesy of Nendo Studio Hawai’i
Nendo Studio Hawai’i
Formerly known as Hawai’i Ceramic Supply, this ceramics studio offers introductory wheel-throwing classes that can be done in series or individually, with all materials and firing included. There are even private lessons for one or three students. Or if you want to do a single project at a time, check out the upcoming one- or two-day pottery workshops, which include making a maneki neko (lucky cat) and a handmade mug.
1920 Colburn St. SUE LINK, KUIL, nendostudiohawaii.com, @nendostudiohawaii
North Shore Arts Center
Pottery, glass, and goldsmithing are crafts taught here in this studio space at the Waialua Sugar Mill. A variety of introductory and intermediate classes are offered, as well as one-day workshops, children’s classes and date nights. If you are truly inspired to continue your art, sign up aa membership to fully access the study.
106 Ke Keoui Story, Fire, DOSA; nsartscenter.com, @northshoreartscenter
Parks and recreation
Registration is open for the Parks & Rec Spring program. Activities range from archery and canoeing to cooking and lei making, with many tailored for keiki and kūpuna. There are even virtual offerings, and best of all, many classes are free.
Click on “Activities” a pros8.hnl.info
SEE ALSO: In the Mood for Lei: Where to Take Lei Making Classes on O’ahu
Queen Emma’s summer palace
Learn to do yoga mixed with Hawaiian healing practices and sew a Hawaiian quilt at Hānaiakamalama. Classes are held weekly and general admission is just $5 ($2 for members). There is also a free weekly ukulele class (bring your own instrument).
2910 Photography Shore High, Timhah, daughtersofhawaii.org, @queenemmasummerpalace
Andrea Lee is the digital publisher of HONOLULU Magazine.
