The Story of Honolulu Horror Nights
Honolulu Horror Nights, a local non-profit organization on O’ahu, has quickly become a must-attend event for horror fans in Hawai’i. What started as a passion project by Steven Hobaica, a horror fanatic since childhood, has grown into a vibrant, inclusive community celebrating all things weird and macabre. Steven, a queer individual, found solace in horror’s ability to explore the subversive, monstrous, and “othered”—much like his own experience navigating the world. After building a reputation among close friends for his love of horror and his @StevenReviewsHorror Instagram, he was repeatedly encouraged to create a film screening event. In response, Steven launched Honolulu Horror Nights in 2023 with a small screening of a French horror film. To his surprise, and despite his anxieties, nearly 50 people attended, and the monthly independent film screening events have since expanded, often selling out at 80-100 seats every month. Although this began as a small, niche event uplifting arthouse movies, it is now a thriving space where horror aficionados and curious newcomers can connect, learn, and share their love for the genre in a welcoming, queer-affirming atmosphere.
Over the past year and a half, Honolulu Horror Nights has hosted several larger events, including the 2023 Halloween Extravaganza at Nextdoor featuring drag performances, a costume contest, and a film screening, as well as the 2024 Halfway to Helloween event at Hawaiian Brian’s Social Club with trivia, a film screening, a horror rave, and a DJ set by horror legend DJ Figure. Intermixed between these larger events are more intimate film screenings, often with local artists, podcasters, and filmmakers in attendance who share their art with the audience. These events have become a staple for the local community, combining horror with a celebration of the subversive and the spirit of Halloween, year-round. Moving forward, Honolulu Horror Nights is excited to partner with local organizations and continue hosting events in venues throughout the islands. With their 501(c)(4) nonprofit status, Honolulu Horror Nights is committed to growing their contributions to the local community while delivering unique, thrilling horror experiences.
Halloween Film Recommendations, curated by Honolulu Horror Nights
Honolulu Horror Nights’ love for Halloween and horror is mirrored in their favorite Halloween films. HALLOWEEN (1978) remains an iconic slasher that incomparably embodies the feeling of the Halloween season, with Michael Myers stalking the quiet suburban streets in an unforgettable mask on the night of Halloween. For fans of extreme horror, gore, and dark humor, TERRIFIER 2 (2022) offers an unforgettable horror experience with Art the Clown’s brutal, inventive kills during the Halloween season, while exploring familiar horror tropes in new and exciting ways. And of course, TRICK ‘R TREAT (2007) is the perfect Halloween anthology, weaving together supernatural stories that capture the spooky spirit of the holiday, with just the right amount of blood and jump scares for most audiences to enjoy. These films are essential watches for any horror fan looking to embrace the darker side of Halloween. Some other favorites for the Halloween season include HOST (2020), DONNIE DARKO (2001), and CORALINE (2009).
HIFF’s Horror Programs: HIFF EXTREME
This year, the Hawai’i International Film Festival (HIFF) boasts an exciting horror film lineup that no horror fan should miss, with HIFF EXTREME. Among the standout features are SISTER MIDNIGHT, a psychological horror film exploring family dynamics, and GRAFTED, which blends body-horror with questions of identity. To celebrate its 50th anniversary, HIFF will screen a 4k restoratiaon of the seminal THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, the OG of them all. In addition, HIFF will also present the recently Venice Film Festival winning documentary CHAIN REACTIONS about ‘Texas Chainsaw’ and its landmark distinction; and the latest iteration of the V/H/S/ anthology series, the more cosmic horror-infused V/H/S/BEYOND.
Finally, many of the films, including DON’T CRY BUTTERFLY, DEAD TALENTS SOCIETY, and TERRESTRIAL uplift cultures typically not seen in horror films, with TERRESTRIAL being filmed on Maui! HIFF’s selections promise something for every horror fan, from the nostalgic to the bold.
OUT FOR BLOOD SHORTS PROGRAM
HIFF also brings an impressive horror shorts program, OUT FOR BLOOD, this season. AGONIST follows a young man who unknowingly becomes part of a cult ritual, while BINGE! explores the dangers of a TV watcher discovering a mysterious broadcast. DREAM CREEP takes viewers into an unsettling cry for help from within a partner’s ear, and LULLABY tells a haunting tale of a refugee haunted by her past. OLGA’S EYES adds dark humor with an aging vampire questioning her purpose, and WAKE delivers tense suspense as a nurse navigates a hospital during a storm. Finally, WHERE THE MOUNTAIN WOMEN SING immerses audiences in an eerie shamanic ritual in a remote Chinese village, with a strong feminist message. With its diverse range of films, HIFF’s horror program ensures an unforgettable experience for fans of the genre. After the Out for Blood screening, join us for the HIFF EXTREME AFTERPARTY AT TALK KAIMUKI, which will feature horror films projected on the walls, a discussion with HIFF filmmakers, queer Pasifika horror dance performances (you read that right!), a DJ, and horror-themed craft cocktails!
Honolulu Horror Nights hopes to see you soon, at HIFF EXTREME film screenings and OUT FOR BLOOD, the afterparty, and our screening events in the future! Please visit our website or Instagram for more information.
Steven Hobaica [He / him] is a queer horror fanatic living on O’ahu. He runs Honolulu Horror Nights, a local non-profit dedicated to screening independent and international horror films. At these events, local art is spotlighted and attendees can build community, all within a queer affirming space. His passion for horror films began as a child, due to the genre constantly challenging norms and pushing boundaries. That, in combination with him being a huge thrill seeker, has made horror his go-to film genre for the vast majority of his life. In the future. he hopes to continue to share his love of horror and Halloween with others, especially their connection with queerness and pushing back against societal norms.
