What's Up!

Local favorite Sunday Sunset Jam Robi Kahakalau, whose latest compact disc "All I Want" was released last year, takes the stage at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 19 at Gordon Biersch, Aloha Tower Marketplace, as part of the restaurant's Sunday Sunset Jam.

The annual Aloha Festivals celebration on O'ahu begins in earnest Aug. 16, with the O'ahu court investiture at City Hall. Many other events are tied to the festivals, including the annual Frank B. Shaner Hawaiian Falsetto Contest Aug. 25, the Downtown Ho'olaule'a Sept. 14, the annual floral parade Sept. 15 and the Waikiki Ho'olaule'a Sept. 21. Other events reach into October. Most events are free; discounts for some events are available for wearers of the Aloha Festivals ribbon, which, at $5, can be purchased at outlets around the island, including 7-Eleven stores, Bank of Hawaii branches, Blockbuster Video stores, Safeway stores, some shopping malls, military outlets, some Waikiki hotels, and other stores and attractions. 589-1771.

BALLET: Aug. 17

Ballet Hawaii's Summer Finale 2001, the culmination of a three-week Summer Intensive program, takes the stage at Leeward Community College Theatre. Ballets created by the legendary George Balanchine and staged by former Balanchine dancers Violette Verdy and Robert Barnett will be featured, as well as works by master teachers Maria Vegh and Michael Vernon and Island dancers Peter Rockford Espiritu and Marie Takazawa. 8 p.m. Aug 17. $15 general, $10 students. 521-8600.

FESTIVAL: Aug. 17-19

Made-in-Hawai'i products from about 400 exhibitors will be offered at the sixth annual Made in Hawaii Festival at the Blaisdell Center's Exhibition Hall and Arena. The event features entertainment, plants and produce, cooking demonstrations and items ranging from clothing and art, to books and lampshades, to candles, coffee and lauhala products. Noon-9 p.m. Aug. 17, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Aug. 18, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 19. $2 general, free for kids under 6; half-off coupons at First Hawaiian Bank branches. The Advertiser is a sponsor. 533-1292.

HO'IKE: Aug. 18

Kawai Cockett and Auntie Genoa Keawe will be honored at the 24th annual ho'ike of Kuhai Halau O Kawaikapuokalani Pa 'Olapa Kahiko, under the direction of Kawaikapuokalani K. Hewett, at the Ronald E. Bright Theatre, Castle High School. The hula celebration offers songs and dances of founder Hewett, and a number of other halau and entertainers — including The Lim Family, Olomana, Ellsworth Simeona, Sean Na'auao and Na Palapalai — will participate. Nalani Olds will be emcee. 2 p.m. (Cockett honored), 8 p.m. (Keawe honored) Aug. 18. $15 donation. 235-3603, 234-1155.

CONCERT: Aug. 18

"Ka Himeni Ana," a concert/contest of "old style," unamplified music, will honor multiple Hoku award-winner Haunani Apoliona at the annual event at Hawai'i Theatre. Past honorees include Hawaiian music legends Helen Desha Beamer, Mary Kawena Pukui and Irmgard Farden Aluli. 8 p.m. Aug. 18; organ prelude with Mahi Beamer at 7:30 p.m. $6-$30, at the box office. 528-0506, 395-9311.

MAGIC: Aug. 18-26

Master illusionist David Copperfield comes to town for a series of performances at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. Copperfield, whose latest magic show is titled "Portal," launched his career years ago at the Pagoda's C'est Si Bon supper club in Honolulu. 8 p.m. Aug. 18; 5 and 8 p.m. Aug. 19; 8 p.m. Aug. 20-24; 5 and 8 p.m. Aug. 25 and 26. The 5 p.m. Aug. 19 show will be interpreted for the hearing-impaired. $85 and $50 for night performances, $70 and $55 for matinees. $5 discounts for children 12 and under, seniors 62 and older and military personnel, except for Saturday night performances; available at the box office and Ticket Plus. 526-4400; 10 percent discount for group sales of 15 or more (except Saturday night shows), at 732-7733. The Advertiser is a sponsor.

FOODIE FEST: Aug. 25

The 10th anniversary of the founding of the Hawaii Regional Cuisine chefs' group will be celebrated with two events Aug. 25:

• The Farmers Market Festival, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, will showcase fresh produce, seafood, coffee and offer cooking demonstrations by the Hawaii Regional Cuisine Chefs and entertainment. It's free; discounted parking will be available at the shopping center's garage. 922-2299.
• The Hawaii Regional Cuisine Gala Dinner, 6-10 p.m. at the Sheraton Waikiki, is a grazing event with 25 interactive food stations featuring the creations of the 12 founding chefs and 13 Hawaiian Island Chefs. $125 ($25 discount if charging with American Express), corporate tables also available; proceeds will benefit the Hale 'Aina 'Ohana, which supports culinary programs in Hawai'i's community colleges. 931-3155.

CONCERT: Aug. 25

The seventh annual Frank B. Shaner Hawaiian Falsetto Contest, a showcase for amateurs and which perpetuates the unique Hawaiian musical form, takes the stage at Hawai'i Theatre. 7 p.m. Aug. 25. $20, $25, $30 (plus $2 theater restoration fee); $5 discount with Aloha Festivals ribbon. 589-1771, (800) 852-7690 from the Neighbor Islands; 528-0506 (box office).

CONCERT: Aug. 31

The Boogie Blues Dance Party will feature Canned Heat the legendary San Francisco band, at the South Seas Village Theater Restaurant (Hawaiian Hut). The band, whose motto is "Don't Forget to Boogie!" has been going strong for 30 years, weathering the changing musical trends and the deaths of some founding members. Doors open at 8:15 p.m. Aug. 31. $25; $22 advance, available at Tower Video on Kapi'olani, Tower Records Kahala and Pearl Kai, Hungry Ear in Kailua, Rainbow Books on University, MWR, Kunia. Mail order: (808) 925-3514. Information: 941-5205.

CONCERT: Sept. 7

Mark your calendars for a concert by Wayne "Mr. Las Vegas" Newton at the Hawai'i Ballroom of the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. The show-biz veteran headlines a show at the Stardust Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. 8 p.m. Sept. 7; doors open at 7 p.m. $45, $65 and $85, including one drink; premium Rose Circle seating in prime up-front middle tables also available (the rose refers to an icon in Newton's logo); on sale at the Sheraton special events desk and by telephone: 922-4422.

COMING UP

• Aloha Festivals Downtown Ho'olaule'a, Sept. 14, downtown Honolulu
• "Jekyll & Hyde," by Diamond Head Theatre, Sept. 14-16, 20-23, 27-30 at DHT
• Hawaii International Latin-Salsa Music Festival, Sept. 15, Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort
• Aloha Festivals Floral Parade, Sept. 15, from Hobron Lane to Kapi'olani Park
• "Total Request Live" Tour, featuring Destiny's Child, Eve, Nelly, Jessica Simpson, Sept. 21, Blaisdell Arena
• Aloha Festivals Waikiki Ho'olaule'a, Sept. 21, along Kalakaua Avenue
• Princess Ka'iulani Keiki Hula Festival, Oct. 20, Sheraton Princess Ka'iulani hotel
• Kapena, Michael Ching and Col÷n, Oct. 31, Kapi'olani Park Bandstand
• "Annie," Nov. 20-Dec. 16, Diamond Head Theatre
• Comedian Margaret Cho on tour: Nov. 29 — Kaua'i Marriott Resort in Lihu'e; Nov. 30 — Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului; Dec. 1 — Blaisdell Concert Hall in Honolulu.