Festivities to ring in New Year

Steve Pierson and Blues Head ring in the new year at the South Seas Village/Hawaiian Hut at the Ala Moana Hotel. They'll also perform on Maui — 7:30 p.m. today at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, $20 general (discount available for MACC members), (808) 242-7469; and 9:30 p.m. Saturday at Casanova's, 1188 Makawao Ave., Makawao, $15 cover charge, (808) 572-0220.

MIDNIGHT FIREWORKS

• Largest display: At Sand Island State Park, off Ala Moana Beach and Honolulu Harbor. Presented by Fireworks by Grucci, visible from Waikiki, Ke'ehi Lagoon, downtown heights. Sponsored by Aloha Tower Marketplace.
• West O'ahu display: Off Ihilani Resort. Viewable from surrounding neighborhoods. Sponsored by the hotel.
• Kahala beach: Off Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hawaii. Viewable from heights, East O'ahu coast. Sponsored by the hotel.
• Waikiki beach: On a barge off Waikiki. Viewable from Waikiki, heights. Sponsored by the Halekulani.

THE OUT-OF-TOWNERS

• James Brown: "Feel Good" with the Godfather of Soul. From 9 p.m. at the Coral Ballroom, Hilton Hawaiian Village. $150 for platinum seating, $125 for Gold, $100 for silver, $85 general; includes show, cocktail, champagne, party favors, tax and tip. Reservations: 949-4321. Extras: Loretta Ables Sayre will be the opening act.
• Steve Pierson and Blues Head: New Year's Eve blues bash. Doors open at 8:15 p.m., show at 9:30 p.m. at the South Seas Village/Hawaiian Hut, Ala Moana Hotel. $30 ($20 for members of the Hawaii Blues Society). Reservations: 864-6529, 955-3321. Extras: Bluzilla performs at 8:30 p.m.

SPECIALS

• Randy Smith: "An Evening With the Music of Sinatra." From 7:45 p.m. at the Esprit Lounge, Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. $30, includes a glass of champagne, party favors. Reservations: 922-4422. Extras: Post-show dancing around the pool with Tino and the Rhythm Klub until midnight.
• The Honolulu Symphony, conducted by Stuart Chafetz and Matt Catingub, with Jimmy Borges: New Year's Eve dinner gala. From 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Orchids and La Mer, Halekulani Hotel; symphony ensembles perform from 8:30 p.m.; orchestra performs 10:30 to 11:45 p.m., with Chafetz; orchestra (Honolulu Pops) performs 11:45 p.m. to 1 a.m, with Catingub and Borges. Orchids, $250, includes special holiday menu; La Mer, $350, includes seven-course menu. Dress code (collared shirts for gentlemen in Orchids, long-sleeved collared shirts or jackets for gentlemen in La Mer). Reservations: 923-2311. Extras: Party favors, view of Waikiki fireworks.
• Romance Cruise aboard the Star of Honolulu: Departing 10:30 p.m. from Pier 8, Aloha Tower. $130, includes five-course dinner, champagne toast, two cocktails, jazz entertainment, tax. Reservations: 983-STAR (7827). Extras: An off-coast view of the midnight fireworks.
• Celebration Cruise, aboard the Star of Honolulu: Departing 10:30 p.m. from Pier 8, Aloha Tower. $85.50 ($78.50 for children 11 and under), includes three-course meal, champagne toast, two drinks, party favors, tax. Reservations: 983-STAR (7827). Extras: "Spirit of Aloha" show, a view of midnight fireworks.

SHOWROOMS

• Society of Seven Las Vegas: New Year's Eve party. From 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. in the Main Showroom, Outrigger Waikiki Hotel. Dinner package, $110, includes buffet dinner, show, dancing, party favors, split of champagne; cocktail package, $85. Includes two back-to-back performances, at 9:45 and 11:45 p.m. Must be 21 or older. Reservations: 923-SHOW (7469). Extras: Two shows for the price of one, and the first New Year's Eve show by this recent spin-off group of the original band.
• Ku'uipo Kumukahi, Olomana with Frank Hewett, O'Brian Eselu with Halau Kekai O Kahiki, and Danny Couch: "Lei Na Hoku." From 6 p.m. to midnight at the Monarch Room, Royal Hawaiian Hotel. Cost: Dinner package, $255 (kama'aina rate, $225), includes five-course dinner, glass of wine, split of champagne, party favors, tax and tip; cocktail package, $95, includes split of champagne, party favors, tax and tip. Doors open 7 p.m.; Moana Chang Trio, 7 p.m., in foyer; Ku'uipo Kumukahi, 8 p.m.; Olomana, 8:50 p.m.; soldiers of the Royal Guard, 9:50 p.m.; O'Brian Eselu, 10 p.m.; Danny Couch, 11:05 p.m. Reservations: 973-7194. Extras: Brickwood Galuteria is master of ceremonies.
• The Makaha Sons, Robi Kahakalau, Kapena, Brother Noland, Kanilau with Halau Na Mamo O Ka'ala, Moe Keale with Nalani Keale and Tony Conjugacion: "Ho'omaka Hou." From 6 p.m. to midnight at the Hawai'i Ballroom, Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. Dinner package, $225 for platinum seating, $200 for gold seating; includes buffet, wine and champagne; cocktail package, $85, includes a half bottle of champagne. Doors open, 6 p.m.; dinner, 6:30 p.m.; 'Ale'a, 7 p.m. in the foyer; Kanilau, 8 p.m.; Moe Keale, 8:25 p.m.; soldiers of the Royal Guard, 8:45 p.m.; The Makaha Sons with Robi Kahakalau, 8:50 p.m.; Chinese lion dance, 9:50 p.m.; Tony Conjugacion, 10:05 p.m.; Brother Noland, 10:35 p.m.; Tony and Noland, 11 p.m.; Kapena, 11:25 p.m. Reservations: 922-4422. Extras: Bill Van Osdol and Randy Hudnall co-masters of ceremonies.

BARS AND LOUNGES

• New Year's Eve at Kapono's. Ko'u Mana'o, 6:30-8:30 p.m.; band to be named, 8:30 to 10 p.m.; Natural Vibrations, 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Aloha Tower Marketplace. $10 cover. Information: 536-2161. Extras: Pupu menu available, party favors.
• Audy Kimura: From 8 p.m. to midnight, Hy's Steak House; dinner service from 5 to 11 p.m. No cover charge. Reservations/information: 922-5555. Extras: Champagne and party favors at midnight.
• Dennis & Manea: From 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the Tapa Bar, Hilton Hawaiian Village. $10 cover includes pupu, novelties and noisemakers. Information: 949-4321.
• Augie Rey and the Little Band, featuring Tahiti: From 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the Surf Room, Royal Hawaiian Hotel. First seating at 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., $99; second seating, 8:30 p.m. through 9:30 p.m., $140; includes four-course dinner, bottle of wine, party favors; Surf Room/Monarch Room package, first seating at dinner, show at the next-door Monarch Room, $175, includes four-course meal, wine, split of champagne, party favors. Reservations: 931-7194. Extras: The Surf Room offers a prime view of the Diamond Head and Waikiki skyline.
• Olomana with Jerry Santos: From 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the Paradise Lounge, Hilton Hawaiian Village. $10, includes pupu, novelties and noisemakers. Reservations: 949-4321.
• Quintinn & Mike: From 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the Shell Bar, Hilton Hawaiian Village. $10 cover, includes novelties and noisemakers. Information: 949-4321.
• Winston Tan and Pierre Grill: Classical and contemporary sounds. From 9:30 p.m. to midnight at The Veranda, at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hawaii. $25, includes appetizer buffet. Reservations: 739-8888. Extras: You can watch the comings and goings of the holiday crowd, too.

DINNER, PLUS

• Stardust, with Brian Robertshaw: "Travel the Islands." From 5:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at the Hanohano Room, Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. Gold seating, at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m., includes four-course meal, wine, beer or standard drink, $95; gold seating with Poolside Bash, $120, includes all of the above plus access to poolside party between 6 p.m. and 12:15 a.m.; platinum seating at 8:30 and 9 p.m., $185, includes five-course meal, champagne. Reservations: 922-4422. Extras: Music for listening and dancing.
• Azure McCall: First seating 6 to 6:30 p.m., second seating from 9 to 9:30 p.m., at Chai's Island Bistro, Aloha Tower Marketplace. $75 for seven-course dinner, $45 for complimentary wine accompanying each course, in dining room; lanai seating, dinner for two (set menu), $50 per person. Reservations: 585-0011. Extras: You could duck out to see the fireworks revelry over Honolulu Harbor.
• The Islanders: Buffet dinner with Hawaiian music. From 5 to 8:30 p.m., House Without a Key, Halekulani Hotel. Dinner, $36 adults, $23 children 5 to 12; pupu selections, 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., $10 cover for nonhotel guests. Reservations: 923-2311. Extras: Spectacular view of Waikiki skyline and midnight fireworks.
• Puamana: From 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Don Ho's Island Grill; dinner service from 6 to 10 p.m. $50, includes holiday buffet dinner, entertainment. Reservations: 528-0807. Extras: Harborside view, disc jockey entertainment from 10 p.m. Until midnight ($10 cover charge, includes champagne, party favors).
• Jan Brenner & the All Stars: From 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the Banyan Court, Sheraton Moana Surfrider. $200 for adults, $100 for children 5 to 12 for Ship's Tavern dining, with seatings at 5 and 8 p.m., plus access to buffet and merriment on the Banyan Veranda; $100 for adults and $50 for children for a buffet and show on the Banyan Veranda. Reservations: 922-3111. Extras: Party favors.

DANCING

• Big Daddy, Rubber Soul and Hot Rock: Poolside Rock 'n' Roll Party. From 6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. poolside at the Sheraton Princess Ka'iulani Hotel; buffet available at Pikake Terrace from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Cost: Buffet, $80 for adults, $50 for youths 13-15, $30 for children 5-12. Reservations: 922-5811. Extras: Sam Kapu Jr. will be host.
• Kit Samson's Sound Advice: New Year's dinner-dance. From 7 p.m. (no-host cocktails); entertainment 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the Hibiscus Ballroom, Ala Moana Hotel. Dinner package, $55 for adults, $35 for children 12 and under; includes party favors and buffet 8 to 9:30 p.m.; cocktail package, $35 and $20. Reservations: 955-4811.
• Joe Bermudez: "Hollywood Canteen," for service men and women. From 8 p.m. until "next year" at Hula's Bar & Lei Stand inside the Waikiki Grand Hotel, 134 Kapahulu Ave. $15 admission, $10 for those with military ID and Hula Hui card holders; additional $2 discount for those who show up in uniform. Information: 941-0424, ext. 10. Extras: Surprise entertainment.
• "United We Stand" dance party: From 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Rumours, Ala Moana Hotel. $25 VIP package includes party favors, two drinks, pupu 8-11 p.m.; $15 cover for late arrivals 11 p.m.-midnight, includes favors, two drinks; $5 cover for those who arrive between 12:15 and 1:30 a.m. Reservations: 955-4811. Extras: The site is the town's reigning disco/dance club.
• Tino and the Rhythm Klub: Oceanfront New Year's Eve party. From 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. poolside at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. $30, includes a glass of champagne, party favors. Reservations: 922-4422. Extras: Simplisity guest stars, from 6 to 8 p.m.
• Picante: Latin Picante Party. From 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the Plumeria Beach Cafe, Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hawaii. $175 for adults, $48 for children; includes buffet dinner. Reservations: 739-8888. Extras: Dance instructors will give lessons in salsa, merengue and cha-cha.
• Missing Dave, Red Door Dancers: "New York, New York"-themed celebration. From 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., Wave Waikiki. $10 in advance, slightly more at the door (to be determined). Information: 941-0424. Extras: Free party favors for first 200 customers; the club will be converted into The Big Apple, Hawaiian-style; kava bar after 4 a.m. Until the sun comes up. Open to those 21 and older until 4 a.m., 18 and older after 4 a.m.

FAMILY FARE

• "Magic Extravaganza": From 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Monty's Magic Theater, 1270 Queen St. Suite 612. $12 for adults, $8 for children under 12. Reservations: 524-1791. Extras: Magic show, plus games, prizes and contests for the family; costume contest for best "Harry Potter" character look-alikes.