The Buzz

After work in Waikiki

Kyle Sackowski • The Honolulu Advertiser

Song and food at the golf club

From left, Jake Shimabukuro, Sachi Sato, Andrea Gomez Tukuafu and Daniel Ho will be among the performers in concerts on three islands this weekend in support of the recently released compact disc "Finding My Way." The Honolulu concert is sold out.

A three-island tour

Daniel Ho — composer, musician, producer and award-winning recording artist whose latest compact disc is titled "Finding My Way" (and no relation to Don "Tiny Bubbles" Ho, in case you were wondering) — offers a three-island series of concerts this weekend. The CD features several Island artists performing new music co-composed by Ho; the concerts, too, will feature the artists — Lina Girl Langi, Jake Shimabukuro, Sachi Sato, Andrea Gomez Tukuafu and Siena Lee — and the music.

The play dates:

• Maui: 7:30 p.m. today, at the Maui Ocean Center at Ma'alaea. Halau Ka Makani Kili'o'pu, led by kumu Luana Kawa'a, will perform 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tickets: $25. Information: (808) 270-7000.
• O'ahu: Titled "Daniel Ho: Coming Home" — 7 p.m. Saturday, at Mamiya Theatre, St. Louis Center for the Arts; sold out. 599-5775.
• Big Island: 7 p.m. Sunday, Hawaii Naniloa Resort, Hilo. Tickets: $25 (includes $5 drink credit). Information: (808) 969-3333.

A brand new park

Residents of and frequenters to the Waipi'o area on the Leeward side of O'ahu — hey, everybody heads for Costco! — have been watching the grass grow and wondering for weeks: When is that Central O'ahu Regional Park opening?

The answer is Saturday, with a theme of "Sports Fest," featuring athletics, the introduction of the University of Hawai'i-Manoa's new head baseball coach, Mike Trapasso, and a free day of family fun. Among the attractions will be entertainment, beginning at 11:30 a.m., by Willie K, Kapena, Chant, Reign, Dita Holifield, Gordon Freitas & Local Folk and other bands.

Then there's the free watermelon, shave ice, cotton candy, popcorn and keiki game booths; a bunch of big ol' inflatable play equipment such as "Galaxy Bubbles" and the "Jurassic Obstacle Course"; a rock-climbing wall; a petting zoo. Whew! Oh, and actor Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, who some say was one of the best things about the "Pearl Harbor" film, will sign autographs.

Not everything is free, but it is cheap: $1 will get you a hotdog or chili dog with rice, a drink and ice cream, beginning at 11:30 a.m.

The city celebration, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. (opening ceremony at 11 a.m.) takes place at the park on Kamehameha Highway, near Ka Uka Boulevard. More than a thousand parking spaces will be available; six trolleys will run every five minutes from the parking areas to the park facilities. Drivers: Enter from Ka Uka Boulevard; exit from Waipi'o Uka. 523-4674.

Salute to Samoa

The city continues its series of cultural celebrations with a Samoan Festival at 7 p.m. today at Honolulu Hale (City Hall). Among the featured performers will be Pasefika Band, Kanana Fou Youth, world-class fire knife dancers, the Polynesian Cultural Center Samoan entertainment troupe and Samoan choirs. The celebration is free; parking also is free at the Municipal Building parking lot. Next up: Okinawan Festival Aug. 17, Hispanic Festival Sept. 22, Korean Festival Oct. 5, Portuguese Festival Oct. 26. 523-4674.

A rainbow of free celebrations

Hawaii's Plantation Village will be the scene of three causes to celebrate.

First, this morning a new halau, above, will be blessed by the Rev. William Kaina. The halau, envisioned as a gathering place to support Hawaiian customs and traditions, was built with financing help from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The blessing takes place at 10:30 a.m.; at 11:30 a.m., Mits Shito, founder and past chairman of the plantation village, will be honored with a granite marker near the park's entrance tunnel. Refreshments will be served at noon at the Okada Education Center. The event is free and open to the public.

Next, Saturday's "Taste of Portugal" celebrates the Portuguese experience through food, music and the arts with the help of organizations Nova EsperanÙa and the Portuguese Genealogical Society of Hawaii. Plate lunches will be sold. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; admission is free.

Also Saturday, "Da Kine Music Volume II," a compact disc compilation of Chinese, Portuguese, Japanese and Korean plantation music, will be launched with two roundtable discussions and musical performances. 9-11 a.m. and 6-7:30 p.m.; refreshments will be served. It's all free.

Hawaii's Plantation Village is at 94-695 Waipahu St. 677-0110.

An afternoon of shamisen

Out Kane'ohe way

"A Day on the Bay" — that's Kane'ohe Bay — is designed to encourage healthy families and friendships in the Windward O'ahu community. The event, which includes family activities, entertainment, Xtreme fun, a craft fair, pony rides and a petting zoo, food booths, a resource fair and free kayaking and sailboating in the bay, takes place 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at the Kokokahi YWCA, 45-035 Kane'ohe Bay Drive; free admission. 235-7747.