The Left Lane
Lei meant to last

A pack of Gummy Bears tied to a lanyard makes for a cute grad lei. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

That's why the folks at We're Best of Friends, a crafters hui at 1223 Koko Head Ave. in Kaimuki, created "lei-nyards." For the Class of 2001 graduate, there's a new design that says "You're Beary Special" and it is decorated with a package of chocolate Gummy Bears and ribbons with customized school colors.

There's also a lei-nyard that says "Most Likely to Suck-Seed" that comes with li hing mui. Cost: $8.

Some parents are attaching phone cards to the lei-nyards. Or, better yet, how about a set of car keys? Yeah, right!

Toasting the HRC

Mark your calendar now for THE foodie event of the year: a party commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Hawai'i Regional Cuisine group, Aug. 25 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.

It was 1991 when a dozen chefs got together at the then Ritz-Carlton Mauna Lani Hotel on the Big Island and pledged to turn to Hawai'i-grown, -raised and -harvested products for their menus, and to help local farmers, ranchers, food purveyors and others succeed.

The movement caught on, Hawai'i Regional Cuisine charmed the food press of the world and changed the image of Island restaurants forever. And these chefs and their colleagues have gone on to become our brightest culinary stars.

Count on seeing chefs Sam Choy, Mark Ellman, Beverly Gannon, Jean Marie Josselin, George Mavrothalassitis, Amy Ferguson Ota, Philippe Padovani, Peter Merriman, Alan Wong and Roy Yamaguchi.

Returning to the Islands just for this event: Roger Dikon and Gary Strehl. They'll be joined by a dozen more of our culinary achievers for grazing and talking story from 6-9 that evening.

Tickets prices are not firm; expect about $100 per person, benefiting the Hawai'i Public School Food Program, which offers culinary training in the public schools. Call 922-0588.

During the day Aug. 25 at Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, Island farmers and food purveyors will showcase their wares and there will be free demonstrations, food and wine seminars and entertainment.

It had to happen: "Shrek," a box office hit, has emerged as an interactive, live music-and-comedy adventure at Universal Studios Hollywood, in Universal City, Calif.

If you're bound for the theme park this summer, look for the green ogre and his fairy tale buddies in daily "Shrek Live" shows from June 17 through Labor Day. Right now, only weekend performances are given.