Tip-Off
Charity to benefit from AT&T's dragon boat races

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

More than 45 teams are expected to participate in the 6th annual AT&T Hawai'i Dragon Boat Races, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 28 and 29 off Ala Moana Beach Park.

For the first time, a portion of the proceeds will support a local charity, the Hawai'i Children's Cancer Foundation. The colorful dragon boats, made of wood and built in Taiwan, are propelled by 16-paddler teams with a steersman, flag catcher and a drummer.

"We need to expose all people to our culture, so they can better understand our people in Hawai'i and we can better understand others," said Sunny Wong, founder of the dragon boat races.

Admission is free to the event, which includes food and craft vendors, cultural exhibits and entertainment such as Forte, Ellsworth Simeona, Dita Holifield, Rocky Brown, Jeff Rasmussen, Reign, Tiny Tadani, Tino & the Rhythm Klub, Honolulu the Band, Solanna, 808, Ben Vegas and Simplisity. Information: 735-0292, ext. 205 or 206.