The Left Lane
Meet the artisans

Elizabeth Lee, a master of Hawaiian lauhala weaving, is featured in a new guidebook on Island folk arts. Carl Hefner

The book honors folk artists and briefly showcases talents ranging from Hawaiian lauhala weaving to Cantonese opera to Japanese taiko drumming, each summarized in a paragraph or two. "We put the book together because there's a real need for young people to be aware of the diversity we have here," says Michael Schuster, foundation folk arts coordinator.

Color photos of the artists accompany the short essays, and the work includes a compact disc featuring three-minute audio recordings of each artist. You can't buy the book, but it's available in all Hawai'i school and public libraries, and an online version will be available at www.state.hi.us/sfca next month.

This ladybug-shaped rice ball was an entry in a previous Musubi Madness competition.

The 3rd annual Musubi Decorating Contest, part of a "Musubi Madness" celebration from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 7 in Kaimuki, recognizes and honors the Japanese snack that ranks among Hawai'i's favorites — sushi rice topped with tasty treats and wrapped in a sassy bit of nori.

We're Best of Friends, at 1223 Koko Head Ave. in Kaimuki, is sponsoring the contest. Categories include the traditional (triangle-shape), rice sculpture (free-form), children (12 and under). Entries must use nori; each entry is limited to one cup (8 ounces) of cooked rice. Entries are due at 10:30 a.m. July 7. A Musubi Game Hunt, a walking game to answer questions about the musubi available at participating Kaimuki merchants, also will be held.

Information: 734-3693.

'Fast' finishes first

Race cars made road kill out of talking animals at box offices over the weekend.

"The Fast and the Furious," a thriller about Los Angeles street racers, debuted as the weekend's No. 1 film, grossing $41.6 million, according to studio estimates.

Eddie Murphy's "Dr. Dolittle 2," the sequel about a veterinarian who talks to animals, opened in second place, earning $26.7 million.

Here's the rest of the top 10 in order, based on estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co.: 3. "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider," $20.2 million. 4. "Atlantis: The Lost Empire," $13.2 million. 5. "Shrek," $11 million. 6. "Swordfish," $7.7 million. 7. "Pearl Harbor," $7 million. 8. "Moulin Rouge," $3.8 million. 9. "Evolution," $3.6 million. 10. "The Animal," $3 million.