The Left Lane
Try get religion, brah

"Da Jesus Book," the fresh-off-the-press pidgin translation of the New Testament published by Wycliffe Bible Translators, are printed, and the first copies will be seen at tomorrow's public recognition of the volunteer translation team. The books will go to the 28 translators at the mahalo event, starting at 2 p.m. at the Makaha Resort Golf Club's conference room, Makaha Terrace.

As for the rest of us, the $14.95 book probably won't be on the bookstore shelves for another week or two, said Wycliffe spokesman Joe Grimes. The full shipment of 3,000 copies, printed in South Korea, arrived this week but is going through customs, Grimes said.

Logos Book Store in Ward Warehouse has set a book signing for 11 a.m.-1 p.m. July 21.

At tomorrow's event, translators will do readings and speak on the importance of the pidgin Bible, as well as bask in the expressions of appreciation, one of which is bound to be, "T'anks, eh, brah!"

Here's a Fourth of July freebie, combined with a birthday party, you shouldn't miss: Kapi'olani Park Bandstand will mark its first anniversary from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. July 4, with a dandy musical lineup featuring Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning acts, such as Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, Sistah Robi Kahakalau, Colon, 'Ale'a and Maunalua.

It's a city-sponsored picnic where you don't have to bring the fixings, because some refreshments will be free: cotton candy, popcorn, shave ice, watermelon. Food booths will offer $1 hot dogs and chili-rice snacks, and games for keiki will be available.

Information: 523-4834.

With the European release of the Sean Connery film, "Finding Forrester," Israel Kamakawiwo'ole is achieving posthumous popularity far from home.

Bruddah Iz's "Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World," heard in the final moments of the movie and over the credits, has provoked remarkable reaction from Italian radio, which picked up the tune originally on Iz's "Facing Future" CD. Now the song is No. 20 in Italy.

In France, where the movie also is debuting, "Over the Rainbow" has been distributed to all radio stations, with more than 250,000 copies of an enhanced CD about "Finding Forrester" distributed through an Internet magazine to consumers. "Rainbow" is a featured cut. Closer to home, Iz's music now is featured on National Public Radio's Web site on its "All Songs Considered" page; visit www.npr.org/programs/asc/current.html