The Buzz

A feast at Kapolei Food, food, and more food, entertainment, a kids' zone, even fireboat rides on the Abner T. Longley. Oh, did we mention food? It's all on the menu at the second annual Taste at Kapolei, a benefit for Leeward O'ahu schools, at the Ko Olina resort's lagoon 4, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday. Chefs from more than 20 of the island's top restaurants — including Chai's Island Bistro, Dixie Grill, Gordon Biersch, Indigo, Mariposa, Niblick, Nick's Fishmarket, Sam Choy's Breakfast Lunch & Crab, Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar and Sunset Grill — will offer culinary temptations. Halau Hula Olana's keiki halau, Imua and Sonya Mendez & Playstation will perform. Fireboat rides cost $5, a benefit for the Children at Risk Evaluation Program. Tickets for the Taste are $60 general ($50 advance), $20 for kids 7-12, free for keiki under 6. 693-1638, www.thetasteatkapolei.com. Note: The Ihilani resort is offering a special "Taste at Kapolei" package — $139 for a mountain-view room, $169 for an ocean-view room; and 10 percent off breakfast or spa rates. 679-0079.

Music 'Treasure' The harmonious Ho'okena, specialists in traditional and contemporary Hawaiian music, celebrates its 15th anniversary and its latest compact disc, "Treasure," in a concert at the Honolulu Academy of Arts Theater. From left, the group members are Glen Smith, Horace Dudoit III, Manu Boyd, Willie Aarona and Chris Kamaka. Hula soloist Nani Dudoit also will be featured. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $15. 532-8700.

Behind the headlines Not much to laugh about in the news these days, and we've all forgotten about events that pre-dated the Sept. 11 attacks. Maybe it's time to remember — and laugh at — the ludicrous behavior of newsmakers, and the people who report on them. That's the thinking behind "Gridiron 2001: Reporters Strike Back," this year's edition of the annual current-events spoof, a satirical musical revue playing at 8 p.m. today and Saturday at Diamond Head Theatre. The cast includes, from left, Ben Gutierrez, Bill Sage and Keoki Kerr, as well as reporters from The Advertiser and other print and broadcast media. Actress Cathy Foy is a special guest performer. Proceeds will benefit the Society of Professional Journalists' Hawai'i chapter's student internships and scholarships. Tickets: $35, $45 and $55. 524-6441, ext. 29.

Grin and beer it

The setting should be perfect: The outdoor expanse of the Waikiki Shell, lilting sounds of jazz and blues, food and ... beer, lots of beer. That's the stage for The Great Diamond Head Beer Fest, 5:30-9:30 p.m. today, when fans of the sudsy stuff can mingle and sample all manner of ales, lagers, stouts, porters — more than 80 different beers in one place. For those who are not too fond of the brews, there's coffee and soft drinks, and some snacks. Food from Gordon Biersch, Brew Moon and other eateries will be offered at $5 per prepared pupu plate, a la Taste of Honolulu. Music will be provided by ESP, featuring Tennyson Stevens on piano and Zanuck Lindsey on guitar. Tickets are $25 general, $22 advance, for those 21 and older; available at the Blaisdell box office and Ticket Plus outlets. A portion of the proceeds will go toward the September 11th Fund. 526-4400, 732-6699.

Flights of fantasy Eric Kwon stars as the demon in the comedy/fantasy/adventure of old Japan, "Chikamatsu's Forest," presented by the McKinley Theatre Group II. Edward Sakamoto's play, directed by James Nakamoto and choreographed by Onoe Kikunobu, takes place in a magical forest where playwright Chikamatsu Monzaemon meets a mysterious samurai and a beautiful princess. The play takes the McKinley High School auditorium stage at 8 p.m. today and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $8 general, $5 students and senior citizens. 594-0446.

Latin flavor

The Descarga Latina Dancers and director Nelson Flores are heading this way for first-ever Honolulu performances and dance workshops and to take part in the Hispanic Heritage Festival at Kapi'olani Park. The troupe tours internationally, displaying expertise in mambo, cha-cha, merengue, hustle and hip-hop. Flores also is the director of the Broadway musical revue "Latin Madness." The schedule:

• 5 p.m. today, Ala Moana Centerstage. Free.
• Saturday at Kapi'olani Park at the Hispanic Heritage Festival. The eighth annual festival takes place 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and includes entertainment, food booths, arts and crafts, keiki activities and cultural displays. Other performers include Second Time Around, Orquesta SalsAloha, folkloric ballet dance troupes and members of Hawaii Opera Theatre featuring hits from "Carmen." Admission is free. 941-5216, 545-4344.
• 2-4 p.m. Sunday, a New York-style salsa workshop, Aloha Activity Center, 725 Kapi'olani Blvd. $35 ($30 if pre-registered); 926-8037.