The Buzz

The Mana'o Company (clockwise, from top left, Weldon Kekauoha, Danny Kennedy, Kaulana Pakele, Salaam Tillman and John Baricuatro Jr.) will be one of 25-plus Island acts performing in a hastily assembled but spirit-laden benefit, "Aloha From Hawai'i," 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the Waikiki Shell. The event, a benefit for the Widows and Children's Fund/World Trade Center (the victims of and families affected by the Sept. 11 acts of terrorism at the twin towers), will also feature DisGuyz, who will perform their original tribute tune, "One Nation in Song,"plus Ten Feet, Kanalo, B.E.T., Col÷n, Three Plus, , Kapena, Kalapana, Natural Vibrations, Ka'ala Boys, Typical Hawaiians, Henry Kapono, Touch of Gold and others yet to be named. Gates open at 12:30 p.m.; bring sunscreen, in addition to your snacks, because it likely will be hot beneath the sun. Tickets: $100 for VIP pool seats, $50 for lower terrace, $30 for upper terrace and $15 for lawn. Mass Appeal is producing the event, with support from Unity House. Information: 566-0644, 591-2211, 526-4400.

Oh, Henry!

Henry Miyamura, music director of the Hawai'i Youth Symphony Association and maestro of the HYSA's Youth Symphony I orchestra, will receive the Alliance Awards' Alfred Preis Award for his life-long dedication to music at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the Hawai'i Theatre. Miyamura, a University of Hawai'i music professor, has served as assistant conductor of the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra, a principal clarinetist with the symphony and band director at McKinley High School. The Brothers Cazimero provide entertainment, too. $35 for the public, $15 for Alliance members. 528-0506.

Firefighter fund-raiser

Gary Puckett, lead singer of the late 1960s group Union Gap, revives his hits at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Coral Ballroom of the Hilton Hawaiian Village, in a fund-raiser by and for the Hawai'i Firefighters Association. Puckett is known for such hits as "Woman, Woman," "Young Girl," "Lady Willpower," "Over You" and "This Girl Is a Woman Now." Also on the bill: Hawai'i's Kapena and The Mana'o Company. Tickets: $25. 524-0707 or 949-432. Also, Puckett and Kapena perform in a benefit for Maui firefighters, 7:30 p.m. today at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Tickets: $25. Information: (808) 879-2714.

Ivory power

Ellen Masaki and the student pianists at her Ellen Masaki's School of Music will present the all-day Pianothon 2001, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Kaua'i Ballroom of the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. That's a lot of hands gliding over the ivories in a benefit for the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra.

The event has dual formats: hourly recitals are free and open to the public (donations to the symphony will be accepted), but a grand finale concert, at 7:30 p.m., includes a pre-performance buffet dinner and no-host cocktails from 5:30 p.m., and a performance by Honolulu Symphony members, the Galliard String Quartet and the Hiroko Primrose Quartet; $40 per person for buffet ($21 for children), $20 per person for finale concert only. 593-9395.

The sounds and dances of Spain and Latin America will be featured, from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, in a Hispanic Festival at Honolulu Hale. Rolando Sanchez and Salsa Hawai'i (pictured) is one of the many bands participating; others include Toque Flamenco Dance Company, Ballet Folklorico Mexicano Quetzal, Latin Fire with Julita de Puerto Rico, Sandy Tsukiyama & Amigos, El Leo/Ja Rican Express and more. There also will be food booths, cultural displays and craft vendors; a bring-your-own-food-to-share sampling of potluck ethnic dishes is planned. Free. 523-4674, 941-5216.

Singing for joy

The first Kawaiaha'o Church Songfest, featuring the many musical ensembles of the church, offers a smorgasbord of sound at 4 p.m. Sunday in the church sanctuary. Performers include the Kawaiaha'o Choir,'Ohana Singers, Youth Performing Ensemble, Hand Bell Choir and Keiki Bell Ringers, along with a number of guest acts including the Windward Brass, Hawai'i Youth Opera Chorus, Kawaiolaonapukanileo Vocal Ensemble, Keolani Women's Ensemble, Malia Ka'ai Soprano, Kordell & Tymmie Kekoa, and the Anglican Maori Mission Choir from Brisbane, Australia. The repertoire will tap Hawaiian, Maori, gospel, spiritual and Hawaiian songs, some enhanced with hula. Free. 532-1260.

X marks the spot

"Last Days," a Christian concert, will be held at 7 p.m. today at the X Factory, 3097 Kalihi St. Olivia will headline, with performances by NOG (No Other God) and Never Been Kissed. Also on tap: surf videos and door prizes. A $3 donation is suggested. 843-2342.