What's Up!

Local favorite It's reunion time The dynamic duo of Cecilio and Kapono will reunite for a series of concerts, beginning at Kapono's Aug. 23-24. The two are scheduled to appear at 9 p.m., with acts before and afterward. Tickets are $20 general, $15 advance. 536-2161. The tour continues Sept. 28 at the Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island, Oct. 4 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. A Kaua'i concert is pending.

Bob Jones & Hard Drive, below, a smokin' island band that plays funk, soul, blues, R&B, Hawaiian and jazz, will topline "Rock n' Blues Benefit Concert" at John Dominis Restaurant. Look for a star of tomorrow, too: Pablo Lee Warner, 11, is an alto saxophonist who's guest-starring, getting in his licks. Proceeds will go to the Missing Child Center Hawai'i Trust. Sponsor tables are $500 (for 10, including gifts); regular tickets are $20 at the door $15 advance. The sushi bar will remain open; pupu service also will be available.

• 10:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Aug. 16 / John Dominis Restaurant / 523-0955

BAYFEST: Aug. 16-18

BayFest 2002 salutes our military forces and offers just a grand ol' time on the windward side of O'ahu. Among the attractions are military displays and demonstrations, an exotic car show, the E.K. Fernandez midway of rides and games, food and entertainment. This year's performers include Hawai'i's own Hoku (Ho), left, at 9:30 p.m. Aug. 18; Atomic Eyes at 8:15 p.m. Aug. 16-17; Trickside at 9:30 p.m. Aug. 16; and Collective Soul at 9:45 p.m. Aug. 17. And there's fireworks: 9 p.m. Aug. 16, 9:15 p.m. Aug. 17, 9 p.m. Aug. 18. Admission is $4 general, $2 kids 4-11, $3 military before 5 p.m. each day. After 5 p.m., admission is $5 general, $3 kids 4-11, $4 military. It's always free for kids 3 and younger. The Advertiser is a sponsor.

• Noon-1 a.m. Aug. 16-17, noon-11 p.m. Aug. 18 / Marine Corps Base Hawai'i / 254-7679, bayfesthawaii.com

CONCERTS: Aug. 17

Kumu hula Frank Kawaikapuokani Hewett, right, and his Kuhai Halau O Kawaikapuokalani Pa 'Olapa Kahiko will assemble two casts for separate Hawaiian shows — one for matinee crowds, the other for evening — at the Ronald E. Bright Theatre at Castle High School. It's all part of the halau's annual ho'ike, and who you watch depends on when you go:

• The 2 p.m. matinee will feature Olomana, Darlene Ahuna and 'Ale'a'.
• The 7 p.m. edition will feature Auntie Genoa Keawe, the Lim Family and Sean Na'auao.

Of course, there will be hula aplenty, with guest kumu Kamalani Kia, Ina Kanei, Kapi'olani Ha'o, Mapuana Ringler, Kahealani Mikaele, Kaleihua Kanei, Kauihiwailehu Gooch, Keala Maeda and Kapuaonaupaka Okada. Tickets: $15.

• 2 and 7 p.m. Aug. 17 / Ronald E. Bright Theatre, Castle High School / 235-3603

CONCERT: Aug. 18

At least 20 ki ho'alu masters will mark the 20th anniversary of the Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival, a daylong attraction linked to a Brunch on the Beach that weekend at Kapi'olani Park Bandstand. The strummers, performing at various times, include the Makaha Sons, Maunalua, Cyril Pahinui, Dennis Kamakahi, Makana (right), Barry Flanagan, Ernie Cruz Jr., Bla Pahinui, Michael Kaawa, David Kahiapo, Ocean Kaowili, George Kuo, Jeff Peterson, Donald Kaulia, Raymond Kane, Kimoke (Barry and Kamuela), Walter Carvalho, Young Danny, Ron Loo Sr. and Jr. Melveen Leed will be a guest star and the brunch booths will provide food and drink. Bring your own mats. Free.

• 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Aug. 18 / Kapi'olani Park Bandstand / 239-4336

CONCERT: Aug. 22

The Makaha Sons — Louis "Moon" Kauakahi, Jerome Koko, John Koko — "shine" in the next Moonlight Mele on the grounds of Bishop Museum. They'll uncork their vintage songs, hapa haole songs and other niceties. Tickets: $15 general, $10 for AIG Hawai'i customers.

• 7 p.m. Aug. 22 / Bishop Museum / 847-8290

FESTIVAL: Aug. 23

Lewers Street, from Kalakaua Avenue to Helumoa Road, will be closed to vehicular traffic, 6-10 p.m., as the Lewers Street Festival takes over with a round of firecrackers, Chinese lion dance, entertainment from two stages and food and drink. Brickwood Galuteria will be "street master," prevailing over the musical scene which includes the likes of Ho'okena, Maunalua, Hema Pa'a, Ellsworth Simeona and Roy Sakuma's Super Keiki. For keiki, there will be storytelling, balloons, face-painting and more. There will be $1 per hour parking fee (maximum, $5) at designated hotels, including the Ohana East, Ohana Maile Sky Court and the King Kalakaua Plaza. Admission is free.

• 6-10 p.m. Aug. 23 / Lewers Street between Kalakaua Avenue and Helumoa Road / 921-6941

STAGE: Aug. 29

Edward Sakamoto's "Aloha Las Vegas," an island-based drama about a family faced with the prospect of moving to Las Vegas, broke box office records when it was originally staged by Kumu Kahua in 1992. And it returns, as the theater group's season opener, replete with the same conflicts: sunny beach livelihood or arid desert lifestyle? The play repeats at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, through Sept. 29. Tickets: $5-$16.

• 8 p.m. Aug. 29 / Kumu Kahua Theatre, 46 Merchant St. / 536-4441

CONCERT: Aug. 30

Here's a combo worth tuning in to: Kalapana, The Mana'o Company, left, and Andy Bumatai share the limelight in an end-of-summer evening at the Sheraton Waikiki. It should be a homecoming of sorts, since all acts have a show biz past and an active presence. Kalapana, now showcasing Malani Bilyeu, D.J. Pratt and Gaylord Holomalia, is carrying the torch since the death of founding member Mackey Feary. The Mana'o Company reunited, tweaking its membership, two years ago, and earned a lion's share of Na Hoku Hanohano Awards earlier this year. Bumatai is back to doing stand-up comedy after playing the role of a businessman for the past few years. So: expect to hear "Songbird," "Spread a Little Aloha" and local-style comedy. Tickets: $25, $35, $45.

• 7:30 p.m. Aug. 30 /Hawaii Ballroom, Sheraton Waikiki Hotel / 922-4422 (Sheraton; ask for Dining Desk), 526-4400 (Ticket Plus)

CONCERT: Sept. 7

The Kahauanu Lake Singers, recalling the taut Hawaiian harmonies of the Kahauanu Lake Trio of yesteryear, will perform in "E Ho'omau 'Ia (To Perpetuate)," a Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame concert at the Kawaiaha'o Church sanctuary, 957 Punchbowl St. The group, comprised of Vernamae Perkins, Luana and Walter Kawai'ae'a and "Atai" Akina, will feature songs from a just-out Hula Records CD, "Na Mele 'Auhau (Songs of Tribute)." Also on the bill: Emma Veary, Randy Hongo, Kilinahe and guest kumu hula and dancers. Tickets: $15.

• 5:30 p.m. Sept. 7 / Kawaiaha'o Church Sanctuary / 735-2866 (Harry's Music)

COMING UP:

• Buzz Tennent, Aug. 17, Hawaii Public Radio's Atherton Performing Arts Studio
• 29th Annual Bed Race, Sept. 4; parade on Kalakaua Avenue, followed by bed races
• "A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline," Sept. 4-22, Manoa Valley Theatre
• "Oklahoma!" Sept. 5-21, Richardson Theatre, Fort Shafter
• Aloha Festivals floral parade, Sept. 14, from Ala Moana Beach Park to corner of Kalakaua and Kapahulu avenues
• Ho'okipa 2002, a Kapi'olani Community College Culinary Arts and Hospitality Program benefit, Sept. 27, Monarch Room, Royal Hawaiian Hotel
• Lou Rawls, with the Symphony Pops, Sept. 27-28, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• Hawai'i International Film Festival's Fall Film Festival, Nov. 1-10 on O'ahu, Nov. 8-10 on the Neighbor Islands
• "Nutcracker," Hawaii Ballet Theatre production, Dec. 14-15, 21-22, Leeward Community College Theatre

BUZZING ABOUT ...

• Kokua time: Manoa Valley Theatre, nestled amid the graveyard at 2833 E. Manoa Road, is prepping for its fall season opener, "A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline," which premieres at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 4. But the theater is in the midst of sprucing up the premises and grounds and needs help with gardening and tidying-up duties. Bring gloves and useful implements; refreshments provided. Sign up in advance between 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. by calling 988-6131.
• Mom's the word: It's still early, but count on Ho'okena to do a Mother's Day concert in 2003.
• In and out: Lee Cataluna, author of "You Somebody" at Diamond Head Theatre, was to take a small role in Kumu Kahua's season opener, "Aloha, Las Vegas," bowing at 8 p.m. Aug. 29. But when the Ray Bumatai health issues occurred, she dropped out to devote full time to DHT.
• Elvis is in the house: Dawe Glover dons his Elvis duds to impersonate The King in a free show at 6 p.m. Aug. 15 at Ala Moana Centerstage. His backup cuties will include wife Jade and daughter Aubrey.

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The Great Index to Fun (TGIF) four-week guide at least 10 working days before the event. This planner appears weekly, featuring major events only; others are listed in the weekend and daily calendars.

Write: TGIF, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802, or fax 525-8055.

Schedule is subject to change.