What's Up!

Local favorite Hula and a heck of a lot more The 25th annual Prince Lot Hula Festival takes place 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. July 20 at Moanalua Gardens. This is a celebration, not a competition, filled with games, demonstrations, art, lei, crafts and food. Bring beach mats or chairs and spend the day immersed in all things Hawaiian. It's free. 839-5334.

It might be the summer's most anticipated animated kids' film of the summer — well, in Hawai'i, anyway. It's Disney's "Lilo & Stitch," and it takes place on Kaua'i, extolling the virtues of 'ohana. And there are other connections: Hawai'i actors Jason Scott Lee and Tia Carrere give voice to a couple of characters in the film. Here's the story: A little girl, Lilo, meets up with a mischievous space alien who eventually comes to understand the concept of family.

• Various movie theaters / June 21

AIDS BENEFIT: June 22

Shaka Jambe, a multicultural band of musicians, singers and dancers engaged in primal, tribal and indigenous traditions of the world, perform in "African-Caribbean World Beat," a benefit for the Life Foundation, Hawai'i's AIDS organization. The event includes hot vibes plus sushi and oyster bar specialties, with sales helping the cause. "The red ribbons are a little faded and tattered after all these years, but AIDS is far from over," said Paul Groesbeck, Life Foundation executive director. Tickets: $20 general, $15 advance. Or $500 buys you a table for 10, includes two bottles of wine, and appropriate mahalo.

• 10 p.m.-1:30 a.m. June 22 / John Dominis / 523-0955

DANCE: June 22

"Ryu no Mai: Nana Wudui no Yube" ("The Dragon's Dance: An Evening of Classical Okinawan Women's Dances") brings together dance troupes from Hawai'i, California and Okinawa to the Hawai'i Theatre stage. The Mitsuko Toguchi Ryubu Kenkyusho (Mitsuko Toguchi's Okinawan Dance School) is presenting the event, which features 20 dancers and 25 musicians; it is the first concert of all-classical Okinawan dance to be staged in the islands, according to Toguchi. Tickets: $15, plus $2 theater restoration fee, available at the box office.

• 5 p.m. / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506

GRINDS: June 28-30

"Taste of Honolulu," the grand feast of entrees, snacks, salads, desserts, appetizers and beverages, is one big buffet — and a benefit for Easter Seals. Restaurants will set up booths and woo you with on-site cooking; you pay for what you eat, though there's an initial admission fee. Among those offering their goodies: Bali-by-the-Sea, Big Island Steak House, Boomerang's, Brew Moon Restaurant & Microbrewery, Chai's Island Bistro, Ciao Mein, The Colony, Canoe's at the Ilikai, Culinary Institute of the Pacific, Down to Earth, Eastern Garden, Golden Dragon, Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant, Kapono's, Marian's Catering, Musashi, Pipeline Café, Prince Court, Sam Choy's Restaurants, Teddy's Bigger Burgers, The Willows, Tony Roma's, Uncle Lani's Poi Mochi & Catering. Gate admission: $3 general, free for keiki and seniors 55 or older; scrip sales on site.

• 5-10 p.m. June 28, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. June 29, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. June 30 / Civic Center grounds / 536-1015

COMEDY: June 28

The show will go on, despite the recent death of James Grant Benton. "Lolo No Ka Oi," a gathering of stand-ups, will be revised to include a tribute to the late original member of the groundbreaking comic trio Booga Booga. Among the performers will be Da Braddahs, Ed Ka'ahea (the last original Booga Booga member), Mel Cabang, below, and Augie T. Tickets: $35, $25, $18.

• 7:30 p.m. June 28 / Hawai'i Ballroom, Sheraton Waikiki / 526-4400

CONCERT: July 3

Guitarist Larry Carlton brings pre-Fourth of July sparkle to the North Shore, appearing at a jazz, food and wine and fireworks extravaganza 'neath a blanket of stars. Carlton, a Warner Bros. Records act, performs with his band; other acts will be on the bill. Nourishment — food and liquid — will be by Honolulu and Turtle Bay restaurants. And aerial fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. Tickets: $25 general, $20 advance. Food and drinks extra.

• 5:30-9:30 p.m. July 3 / Turtle Bay Resort grounds / 293-8811

PARADE: July 4

Kailua's Fourth of July parade is a community tradition; in light of Sept. 11, this year's should raise the banner on patriotism even higher. There will be marching units, clowns, floats. And yes, Old Glory. Featuring clowns, floats, marching bands, more. Presented by the Kailua Chamber of Commerce Fourth of July Celebration. Free.

• From 10 a.m. July 4 / Kainalu Street / 261-2727

FIREWORKS: July 4

The choice is yours: city or country fireworks for the Fourth? In town, Ala Moana Center hosts a blast, from 8:30 p.m. from Magic Island; entertainers will help while away the wait; go early to find your spot at the center or from a distant perch (Ke'ehi Lagoon, Waikiki also work). If you don't mind the drive, the Army's salute to patriotism, with daytime and nighttime festivities, is the best; Tino & the Rhythm Klub perform at 4:30 p.m., the Society of Seven Las Vegas at 6 p.m., with fireworks at 8:15 p.m. Free.

• Fireworks at 8:30-8:50 p.m. July 4 / Ala Moana Center / 955-9517
• Fireworks at 8:15-8:45 p.m. July 4/ Sills Field, Schofield Barracks / 438-1980, 438-4480

BOOK SALE: July 6-12

Imagine 70 tons of stuff — 3,000 books of varying titles, plus records, sheet music, magazines, video and more. The early bird may get the best buys, but since choice varies from one person to another, you may find your special volume even on the last day of the Friends of the Library 55th Annual Book Sale. Happy hunting.

• 10 a.m.-9 p.m. July 6-12 and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. July 13 / McKinley High School cafeteria / 536-4174

CONCERTS: July 10, 12, 14

Grammy Award winner George Winston, who has done much to boost the exposure of Hawaiian slack-key artists through his Dancing Cat record label, returns to the islands for a series of concerts. A July 10 Kaua'i concert is all-guitar and benefits KKCR radio station in Princeville. The July 12 and 14 gigs at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center and the Hawai'i Theatre, respectively, will be piano concerts.

• 7:30 p.m. July 10 / Kilauea Theater, Kaua'i / $25 general, $20 advance / (808) 826-7774
• 7:30 p.m. July 12 / Castle Theater, Maui Arts & Cultural Center / $10, $20, $25 (half price for kids 12 and younger / (808) 242-SHOW
• 7:30 p.m. July 14 / Hawai'i Theatre / $17.50, $22.50, $27.50, $35/ 528-0506

CONCERTS: July 14

Piano fans, lend us your ears! "Pianomania 2002," featuring 270 pianists (ages 4-18) from the Big Island, Kaua'i and O'ahu, will fill the Blaisdell Concert Hall, to the delight of friends, family and all who support musical education of young folks. It's sponsored by the Hawai'i Music Teachers Association. A silent auction will be held before each concert. Tickets: $10.50, available at the box office, Foodland, Sack n Save and Ticket Plus outlets.

• 1:30 and 4 p.m. July 14 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / 591-2211

COMING UP:

• Concrete Blonde, June 21, World Café
• 29th annual King Kamehameha Hula Competition, June 21-22, Blaisdell Arena
• Hiroshima, July 9, Hawai'i Theatre
• ArtSpree, July 13, The Contemporary Museum
• Melissa Etheridge, July 19, Blaisdell Arena; July 20, Maui Arts & Cultural Center
• "You Somebody," a comedy by Lee Cataluna with songs by Keola Beamer, July 19-Aug. 4, Diamond Head Theatre
• Hawaii International Jazz Festival, July 18-19 at Blaisdell Concert Hall, July 20-21 at Outrigger Wailea Resort, Maui
• Celia Cruz and her West Coast Orchestra, July 25, Maui Arts & Cultural Center, July 26, Sheraton Waikiki
• "Once Upon One Kapakahi Time" trilogy, July 26-Aug. 4, Hawai'i Theatre
• 32nd annual 'Ukulele Festival, July 28, Kapi'iolani Park Bandstand
• Hawai'i International Film Festival's Fall Film Festival, Nov. 1-10 on O'ahu, Nov. 8-10 on the Neighbor Islands

BUZZING ABOUT:

Tommy Chong is coming: Remember the stoner comedy duo Cheech and Chong from the 1970s-'80s? Well, Cheech (Marin) has made a name for himself as Don Johnson's sidekick in the TV series "Nash Bridges." (Tommy) Chong, who still embraces drug-themed humor, has been reaching new audiences as Leo on TV's "That '70s Show." Chong and his wife Shelby are bringing their musical comedy act to Gussie L'Amour's at 9 p.m. Aug. 2-3; for 21 and older. Tickets — $20 cash (extra fee if by credit card) — go on sale today at Gussie's (3251 N. Nimitz Highway) and at Hawaii's Natural High (339 Saratoga Road). 926-3000, 836-7883.

Going to extremes: A new kind of circus is coming to town. "Blazin' Circus," featuring extreme sports athletes from the world of BMX, skateboarding, in-line skating and more, settles in at the Blaisdell Arena 11 a.m.-9 p.m. July 4-6. Tickets go on sale June 15 at the box office and Ticket Plus outlets. Prices range from $15 general to a $35 three-day pass (advance purchase), with discounts for children and MYTV card holders. 526-4400.

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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.