SATURDAY SCOOPS
How can you help?

By Zenaida Serrano Espanol
Advertiser Staff Writer

Salvation Army bell ringer Cristina Cambra, right, accepts cash from Barbara Fiero in front of the downtown Longs Drugs. Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

At the same time, when the holiday season hits, Salvation Army spokesman Daniel de Castro says, "We have an urgent need for volunteers to bell-ring with our kettles."

In other words, if you've gotten most of your Christmas shopping done, and if you feel the urge to help other people, nothing warms the holiday spirit like volunteering. Why not help seniors, lend your services to a meals on wheels program or youth group — or simply call 988-2136 today and volunteer to stand by one of the Salvation Army's 100-plus donation kettles scattered statewide.?

"Most people come back after they do it," de Castro said. "If you look at how many kettles we have, and you look at them staying open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., then you can see we need hundreds of volunteers if the shifts last only a few hours.

"If we don't get volunteers, we have to hire people out at minimum wage. Most of them are needy or homeless, so we're still helping, but paying wages takes a bite out of the money we raise to give to needy families for the rest of the year."

Last year, the Salvation Army's holiday kettles raised more than $400,000, de Castro said.

Again, donating time, money, food, clothes or any other goods doesn't have to be targeted for the Salvation Army, or limited to the holiday season.

But today would mark a good start.

"It is about the whole community, and the quality of life in our whole community is about how we take care of each other," said Trudie China, spokeswoman for Aloha United Way, where calls for food and shelter assistance in the first nine months this year were up more than 50 percent from 2002.

Those interested in volunteering should contact the agencies listed at right.

Reach Zenaida Serrano Espanol at 535-8174 or zespanol@honoluluadvertiser.com.

Contacts

For information about volunteer opportunities or where to make donations:

• Aloha United Way: 211
• Child and Family Service Domestic Abuse Shelters: 847-4602, ask for Paige
• Demecilio Community Clearinghouse: 845-1669, ext. 1, then ext. 2
• Hawaii Foodbank: 836-3600
• Hawai'i Meals on Wheels: 988-6747
• Institute For Human Services: 845-7052
• Lanakila Meals on Wheels: 531-0555
• River of Life: 524-7656
• Salvation Army: 522-8400 to donate goods, 988-2136 to volunteer

Voluntary

• Action Center: 536-5006, ext. 1 then ext. 6

'Chocolate' exhibit special discount for families of four

Have you checked out the "Chocolate" exhibit at the Bishop Museum yet? Well, this weekend there's extra incentive: a big admission discount if you bring an empty Hawaiian Host box.

Hawaiian Host, which specializes in chocolate-covered macadamia nuts and other goodies, is a sponsor of the exhibit. With the empty box, a family of four can sample "Chocolate" for $3 a person.

(Regular kama'aina admission is $7.95 general, $6.95 for kids 4-12, free for keiki 3 and younger.) Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

While you're at the museum, take in the new exhibit "Lono-I-Ka-Makahiki," which honors the Hawaiian god of peace, fertility, agriculture and healing. It opens at 9 a.m. today in the Vestibule Gallery.

Sample the pupu, celebrate Oceanic's 'Reel Stories' show

"Hawaii Reel Stories," an Oceanic Cable 16 show that focuses on the film scene in the Islands, is getting a big kickoff party 5:30-7:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Row Bar at Restaurant Row. The half-hour show is scheduled to begin a six-week run April 19.

Tonight's party, sponsored by FAVAH (Film and Video Association of Hawaii) is an open invitation to all film fans, filmmakers, techies, and everybody else. There'll be pupu and a no-host bar. Admission is free. 223-0130.

Piano in the Park celebrates 150 years of Steinway sounds

Professor Harold Hill and his infamous 76 trombones have nothing on Ellen Masaki (pictured), veteran piano teacher, who is staging — with the help of Sanders Piano — the First Annual Piano in the Park celebration today and tomorrow at Pawa'a Park.

She's assembling 150 performers, who will give 150 recitals, to mark 150 Years of Steinway & Sons. Performances take place 2-6 p.m. today (the program will culminate with the performance of "Ten Pianos," on two grand pianos) and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. tomorrow. Students of piano teachers Ernest Chang and Bichuan Li share the limelight tomorrow.

Pawa'a Park is next to the Sanders Piano store at 1500 S. King St. Admission is free.

City lights up downtown tonight with parade, party

Downtown is the place to be tonight as Honolulu City Lights is launched in all its seasonal glory. Take in the displays in the courtyard of Honolulu Hale, get a close-up look at the giant Santa and Tutu Mele, stroll the grounds along with thousands and thousands of your neighbors.

Here are the highlights:

• 4 p.m.: Entertainment, food booths, games and activities for keiki.
• 5 p.m.: Candlelight service at Kawaiaha'o Church.
• 6 p.m.: Tree-lighting ceremony at Honolulu Hale, with Jake Shimabukuro offering "Honolulu City Lights" on 'ukulele; Electric Light Parade begins from 'A'ala Park, moving toward Honolulu Hale.
• 7:30 p.m.: Santa meets with keiki on the diamondhead side of the small red brick building facing King Street; holiday concert begins, with Jordan Segundo, Hypersquad Dance Company, Hapa, Henry Kapono and others, plus an appearance by Kikaida.

It's all free. Traffic note: It could be wretched, so go early and bring a big supply of patience.

Keali'i Reichel's delayed CD arrives in stores today

Keali'i Reichel's much-anticipated CD, "Ke'alaokamaile (The Scent of the Maile)," should hit the record racks today — after several weeks' delay because of a production faux pas.

A sleeve for the liner booklet was not part of the release when it arrived here last month, forcing a recall of 50,000 CDs.

But the disc, which pays tribute to the Maui entertainer's 'ohana and influences, should be in the stores today. In time for Christmas.

Art of Cartooning free event today

Get those creative juices flowing and head for the Waialua Public Library for the Art of Cartooning, presented by cartoonist Dave Thorne.

It's a free hourlong program, beginning at 10 a.m. today, that includes drawing demonstrations and the chance to sketch your own cartoons.

Twilight parade on Big Island celebrates season

On the Big Island, Waimea's 43rd annual Twilight Christmas Parade is dedicated to Jeffrey Cypriano, a trucker and community figure who died recently at age 46. The parade begins at 6 p.m. today (traffic note: Mamalahoa Highway between Church Row Park and the intersection of Lindsey Road will be closed 6-7 p.m.). It's free to watch or participate in the parade, but all are asked to bring nonperishable food donations to the Parker Ranch Center 4-8 p.m. today for the Salvation Army's Food Drive.

The parade is just the topper of a full day of holiday festivities, including visits and picture-taking with Santa, craft fairs and entertainment.

Munch on Texas tacos, grilled mochi at farmers' market

Must have a Southern-style breakfast today. Where to find it? At the continuing Saturday Farmers' Market at Kapi'olani Community College, where biscuits and gravy and Texas breakfast tacos are on the menu today by James Weaver and company from Paniolo Kitchen.

Of course, there's the fresh produce and other edible goodies such as fresh tomato salsas and grilled mochi. And don't forget to spruce up the house with poinsettias, which also will be available along with orchids, anthuriums and mums.

Hours are 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Admission is free.