Posted on: Friday, January 17, 2003

Brunch event back on Kalakaua

By James Gonser
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer

The city's Brunch on the Beach program will move back onto Kalakaua Avenue Sunday after being held in Kapi'olani Park for several months. A portion of Kalakaua will be closed for the event, which features food and live entertainment fronting Waikiki Beach.

The brunch program has been held in the park since July because that location cost about $10,000 per event less to stage, said city Managing Director Ben Lee. But having the event near hotels, with the beach in the background, makes it more attractive, he said.

"It is more of an attraction to our visitors because if it is at Kapi'olani Park, they really have to discover it," Lee said.

Lee said residents seemed to prefer the park setting, but having it along the oceanfront is more convenient for the hotels, which operate most of the food booths. Prices range from $2 for coffee and drinks to $7 for chicken and ribs plates.

Brunch on the Beach will run from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and feature two beverage booths and eight food booths. Kalakaua Avenue will be closed from Ka'iulani Avenue to Kealohilani Avenue.

It will cost the city about $25,000 to stage the event on Kalakaua, Lee said, because synthetic turf must be placed on the street, umbrellas and tables have to be set up and taken down, and the streets must be coned and traffic redirected, Lee said.

The Waikiki Improvement Association has agreed to help offset the cost of holding it on the street for the next couple of events. Lee said.

A stage will be set up at the Duke Kahanamoku statue and entertainers will include Jake Shimabukuro, 'Ale'a, Darlene Ahuna and the Royal Hawaiian Band Glee Club.

The city will also be holding its Sunset on the Beach events at Queen's Surf Beach this weekend featuring "Blue Crush" tomorrow and "Signs" on Sunday. Both start at 6:30 p.m.

Reach James Gonser at jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2431.