SATURDAY SCOOPS
Pack smart

By Chris Oliver
Advertiser Staff Writer

Photos by Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

But whether you're headed for Maui, Las Vegas or the West Coast, one thing you gotta do is pack that suitcase ... with everything you need and nothing you don't. So down to business.

"The biggest mistake most people make when packing for a weekend or short trip is taking too much," said Lavina Wong, director of special events at Macy's, Ala Moana Center.

"Limit clothes to a few pieces that work well together and will take you comfortably from day to evening wear, with the addition of accessories such as a belt or a piece of jewelry. Stick to one or two colors that you can coordinate easily."

Mats Henricson, who produces the Universal Packing List at www.upl.codeq.info, warns, however, against taking too little or the wrong things. "It's far easier and cheaper to buy stuff at home than to do it at your destination," Henricson said. "Say you don't pack sun lotion. The result? You'll be shopping instead of being on the beach. Plus, isn't it easier to spend an hour before your trip than a couple of hours when you get there looking for an unfamiliar 7-Eleven?"

• Organize: Use packing cubes and bags like those from Eagle Creek (www.eaglecreek.com) or Space-savers by Samsonite. Even large zipper-closure food bags can keep items separate (and allow easy inspection by airport security). Rolling up T-shirts and underclothes will save space.
• Sock solution: Stuff socks into the shoes you're packing. It gives you more packing room and prevents shoes from getting crushed. Pack shoes in plastic bags so clothes stay clean.
• Take smaller items: Use miniature shampoo, toothpaste, shaving cream.
• Less is more: Think about pieces that will serve more than one purpose. A white shirt can be worn alone, layered over a tank top or used as a coverup for the beach.
• For wrinkle-free clothes: Pack using a thin wire hanger. Gently push the hanger down into the garment until only the hook is showing at the neck. (You might want to wrap a tissue around it to protect delicate garments.) Place the garment inside a plastic bag (dry cleaners are a good source), then fold it up so the folds are wrapped in plastic.
• Emergency item: Savvy travelers take a small roll of masking tape or clear cellophane tape — great for emergency hems, the torn page in your paperback, that annoying gap in hotel curtains.
• Keep these handy: Carry a self-closing plastic bag with never-know-when-you'll-need-'em supplies: bandages, aspirin, cotton balls, safety pins, vitamin E, a packet of salt, a pack of gum (eases ear-popping when flying), extra tissues.
• Traveling with kids: Pack complete children's outfits in large self-closing plastic bags, then put bags into the luggage. They can just grab a bag and get dressed.
• Don't forget: Your sense of humor. It's a renewable resource and takes no room in the suitcase.
• More tips: Try www.onebag.com, www.travelite.com, www.uplcodeq.info.

Local singers to entertain at 'Brunch on Beach'

Waikiki watchers: There's no "Sunset on the Beach" this weekend, but there is "Brunch on the Beach," beginning at 9 a.m. tomorrow along Kalakaua Avenue.

Besides a wide variety of food available for purchase, there's top-notch entertainment, including the Royal Hawaiian Band Glee Club at 9:30 a.m., recording artist Jennifer and "American Idol" contestant Jordan Segundo at 10:30 a.m., a surprise guest artist at 11:30 a.m. and then headliner 'Ale'a.

Don't forget the sunscreen. Admission is free. 523-2489.

Children's chorus festival culminates in pair of concerts

Many, many young voices will be raised in song to close the 3rd annual Pacific Rim Children's Chorus Festival.

More than 300 youngsters from 10 world-class U.S. choirs have been attending a weeklong festival, immersed in music, dances, languages and storytelling of Polynesia. The festival culminates in two concerts:

• 7 p.m. today at BYU-Hawai'i's Cannon Activity Center. Free.
• 7 p.m. tomorrow at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. Admission is $15 general, $10 military, seniors and kids under 10; available two hours before the concert begins. 591-2211.

Other concert highlights include 'ukulele stylist Bruce Shimabukuro, Kenny Endo's Taiko Center of the Pacific Youth Group, Filipino tinikling dancing and Korean folk dancing.

Midsummer gleam lights up Foster Botanical Garden

Hours are 4:30-10 p.m. today. Admission is free, and you're invited to bring your own picnic dinner.

More wine and cheese, pretty please

All you need to know is the title: the Celebration of Cheese, Food and Wine from Around the World. Sample 40 artisanal cheeses, dozens of wines and the culinary creations of Sheraton chef Daniel Delbrel in the sixth annual fund-raiser for the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific. There's also a Scotch-tasting seminar for an extra fee.

Besides the gastronomical goodies, there are live and silent auctions, and entertainment by pianist Ginny Tiu.

The celebration takes place 1-5 p.m. tomorrow at the Sheraton Waikiki. Tickets are $70 at the door, $60 advance; available at Fujioka's Wine Merchants, 739-9463.

Moloka'i coming to Ward, Windward

So maybe you're an Oahuan who rarely takes the short flight to Moloka'i. No problem: The Friendly Isle is coming this way for two events this weekend:

• First up is the Moloka'i Festival, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. today at the Ward Warehouse. The festival includes entertainment by Moana's Hula Halau and Ke Kuahine O Moloka'i, the Mobettah Band and others; arts and crafts; a new coffee lines from Moloka 'i Coffee Plantation, salts from Hawai'i Kai Salt; and, of course, the very famous bread from Kanemitsu Bakery.
• Windward folks can take in more of the same, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. tomorrow at Windward Mall.