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CONCERT: May 16

Local favorite Renewing Japan-Hawai'i ties The 24th annual Pan-Pacific Festival-Matsuri in Hawaii, cultivating the relationship between Japan and Hawai'i with a multitude of cultural activities, returns June 6-8. The celebration includes a ho'olaule'a in Waikiki, a parade down Kalakaua Avenue, and a half-marathon. Most events, at various times and venues, are free. 265-6225, www.pan-pacific-festival.com.

• 8:30 p.m. May 16 / Hawaiian Hut / 941-5205
• On Maui: 7:30p.m. May 15, Castle Theater, Maui Arts & Cultural Center. $25-$30.
• On the Big Island: 5:30 p.m. May 17, Ohana Keauhou Beach Resort. $28 general, $25 advance.
• On Kaua'i: 2 p.m. May 18, Anahola Taro Patch. $28 general, $25 advance.

CONCERT: May 17

Grammy- and Oscar-nominated Stephen Bishop, right, makes his way to O'ahu for an evening of pop music. The clarinetist turned acoustic guitar player is known for his hits "On and On," "Save it for a Rainy Day" and "It Might Be You." His songs have been sung by artists including Phil Collins, Barbra Streisand and Eric Clapton. Also on the bill that night will be local 'ukulele wonder Jake Shimabukuro. TIckets: $20 advance, $25 at the door.

• 7:30 p.m. May 17 / Honolulu Academy of Arts, Doris Duke at the Academy / 532-8700

STAGE: May 21-25

Eve Ensler's phenomenon, "The Vagina Monologues," returns to Hawai'i for a series of performances. Based on an array of interviews with women, the show explores the humor, power, pain, wisdom, outrage, mystery and excitement of the female reproductive organ. And the shows are not just for women: Men, too, will discover the wonders of this international cult hit. Local-born Hollywood star Kelly Hu, right, performs, along with New York actresses Starla Benford and Amy J. Carle. Tickets: $20-$45.

• 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 6 and 9 p.m Friday, 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506
• On Maui: Starring Teri Hatcher. May 27-June 1, Castle Theater, Maui Arts & Cultural Center. $25-$40 ($5 discount for seniors, students)

CONCERT: May 24

Delight in Hawaiian sound and dance during the Hawaiian Bash, an evening celebrating local music. There will be hula dances and the music of Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu, Maunalua, 'Ale'a, Kahua, Kim, Justin, Na Palapalai and the Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus. Tickets: $10-$25 pre-sale, $12-$30 at the door.

• 6-9:30 p.m. May 24 / Waikiki Shell / 526-4400

FAIRS: May 23-June 15

Ah, the annual 50th State Fair is back, which means rides, games and ... chimpanzees? That's right, there's some monkey business here as the fair introduces the Great Ape Encounter, an educational, fun-filled experience with the Rosaire-Zoppe chimps. Other attractions include the Bikes, Blades and Boards stunt show, Hawai'i State Auto Show and the Overdrive Live Concert with local performers. Admission is $3 for 12 and older, $2 for those 4-11 and free for children 3 and younger. Special fair promotions include Military Appreciation Day May 26 and Pepsi Days June 1, 8 and 15.

• 6 p.m.-midnight May 23, 30, June 6, 12-13; noon-midnight May 24-26, 31, June 1, 7-8 and 14-15 / Aloha Stadium / 682-5767

CONCERT: May 27

The hottest rapper on the airwaves right now is in the money and planning to take Hawai'i by storm. Street smart and confrontational, 50 cent brings his tell-it-like-it-is approach to music to rock this rock. His latest album, "Get Rich or Die Tryin'" includes hits like "Wanksta," "What's Up Gangsta" and "Patiently Waiting" featuring Eminem. Brooklyn native Fabolous brings his up-tempo party vibe to the bill as special guest. Tickets: $36.50 and $39.50.

• 7 p.m. / Blaisdell Arena / 526-4400

DANCE: May 30

Dancing queens (and kings) can get down and boogie at the Disco Fever dance party. Dust off your bell bottoms, polyester suits and platform shoes and groove to the beats of Nueva Vida, Natural High, Phase 7, Asian Blend and Power Point. There'll be guest performances by Tino and the Rhythm Klub, Infusion and eightOeight. Yvonne Elliman, left, stars, with the J. Michael Band performing some of her hits. Tickets: $35 and $45 pre-sale, with an additional $10 for those purchased at the door. All tickets include one drink.

• 7:30 p.m. May 30 / Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, Hawaii Ballroom / 526-4400

DANCE: May 30-31

Consider it fate that "Destiny" has returned. After its world premiere at the Hawai'i Theatre last May, Iona Contemporary Dance Theatre brings back the powerfully moving production based on the maternal strengths of the Earth and the forces of change. The dreamlike sequences blend butoh and modern dance, with fantastic costumes and one-of-a-kind production elements. Using dance, aerial movement, video and the spoken word, "Destiny" is a treat for the eyes and journey for the soul. Tickets: $25-$45, with a $5 discount for students, seniors and military.

• 8 p.m. May 30-31 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506
• On Maui: 7:30 p.m. June 7, Castle Theater, Maui Arts & Cultural Center. $25-$40 ($5 discount for seniors, students)

CONVENTION: May 31

Enterprising Trekkies can see some of their heroes up close and personal during the Hawaiian Sci-Fi Convention, which features George Takei, Wil Wheaton, Chase Masterson and others. Bring your 21st-century dollars: There will be tables featuring "Star Trek," "Star Wars" and other sci-fi merchandise plus video and slide presentations. Tickets: $20 general, $35 preferred seating.

• 11 a.m.-5 p.m. May 31 / Sheraton Moana Surfrider / (310) 456-7544, 732-1292, 943-0500

CONCERT: June 7

Santa Barbara-based punk band The Ataris rock this way with a concert at Pipeline Café. Influenced by the likes of Lagwagon, NOFX, Jawbreaker and Mineral, band members Kris Roe (lead vocals/guitar), Mike Davenport (bass/vocals), John Collura (guitar/vocals) and Chris Knapp (drums) are ready to jam with their indie sounds. Tickets: $17.50.

• 7 p.m. June 7 / Pipeline Café / 526-4400

STAGE: June 12-22

Go to where the air is sweet when Sesame Street Live returns to Hawai'i with "1-2-3 ... Imagine!" It's a Broadway-style musical for the keiki featuring cuddly favorites Big Bird, Elmo, Bert and Ernie and the rest of the gang as they use their imaginations to take them to places like a fiesta in Mexico, on a deep-sea adventure or a jungle exploration in Africa. Tickets: $11, $15 and $19. All seats on opening night are $11.

• 7 p.m. June 12, 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. June 13, 19 and 20, 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. June 14, 15, 21 and 22 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / 526-4400

COMING UP:

• Uluwehi Guerrero, May 16, Hawai'i Theatre
• Pianist Andre Watts, May 20, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, May 28, Sheraton Waikiki
• King Kamehameha floral parade, June 7, downtown to Waikiki
• Hawaiian Islands Chef Lu'au, June 7, Mauna Kea Ballroom, Hawai'i Prince Hotel
• Aston Full Moon Concert Series, June 13, Kapi'olani Park Bandstand
• Taste of Honolulu, June 20-22, City Hall grounds
• "Giselle" ballet, by Ballet Hawaii, June 27, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• "Nisei," with the Covenant Dance Theatre, July 3-15, Leeward Community College
• Evanescence, July 11, Pipeline Café
• Hawaii International Jazz Festival, July 18-20 on O'ahu, July 25-26 on Maui
• 'Ukulele Festival, July 27, Kapi'olani Park Bandstand

BUZZING ABOUT:

'Matrix' faces: "The Matrix Reloaded," blasting into movie theaters beginning Thursday (there are some late-night Wednesday screenings, too), has a couple of Hawai'i connections. Honolulu-born actor Randall Duk Kim is "The Keymaker"; martial-arts specialist Harlan Lee plays a villain. Of course, "Matrix" hero Keanu Reeves' father is Hawai'i-born.

For art's sake: Robert R. Midkiff, a patron of the arts and the former president of CEO of American Financial Services of Hawai'i Inc., will receive the Alfred Preis Award when the Hawai'i Alliance for Arts Education presents "Celebrate the Arts! Alliance Awards 2003," at 7 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Hawai'i Theatre. And he'll be regally entertained by Jake Shimabukuro, Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom and The Makaha Sons, with additional music by Hawai'i Youth Opera Chorus and a Hawai'i Youth Symphony quartet. 941-2787.

Maui wowie: The Maui Film Festival, June 11-15 in Wailea, will premiere "Whale Rider," winner of audience awards at Sundance and the Toronto International Film Festival. The event draws its share of Hollywood notables; last year, Clint Eastwood, Mike Meyers and John Corbett were among those attending. (808) 579-9244.

Postponement: Ballet Hawai'i's "Giselle" production, which was to have a May run at Blaisdell Concert Hall, has been moved to June 27. That's partly linked to the world situation and difficulties in confirming work visas for Wu Haiyan and Lin Jun, soloists from the National Ballet of China, who are among those taking starring roles.

Submit information for

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.