Posted on: Saturday, November 15, 2003

SATURDAY SCOOPS
Craft-fair savvy

Advertiser Staff and News Services

Lanikila Gift Fair shoppers found bargains the last day of the sale, when many prices were reduced.

Navigating and maximizing your time at a craft fair takes planning. Veteran shoppers will tell you there's skill involved in "doing" the Christmas-season arts and crafts gambol. These tips will help you leave a craft fair with a smile instead of a headache.

Before you go: Make a list of folks you're buying for. Get sizes, if necessary. Formulate your budget. Otherwise, you'll stray, forget someone or overspend. Also, carry a list of craft fairs (some are mere blocks apart) to minimize unnecessary backtracking.

Worst time to go: Midday. Ever try to get into the Blaisdell lot at high noon?

Best time to go: At the opening buzzer, since parking will be more readily available and you'll have the best selection. Or late in the day, when crowds thin out — although so does the stock.

Knowledge is power: Mission Houses specializes in Hawaiiana. The Pacific Handcrafters showcases Island artisans. The Islandwide Christmas Crafts & Food Expo is an all-day, into-the-night biggie. The Original Holiday Faire is a nocturnal alternative. School fairs offer homemade items. Most fairs are free, but a few charge admission.

Take a break: Coffee, plate lunch, shave ice ... take a munchie break to reconnoiter and relax, review your list and refuel.

Pacing: Don't buy chocolates or perishables early in the day if you're going on to afternoon fairs; ditto, plants. Ask vendors to hold purchases for pickup after you make your rounds.

What to bring: Cash, although most vendors take plastic and accept checks; bottled water (you'll get thirsty); sunscreen (if it's an outdoor fair); an umbrella (if the skies look threatening); a large tote to haul your purchases (little items can go astray).

What not to bring: Kids (they get tired); strollers (a hazard for the toddler and the crowd).

Bargains: If you're buying multiples, ask vendors for a discount; you want the best price, they want to sell. It's not being cheap, just savvy.

A few fairs worth checking out

The Original Holiday Faire, presented by Soufflé, 4-9 p.m. Wednesday, Manoa Ballroom, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii. 735-2186.

Islandwide Crafts & Food Expo, by Caroline-Hawai'i Craft Fairs, 5-10 p.m. Nov. 28, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Nov. 29, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 30, Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. Admission charge. 623-4050.

Mission Houses Holiday Craft Fair, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 29-30, Mission Houses Museum grounds. 531-0481.

Winter Craft Fair, sponsored by Hawaii United Okinawa Association, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 29 and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 30, Hawaii Okinawa Center, Waipio Gentry Business Park. 676-5400.

Christmas Festival 2003, presented by Pacific Handcrafters Guild, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 6-7, Thomas Square. 254-6788.

A Family A-Fair, sponsored by the State Council on Hawaiian Heritage, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 7, McKinley High School front lawn. 536-6540.

Holiday Gift Fair, by Kamuela Productions, 5-10 p.m. Dec. 12, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Dec. 13, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 14, Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. Admission charge. 527-5400.

That huge glassy white thing will celebrate fifth year

Happy birthday, Hawai'i Convention Center! It's been five years since the center opened, so there's going to be a bash to celebrate. Everyone's invited down for games, Hawaiian crafts and demonstrations, "backdoor" tours and birthday cake. Entertainment for the day includes keiki hula halau, a Mililani High School choir, Tahitian dance troupe Te Vai Uru Nui, the jazz duo Just Two Girls and dance troupe Allegra Performing Arts. There event also features screenings of Edgy Lee's films "Waikiki: In the Wake of Dreams" and "Paniolo: Cowboys of the Far West."

It all happens 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.

Admission and parking are free. 943-3500.

King Kalakaua's 167th an occasion for celebration

Celebrate the 167th birthday of King David Kalakaua with a series of free events this weekend on the 'Iolani Palace grounds:

• At 7 p.m. tonight, "The Art of Chant" takes place in the Old Archives Lecture Room. The lecture focuses on the styles of chanting and features chanters Kalena Silva, Anthony Lenchanko, John Keola Lake and Manu Boyd.
• The festivities begin early on Sunday with a performance of Kumulipo (Hawaiian genealogical chant) at 12:01 a.m. on the palace steps. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., enjoy Kama'aina Day at the palace with free admission to local residents.

At 11:30 a.m., the Review of the Royal Guard begins with a concert by the Royal Hawaiian Band. And at 7 p.m., the program "Mele 'Aimoku ... In Praise of a King" features writers, scholars and performers who have created works based upon material in the recently republished "Mele 'Aimoku," a collection of chants of King Kalakaua.

522-0832.

Today's the day for Dr. Seuss fan to party

Sam I am, if ever you were a Dr. Seuss fan, there is plenty for you to do today to celebrate next weekend's movie opening in a big way.

How about a children's tea party at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hawaii, or a book reading at the library by the governor and a comedian?

Do both today: Gov. Linda Lingle and comedian Andy Bumatai are taking part of a special reading of "The Cat in the Hat" at 10:30 a.m. at the public library at 478 S. King St. The reading will be followed by an activity hour for kids to make their own "Cat in the Hat" hats.

Then it's on to the tea party — featuring world class chefs putting together a "Cat in the Hat"-type menu, complete with green eggs and ham.

The hotel's Dr. Seuss-themed tea party runs from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Kahala O Ke Kai room.

A reading of "Cat in the Hat" will be narrated by Tom Moffatt, and children will participate in events such as most hats on the head, tallest hat and most memorized lines in connection with the book.

Other foods on the menu: One Fish, Two Fish, Tuna Fish Sandwiches, chocolate chip flip cookies, Thing 1 and Thing 2 Sneetches' Scones, Ding Dang, Doo Sundaes and Doodle Delight fruit punch.

Cost is $25 per person 2 and older and includes a "goody bag." Partial proceeds go to the national nonprofit organization "FirstBook."

To register for the tea party, call 739-8890.

Waikiki will be buzzing all weekend with special events

Waikiki is the place to be this weekend when two popular events come into play.

Today and tomorrow, head over to Queen's Surf Beach for the ever-enjoyable Sunset on the Beach. It'll be two full days of fun with Made in Hawaii crafters and artisans offering their wares from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day.

Starting at 4 p.m. today, Hawaiian music and Hawaii Stars finalists take the stage. At 6 p.m., the San Francisco Forty-Niners cheerleaders will wow the crowd. At 7:10 p.m., the inspiring movie "Bend it Like Beckham" focuses on a a London Indian girl's soccer aspirations.

Tomorrow, local singing sensation Nightlife takes the stage before the evening's movie, "Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde." Reese Witherspoon stars with Luke Wilson and Sally Field.

Also tomorrow, don't miss the monthly Brunch on the Beach, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. along Kalakaua Avenue.

Admission to these events is free. 523-2489, 923-1094.

Hana hou 'I do's' for free in Waikiki

Did you know you can get married all over again for free every Saturday night under the stars in The Banyan Courtyard at the Sheraton Moana Surfrider?

The hotel is kicking off its "Promise Me Again" event at 7:30 tonight. Minister Jon Bullock will officiate the renewal ceremony, and the Hawai'i Loa trio will serenade you as you tell your spouse you'd marry him or her all over again.

If you want to splurge on dinner, an ocean room, a bottle of champagne, chocolate-dipped strawberries and brunch the next day for two, it'll cost you $325. 931-8383.

A chance to meet 2 of South Korea's major novelists

A pair of major South Korean authors make a rare appearance at the University of Hawai'i's Center for Korean Studies at 7:30 tonight.

"Encounter 2003," hosted by Bruce Fulton, features Im Ch'oru, whose novel "Ku som e kagoshipta" was made into a film, "To the Starry Island," and Yang Kwija, author of the novel "A Distant and Beautiful Place."

The free event is sponsored by the International Communications Foundation of Seoul, the UH Center for Korean Studies, the Centennial Committee for Korean Immigration to the U.S., and Manoa: A Pacific Journal of International Writing.

Uke aficionados getting together for a conference

'Ukulele lovers, players, makers and supporters are all invited to the Second Annual Ukulele Exhibition and Conference this weekend at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort's Kaimuki Exhibition Room on the second floor.

Presented by the Ukulele Guild of Hawaii, get ready to enjoy everything 'ukulele from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. tomorrow.

There will be continuous entertainment on the ground and third floors with performances from Jerry Santos with Bryan Tolentino and Hoku Zuttermeister, 'Ale'a, Pa'ahana, Benny Chong, Gordon Mark, Al Canopin, Kimo Hussey and Joe Engbino, Roy Sakuma's Ukulele Keikis and others. The legendary Bill Tapia will be there, too.

Admission is free. 847-1541.

He sells puka shells in Waipahu

"Taste of Waipahu" just got a whole lot better today. San Francisco Giants rookie pitcher Jerome Williams, a 1999 Waipahu graduate, will be signing autographs and selling puka-shell necklaces from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Waipahu Intermediate School.

Williams, 21, always pitches wearing a puka-shell necklace, given to him by his mother who died of breast cancer in 2001. The Giants started selling puka-shell necklaces on days when he was on the mound, with proceeds providing medical care for women with breast cancer.

Williams is selling the necklaces for $5 each, again for charity. Free admission.