THE LEFT LANE
Learn the key to 3D

Advertiser Staff

She is a 3D character animator who earlier was with DreamWorks Feature Animation. She was the lead animator on "Sinbad" and "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimmaron." Admission is free.

Taro pie with that?

Spotted on the menu at McDonald's restaurants on Maui: taro pies.

"They're like the apple pie, except they feature a taro filling," said Melanie Okazaki, marketing manager for McDonald's Restaurants of Hawai'i.

Traveling Island residents discovered the pies being sold at McDonald's restaurants in China, of all places. They notified local McDonald's officials, who contacted the taro pie manufacturer. A small batch was sent late last month to restaurants on Maui, the test market, and is being sold at a dollar each while supplies last. If the pies do well on the Valley Isle, sales will go statewide, Okazaki said.

Troops earn thanks

Shauna Fleming

Shauna Fleming, 15, was challenged by her father, who founded the annual campaign "Valentines For Troops," and decided on the letter campaign of her own. Her school will open, sort and package the mail, which will be distributed to military bases, USOs, VA hospitals and other military organizations. Entries can be sent through www.AmillionThanks.org, or snail-mailed to: A Million Thanks, c/o Lutheran High School of Orange County, 2222 North Santiago Blvd., Orange, CA 92867.

Halekulani turns 20

The Halekulani hotel has been welcoming visitors to the soft breezes of Waikiki since it began as a collection of beachside guest bungalows in 1917. The present hotel, opened in 1984, celebrates its 20th anniversary with birthday wishes from the Travel Channel, which features the hotel in a 30-minute special "Great Hotels," at 5 a.m. today, 9 a.m. Wednesday, 5:30 a.m. Friday and 4:30 a.m. Sunday.

For Halekulani events during this special year, call 923-2311 or see www.halekulani.com.