Musical groups will warm up the crowd at 5:30 p.m., adding sparkle to the event, said Paul Tomar, event coordinator. Entertainment at halftime during football games has been around for decades, but now a trend to add entertainment to other sports activities is spreading throughout the nation, Tomar said.

"It's a little bit of an experiment, but I think it will be well received," he said. "I think music energizes people, lightens them up and helps promote a festive and fun atmosphere."

Oldies and big band musical groups are also part of the entertainment — each night a different band will perform.

The first week of the tournament, the qualifying matches, will determine the lineup for the finals week when some of last year's winners will defend their titles, said Terry Olival, event planner.

The best players in Hawai'i, including some returning college students, will vie for $7,500 in prize money, Olival said.

Although the event and the entertainment are free, people can become a sponsor of the tournament for $125, which includes dinner every night of finals week with the menu reflecting the music of the evening, beverages and assigned parking and seating, she said.

Some 43 teams signed up to play, making this the biggest and best tournament in the Islands, said Bruce Nagel, tournament director, who will also compete.