Summer zoo shows promise wild nights
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
Gates open at 4:35 p.m. Wednesdays, June 2-Aug. 25 Concerts from 6 to 7 p.m. Honolulu Zoo $1 at the gate (proceeds to fund animal-health equipment) 526-6610 AT&T Wildest Show performers June 2 — Kapena, contemporary Hawaiian; G-string 'ukulele drawing. June 9 — Gabe Baltazar & Friends, jazz. June 16 — 'Ike Pono, contemporary Hawaiian. June 23 — Maunalua, Hawaiian; recent Na Hoku Hanohano group and most popular entertainers winner; Sonny D 'ukulele drawing. June 30 — Pacific Fleet Big Band, big-band sounds. July 7 — Rocky Brown, contemporary. July 14 — Noel Okimoto and 'Ohana, jazz; recent Na Hoku jazz winner. July 21 — Daniel Ho and Roy Sakuma's 'Ukulele Super Keiki, instrumental; Lanikai 'ukulele drawing. July 28 — Ka'ena, Island contemporary. Aug. 4 — Audy Kimura, contemporary; singer-guitarist. Aug. 11 — Jimmy Borges & Friends, jazz. Aug. 18 — Raiatea Helm, Hawaiian; former Na Hoku best female vocalist winner; Ko Aloha 'ukulele drawing. Aug. 25 — Jake Shimabukuro, 'ukulele virtuoso; Kamaka 'ukulele drawing.
AT&T's Wildest Show in Town, a summer tradition combining family picnicking with Island music in the environment of the denizens of the Honolulu Zoo, opens June 2.
AT&T's Wildest Show in Town
If you miss the first one, no worries — it repeats every Wednesday through Aug. 25.
The twilight event will be hosted again by Roy Sakuma, a world-class 'ukulele performer, teacher and recording artist-producer. Award-winning local favorites include three acts who just picked up Na Hoku Hanohano Awards last week: Maunalua (best group, most popular entertainers), Noel Okimoto (jazz winner) and Jake Shimabukuro (best instrumentalist).
"With Jake, Noel and Maunalua winning Hoku Awards, this year's event is really special," said Sakuma. "It was nice that Noel finally won something, after supporting just about everyone else throughout the years, and it was nice that he was the presenter of the instrumental award that Jake won."
The 'ukulele give-away on selected nights has become a popular draw; instruments are donated by local uke manufacturers.
Along with local residents, "we get a lot of people from Japan," Sakuma said. "But when I walk the grounds, I always hear from people who come from all over the Island — Kane'ohe, Hale'iwa, everywhere."
Now in its 19th season, "Wildest Show" also is an opportunity to visit the animals, who are active around sunset, Sakuma said. A 30-minute guided tour is available before showtime.
Sakuma strives annually for a diverse roster — soloists, bands, jazz musicians, Hawaiian acts.
"We are excited to tailor the show around two of the most popular types of music, jazz and Hawaiian," said Patti Chong, AT&T Hawai'i's director of sales and marketing.
Plate lunches are available, and keiki contests are on tap.
Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.
