The highlights:

• The parade begins at 9:30 a.m. today at Fort DeRussy, traveling along Kalakaua Avenue and ending at the park. Expect marching bands, dignitaries, visitors from Okinawa and clubs of the Hawaii United Okinawa Association, which sponsors the festival. Bring your camera, bottled water and lots of sunscreen.

• Food, glorious food, is a big part of the festival. We're talking pig's feet soup, yaki soba, Okinawan soba, champuru (stir-fried veggies and deep-fried tofu) and shoyu pork plates, chili with hot dog or rice, Hawaiian plates, chicken plates, andagi and shave ice. Oh, and the okidog sounds irresistible; it's a hot dog and chili wrapped in a soft tortilla with shoyu pork and lettuce.

• Entertainment is continuous, too. Cultural groups from Hawai'i and Okinawa will perform each day; other special events include an appearance by Japanese superhero Kikaida (12:30 p.m. today); a bon dance (6 p.m. today); and a concert by Begin, a trio from Okinawa (8 p.m. today). Begin is Masaru Shimabukuro, Eisho Higa and Hitoshi Uechi, childhood pals who have been performing professionally since 1990. Their most recent CD/DVD, titled "Reef Line," was released this summer.

• The cultural tent will include a display of Okinawan ceramics, lacquerware and textiles; genealogy information; a calligraphy display and demonstration; ikebana flower arrangements; and a bonsai and silent auction by the Hawaii Bonsai Association.

Festival hours are 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. today and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. tomorrow. Admission is free, and you can park at Kapi'olani Community College and take shuttles to and from the festival.

See Olympic silver medalist at ho'olaule'a

If all the arts and crafts, entertainment, food booths, keiki games, Imaginarium shows and other attractions aren't enough to bring you to today's Windward Ho'olaule'a, consider this:

Olympic silver medalist Bryan Clay is scheduled to appear at 10 a.m. and will sign photos and autographs at 11 a.m. So just get in the car and head for Windward Community College in Kane'ohe. Hours are 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Admission is free.

Free palace tours for kama'aina Sunday

Lucky you kama'aina, especially if you've been longing to look inside

'Iolani Palace. Tomorrow is Kama'aina Sunday at the former royal abode, which means residents get in free for docent-guided tours of the first and second floors.

The first tour begins at 9 a.m., the last at 2 p.m. The Palace Galleries will be open until 4 p.m., the shop until 3 p.m. Be sure to bring your ID.

Other Kama'aina Sundays are scheduled for Oct. 3, Nov. 7 and Dec. 5.

From Corvettes to racers, weekend events put real wheels on display

A couple of car events are taking place this weekend:

• If you're in Waikiki, take a look at some special muscle machines at "Corvettes in Paradise," 10 a.m.-4 p.m. today at the Hilton Hawaiian Village's Garden Lanai. The event, sponsored by The Corvette Club of Hawaii, is free.

• The Sports Car Club of America presents "Keep the Kids Off the Streets Race Day" at Hawaii Raceway Park, Campbell Industrial Park. It's an effort to teach youngsters what real racing — safe racing, on a track — is all about.

It takes place Monday, Labor Day, a holiday for most folks. Gates open at 9 a.m.; racing happens until 4 p.m.

Admission: $10 general, $6 for those 13-17, free for kids 12 and younger. It's a benefit for the Red Cross of Hawaii and the Hawaii Family Support Center. 488-1782.

You'd best show for pooch events

This weekend's Hawaiian Kennel Club all-breed dog shows by the numbers:

• 450 of Hawai'i's top canines.

• More than 100 toy dogs, including 21 Pomeranians.

• 77 breeds to be judged in two separate shows.

• 9 a.m. today, 8 a.m. tomorrow — Blaisdell Box office opens.

• 9:30 a.m. today, 8:30 a.m. tomorrow — judging begins.

• $5 general admission; free for kids 12 and younger.

The shows — the club's 141st and 142nd — will feature Mainland and Hawai'i judges at the Exhibition Hall. Woof!

Make your elderly parents' home safer

Many baby boomers must care for their elderly parents' homes.

The Lowe's Home Safety Council warns that more than simple upkeep is involved. Safety, too, is a major consideration.

The council identifies certain things for immediate action:

• Are steps protected by hand rails and nonskid surfaces?

• Are area rugs backed by rubber or two-sided tape to reduce slippage?

• Do all interior light bulbs have enough wattage for proper illumination?

• Are exterior portions of the home adequately lighted?

• Have motion detectors to turn on exterior floodlights and lamps in some rooms been installed?

• Are hand rails installed in baths and showers?

• Are cracks and gaps in paving and sidewalks filled and smoothed?

• Are smoke detectors installed? Are their batteries being checked regularly?

• Do neighbors who can keep an eye on the house have your phone number and e-mail address?

— Associated Press

Waikiki Sunsets to show 'Hidalgo,' 'Tomb Raider'

Another weekend, another pair of Sunset on the Beach events at Queen's Surf Beach, in Waikiki. The festivals of food booths, entertainment and movies on a 30-foot screen begin at 4 p.m. today and tomorrow.

Today's movie is the action adventure "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life," starring Angelina Jolie (above) as the intrepid relics hunter. Tomorrow's movie is "Hidalgo," the horse drama starring Viggo Mortensen.