Posted on: Sunday, January 30, 2005
HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Mardi Gras party set for Feb. 8
Advertiser Staff
The fifth annual Nu'uanu Mardi Gras Block Party will be from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Feb. 8 on Nu'uanu Avenue between Pauahi and King streets downtown. Nu'uanu Avenue and Hotel Street will be closed during the event and buses will be rerouted.
The Nu'uanu Merchants Association is sponsoring the party which marks the final day before the Christian fast of Lent — a 40-day period of self-denial and abstinence.
The event will include two stages for live music, juggling jesters, costumed characters, palm readers and a short parade. There will also be a costume contest at 9 p.m.
New Orleans Cuisine will be prepared by Hank's Cafe, Indigo Restaurant, Tea at 1024, Murphy's Bar & Grill, Dixie Grill, North Shore Farms and Starpoint Cafe.
Proceeds will be used for the association's efforts to beautify the neighborhood and fight crime and a portion will benefit the Hawai'i Children's Cancer Foundation.
Charlian Wright has been named executive director of Aloha Festivals.
Wright will oversee all Aloha Festivals activities and operations. These include budgeting, program and event schedule planning, marketing of the annual Aloha Week festival, coordinating with sponsors and evaluating the festival's island-wide program.
Wright served as Aloha Festival's interim executive director on a volunteer basis last year and was president in 1993. She recently retired as corporate marketing director for Pauahi Management Corp. and the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center. She has been an active member in many community organizations including Pacific Century Fellow Program, Travel Women Hawai'i, American Marketing Association, and the Travel and Tour Research Association.
Aloha Week in 1947 was created as a public festival to honor the heritage of Hawai'i through music, dance and history. "Na Honu Hawai'i i The Spirit Within" is the theme this year and is a tribute to Hawai'i's honu, or sea turtles.
For a schedule of events, visit www.alohafestivals.com or call 589-1771.
Sylvester Foundation, a no-kill animal shelter, will help Waimanalo youths break the cycle of violence through a program that teaches respect for animals.
"These kids learn that no one deserves to be hurt, including themselves, and this is an 'aha' moment for them," said Candy Lake, foundation director. "You see them change before your eyes. They can become the compassion champions in their little groups."
The Compassion Program is trying to eliminate abuse that often starts within a family and is then manifested in animal abuse, Lake said.
The program is made possible by a donation from the law office of Kessner, Duca, Umebayashi, Bain & Matsunaga.
Aloha Festivals picks director
Animal shelter to help youths
