Posted on: Friday, March 25, 2005

The Buzz

EASTER

The indicates admission is $5 or less, or free. Full-price admission is listed; * denotes discounts (or free) for students, seniors, military, members and/or children; and advance purchases. Call venue for details.

An egg hunt in the swimming pool is part of the Easter celebration that's happening this year at YWCA Camp Kokokahi.

25 | FRIDAY

CONCERT

Handel's "Messiah," part of the Honolulu Symphony's Halekulani MasterWorks season, 8 p.m., Blaisdell Concert Hall; repeats 4 p.m. Sunday; $21-$64. 792-2000, (877) 750-4400.

26 | SATURDAY

FAMILY TIES

Easter Eggstravaganza, egg hunt and games, 9:30 a.m., Koko Head District Park; 12 and younger; free. 395-5314.

Easter Celebration, egg hunt, balloon animals, petting zoo, pony rides and Hawaii FoodBank collection, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Salt Lake Shopping Center; free admission.

Annual Easter Festival of Fun, keiki games, bunny photos, magic show, train rides, egg hunt, pony rides, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Wahiawa Shopping Center and Wahiawa Town Center; free.

Easter Keiki Crafts and Bunny Treat Trail, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. keiki crafts, face painting and balloon animals, 2-3 p.m. treat trail, Ward Warehouse ground floor; free. 591-8411.

Dive-in Easter Egg Hunt, 2 p.m. egg hunt in pool, 2:30-5 p.m. open swim, YWCA Camp Kokokahi; ages 3-14; free. 538-7061, ext. 0, 247-2124.

TEA PARTY

The Madd Hatter Easter Picnic, with Giinko Marischino's improvisational movement, live body painting by Solomon Enos and Easter treasure hunt, 11:30 a.m., Tea at 1024, $20; also, 2:30 p.m., $25. Reservations: 521-9596.

CRUISE

Easter Brunch Cruises, Hawaiian cultural activities, egg hunt, brunch buffet, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Star of Honolulu, Aloha Tower Marketplace Pier 8; repeats Sunday; $32.34*. 983-7827.

27 | SUNDAY

CONCERTS

Easter Brunch Buffet and Concert, with The Makaha Sons and Pili'oha, noon-2 p.m., Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center dining pavilion; $18.95*. 696-1489.

Handel's "Messiah," part of the Honolulu Symphony's Halekulani MasterWorks season, 4 p.m., Blaisdell Concert Hall; $21-$64. 792-2000, (877) 750-4400.

CRUISE

Easter Brunch Cruises, Hawaiian cultural activities, egg hunt and brunch buffet, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Star of Honolulu, Aloha Tower Marketplace Pier 8; $32.34*. 983-7827.

An egg hunt in the swimming pool is part of the Easter celebration that's happening this year at YWCA Camp Kokokahi.

• • •

The male factor

Man oh man! Ladies, the Chippendales 2005 Calendar Tour shimmies on over our way for the first time in six years. These premium hunks will turn up the heat as they dance and gyrate at this Broadway-style all-male revue. Five of the chiseled dancers featured can be seen in this year's smokin' Chippendales calendar. Doors open at 6 p.m.

• 8 p.m. today-Saturday (21 and older) and Sunday (18 and older) / Radisson Prince Kuhio Hotel, Grand Ballroom / $28, $45 / (877) 750-4400

Men, don't let the ladies have all the fun: Come on down for the Chippendales Manhunt. Auditions held by a national Chippendales scout will be held in front of the audiences before the shows today and Saturday.

Tami Onchi is Pandora; Sonja Hinz is Hope (background) in "Pandora and The Seven Deadly Sins."

'Pandora' opens Wednesday

Creativity is unleashed when the UH-Manoa's Department of Theatre and Dance presents "Pandora and The Seven Deadly Sins." The original masked drama inspired by vaudeville and Balinese mask theater follows Pandora's fanciful adventures as she finds out what it means to be human. Asian Theatre MFA candidate Cassandra Wormser directs. A discussion takes place after the April 1 performance. "Pandora" is dedicated to Beverly Tresan, the late Maui artist who designed the masks featured in the play.

• 8 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, April 1-2 and 2 p.m. April 3 / UH-Manoa Earle Ernst Lab Theatre / $10 general, $8 seniors, military, UH faculty and staff, non-UH Manoa students, $3 UH Manoa students / 956-7655

Guitar master returns

Acclaimed Brazilian musician Carlos Barbosa-Lima will demonstrate his mastery of the guitar when he returns to the Honolulu Academy of Arts. Barbosa-Lima's repertoire includes classical, Brazilian, popular and jazz stylings. The evening's program features works by South American, European and North American composers. Local bassist Byron Yasui also performs.

• 7:30 p.m. Saturday / Doris Duke Theatre / $20 general, $18 museum members, seniors and students / 532-8700

'Messiah' at the symphony

The Honolulu Symphony's Halekulani MasterWorks season celebrates the joys of spring by offering Handel's masterful "Messiah" over the Easter weekend. Conducted by Samuel Wong, the orchestra will be joined by the Honolulu Symphony Chorus, directed by Karen Kennedy. Soprano Louise Toppin, mezzo-soprano Milagro Vargas, tenor Vale Rideout and baritone Burr Cochran Phillips guest.

• 8 p.m. today and 4 p.m. Sunday / Blaisdell Concert Hall / $21, $33, $43, $51 and $64 / 792-2000, (877) 750-4400

Learning the value of money

The edu-taining Keiki Swap Meet is back, offering kids another chance to learn and have fun at the same time. Presented by the Hawaii Children's Discovery Center, children of all ages are encouraged to clean out their rooms and make money by selling their gently used toys, books and games. Keiki sellers must collect their own items, price them and handle their own cash transactions. All are welcome to come and shop for goodies to help the children learn the value of money.

• 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday / Kaka'ako Gateway Park / $3 registration fee for participating children; free for shoppers / 524-5437

The nepenthes, tropical pitcher plants that eat insects, are showcased at the Rainforest store at Ward Warehouse Saturday.

For fans of the flora

Plant lovers can indulge at all the sales blooming around town this weekend:

The Windward Orchid Society hosts a show and sale, "It's Raining Orchids," with hundreds of orchids on display and demonstrations, too.

• 9 a.m.-8 p.m. today-Saturday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday / King Intermediate School / $2 general, free for those 65 and older and children younger than 12 / 239-5415

The Hawaiian Anthurium Society hosts the 25th annual Anthurium Plant Show and Sale. The event includes prize-winning anthuriums on display, educational horticulture workshops at 10 a.m. each day, floral arrangements, lei, corsages and plants for sale.

• 10 a.m.-8 p.m. today and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday / Ward Warehouse amphitheater / Free / 455-8024

The Lyon Arboretum Association offers its popular annual spring plant sale. This year's event features new plant introductions, demonstrations, crafts, lei and gift shop items.

• 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday / Blaisdell Exhibition Hall / Free / 988-0464

Rainforest at the Ward Warehouse will hold demonstrations on how to grow nepenthes, tropical pitcher plants that eat insects. Some nepenthe plants will be available for purchase in the store.

• 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday / Ward Warehouse, between Rainforest and Chowder House / Free / 591-9999

Hawai'i State Art Museum

Youngsters admire the artwork in the "Enriched by Diversity — The Art of Hawai'i" exhibit at the Hawai'i State Art Museum. The museum is one of the venues taking part in Saturday's Spring Promenade event.

A downtown Promenade

Put a little spring in your step at Spring Promenade: Stepping Back in Time, hosted by Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona and his wife, Vivian. Multiple events take place in the capitol district to celebrate everything spring:

On the palace grounds, the Royal Hawaiian Band performs a free one-hour concert beginning at 11 a.m. Other free activities include a lauhala weaving demonstration in the courtyard of 'Iolani Barracks.

• 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday / 'Iolani Palace / $20 general, $15 kama'aina adult and military, $5 ages 5-17, free for members for grand tour / 522-0832

The art museum hosts girls' spring bonnet- and boys' hat-making in the second-floor courtyard, while a petting zoo takes place on the front lawn. The exhibits "Reflecting Hawai'i," "Inner Scapes" and "Enriched by Diversity" will be open for viewing.

• 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday / Hawai'i State Art Museum / Free / 586-0305

At Washington Place, take a guided stroll or enjoy the music, children's games and Victorian-style photo opps. At 12:30 p.m., the Aionas will host a storytelling session, and at 1 p.m. there will be a contest for the hats made at the museum.

• 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday / Washington Place / Free / 586-0240

The Mission Houses Museum offers guided tours through the Frame House and Printing Office at 11 a.m., 1 and 2:45 p.m. Sights to see include a 19th-century wash, and period games and wardrobe.

• 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday / Mission Houses Museum / $5 general, $4 kama'aina, military and seniors, $3 students and free for members and those younger than 5 for tour / 531-0481

Craft demonstrations are a big part of the Ho'ike'ike festival today and Saturday at Kapi'olani Park.

Tributes to a prince

Come celebrate the life of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana'ole with a number of events this weekend:

The Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center honors the prince with a historical photograph exhibit and hula performance as part of its Monarchy Series. The exhibit, which includes more than 25 images from Prince Kuhio's life, will be on display through Saturday. Halau Hula O Maiki performs later that evening.

• Today-Saturday (exhibit), 7-8 p.m. Saturday hula / Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center fountain courtyard / Free / 922-2299

The Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana'ole Building Employee Coalition offers "Hawaiian Celebration Day" to pay tribute to the prince. The day includes cultural activities, Hawaiian music, hula, storytelling, lei-making contest, arts and crafts. exhibits, demonstrations and food tastings.

• 10-11:15 a.m. today, 1st Floor Courtyard / 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 5th-floor cafeteria / Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana'ole Federal Building / Free

The Radisson celebrates the birth anniversary of Prince Kuhio with a Ho'okupu by Blaine Kia in the lobby alcove followed by two performances by the Prince Kuhio Hawaiian Civic Club Choir at 12:30 and 1:20 p.m. in the lobby level.

• 10:30 a.m. today / Radisson Waikiki Prince Kuhio Hotel / Free / 922-0811

The O'ahu Council of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs team up to present the Ho'ike'ike festival, "Ku'u Home o Waikiki" (Waikiki My Home). Twenty-two Hawaiian civic clubs from around the island gather around for stories, crafts, presentations on historic sites and wellness, Hawaiian song and dance, demonstrations of kapa and feather-making, videos on Kaho'olawe and He'eia fishpond, and food.

• Noon-6 p.m. today and 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday / Kapi'olani Park / 429-3816

The Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs presents the annual Prince Kuhio Day parade with the theme "Ke Ali'i Maka'ainana — The Citizen Prince." Former Royal Hawaiian bandmaster Aaron Mahi serves as grand marshal. The parade ends at the Ho'ike'ike festival for the closing ceremonies of the Prince Kuhio celebration.

• 4:30 p.m. Saturday / from Fort DeRussy, down Kalakaua Avenue, to Kapi'olani Park / 429-3816