The festival celebrating the power of romantic music — launched earlier this year as the Return to Romance festival — will feature 10 days of entertainment, dinners, a film screening of "Gone with the Wind" and the unveiling of the fest's grand plans for a Hawaii Romance Center. That venue's mission? Paying tribute to all things romantic.

The festival is set to run from May 2 to May 11, 2008 at various venues.

It's schedule of events will include:

May 2: Opening ceremonies

The Matt Catingub Orcehstra performs on the Iolani Palace grounds at this free and open to the public event. The week's events will be previewed with special performances, and Kahu Curtis Kekuna of Kawaiahao Church will invite audience members to renew their vows.

May 3: "The Food, Wine and Music of Romance"

Four James Beard Award-winning chefs — including Honolulu's Alan Wong — will each be charged with designing a course for the evening and explaining why the dish is the most romantic of all. Each course will be paired with wine. The Matt Catingub Orchestra and guest artists will end the benefit dinner for a local charity with romance music for dining and dancing.

May 4: International music night

Ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro and singer Amy Hanaiali'i will perform with vocalists from the Mainland, Korea, and Japan at the Waikiki Shell.

May 5: "Romantic Night at the Movies"

The festival celebrates the 70th anniversary of the romance classic "Gone with the Wind" with a special screening, sponsored in part by the Hawaii International Film Festival. Ann Rutherford, who portrayed Scarlett's younger sister Careen in the film, will be on hand as a special guest and will take part in a question-and-answer session following the screening.

May 6: Romance Center induction dinner

Films, television programs, books and food honoring the theme of romance are recognized for their lifetime achievements in the art of woo at this benefit dinner for Hawaii childrens' charities. A committee of experts in each of the genres will determine the amorous inductees.

May 7 and 8: "The Most Romantic Songs Ever Written...Part 2"

Returning hosts Nick and Nina Clooney preside over a sequel to the Broadway-style show at Hawaii Theatre that was part of this year's festival. At that event, a panel of 150 industry specialists including songwriters, music publishers, singers, music historians and journalists voted on the 20 most romantic songs ever written. Another 20 songs will get the nod next year, with performances by guest artists including Tony Award-winning vocalist Brian Stokes Mitchell. The goal? A definitive list of the 100 Most Romantic Songs Ever Written and a touring production designed around the list by 2011's romance fest.

May 9: "Back to Romance"

The Matt Catingub Orchestra of Hawaii's new "Back To Romance" CD — featuring a dozen of Hawaii's best male musical artists singing about love — is celebrated. The men will be joined on the Waikiki Shell stage by legendary Motown musician, songwriter and romance expert Smokey Robinson.

May 10: "The Rhythm of Romance - 2"

Aaron Neville, Gladys Knight and other to-be-announced local, national and international musicians join forces at the Blaisdell Arena for a concert dedicated to romantic music.

May 11: Pink Day Concert and Dinner

The 2008 Hawaii Romance Festival closes with a Mother's Day/Pink Day benefit dinner and concert for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization. The Royal Hawaiian Hotel event will include a pink fashion show and a concert by a yet-to-be-announced international musician passionate about the fight to end breast cancer.

The Hawaii Romance Festival is hosted by the Matt Catingub Orchestra of Hawaii and is sponsored in part by the Hawaii Tourism Authority and Starwood Hotels and Resorts.