The search is on for the Islands' most romantic men. The Honolulu Advertiser, KGMB 9 and the Hawai'i Romance Festival have joined forces to put the spotlight on a local man, married or single, who best demonstrates romantic qualities.

Is he tender, passionate, endearing, attentive? Has he made an incredibly meaningful gesture of love, or does he demonstrate his romantic nature in his 24/7 personality? Tell us about it.

Think you know Hawai'i's most romantic man? Then send us a "love letter" describing this man in your life — a husband, friend, brother, son, or maybe yourself — and enter Hawai'i's Most Romantic Men Contest.

Four fortunate winners, chosen by Honolulu Advertiser readers who vote online, will receive a prize package consisting of tickets to all of the Hawai'i Romance Festival events, taking place May 2-11, including romantic dinners, movie screenings and live performances by artists such as Gladys Knight, Aaron Neville, Smokey Robinson, Sergio Mendes and Brian Stokes Mitchell. In addition, the Final Four will each receive an Ultimate Romantic Dinner, including a candlelit dinner for two, limousine service, hotel accommodations, flowers and a special gift.

HOW IT WORKS

To enter, write us a love letter, no longer than 300 words, telling us why your candidate is deserving of this most romantic distinction. We'll accept entries received via mail or e-mail by Jan. 25, which we will then deliver to our romance panel for judging. The panel will narrow the field to 12, based on finding the candidates considerate, tender, passionate, sexy, endearing, humorous, original and most creatively romantic.

You'll be introduced to the 12 finalists in an Island Life feature on Feb. 3, when we share their stories, and post stories and photos online at www.HonoluluAdvertiser.com.

Readers will vote for their favorites (one vote per e-mail address), with the top four vote-getters being recognized as Hawai'i's Most Romantic Men on Valentine's Day.

KGMB 9 will follow these four most romantic men in their own environment and profile each one on a "Back to Romance" TV special that is being produced as part of the Hawai'i Romance Festival. From the four, one winner will be dubbed the Most Romantic Man in Hawai'i. The winner will receive the Ultimate Romantic Experience, including a trip to New York City, including a weekend at a luxury hotel, dinner at a romantic restaurant, car service and tickets to a Broadway show.

Learn more: www.mcooh.com

HAWAI'I ROMANCE FESTIVAL

Harmonious melodies, divine dinners and Hawai'i — the ideal recipe for romance. That's what the Matt Catingub Orchestra of Hawai'i has cooked up with the 2008 Hawai'i Romance Festival. The 10-day event will celebrate some of the most romantic music ever written, performed by guest entertainers from across the U.S. and the Islands.

The schedule of events:

May 2: Opening Ceremonies. The 10-day festival will kick off with opening ceremonies at 'Iolani Palace, featuring a performance by the Matt Catingub Orchestra of Hawai'i in front of the historic royal residence. In keeping with Hawaiian tradition, Aaron Mahi will conduct a blessing and a hula halau will perform. Kahu Curtis Kekuna of Kawaiaha'o Church will invite audience members to renew their vows.

May 3: The Food, Wine and Music of Romance. Helping to create the most romantic dinner dance in Hawai'i will be four James Beard Award-winning chefs, including Hawai'i's Alan Wong. Music by the Orchestra and guest artists will complete the evening.

May 4: International Music Night. 'Ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro and Hawai'i's ambassador of music, Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, will be joined by vocalists from the Mainland, South Korea and Japan.

May 5: Romantic Night at the Movies. "Gone With the Wind," a romantic epic, and the Hawai'i Romance Festival will help celebrate the film's 70th anniversary at 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 a guest.

May 6: Romance Center Induction Dinner. Romance in film, television, books and food will be honored at the Romance Center Induction Dinner. Two motion pictures, including "Gone With the Wind"; two current television shows; a classic novel and a new book; and two chefs noted for their lifetime achievements in creating romantically appealing meals and atmospheres will be the first inductees into the Romance Center. A committee of experts in each of the categories will determine the inductees.

May 7-8: "The Most Romantic Songs Ever Written ... Part 2." Hosted once again by Nick and Nina Clooney, these concerts are a continuation of a Broadway-style show last year at the Hawai'i Theatre, where the 20 most romantic songs ever written, as chosen by a panel of 150 industry specialists including songwriters, music publishers, singers, music historians and journalists, were presented in performance. The next 20 songs will be presented at the Hawai'i Theatre by Broadway's finest, including Tony Award-winner Brian Stokes Mitchell.

May 9: Back to Romance. Under the stars at the Waikiki Shell, this concert will celebrate the Matt Catingub Orchestra of Hawai'i's "Back to Romance" CD, which features a dozen of the best male musical artists from Hawai'i. Legendary Motown artist and songwriter Smokey Robinson will join a selection of these leading men.

May 10: The Rhythm of Romance 2. R&B legend Gladys Knight and soul singer Aaron Neville, as well as other renowned music makers, join sland musicians for this event at Blaisdell Arena.

May 11: Pink Day Concert and Dinner. Closing the 2008 Hawai'i Romance Festival and in honor of Mother's Day, Pink Day will benefit the Queen's Cancer Center in support of breast cancer. The event will be held at The Royal Hawaiian hotel, and will include a special dinner with a pink fashion show and concert.

The Hawai'i Romance Festival is hosted by Matt Catingub Orchestra of Hawai'i and is sponsored in part by Hawai'i Tourism Authority and Starwood Hotels and Resorts, the official hotel provider of the Hawai'i Romance Festival. Tickets to Hawai'i Romance Festival events will go on sale on Feb. 14 — Valentine's Day, the same day the four Most Romantic Men in Hawai'i are announced.

HOW TO ENTER

Send your love letter to: Most Romantic Men Contest, Island Life, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; or islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com, with "Most Romantic Men Contest" in the subject line. Love letters must include a clear, attractive photo, name and phone number and be no more than 300 words long; essays and photos may be used in print or published online; if e-mailed, the photos should be 300 dpi jpegs.