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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, May 30, 2008

What's Up!

Advertiser Staff

FESTIVAL: JUNE 6-8

The 29th annual Pan-Pacific Festival — Matsuri in Hawaii is a showcase of entertainment, music and food. Among the highlights:

  • Ho'olaule'a, 7-10 p.m. June 6. Kalakaua Avenue turns into a giant block party with five stages of hula, traditional dance and taiko; food booths, arts and crafts and exhibits.

  • Hula festival, noon-4 p.m. June 7, Ala Moana Centerstage. Island and Japanese halau perform.

  • Parade, 5-7 p.m. June 8, along Kalakaua Avenue. The colorful procession includes taiko drummers, dancers and floats.

    June 6-8 / Most events are free / www.pan-pacific-festival.com.

    FESTIVAL: JUNE 6-7, 20-21

    This year's King Kamehameha celebration is themed "Na Po'e O Ka Pakipika" ("The People of the Pacific"). On O'ahu, highlights include:

  • Statue decoration, right, 4 p.m. June 6, at Ali'iolani Hale; preceded by a performance by the Royal Hawaiian Band at 3:30 p.m.

  • Floral parade, 9:30 a.m. June 7, beginning at King and Richards streets, continuing along Punchbowl, to Ala Moana, Kalakaua and ending at Kapi'olani Park. Floats, pa'u riders and marching bands are part of the procession. Entertainment, arts and crafts demonstrations, food booths and more will continue at Kapi'olani Park.

  • 35th annual King Kamehameha Hula Competition, 6 p.m. June 20, 1 p.m. June 21 at the Blaisdell Arena. Halau from California, Nevada, Japan and Hawai'i will take part.

    June 6-7, 20-21 / Free admission, except for hula competition / http://hawaii.gov/dags/king_kamehameha_commission.

    DANCE: JUNE 7

    The first bon dance of the season is a big one, and in a perfect setting. There'll be music and dancing, much food, and crafts, too. Among the dance groups participating: Waipahu Hongwanji, Hawaii Eisa Shinyuukai, Mililani Hongwanji, Yamada Dance Group, Iwakuni Dance Group, Aiea Taiheiji Yagura Gumi. On the menu: barbecue meat sticks, plantation-style chicken hekka, bentos, shave ice, baked goods.

    5-10 p.m. June 7 / Hawaii's Plantation Village, Waipahu / Free / 677-0110.

    CONCERTS: JUNE 12-AUG. 7

    The Waikiki Aquarium's Ke Kani O Ke Kai summer concert series returns with five nights — all Thursdays — of music and food; aquarium exhibits will be open for viewing, too. The schedule: June 12, Kaukahi; June 26: Hapa, below; July 10: Jerry Santos and Jay Larrin; July 24: Eddie Kamae; Aug. 7: Willie K. Space is limited to 550 for each concert in this popular series.

    Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; concerts begin at 7 p.m. / Waikiki Aquarium / $25 general, $10 for those 7-12; free for kids 6 and younger ($15 and $7 for aquarium members) / Reservations: 440-9015.

    CLUBS: JUNE 14

    The '80s are back, and in a big way. Dare we say "mega" way? The Steinlager Pure Mega '80s Music Festival presents three stages of hitmakers, including El Debarge, Klymaxx, Lisa Lisa, Exposé and Club Nouveau; Island bands Jook Joint, eight 0 eight and Quadraphonix; and DJs G-Spot, Nocturna, Quiksilva and IKON. A surprise artist is to be announced, too.

    7 p.m.-2 a.m. June 14 / The Waterfront (formerly Kapono's), Aloha Tower Marketplace / $40, $45 general; $95 VIP / www.presaleticketsonline.com.

    EXHIBIT: JUNE 14-JULY 20

    Lego artist Nathan Sawaya makes his Island debut this summer with "Brick Art," part of Pearlridge Center's annual presentation of family-focused, museum-quality exhibits. "Brick Art" features never-before-seen sculptures, including "Green," right, created from standard Lego blocks. On Saturdays and Sundays, families can create their own Lego designs, too.

    June 14-July 20 / Pearlridge Center Uptown and Downtown Center Courts / Free.

    CONCERT: JUNE 19

    Na Hoku Hanohano award winner John Cruz headlines the kickoff concert in the Bank of Hawaii Moonlight Mele on the Lawn series. It's a concert under the stars on the Bishop Museum's Great Lawn, so don't forget to bring a beach mat. Also on the concert lineup: The Girlas. This is the first of a three-part series of Island-music programs presented by the Bank of Hawaii and Bishop Museum.

    7 p.m. June 19 / Bishop Museum's Great Lawn / $20 general, $15 advance, $10 museum members, military and Bank of Hawaii customers; free for kids 4 and younger / 847-8290.

    CELEBRATION: JUNE 21

    June 21, 1998, was the day the fabled battleship Missouri arrived at Pearl Harbor, and to mark the 10th anniversary, the Battleship Missouri Memorial presents "A Mighty Mahalo," featuring free admission for residents and military, pier-side food, performances by military and school bands and educational activities.

    9 a.m.-5 p.m. June 21 / Battleship Missouri Memorial / $16 general, $8 kids 4-12; free for kama'aina and military (active, retired, families) / 644-4896, www.ussmissouri.org.

    CONCERT: JUNE 27

    The beats will be fast and furious at Taiko Fest '08, showcasing Hawai'i's own Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble, Taiko Center of the Pacific Youth Group, and TaikoProject, winner of the 2005 Tokyo International Taiko Contest.

    7:30 p.m. June 27 / Hawai'i Theatre / $22, $28, $34 / 528-0506, www.hawaiitheatre.com