It'll be the year of the tiger, sort of, when the popular summertime twilight series, "Starbucks Wildest Show in Town," prowls into action again, starting June 14 at the Honolulu Zoo.

The series, coordinated by Roy Sakuma, 'ukulele virtuoso, instructor and recording producer, will showcase a myriad of local talent, from singers to musicians, with a weekly 'ukulele giveaway as part of the lure. Proceeds from the nominal $2 admission donation will support a renovation project for the Sumatran tiger exhibit, which boasts two striped tigers acquired last December from the Fort Wayne Zoo in Indiana.

The Honolulu Zoo Society will be touting "Tiger Moon," a dinner gala set for Oct. 7, to expand the tiger exhibit to enable Berani and Chrissie, the new residents, to breed.

"Tiger cubs will be a wonderful new attraction for our zoo and make an important contribution to global conservation efforts for this highly endangered species," said Barbara L. Thacker, the zoo society's community development director.

Sakuma will emcee the pau- hana, pau-school, hump-day festivities — a favorite for families who can eat their dinner while soaking up Island sounds.

"People are so appreciative that they can bring their families together in the middle of the week and enjoy quality time together," said Sakuma of audience interest. "It's so wonderful to see children having fun at the zoo."

The series threatened to go under last year, but Starbucks came to the rescue for a scaled-down six-week schedule; this year, again with Starbucks support, the event continues on 10 Wednesdays, through Aug. 16. In its heyday, the "Wildest Show" ran 14 weeks, from June to August.

The Keiki Koloring Kontest is restored this summer, and children 12 and under can enter a weekly drawing to win a KoAlana 'ukulele. Adults, too, may enter to win an 'ukulele in a separate giveaway.

Also, the first 30 who sign up each Wednesday get a guided zoo tour prior to showtime.

Performers and 'ukuleles to be won in a drawing include: