Travel Channel viewers will find out why Hawai'i adores Spam when Matthew Gray, owner of Hawaii Food Tours and a former chef to the stars and a food journalist, appears on a special at 6:30 and 10:30 p.m., "10 Things You Don't Know About Hawaii." The program will explore customs, odd places and local color of Hawai'i — and the fact that Spam consumption here is the highest anywhere.

Gray, who conducts food tours in the Islands, said one of the most-asked questions he receives concerns Spam.

— Wayne Harada

ALFRED CABABAG ART ON DISPLAY

Alfred Cababag, right, is known as the surfer's painter, with the likes of Kelly Slater, Sunny Garcia and Jamie O'Brien among his fans. From his Big Island jungle retreat, he produces paintings that reflect not only the surfing life, but life on the land — farming, fishing and pig hunting. A collection of his somewhat abstract and surrealistic works will be on view one day only, noon to 8 p.m. today at the Waimea Valley Audubon Center; originals and giclee prints will be for sale. Admission is free. Information: Gini Enos, 349-7231, ginienos@hawaii.rr.com.

— Wanda A. Adams

FINAL WORD

"Smokey Robinson. Stevie Wonder. Chaka Khan. And you never know, Natalie Cole and I may do something. We've touched on that."

Aretha Franklin | on her duet wish list, in Billboard. A new album is on the way: "Aretha: A Woman Falling Out of Love."

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