THREE WEEKS OF ALOHA

The 63rd annual Aloha Festivals � a series of events that celebrate the cultural heritage of the Islands � start Thursday and continue for three consecutive weekends. This year's theme is "Hula, Let the Story Be Told."

Thursday: Royal Court investiture at 9:30 a.m. at Hilton Hawaiian Village; the opening ceremony at 4:30 p.m. at Royal Hawaiian Center's Royal Grove.

Sept. 12: Aloha Festivals Keiki Ho'olaule'a, with activities, arts and crafts and hula performances, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. at Pearlridge Center.

Sept. 19: Annual Aloha Festivals Waikiki Ho'olaule'a, with food, entertainment and hula halau, at 7 p.m. along Kalakaua Avenue.

Sept. 26: Aloha Festivals Floral Parade at 9 a.m. along Kalakaua Avenue, from Ala Moana Park to Kapi'olani Park.

More details: 391-8714, www.alohafestivals.com

PICK UP THIS

Indie rock band the Silversun Pickups return to Honolulu for a one-night-only engagement at 7 p.m. Saturday at Pipeline Caf� ($30, www.ticketmaster.com). Frontman Brian Aubert is a Kailua boy who moved to L.A. to become a big, bad rock star, and he's well on his way. The Pickups' latest album, "Swoon," hit No. 7 on the Billboard 200 chart.

MODESTY RULES

Having done for indie rock what Nirvana did for grunge, Washington-based Modest Mouse's visit to Honolulu (Pipeline Caf�, 7 p.m. Wednesday, $32, ticket master.com) is like welcoming Adam and Eve to our humble shores � they're a few of the people who made it all possible for everyone else. We're not worthy.

SO TALENTED!

Show us what you've got at Pipeline Caf�'s talent show Pipeline's Got Talent (8 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 8-29, $10 audience tickets; talent registration at www.pipelinesgottalent.com).

MAN VS. MAC 24-7

Adam Richman, host of the Travel Channel's "Man vs. Food," took on MAC 24-7's massive pancakes for an episode of the show. Watch it at 6 p.m. Wednesday at MAC 24-7 (921-5564) or from home, channels 58, 324.

BEST IN SHOW

Show your love for a hound dog. The Hawaiian Kennel Club is hosting a three-day series of American Kennel Club all-breed dog shows over Labor Day weekend at the Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall (9:30 a.m. Saturday, 8:30 a.m. Sunday and Monday, $5 at the door, 262-5236).

HOT IN HERE

The Hot Club of Hulaville does its gypsy jazz thang at the Doris Duke Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Saturday with "Noir: A Gypsy Jazz Operetta" ($25, 532-8700) What's it about? Guns, booze and broads � what else?

THE GAMES WE PLAY

GAME NIGHT AT THE HONOLULU DESIGN CENTER!

NetPlay (instead of network � get it?) / Honolulu Design Center's Cupola Theatre / 7 p.m. Tuesday / Free with drink purchase / 237-5462