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Next »Festivals
New flight, TV show strengthen Hawai'i-Korea connection
A new nonstop flight between Hawai'i and Korea and an upcoming Hawai'i TV show devoted to Korean themes are highlighting the bond between the two cultures.
Hawaiian Airlines today began the first of its four weekly nonstop flights between Honolulu and Seoul's Incheon airport, which will add 54,000 seats annually to the existing service on Korean Air. (Interestingly, Hawaiian's Web site lists Korean Air flights as more expensive code-share options, although the charge on Korean Air's Web site for its flights is about the same as -- or even less than -- Hawaiian charges for its service -- about $1,000 round trip with advance purchase.)
The Korean market has been growing rapidly since the Asian nation joined the U.S. Visa Waiver Program in 2008, according to an airline press release, which cited Hawai'i Tourism Authority figures showing a 75 percent increase in visitors from Korea in 2010 over 2009 -- a total of some 79,000 by November 2010. The agency predicts that number will rise to 115,000 for 2011.
The Honolulu TV station KBFD, which broadcasts several Korean soap opera-style miniseries with English subtitles, will begin producing a weekly English-language TV show on Korean culture in March. The new series will include "celebrity interviews and features on food, entertainment, shopping and tour attractions," according to KBFD general manager Jeff Chung.
Chung's weekly synopses of the station's "K drama" appear in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, along with updates on Korean ties to Hawai'i. (That's how I learned that a new Korean show, "Athena: Goddess of War," recently filmed scenes on O'ahu. Maybe they'll imitate "Lost" and use the Byodo-In and Ala Wai Canal to replicate Seoul sometime.)
Also in March, the Honolulu Festival Celebration of Pacific Region Cultures will include free cultural and arts performances and displays by Korean groups (as well as ones from Japan, China, Taiwan, Australia, the Philippines, Tahiti and Hawai'i.) Events take place March 12-13 at the Hawai'i Convention Center, Ala Moana Shopping Center, Waikiki Beach Walk and Waikiki Shopping Plaza.
For more about the history of Korean ties to Hawai'i, see my Oct. 11, 2010, interview with Kailua native and Bay Area resident Sandra Park, author of "If You Live in a Small House."
Daniel Ramirez / Wikipedia
Korea or O'ahu? The Byodo-In on the latter served as a stand-in for the former on "Lost."
Rae Ho
Passengers about to board the inaugural Hawaiian Airlines flight to Seoul from Honolulu receive a lei greeting.
| January 13 2011 at 04:55 PM
30 years of Bay Area hula festival; talking story in S.F.
Look who's turning 30: The labor of love known as the Iā 'Oe E Ka Lā Hula Festival presents its 30th edition this weekend at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton.
The competition starts tonight (Nov. 5) with solo performances from 5 to 11 p.m. and continues with group performances (all ages, male and female, modern and traditional) from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $12 for Friday, $15 for Saturday or Sunday. Parking is $8.
But as savvy shoppers know, the festival also features a hall (or two) of Hawai'i-made or Hawaiian-themed crafts, food and other products -- a great way to get a jump on holiday gifts -- plus vendors selling "'ono local Hawaiian food" (such as mixed plates, saimin, chicken teri, malasadas, poi doughnuts, etc.) The booths are open from 3 to 10 p.m. tonight and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; tickets to just this area (i.e. no entry into competition hall) are $10.
Part of the fun of the competition is watching the judges as they observe the dancers -- and some have been known to share a dance or song at the close of the event. This year's panel includes popular recording artist and kumu hula Keali'i Reichel and fellow hula masters Nalei Akina, founder of New York's Hawai'i Cultural Foundation; Kunewa Mook of award-winning Hula Hālau O Kamuela (and the equally honored Kamuela 'Elua, the Southern California branch); and Patrick Makuakāne of San Francisco's Nā Lei Hulu I Ka Wēkiu (which just turned 25.) Festival veterans Puakea Nogelmeier and Hau'oli Akaka will resume their roles as Hawaiian language judge and emcee, respectively.
The Kumu Hula Association of Northern California stages the event, which this year features performances by 19 hālau from California, Washington and Hawai'i, including the crowd-pleasing troupe from Oakland, Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu's Academy of Hawaiian Arts. Check out the video below of their wāhine kahiko (women's ancient hula) entry from last year.
Can't make it to Pleasanton tonight? Consider coming in from the semi-cold at Aloha Warehouse in San Francisco, where local author and retired judge Bill Fernandez will read from his memoir "Rainbows Over Kapa'a" and talk story with patrons, from 6 to 8 p.m.
I wrote about his thoughtful reflections on his diverse hometown in Kaua'i, and on growing up in simpler times, after an appearance in late April at Kepler's in Menlo Park. The book has gone on to be a best-seller at Borders on Kaua'i and strikes a chord with those who remember pre-statehood Hawai'i -- or who wish they did.
| November 05 2010 at 12:17 PM
Bay Area's best poke hands
Butterfly restaurateur Rob Lam took home top honors at the ninth Annual Poke Festival, held Sept. 11 at Hukilau in San Francisco. Lam's poke competed against entries from La Mar Cebicheria Peruana, Pacific Catch, Roy's San Francisco, defending champion Uncle Ronny and the hosting restaurant. Hukilau SF's head honcho Eric Tao writes:
Pacific Catch's beautifully plated ahi poke scored second only to Butterfly's version.
"Each was featured in the final throwdown based on its reputation for taking the Hawaiian classic to new levels in their own restaurants. Featured celebrity judge kumu Patrick Makuakāne, along with three judges selected from the over 600 attendees at the event, were treated to a marvel of culinary talent as each entry was judged on taste, originality and presentation.
"The scoring was close, but the winner this year was Butterfly, led by its ever effusive founder Rob Lam, who proudly proclaimed, 'Ain't no way I came here to lose, brother!' The next best poke in the Bay, Pacific Catch, rewarded the attendees with samples of their prize- winning poke ... they feature Hawaiian ahi poke on their menu daily. Each of the other restaurants -- Roy's, Hukilau and La Mar -- presented poke recipes that as they say in the Islands, 'broke da mouth,' but it ultimately may have been the ice sculpture featured in the Butterfly display that took its entry to the top of the contest.
But what about the people's competition, i.e. the Spam Musubi Eating Contest, held the same day? Tao reports:
"This year Alex Quiroga -- the 'Sausalito Slapper' -- took home the prize as the King of Spam, wolfing down 14 orders of Spam musubi in 3 minutes and keeping it down. [Ed. note: Um, thanks for sharing!] The event was kicked off by six-time champion Jeff 'Da Hammer' Cortez, who compares his reign as King of Spam with his years at local football powerhouse De La Salle."
I don't know how many Spam musubi others can eat in 3 minutes (and I'm not sure I want to know), but I would like to know whose poke pleases your palate most, whether here in the Bay Area or in Hawai'i, so please name your favorite place for poke in the comments field.
Hukilau's annual Spam musubi eating contest is not for the faint of heart -- or stomach.
| September 21 2010 at 09:00 AM
No stinkface: Napa, Japantown, Nicasio share aloha
How do you keep the family-friendly aloha going at the third annual Napa Valley Aloha Festival? No animals, no alcohol, no weapons, no drugs and no "stinkface" (i.e. bad attitudes), according to Manaleo Hawaiian Cultural Foundation, the organizers of Saturday's free event in Napa.
And on the positive side, you encourage attendees of the Polynesian cultural festival to bring a nonperishable food item to support the Napa Food Bank, you make it a "green" event, and you feature musicians and dancers known for their authenticity, along with vendors of island arts, crafts, clothes and food. No wonder "Kū'ē I Ka Pono" ("stand for righteousness") is this year's theme.
The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Napa Valley Exposition. Highlights of the entertainment lineup include the vocal/slack-key guitar duo Pūlama (11:05), kumu hula Kawika Alfiche's kahiko-oriented Hālau o Keikiali'i (11:40), contemporary vocalist/'uke artist Faith Ako (3:10), Ka Ehu Kai Hawaiian Band (5:00) and Hālau Hula o Kupukalau'ie'ie, directed by kumu hula Analu Akao.
On Sunday, Sept. 19, Japantown and West Marin pick up the aloha baton. As part of San Francisco's Sunday Streets festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Fillmore/Western Addition, the Japantown Peace Plaza (Post at Buchanan) will offer a stage of Asian Pacific entertainment, including Hālau o Keikiali'i, the West Coast Lion Dance Troupe and music by Steven Espaniola.
From Japantown, head across the Golden Gate Bridge to Rancho Nicasio, where Maui's own sizzling guitar hero and all-around showman Willie K headlines the annual luau on the lawn at 4 p.m. (gates open at 3); tickets are $20-$25.
For more Bay Area and California Hawaiiana this weekend, including deets on Alfiche's show at Sundance Kitche tonight, check out the Events listings on Brudda Bu's Facebook page.
| September 17 2010 at 12:05 PM
Hukilau fest celebrates crammed Spam, perfect poke
What's called the world's only Spam musubi eating contest (one rather hopes so) and a fierce competition for the prestigious title of "best poke east of Hawai'i" are highlights of the San Francisco Hukilau's ninth annual Poke Festival, starting at noon.
Competing in this year's "San Francisco Bay Poke Throwdown," as it's also known, are Roy's San Francisco, a progenitor of Hawaiian fusion cuisine; the Peruvian "cebicheria" La Mar; Ozumo, a contemporary Japanese restaurant with locations in Oakland and downtown S.F.; Robert Lam's pan-Asian Butterfly; and Pacific Catch, which draws on Asian, Latin American and Hawaiian traditions at its branches in Corte Madera and Ninth Ave. A lucky spectator may even be chosen as a judge, but all can enjoy live music and daily food and drink specials.
And, as my informant Daryl Higashi notes, "nice warm, sunny weather" is expected in San Francisco today, plus raffle prizes will be great this year -- C&K; concert tickets (for this Sunday at Yoshi's SF); Yoshi's SF T-shirts; and new "Hawaii 5-0" series T-shirts (direct from CBS TV -- very limited number, so this is a collector's item for sure) and of course Hukilau clothing items as well."
No word on who'll be trying to eat the most Spam musubi in the alloted time, but it's hard to imagine the winner will feel like one later. But to each his own -- pass the poke, please!
| September 11 2010 at 10:43 AM
Hawaiian music makes that summer feeling last a little longer
Sept. 3 update: In addition to this month's Bay Area Hawaiiana events mentioned at the bottom of this post, don't forget the Wine Country 'Ukulele Festival Sept. 11-12. More on that in a future post....
If you missed the Roy's San Francisco 10th anniversary celebration last night, join the club ... and substitute another islands-style event for these last few weeks of summer.
Today, Aug. 27: Sweet-singing slack-key guitarist Jim Romano of Pūlama gets into the Aloha Friday spirit first, with a performance of traditional and contemporary Hawaiian music from noon to 1:30 at King Tsin restaurant in Berkeley.
The contemporary reggae-rock band Sage then joins traditional band Kāwili and Hawaiian dancers, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Marin Country Mart at Larkspur Landing. It's part of the all-ages Friday night series of concerts at the landing through Sept. 10.
Reggae jam band Mango Kingz at Hukilau San Francisco and singer Sherrell Lee at Hukilau San Jose close out the Aloha Friday festivities.
Aug. 28: The free Oakland Chinatown StreetFest, where the cultural stage at Pacific Renaissance Plaza (388 Ninth St.) includes half-hour performances from 10:30 to 5 Saturday and 10 to 4 Sunday. In addition to traditional Chinese music and dance, the lineup includes taiko, Indonesian dance and, at 11 a.m. Saturday, Hawaiian and Polynesian dance by Hālau Makana, led by kumu Ku'uwehilani Waianuhea Aquai Cid-Iulio (former principal dancer for Berkeley's Ka Ua Tuahine.)
Meanwhile, vocalist/'ukulele player Faith Ako and Hālau Hula Nā Pua O Ka La'akea present a free show from noon to 2 Saturday at the Bon Air Center in Greenbrae; Derrick Demotta of Nā Leo Pumehana rounds out the evening at Hukilau San Jose.
And looking ahead: Next Friday, Sept. 3, don't miss Amy Hanaiali'i in a special benefit at Centre Concord. Tickets are $40-$50, including reserved seating for the 8 p.m. concert, a lu'au buffet with no-host bar at 6:30, hula by Hālau Hula Ke Aolani O Kamaile and, starting at 4:30, a Hawaiian boutique. Proceeds benefit Concord programs for seniors.
Other September save-the-dates include: the Hawaiian Legacy Tour, featuring Keoki Kahumoku, Herb Ohta Jr. and Patrick Landeza with shows in Felton, Berkeley and San Jose Sept. 7-9; Cecilio & Kapono at Yoshi's San Francisco Sept. 12; Weldon Kekauoha on a Northern California tour Sept. 15-18; and bringing summer to a close, Willie K. at Rancho Nicasio Sept. 19.
And all you Spam musubi lovers and poke makers out there: Get your entries in by Sept. 5 for the ninth annual Poke Festival and Spam Eating Contest Sept. 11 at Hukilau San Francisco; follow the link for details.
Kawili will be joined by Hawaiian dancers and the reggae-rock band Sage at Larkspur Landing tonight.
| August 27 2010 at 08:30 AM
Shave ice, obon dances in Concord: Must be Summer Festival
If this weekend's Nihonmachi Street Fair is a bridge too far for you, consider Concord's alternative, the annual Diablo Japanese Summer Festival hosted by the Diablo Japanese American Club.
While it doesn't offer the two-day lineup of Hawaiian music and dance that San Francisco's Nihonmachi fest does, the Contra Costa celebration usually includes shave ice, evening obon dances, teriyaki, tempura, udon, sushi, mochi and other Japanese treats that have become part of the islands' contemporary culture or cuisine. Food booths, concessions and displays open at 1 p.m. today (Saturday, Aug. 14) and at noon Sunday; obon odori (folk dances) begin at 7:30 tonight and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. In between: calligraphy, taiko, koto, sword fights, etc. Admission is free. The center is at 3165 Treat Blvd., Concord.
For more about the obon tradition in Hawai'i, click here.
Food stalls at the 2009 Summer Festival hosted by the Diablo Japanese American Club in Concord.
| August 14 2010 at 08:00 AM
Put your Duke up: Surfer, surfing celebrated in Honolulu
The winter waves of North Shore O'ahu and the wild rides of its the island's west side seem to dominate today's surf media. But Waikīkī -- the place where thousands of tourists try their hand at the sport of ali'i every year -- is still known for launching the first member of modern surf royalty, Duke Kahanamoku.
Duke, as everyone calls the former Waikīkī beachboy, will be inducted into the inaugural Hawai'i Waterman Hall of Fame class on Aug. 24 -- the 120th anniversary of his birth -- for accomplishments that include setting world records while winning three Olympic gold medals in swimming (plus earning another two silvers and a bronze medal over his 20-year Olympic career) and popularizing surfing around the world, including California and Australia. His nine years in Hollywood, 26 years as sheriff of the city and county of Honolulu and lifetime of graciously entertaining visitors to the islands also earned him the unofficial title of ambassador of aloha.
Jeanne Cooper / Special to SFGate
Waikīkī's statue of Duke Kahanamoku is usually draped in lei tributes.
Fittingly, the new hall of fame (which will also induct Eddie Aikau, Rell Sunn and six living surf legends) will be housed in the Grand Waikikian timeshare suites, next to the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon. Restored by Hilton Hawaiian Village, the lagoon is named for Duke's family ties to the land there before hotels claimed the beach. But the hall of fame and lagoon are not the only places on O'ahu to commemorate the legacy Duke Paoa Kahanamoku bequeathed to ocean lovers:
- 1. The temporary exhibition "Surfing: Featuring the Historic Surfboards in Bishop Museum's Collection" has more intriguing displays than the title alone suggests. On view at the Bishop Museum through Sept. 6, the exhibition in Castle Memorial Hall does include more than 25 papa he'e nalu (surfboards) from the late 19th century onward, made of wood such as koa or redwood, some weighing nearly 70 pounds (click here to see samples). Yet it also features a surfing simulator, Polynesian legends and modern anecdotes involving the sport, and an array of historic photographs from the museum's extensive archives.
- 2. Closer to Waikīkī Beach, the Honolulu Surf Museum opened in 2009 in the remodeled Ohana Waikiki Beachcomber, next to Jimmy Buffett's at the Beachcomber restaurant. The connection isn't coincidental; Buffett obtained the eclectic collection of vintage surfboards, surf memorabilia and other Hawaiiana (including the ring Capt. Cook wore when he first landed in Hawai'i) from James Mahoney's Santa Barbara Surfing Museum.
- 3. Not surprisingly, Duke's Barefoot Bar and Restaurant, on the beach side of the Outrigger Waikiki lobby, celebrates its location on a site tied to Duke: "With Diamond Head in the distance, you can overlook the spot where Duke rode his largest wave -- a 30-foot swell named Bluebird from outside Castles -- as you sit on the original site of the Outrigger Canoe Club where Duke reigned..." And the views are just one reason it won "best place to take a visitor" in Honolulu magazine's 2008 reader poll on local restaurants: The food, though not gourmet, is reliably satisfying and -- by Waikīkī hotel standards -- reasonably priced.
- 4. Special events and competitions also honor Duke's memory. The third annual Duke's Waterman Relay races -- using surfboards and stand-up paddleboards -- took place in May, while the upcoming Duke's Ocean Mile Swim takes place Aug. 28; both events raise funds for the Duke Kahanamoku Scholarship Fund, which benefits local athletes. The latter event is also part of the ninth annual, weeklong Duke's OceanFest, which includes men's and women's surf contests, beach volleyball and surf polo tournaments, a sunrise blessing on Duke's birthday, and a special opening ceremony Aug. 22 at the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon.
- 5. A lei draping at the Duke Kahanamoku statue, at the opposite end of Waikīkī Beach from the lagoon, is also part of the official OceanFest events, on Aug. 28 this year. But on virtually any day you'll see admirers leave fresh lei or take their photos in front of the statue -- somewhat notorious for having its back to the water, unlike a real waterman. The Honolulu government's Waikīkī Webcam features the statue as its backdrop, with Hawaiian music playing as camera-toting tourists take turns posing with the Duke. Somehow, I don't think Duke's spirit minds all the attention, but if a Pygmalion moment ever happened, I'm sure he'd lose the lei, grab one of the nearby boards and be back in the water faster than you could autofocus.
Update: After I posted this entry, I received a press release announcing the renaming of the Ohana Waikiki Beachcomber to the Holiday Inn Waikiki Beachcomber Resort, as of November 2010; the actual management and staff will remain the same, as will the Honolulu Surf Museum and other tenants. The hotel is part of the Outrigger chain, which is also offering special lodging discounts from $89 a night, plus tax, during Duke's OceanFest 2010.
Jeanne Cooper / Special to SFGate
The popular beachfront restaurant sponsors several events commemorating Duke Kahanamoku.
| August 11 2010 at 08:00 AM
Maui storyteller under Northern California skies again
Given the number of eras and genres included in "Under Maui Skies and Other Stories" and the number of Hawai'i-philes in Northern California, you can understand why author and playwright Wayne Moniz is back for another reading tour: There simply wasn't enough time last summer to talk story with everyone about all the tales. Fortunately, the celebrated island writer comes back just in time to make an appearance at this weekend's Aloha Festival, the annual highlight of Bay Area Hawaiian events.
Jeanne Cooper / Special to SFGate
Patrick Landeza is pairing with author Wayne Moniz this week.
As noted in my July 2009 Aloha Friday column on good beach reads for modern-day Hawai'i, Moniz casts each of seven stories, all based on lore from the Valley Isle, in a different era and genres. Favorites I mentioned included "The Cave of the Whispering Spirits," which accounts for Haleakalā's most recent eruption while reworking a Pele myth, and "The Cruel Sun," which (spoiler alert) dramatizes the ill-fated romance of Nahi'ena'ena, a Hawaiian princess torn between deep-rooted tradition and the newly powerful Christian missionaries. Not surprisingly, Honolulu Advertiser readers voted it Best Hawai'i book for 2009.
Moniz is pumping up the volume, so to speak, for his 2010 tour by appearing with slack-key guitar virtuoso Patrick Landeza, whose new CD "Ku'u Honua Mele" recently earned praise for its "old-time sound" from Honolulu Star Advertiser reviewer John Berger. Landeza's music harmonizes well with Moniz's self-described mission: "I try to express my love for the land and people of Hawai'i, to preserve the memory of a time that is slipping away and to encourage action to protect Hawai'i's unique land and culture."
Their joint appearances this week, all free:
- Wed., Aug. 4: 6:30 p.m., Market Hall Stage, 4000 San Pablo Ave., Hercules. The second of two free concerts by Landeza at Market Hall will add storytelling by Moniz and once again offer Hawaiian food for sale.
- Thurs., Aug. 5: 7 p.m., Borders Union City. Reading by Moniz and music by Landeza.
- Fri., Aug. 6: 7 p.m., Borders Sand City (Monterey Peninsula.)
Both Moniz and Landeza will also participate in the free Aloha Festival at the Presidio, as entertainers and educators:
- Sat., Aug. 7: Moniz will kick off the workshops in the Education Tent at 11 a.m. with a reading from "Under Maui Skies," followed by workshops on kapa by Kaleolani De Sa and Holly Sullivan at noon, 'ukulele with Hiram Bell at 1 p.m., slack-key guitar with Fran Guidry at 2 and oli with Kāwika Alfiche at 3.
- Sun., Aug. 8: Moniz gives another reading at 11; others teaching in the tent that day include Tongan master wood carver Ata'ata Paengalau Pomee at noon, 'uke maestro Bell at 1 p.m. and a kani kapila at 2 p.m. with Bell, Guidry, the Taropatch Gang and Landeza (BYO 'ukulele and the songbook He Mele Aloha.)
Landeza will no doubt be sprinting over to the kani kapila from the Entertainment Tent, since that's where he's also scheduled to play from 1:30 to 1:55 p.m. Sunday. (But Landeza is used to being busy: The following weekend he'll be performing in Kapi'olani Park at the 28th annual O'ahu Slack Key Festival.)
The Aloha Festival's lineup of live performances, including hula, Tahitian, Samoan and Maori dance and contemporary and traditional Hawaiian music, runs from 10:30 to 4:30 each day; more than 100 vendors will sell arts, crafts, food and drink. It may not be as warm as "under Maui skies," though, so bring a jacket.
| August 04 2010 at 08:00 AM
Aloha Fillmore festival & Yoshi's after-party offer taste of the islands
Only two weekends remain before the annual Aloha Festival at the Presidio, but that's no reason to wait for a free Hawaiian-style party in San Francisco: This Sunday, July 25, the first Aloha Fillmore festival will bring island music, arts and crafts, plate lunches and raffle prizes to the Fillmore Center Plaza, followed by an after-party with more music at neighboring Yoshi's.
The festival, from 11:30 am. to 4 p.m. in the plaza (Fillmore at O'Farrell), includes hourlong performances by the venerable Island Blend (starting at noon), the dancers of Nā Lei Hulu I Ka Wēkiu performing some of the troupe's most popular production numbers from its 25 years (1:30 p.m.), and the traditional Hawaiian band Ho'omana (3 p.m.) Longtime Ho'omana member Clinton Kaleikini passed away last week, according to festival co-organizer Joycelyn Sprague, who noted the three remaining members wanted to perform as a tribute to Kaleikini. Island Blend's Lono Mahi will also act as emcee.
As they play, you can browse the Hawaiian pillows and textile art at the Noho Nani Mai booth, the painted gourds (ipu) of Jerome Espiritu, the painted glass of Janie Revelo, etched glass by U'i Campana, Hawaiian-themed items from Aloha Crafts and plumeria and candy lei from Hi'iaka Florists/Novelty Lei. Acupuncturist Malia King, who specializes in treating the kinds of aches and pains hula dancers and 'ukulele players have, among other ailments, will provide her services during the event.
And since it wouldn't be a Hawaiian event without food, San Francisco's Hukilau, which has been busy spicing up its menu with the help of Maui's Da Kitchen, will have a booth selling plate lunches (kalua pig, laulau, kalbi), while the Kilohana Outrigger Canoe Club will offer Spam musubi, shave ice and soft drinks. Nearby Bruno's Pizzeria will feature a special of a large Hawaiian pizza and any two draft beers for $19.95 from 3 to 5 p.m. Another Fillmore neighbor, Fat Angel, will serve $5 drafts of Kona Brewing Company's Wailua Wheat Beer (an excellent summer suds, if I do say so.)
Raffle prizes for the inaugural event include opening night tickets to Nā Lei Hulu's 25th anniversary production at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, which runs Oct. 16-17 and 22-24; tickets to see Cecilio & Kapono at Yoshi's Sept. 12, gift baskets and tickets to the after-party at Yoshi's, which includes a performance by Aloha Brewed and special island drinks. After-party tickets will also be available for $5.
It all sounds like a wonderful way to wind down the weekend -- and a good warmup for the Aug. 7-8 Aloha Festival, even if the fog fails to lift.
| July 23 2010 at 03:49 PM
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