'ALEMANAKA - CALENDAR

'Alemanaka Kēkēmapa

Nā Mele O Maui

Fri., Dec. 7, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Hundreds of Maui County students grades K to 12 sing their hearts out in an annual song competition to perpetuate the Hawaiian culture. There's an art contest for high school students, too. Kā'anapali Beach Resort's Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, Grand Ballroom. 808-661-3271 or www.kaanapaliresort.com.

Kamehameha Schools Christmas Concert

Fri., Dec. 7, 11 a.m. dress rehearsal and 2 p.m.; Sat., Dec. 8, 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Features performances by elementary school keiki, the High School Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Drill Team, Hawaiian Ensemble and Concert Glee Club. Free. Hawai'i Theatre. Tickets available one hour before show time, or in advance by calling 842-8495. Tickets not required for Friday shows. www.hawaiitheatre.com.

Barefoot Christmas

Sat., Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m.

Maui's own Barefoot Natives Willie K and Eric Gilliom rock, roll and croon Island style, performing holiday favorites as well as hits off their 2007 Best Contemporary Hawaiian Album “Barefoot Natives” and their new CD “Slack Key Circus.” $10, $28, $37, half price for keiki 12 and younger. Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Castle Theater. 808-242-7469 or www.mauiarts.org.

A Journey Thru Polynesia

Fri., Dec. 14, 4:30 p.m. dinner, 6:30 p.m. show

Students of Healani's Hula Hālau & Music Academy perform hula kahiko, hula 'auana, and dances from across the Pacific, including Maori, Samoan, Tongan and Tahitian at the 20th Hula Hō'ike. $10-$20. Kaua'i War Memorial Convention Hall in Līhu'e. 808-822-1451 or 808-652-2111.

Song of Christmas

Sun., Dec. 16, noon and 7 p.m.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas with the Grammy-nominated stylings of Ho'okena and special guest Uncle Willie K. $50 luncheon concert, $65 dinner concert, half off for keiki 4 to 11, $100 VIP. Doors open 90 minutes before each show, and buffets open an hour before show time. Ala Moana Hotel, Hibiscus Room. 955-4811, ext. 4250, ask for Candy.

'Iolani Palace Evening Tours

Tues. and Wed., Dec. 27 and 28, 6-9 p.m.

'Iolani Palace opens for night tours one time of year to commemorate Queen Kapi'olani's birthday. Highlights include live Hawaiian music on the front steps and – reminiscent of the royal era – there'll be opera, piano and string quartet in the Blue Room and Throne Room. $6, $3 keiki 5-12. 522-0822 or www.iolanipalace.org.

Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar

Wed., Jan. 2, 7:30 p.m.

Uncle Richard Ho'opi'i, a master of leo ki'eki'e, or falsetto, kicks off the 2008 leg of this weekly concert series, now in its fourth year. Ho'opi'i is featured on the Grammy-award winning compilation “Legends of Slack Key Guitar – Live from Maui” and “Treasures of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar,” both culled from these concert performances. $45. Nāpili Kai Beach Resort in Lahaina. 808-669-3858 or www.slackkey.com.