'ALEMANAKA - CALENDAR

'Alemanaka Iune

The all-wood voyaging canoe Iosepa. - Photo: Courtesy of Ray Magalei

Hālau Wa'a Ceremony

Sat., June 28, 6 p.m.

Family Day at Polynesian Cultural Center features a grand opening of the voyaging attraction Hālau Wa'a, including the first public welcome of its new double-hulled, 57-foot Hawaiian voyaging canoe, Iosepa, as well as hands-on activities and a free nighttime concert. Children 3 to 11 free with the purchase of an adult general admission ticket. 293-3333 or www.polynesia.com.

Kua 'Āina

Sun., June 1, 4 p.m.

Catch the a cappella stylings of Kawaiolaonāpūkanileo as they share songs of the land, with the help of special guests Hālau Mohala 'Ilima led by kumu hula Mapuana de Silva, and Hakipu'u Charter School. Palikū Theater, Windward Community College. $15, $12. 524-3078 or email kawai
ola-mail@hawaii.rr.com.

WAIKĪKĪ AQUARIUM'S “KE KANI O KE KAI” 2008 SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

Annual concert series features an impressive bill of Hawaiian singer-songwriters, plus food by various restaurant partners – live on the lawn by the sea. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; concerts start at 7. Aquarium galleries and exhibits will remain open throughout the evening, so that you can discover why 2008 has been proclaimed International Year of the Reef. Concert lineup is as follows: June 12, Kaukahi; June 26, HAPA; July 10, Jerry Santos and Jay Larrin; July 24, Eddie Kamae; Aug. 7, Willie K. 2777 Kalākaua Ave. $25, $10 for ages 7 to 12, free for children 6 and under. 440-9015 or www.waquarium.org.

NĀ HŌKŪ HANOHANO AWARDS

Tues., June 17, doors open at 5:45 p.m.

Ballots are in! Recording artist newcomers Hōkū Zuttermeister and Nāpua Grieg have the largest share of nominations for the 31st annual Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, sure to delight with other surprises. The gala ceremony recognizes excellence in local music and also raises money to fund Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts scholarships for Hawai'i music students. Hawai'i Convention Center. $125-$200, includes dinner and entertainment. Group rates available. 593-9424 or www.nahokuhanohano.org.

VOLCANO ART CENTER PRESENTS CLASSIC HAWAIIAN MUSIC & HULA CONCERT

Sat., June 21, 7:30 p.m.

Stan Kaina sings classic island melodies in Hawaiian falsetto style and performs with his Hālau Leo Nahenahe O Pōhai Kealoha. Kaina's rich repertoire of Hawaiian “oldies but goodies” dates back to the early 1900s. Kīlauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. $15 and $13 in advance ($2 more at the door). Sponsored in part by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. 808-967-8222 or www.volcano
artcenter.org.

KALA-BASH PARTY ON MERCHANT STREET

Fri., June 21, 5–9 p.m.

With help from this annual fundraiser, Kumu Kahua Theatre looks forward to its 38th year in staging the productions of talented local playwrights, such as Alani Apio. Come kōkua and enjoy awesome local music, good grinds and the chance to talk story with Hawai'i's noted actors, writers, directors and designers from K.K.'s past and upcoming season. Kumu Kahua Theatre's plaza at 46 Merchant St. Tax-deductible tickets are $40. 536-4222 or www.kumukahua.org.

KAMEHAMEHA DAY

June 11 honors King Kamehameha the Great, who first unified the islands in 1795. The celebration was established in 1871 by the ruler's great-grandson Kamehameha V and continues today with islandwide festivities full of cultural traditions harkening back to ancient Hawaiian times.

Kohala

Celebrations in Kohala are especially vibrant, as the region is the birthplace of King Kamehameha I and the area where inhabitants once protected him at birth from the death threats of a rival ruler. The Kohala Hawaiian Civic Club has organized the following events. Free unless noted.

Draping of the Statue

8 a.m., Wed., June 11. Plenty lovely lei will be created for the ceremonial draping of the Kamehameha statue in Kohala, home to the original of the four commissioned statues.

Holokū Pageant

5 p.m., Tues., June 10, Kohala Cultural Center in Hāwī. Women portray Hawaiian royalty by modeling the vintage formal dresses that feature gracefully long trains. $15.

North Kohala Celebration

9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Wed., June 11. The region's small towns pay a huge tribute to their famed favorite son with a traditional pā'ū parade that winds from Kapa'au to Hawi, where the celebration continues at the Kohala Cultural Center, site of an all-day ho'olaule'a. 808-884-5000 or www.kamehamehadaycelebrationday.org.

HILO

Proudly presented by the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, the Hilo Kamehameha festival honors the memory of Hawai'i's great ruler with a cultural celebration on Mokuola (Coconut Island): 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Wed., June 6. Includes exhibition performances and contests in both ha'a koa (dance of the warrior) and oli (chant). Enjoy live music by Hawai'i's top recording artists including Ledward Ka'apana, Diana Aki and Darren Benitez. Plus hula, food and games. Free. 808-989-4944 or www.kameha
mehafestival.org.

HONOLULU

The late Keahi Allen, a beloved Hawaiian cultural specialist, was for years the guiding light for the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission, and this year's statewide celebrations are dedicated to her memory. Her daughter, B.J. Allen, is among those helping to perpetuate the festivities. All events are free.

Musical tribute to Kamehameha

3:30 p.m., Fri., June 6 at Ali'iōlani Hale, Honolulu Civic Center. Enjoy a performance by the Royal Hawaiian Band.

Statue Decoration Ceremonies

4 p.m., June 6 at Ali'iōlani Hale. The Honolulu statue of King Kamehameha I was the site of the first lei-draping ceremony in 1901. Contemporary ceremonies are a photographer's delight with floral tributes, which are created throughout the day by volunteers, plus music and hula performances.

92nd Annual King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade

9:30 a.m., Sat., June 7.

Colorful floral floats, pā'ū riders and marching bands make their way from Punchbowl St. to Kapi'olani Park. Parade awards presentation to follow at the park with a festival craft fair by Nā Hana No'eau o Ka Pākīpika – “Artistic Endeavors of the Pacific.” Includes all-day entertainment, food booths, arts, crafts demonstrations and displays of Polynesia. 586-0333 or www.hawaii.gov/dags/king_kamehameha_commission.

35th annual King Kamehameha Hula Competition

6 p.m., Fri., June 20, and 1 p.m., Sat., June 21

A hula competition with unique categories for mixed male and female performances, kūpuna wāhine and individual chanters. It's also unique for its international attendance with as many as 500 hula dancers expected from Hawai'i, the U.S. continent and Japan. Neal Blaisdell Center Arena. Fees. 586-0333 or www.hawaii.gov/dags/king_kamehameha_commission.

MAUI

Cultural Craft Fair: 9 a.m., Sat., June 14 at Banyan Tree Park in Lahaina.

Annual King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade: 10 a.m., Sat., June 14. Begins at Kenui Street to Kamehameha Iki Park. An awards presentation will follow. 586-0333 or www.hawaii.gov/dags/king_kamehameha_commission.