'ALEMANAKA - CALENDAR

'Alemanaka Kēkēmapa

Courtesy photo

Ala Wai Community Challenge

Sun., Jan. 25, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

The makahiki season brings community groups together to compete for the fun of it in quarter-mile-long outrigger canoe races and other Hawaiian games, such as 'ulu maika (think bowling) and 'ō'ō ihe (sharpen your spear and aim). As it has always done in its 24-year history, the event pays tribute to Hawai'i's living legends of water sports. The 2009 honorees are master canoe builder Bobby Puakea and big wave surfer Clyde Aikau.

A double-hulled canoe procession kicks off the day with hula and song by local hālau. Enjoy craft and food booths, local entertainment and some rare educational activities, such as learning to make a smoothie by peddling a bicycle-powered blender, courtesy of a sustainability initiative at UH Mānoa.

All this fun is for a good cause: proceeds from canoe race participants benefit the nonprofit Waikīkī Community Center and its programs for counseling, case management, elderly affairs, daycare and other social services. Parking available at Tokai University and Ala Wai School. The “canoe taxi service” starts at Ala Wai Boulevard and 'Olohana Street. Free admission. Ala Wai Neighborhood Park. 923-1802 or waikikicommunitycenter.org.

'Reawakening'

Tues., Jan. 13 - Thur., Jan. 29, weekdays 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Visit Honolulu Hale to view Reawakening – a photojournalistic narrative by children of incarcerated or formerly incarcerated mothers, some of whom reside at Ka Hale Ho'āla Hou No Nā Wāhine and the Women's Community Correctional Center. The exhibition is part a community service endeavor of ProjectFocus Hawai'i Inc. Free. projectfocushawaii.com.

Grammy Concert at the Hawai'i State Art Museum

Fri., Jan. 16, 5-9 p.m.

Catch 'em before they're off to the red carpet in Hollywoooood! This free concert on the museum lawn features nominees for the Grammy Awards' Best Hawaiian Music Album, including Daniel Ho, Amy Hānaiali'i, Led Kaapana, Mike Kaawa, Walter Keale, David Kahiapo, Chris Lau, Dwight Kanae and Sonny Lim. (Lineup subjet to change.) After the show, stay tuned for the telecast of the 2009 Grammy Awards ceremony from the Staples Center in L.A. on Feb. 8 on CBS. For concert information, 586-0900 or hawaii.gov/sfca.

E Kanikapila Kākou

Jan. 19 to April 6, 6-9 p.m.

The 2009 schedule has been announced for E Kanikapila Kākou – the Monday night musical jam, where famed Hawaiian master jammers and kumu hula teach their favorite compositions – providing lyrics, sheet music and more. O'Brien Eselu and Kenneth Makuakane kick off the festival Jan. 19, followed by Chanel Flores (aka Ms. Tita 2006) and Friends, Jan. 26. Free, donations welcome. Island School, main hall, in Puhi. 808-245-2733 or gardenislandarts.org.

MARY KAWENA PUKUI PERFORMING ARTS FESTIVAL

Sun., Feb. 8, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

An annual celebration of native culture through storytelling and dance, with a unique performance directed by Peter Espirtu of Tau Dance Theatre. Storytellers from Hawai'i, Alaska, Mississippi and Massachusetts will share their tales under the theme The Way to the Heart: Changing Food, Foodways and Culture. Bishop Museum, Great Lawn. Regular admission, except kama'āina and military $3, free for Bishop Museum members and children under 3. 847-3511 or bishopmuseum.org.