THIS WEEK

"The World of Buddhist Music," 8-10 p.m. July 18, Orvis Auditorium. Free. Information, 973-6555.

Guitarist/singer Chris Rego, 8:30 p.m. July 18, Barnes & Noble. Call 737-3323.

The Mattaio Band, noon-1 p.m. July 18, Tamarind Park, corner of Bishop and King streets. Call 527-5666.

"Bach's Lunch" organ recital featuring Cherry Rhodes, 12:10 p.m. July 18, St. Andrew's Cathedral. Free. Information, 528-7129.

"The World of Buddhist Music," 8 p.m. July 18, UH-Manoa, Orvis Auditorium. Free. Reserve tickets at 956-3836.

Gregory Isaacs, 3 p.m. July 20, Maui Arts Cultural Center. Cost: $20. Tickets available at Tempo Music Stores at Kaahumanu Shopping Center, Lahaina Shopping Center, Maui Arts and Cultural Center Box Office, or call 1-800-333-3388.

Summer Concert featuring the Windward Brass, Organist Buddy Naluai, and Singer Phyllis Haines, 4 p.m. July 20, Kawaiaha'o Church. Free. Information, 522-1333.

Harvel Mandel and his Electric Snake Band, 8 p.m. July 24, World Cafe, Lahaina. Tickets available at World Cafe, Lahaina; Sir Wilfreds, Lahaina Cannery Mall; Anthony's Coffee, Paia; Stella Blues Cafe, Kihei; and Maui Coffee Roasters, Kahului. Call 1-808-661-9753.

Also playing 9 p.m. July 25, Hawaiian Hut, Honolulu. Tickets available at Tower Video, Kapiolani; Tower Records, Kahala Mall and Pearl Kai; Paradise City Music; Rainbow Books, University; and Hungry Ear, Kailua. Call 941-5205.

In Kawaihae, Hawaii, 8:30 p.m. July 26, Gecko Moon. Tickets available at Byrds Audio, Waimea; Gecko Moon; Tempo Music and Mele Kai Music in Kailua-Kona; and Holuakoa Cafe, Holuloa. Call 1-808-882-1883.

And in Hilo, 8 p.m. (doors open at 7:30 p.m.) July 27, Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. Two drink minimum. Tickets available at Hilo Hawaiian, front desk; MJS Music, Tempo Music and CD Wizard in Hilo; Keaau Natual Foods, Keaau; and Kilauea General Store, Volcano. Call 1-808-935-9361.

All tickets: $16.50, advance; $19, at-the-door. Information, 1-808-925-3514.

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SPECIALS

Second annual "Na Himeni Ki'eki'e" contest, July 19, Hyatt Regency Kauai Resort and Spa, Kauai Ballroom. Contest focuses on leo ki'eki'e, the Hawaiian form of falsetto singing. Contestants and trailblazers in the renaissance of Hawaiian music are welcomed from all islands. Amateur and professional category contestants will perform two songs. Contestants will be judged on their ability to hit all the right notes from one of the following songs: Kalamaula, Alika, Kahealani or Akaka Falls. Scoring on a second song, selected by the contestants, will be reserved in the event a tie occurs. There also will be a new category for leo ki'eki'e original compositions, which will acknowledge the composer's creativity.

Amateur contestants should not have been affiliated in any professional recording or have earned a wage performing professionally. First place winner will advance to the 1997 Frank B. Shaner Hawaiian Falsetto Contest on Oahu in September.

Professional contestants will receive a recording contract.

Information: call Ernell Gonzales, 1-808-742-1234 (Kauai), extension 4406; or page Chala Vidinha, 1-808-654-3186.