MADD lanyards are for sale for $4, which
supports the Dec. 31 event and the organization.

First Night
turns into
Starlight

A $4 lanyard is your
ticket to an alcohol-free
night of frolic

By Burl Burlingame
Star-Bulletin

LIKE a bubble that keeps expanding until it collapses, the First Night event of years past blew up until it popped. Replacing it is Starbucks Starlight MADDness, an event that resembles First Night in all respects except two -- the title, and that it is deliberately kept small.

The beneficiary of the event is Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Virginia Kline, a volunteer for several First Nights as well as the new event, said she thought the event had become too spread out, that the price had grown too high ($10 last year), and that too many venues weren't enclosed. "They tried to make it an admission event, but anyone could walk right in," said Kline.

Starbucks Starlight MADDness is free, but MADD lanyards are for sale for $4, which supports the event and the organization.

"A bit grandiose," is how MADD board member David Cheever described First Night's self-image. He also served on First Night's board. "It was always a great idea, but the model was Boston's First Night, which takes places all over the city. But that's because Boston is COLD! Hawaii's event is outdoor, and so everything needs to be within walking distance."

When First Night folded up shop last year, the city asked MADD to take on the non-alcoholic celebration. "It was a perfect fit, and made sense," said Cheever.

"We were able to learn from their mistakes. We also were able to use a title sponsor, which First Night's bylaws didn't allow," said MADD executive director Carrie Kaufman. "Starbucks jumped at it, and it seems logical, doesn't it? They'd rather you be drinking coffee than alcohol, and so would we."

Starbuck Starlight MADDness is largely constricted to the campus that includes City Hall, the Municipal Building and other government structures, and the City parking lot is free.

"It really shows that you can have fun without drinking," said Kline. "And you meet lots of nice people.

Starbucks Starlight
MADDness

When: 4 p.m. - midnight Dec. 31,
Where: Downtown government district.
Cost: Free
Call: 532-6232.
Benefits: Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
Other sponsors: HMSA, Hawaii Community Foundation, Department of Transportation, AIG Insurance, YMCA, Coca-Cola, STAR 101.9, I-94, KITV-4 and World Entertainment Group.
Entertainment includes: Raymond Kane, Moe Keale, Anuhea, Fort Mills Concert Band, Southern Exposure, Tenderoni, Nueva Vida, 2 Tight, Confetti the Clown, Castaways, Gaylord Rieta, California Swing Kids, Oahu Line Dancers, Europa Early Music Consort, Honolulu Symphony, West African Drums.

Meanwhile . . .

Following is a list of New Year's Eve activities. The events will take place Thursday, unless otherwise noted.

FIREWORKS

Aloha Tower: Live entertainment, 9 p.m.-1 a.m., throughout the marketplace. Fireworks begin at midnight.

NIGHTCLUBS/HOTELS/RESTAURANTS

Ala Moana Hotel: Loyal Garner helps ring in the New Year with a prime rib dinner buffet and cocktail show. The $47.50 admission includes the show, buffet and party favors. Doors open at 7 p.m. with the buffet beginning at 8 p.m. No-host cocktails will be available.

For $25, party-goers will receive an admission to the show, one complimentary cocktail, dancing and party favors. Doors open at 10:30 p.m.

Pre-sale tickets are available. Call 955-4811.

Anna Bannana's: Party with Palolo Jones.

Big Island Steakhouse, Aloha Tower: Watch the fireworks from the observation deck over dinner consisting of an appetizer, salad, steak and lobster combination or veal chop plate; champagne, and dessert, 10 p.m. Reserve at 537-4446.

Gussie L'Amours Niteclub: Quiet Riot, 8:30 p.m. today; and 9 p.m. Thursday. Tickets: $12-$25. Call 836-7883.

Hale Koa Hotel: Enjoy a gourmet sit-down dinner, live band, a luau or lots of dancing. On New Year's Eve, festivities begin with an authentic Hawaiian luau at 5 p.m. in the Luau Garden. Cost is $17.95 for children ages 4-11 and $29.50 for people 12 and older.

For people who just want to boogie the night away, the Warriors Lounge has Gonzales performing Latin sounds, salsa and big band music. For a $5 cover charge, dancers also get party favors.

Call 955-0555, ext. 546.

Halekulani: Diners at Orchids can enjoy classical music by the Honolulu Symphony String Ensemble from 9-9:30 p.m.; then the symphony's Woodwind Ensemble takes the stage until 10:25 p.m. From 10:30-11:20 p.m., the symphony's Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Samuel Wong, performs pieces by Strauss, Disney Magic by Lowden, and Sound of Music Selections by Rogers & Hammerstein. From 11:30 p.m.-1 a.m. there will be dancing with Bruce Hamada's Big Band. Reservations can be made at 923-2311.

Hard Rock Cafe: Natural Vibrations, Bosscats and Greg MacDonald perform at the reggae/ska-themed bash, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Tickets: $20, advance only. Regular dining service until 8:30 p.m. (last seating at 7:30 p.m.); doors re-open at 9 p.m. for ticketholders only. Must be 21 or older. Call Lori Ho at 955-7383.

Hilton Hawaiian Village: Ray Charles, 11 p.m.-12:15 a.m., Coral Ballroom. Doors open at 9 p.m. with entertainment, 9:30-10:30 p.m. Tickets: $100-$125 (includes one standard cocktail, half a bottle of Hilton champagne, service charge, tax and a party favor). Parking available for $3 with validation. Reserve at 947-7877.

Ocean Club, Restaurant Row: Times Square hits the club with gourmet stations, a cocktail, party favors, champagne toast at midnight, and more, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $29.95 per person. Must be 23 or older. Call 531-8444.

Pecos: "Casino Carnival" has poker, black jack, roulette, darts, pool and craps from 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) There also will be live music and dancing with RIO at 8 p.m.; dinner buffet, 7-9 p.m.; champagne throughout the night; and party favors. Tickets: $20, advance; $15, VIP card members; and $25, at-the-door. Call 487-7980.

Row Bar, Restaurant Row: Live entertainment, 8 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Featuring Bob Jones and Hard Drive, party favors, champagne and drink specials and food. Free parking. Call 528-2345.

Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center: "Tropical Fantasy 1999," 10 p.m.-4 a.m., Aloha Showroom, Fourth Floor. Tickets: $10, advance; $15, at-the-door. Call 943-1724.

Royal Hawaiian Waikiki: Unison, featuring Clyde Pound and Connie Kissinger serenades diners on New Year's Eve in the Monarch Room. Dinner is served from 8:30-10:30 p.m. with entertainment at 9 p.m. and dancing until 1 a.m. Cost: $165 (includes dinner, split of champagne, party favors, tax and gratuity. Call 923-7311 or 1-800-325-3589.

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani: Go back to the 70s with a celebration titled Studio 99, a spin-off of Studio 54, 6 p.m. at the Pikake Terrace restaurant. There will be a live band and gourmet buffet featuring sashimi, sushi, shrimp, a salad bar, lobster bisque soup, filet mignon and more. Cost: $75, inclusive. Call 922-5811.

Sheraton Waikiki Hotel: "Ho'omaka Hou '99," emceed by Randy Hudnall and Brickwood Galuteria, has entertainment by Na Leo Pilimehana, Makaha Sons, Robi Kahakalau, Hapa, Kanilau & Halau Na Mamo O Ka'ala, Ku'uipo Kumukahi and Her Hawaiian Sweethearts, Moe Keale Trio with Nalani Keale, The Kings Guard, and Brother Noland, 7 p.m.-1 a.m. Dinner seatings begin at 5:30 p.m. and dinners are available in the Ocean Terrace Restaurant and Ciao! Restaurant. Cost: $55-$150. Reserve at 922-4422.

Esprit Nightclub has The Krush and surprise guests welcoming the new year, 9 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Seating begins at 7:30 p.m. Cost: $50, includes show, dancing, appetizers, party favors and a glass of champagne at midnight. Call 922-4422, ext. 72168.

Wave Waikiki: "Mad Hatter's Ball," 9 p.m.-4 a.m. Featuring Surf Psycho Sexy. Wear a "wild" hat. Tickets: $10, advance; $15, at-the-door. Tickets available at Wave Waikiki, all Tower Records locations, The Beat, Toogruvz and The Inside. Call 941-0424.

CRUISES

Dream Cruises: Two cruises are available on New Year's Eve. Both are two hours long and have a cash bar, party favors and music. Passengers can board at 10:45 p.m. from Kewalo Basin. The $75 cruise also has free flowing champagne and pupus while the $45.95 cruise has cheese and crackers, and a champagne toast at boarding time and at midnight. For reservations, call 592-5200.

Star of Honolulu: There are three packages for those wanting to view the fireworks from off island: Super Nova Dinner & Jazz package features a five-course French-style dinner and costs $190 per person; Galaxy Dinner, Show and Dance features the Spirit of Boat Days revue and menu consisting of a whole lobster and filet of steak with cocktails and champagne. Cost: $88, children; $110, adults; Starlite Buffet and Dance has a buffet-style meal with a live band playing rock and roll music from the 50s up to the 90s. Cost: $57.75, children; $72, adults. For reservations, call 983-STAR (7827).

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