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Ala Wai Challenge offers
fine entertainment,
honors Kekai

Besides canoe races and Hawaiian land games, there will be loads of fine entertainment at tomorrow's Ala Wai Challenge. The Royal Hawaiian Band will kick things off at 8 a.m. at Ala Wai Park, at the end of University Avenue near the canal. At the same time, this year's honoree Rabbit Kekai, longtime beachboy, will arrive aboard a double-hulled canoe paddled by Nappy Napoleon and members of the Anuenue Canoe Club. Riding in with Rabbit will be event chair Sen. Fred Hemmings, Mayor Mufi Hannemann and honorary chair Mike Walsh. The opening ceremony will include the Prince Kuhio Civic Club Chorus and chanting and hula by Kamehameha students, under the direction of Kaleo Trinidad. An afternoon of music will be presented by Brother Noland, Mike Kaawa, Ocean Kaowili, Jordan Segundo, Bobby Modero, Guy Cruz, Barry Flanagan, Steve Brown, Del Beazley, Dwight Kanae, Steve Maii, Ells Simeona, Kivin Kalauli, Weldon Kekauoha, Tahiti Toa and Melveen Leed ... My goodness, Melveen and all those men ...

Singer-actress Della Reese, who has diabetes, is the luncheon speaker at the Taking Control of Our Diabetes Conference and Health Fair Feb. 12 at the Hawaii Convention Center. The conference and fair also will be held at the Kauai Marriott Resort Feb. 13. Conference co-directors are Dr. Laurie Tom, who specializes in treating people with diabetes, and Viola Genadio, a diabetes educator. For more info, call 1-800-998-2693 ...

Society of Seven books Hawaii Theatre concerts

The Society of Seven will present three concerts at the Hawaii Theatre Feb. 18-20. Performing with the group is Lani Misalucha, a singing star in the Philippines, who has a five-octave range ... The Hawaii Opera Theatre sailed into its season last night with Richard Wagner's "The Flying Dutchman" at Blaisdell Concert Hall. The opera plays tonight at 8, tomorrow at 4 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday ... George Brett, the Kansas City Royals Hall of Famer, flew in from the Big Island Monday with Michael Hartley on Mike's private jet. After arrival they hit Ruth's Chris for steak ... Good news about Dave Eldredge. The former Punahou athlete, coach and teacher is scheduled to arrive home today following his amazing progress after suffering a brain hemorrhage in Las Vegas ...

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