NEW YEAR'S CALENDAR
'Unforgettable' New Year's with Natalie Cole
The popular diva has been incognito of late, reportedly working on a follow-up to her 2002 album "Ask a Woman Who Knows," but she'll set aside time to fly out to Hawaii to do a special New Year's Eve show at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
Cole continues to carry on the family name that began with her legendary father Nat King Cole, who died when she was just a teenager. She was at the peak of her success back in 1991 when she did a tribute to her dad's music, including the Grammy award-winning "duet" she did with him on "Unforgettable."
Overcoming personal loss and addiction problems in the '80s, times are better for Cole, with a best-selling autobiography "Angel on My Shoulder" in late 2000, an NAACP Image award the following year for her role in her made-for-TV life story, and marriage to a Tennessee Baptist minister in October '01.
With "Ask a Woman Who Knows," Cole delved into the smooth jazz field. The album received four Grammy nominations in '02, including Best Jazz Vocal Album and, for her duet with Diana Krall on "Better Than Anything," a Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals nod.
» Place: Coral Ballroom, Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa
» Time: 9 p.m. Saturday (Cole goes on at 10:30)
» Tickets: $90 to $200 ($450 to $650 room packages offered)
» Call: 947-7877 (949-4321 for room packages)
FILE PHOTO
Henry Kapono plays on the opening night of his club, back in 2001.
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Aloha to Kapono's
Kapono's, the night spot at the Aloha Tower Marketplace, bids a fond aloha after a five-year run. Combined with the fireworks display over Honolulu Harbor, it promises to be one heck of a blowout, with performances from club regular Ledward Ka'apana -- a slack-key guitarist par excellence -- plus the bands Speed Limit and Inoa'ole, other special guests and, for the finale, Henry Kapono himself, to be recorded for a future CD release.
The night's proceedings will be videotaped for a reality-TV DVD.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for those 21 and over. Pupus will be served. Tickets are $25 advance and $30 at the door, available at Kapono's and all T&C Surf locations. Call 536-2161 for more info.
New Year's Eve
FIREWORKS
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Aloha Tower: Fireworks display begins at 11:45 p.m. at Pier 9. Entertainment at the Center Atrium Stage includes Jomel Sumira at 7 p.m. Stevo the Clown at 8:50 p.m. Magician Mike Ching at 9:40 p.m. and Vaihi at 10:30 p.m. Call 566-2333 or 566-2337 for more information.
» Waikiki: An aerial fireworks extravaganza starts at midnight at a central location off Waikiki Beach. The show lasts about ten minutes with a grand finale featuring a 225-shell display. Call the Waikiki Improvement Association at 923-1094 for more information.
CONCERTS
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Ka'ala Boys and The Krush: 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel poolside. Advance tickets are $35 for adults and include a glass of champagne and party favors; $20 for children 12 and under. At the door, $40 and $20. Call 921-4600 for reservations.
» Ho'omaka Hou 2006 Concert: 7 p.m. at the Sheraton Waikiki Hawaii Ballroom. Entertainers include The Opihi Pickers, Herb Ohta Jr., Kanilau, The Makaha Sons, Kapena and Robi Kahakalau. Cost is $225 for adults; $135 for children ages 5 to 12, which includes a buffet dinner, concert admission, two drinks and party favors. Cabaret tickets are $85 for adults; and $55 for children. Call 921-4600 for reservations.
» The Forbidden World of Don Tiki: Enjoy Tiki Lounge Culture with 10 musicians and Don Tiki Dancers in elaborate costumes, 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the Pacific Beach Hotel. After the show, the band transforms into Don Tiki's Inferno for your dancing pleasure. Tickets are $135, including dinner show and buffet. Call 921-6137. Story on Page 6.
DINNERS
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Chai's Island Bistro: Family-style dinner features a combination appetizer platter and a choice of entree and dessert. Cost is $49.95. A special prix-fixe five-course dinner costs $74.95 and includes escargot, baby greens salad with fresh ahi, wild mushroom risotto with medallions of poached lobster, grilled Kobe beef and a chocolate lava cake. Entertainment by Hapa. Call 585-0011.
» Don Ho's: Dinner, entertainment and a midnight fireworks display over Honolulu Harbor. A buffet dinner with VIP seating on the pier will be offered for $60 per person, including tax and tip. Seating begins at 10 p.m. Included in the ticket price are party favors and complimentary entrance in to the late-night dance party. Call 528-0807 for tickets.
» Honolulu Symphony Orchestra at La Mer: Inspired by the roaring '20s, La Mer's luxurious seven-course New Year's Eve gala dinner begins with a special terrine of venison and foie gras with onion-banyuls compote and grand-veneur aspic. The next course features langoustine purse on zucchini spaghettini with bercy sauce, fresh herbs and Osetra caviar, followed by a "black tie" Big Island lobster with truffle. Dinner continues with veal tenderloin prepared with a 79-year-old Madeira and concludes with La Mer's Grande Dessert and signature Mignardises chocolats. Cost is $365 per person. Dinner service begins at 9. Long-sleeved collared shirts required for gentlemen. Call 923-2311 for reservations.
» Monarch Room: 7:30 p.m. at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. Black-tie event with dinner served at 7:30 p.m. Nueva Vida plays a repertoire of jazz, swing, pop, soul and rhythm and blues. Dinner-and-show package is $265 for adults; $135 for children ages 5 to 12. The package includes dinner, a glass of sparkling wine or cider and party favors. Dinner menu choices include terrine of foie gras and seared duckling breast, New Zealand sea bass, roasted Kobe filet of beef with black truffles; a selection of three cheeses, appetizers and desserts. The children's menu offers chicken and fish sticks, a filet of beef or sweet corn soup with mini grilled cheese sandwiches. Call 921-4600.
» Royal Hawaiian Surf Room: Pali entertains partygoers, who will enjoy a five-course meal featuring petite veal chops, golden crusted sea scallops and pineapple tartan. Seating at 8:30 p.m. Call 921-4600 for reservations.
» Shanghai Bistro: Showcases the Don Conover Trio with vocalist Rex Nockengust, from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Cost is $60 per person, and includes the music and dancing, pupu buffet, party favors and champagne at midnight. Call 955-8668 for reservations.
» Ship's Tavern: 8 p.m. to midnight at the Sheraton Moana Surfrider. Tickets are $250 for adults and $125 for children. Admission includes a "Flavors of Hawaii" gourmet food and wine dinner, entertainment by the Miles Jackson Jazz Trio and party favors. Call 922-3111.
SPECIAL
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Star of Honolulu Cruises: 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Festivities include dinner, cocktails, party favors and a spectacular view of fireworks at Aloha Tower. Cruise departs from Aloha Tower Marketplace, Pier 8. $90 for kamaaina and military. Call 983-STAR (7827) or visit starofhonolulu.com for reservations and information.
NIGHTLIFE
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ANIME at Fusion Waikiki: A tribute to Japanese animation, 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Admission is $12 in advance; $20 at the door. Includes a special New Year's Eve show by The Paper Doll Revue, a chance to win more than $1,000 in cash and a balloon drop and champagne toast at midnight. Call 924-2422.
» "Boogie in the Banyan Courtyard": 7:15 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. at the Sheraton Moana Surfrider. Featuring Eight O Eight and Miss Ginai. Admission is $55. Cost of admission and an appetizer buffet is $95. Call 922-3111.
» Che Pasta: Celebrate with Latin music, heavy pupus and free champagne at midnight. 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. For ages 18 and over. $10 cover charge. Call 524-0029.
» Sharkey's Comedy Club at Panama Hattie's: Starring Bo Irvine. Two shows, 8 and 10 p.m. Admission is $15. Entertainment, dancing, party favors and more following the show. $5 cover charge. Call 922-8401.
» Coconut Willy's Bar and Grill: 8 p.m. to 1.30 a.m. Entertainment by The Kevin Mau Band; prime rib dinner buffet at 7:30 p.m.; Mel Cabang at 9 p.m. and champagne and party favors. Cost is $50. Call 923-9454.
» Gordon Biersch: Big Bang Block Party with entertainment by Guy Cruz and H2O. Call 537-3291 for reservations
» Kahala Mandarin Oriental: Sonya Mendez, lead singer of The Grove, performs 9:30 p.m. through 12:30 a.m. in the Maile Ballroom with a mix of rhythm and blues, disco, funk, rock and roll, and contemporary hits with Latin flare. A champagne toast at midnight and party favors are included. Tickets are available for $65 per person through the Business Center at 739-8890 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Tickets may also be purchased the night of the event outside the Maile Ballroom door starting at 8:30 p.m. For those attending the second seating of either Hoku's, Plumeria Beach House or Cabanas Seaside Grill, admittance to the New Year's Eve Celebration is complimentary.
» Thirtyninehotel: 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Featuring DJ Harvey, Michael Koppleman, Gerry Rooney, Hugh Herrera, DJ Mark, Jules Gaytan and more. Cover charge is $10.
» Zanzabar's New Year's Eve Party: Doors open at 9:00 p.m. Reserve a table for $25 or buy a VIP Room Package which includes a buffet catered by Valentini Catering, a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label or Nicolas Feuillatte "Premier Cru" or Tattinger Brut La France and lots of party favors. Additional cover charges apply for each person. Call 924-3939.
NEIGHBOR ISLAND
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Dolphin Quest Cetacean Celebration: 5 p.m. at the Hilton Waikoloa Resort. Onlookers can view the grace and beauty of the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin. Special appearances will be made by four new family members.
» Hilton Waikoloa's New Year's Eve Happenings: Dinner served from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Palm Terrace; 5:30 to 10 p.m. at Donatoni's; and 5:30 to 10 p.m. at Kamuela Provision Co. At the Water's Edge Ballroom, a six-course dinner features island favorites prepared by executive chef Kenny Omiya. A concert with the World Class Rockers, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., featuring former members of the Eagles, Steppenwolf, Tot, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Santana and Journey.
>> A Night in Chinatown Fun Fair: An evening of games, dance, contests, karaoke and a mini carnival. Call (808) 886-1234, ext. 54, for reservations and tickets to the various events.
New Year's Celebrations
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Hatsumode 2006: Welcome the Year of the Dog at Hawaii Kotohira Jinsha -- Hawaii Dazaifu Tenmangu, 1239 Olomea St. A traditional blessing, midnight to 5 p.m. Jan. 1. Complimentary bowls of ozoni mochi soup served from midnight to 2 p.m. Shishimai Lion dance performed from midnight to 2 a.m. Yumi-Hajime Bow ritual performed at 10 a.m. Parking is available at Damien Memorial School, 1401 Houghtailing St., and a shuttle runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free admission. Call 841-4755.