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Kokua Line
June Watanabe
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Spam Jam still planned for April
Question: Will there be a Spam Jam this year? A friend on the mainland would like to make arrangements to attend the event, should there be one scheduled this year.
Answer: Tell your friend to get ready to party around the popular pork product in Waikiki.
The fourth annual Waikiki Spam Jam will be held in April, although an exact date and other details are still being worked on.
It had been set tentatively for April 8, but the U2 concert scheduled for that day quashed that plan.
Although the event has lost its major sponsor, the Waikiki Improvement Association, other sponsors have been lined up, said Toby Tamaye, president of AT Marketing, one of the organizers of the Spam Jam.
An official announcement will be made shortly, he said.
For now, Tamaye assures fans that "it will be the same concept (as previous Spam Jams): We will be closing the streets of Waikiki, we will bring out two (entertainment) stages and we will sell Spam."
There also will be Spam characters roaming the venue, Spam merchandise for sale and restaurants from around the island serving at least one Spam dish.
A big feature will continue to be a food drive in which people are encouraged to donate or buy cans of Spam for the Hawaii Food Bank.
Last year, 7,000 cans of Spam were collected during the Spam fest, Tamaye said. This year, the goal is to collect 10,000 cans.
The Waikiki Improvement Association opted to give up Spam Jam in favor of a more upscale event -- "Waikiki by Moonlight -- Where Vintage Meets Vogue" -- with events spotlighting "Waikiki then and now."
That event is scheduled for 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. May 13.
According to a news release, events geared to visitors and residents include culture and arts presentations, with artisans, master crafters and vintage Hawaiiana displayed; a Hawaiian hula and music concert featuring kahiko (ancient) and auana (modern) hula; and "Hawaii's Cuisine Evolution," with well-known chefs offering "staples of ancient Hawaiians to the latest in Hawaii regional cuisine."
We're not sure if Spam would be one of the dishes offered, although there is no doubting that it's a favorite among local palates.
Per capital, Hawaii has the distinction of chowing down more Spam than any other state.
Because it had been such a success, Tamaye said, many people wanted to continue the showcase event.
"To me it's one of those incredibly cultural events ... that is just Hawaii," he said.
Mahalo
To the kind man who helped my dad after he fell down at about 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, near Castle Medical Center. He was driving by in his van when he saw what happened. He picked my dad up and brought him home. I'm sorry we didn't get his name, but want him to know how grateful we are. My dad had to be treated at the hospital but is OK now. -- Mark Family
Got a question or complaint? Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210, Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered. E-mail to
kokualine@starbulletin.com.
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