Our Picks for the Weekend
Star-Bulletin staff
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FAMILY
Sumo tournament to feature newest yokozuna
We'd be remiss if we didn't remind you of the big grand sumo tournament happening Saturday and Sunday at the Blaisdell Arena. Making its return to the islands after 14 years, top-notch wrestlers will compete and bring with them all the ritual and pageantry of Japan's revered national sport.
Hawaii fans will see the sport's newest yokozuna, the young Mongolian Hakuho, participate in his first Yokozuna Dohyou Iri (entering the ring ritual). The 22-year-old is the fourth consecutive non-Japanese yokozuna in sumo, preceded by Hawaiian-born wrestlers Akebono and Musashimaru, and fellow Mongolian Asashoryu.
Tickets ranging from $35 to $300 are still available for the two-day affair. Call 591-2211.
FESTIVAL
Windward celebration to honor kumu hula Lake
The Windward side of the island offers on Saturday a community-wide celebration honoring kumu hula John Keola Lake at the annual Ulupo Heiau Ho'ike, sponsored by the Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club, 'Aha Hui Malama I Ka Lokahi, State Parks and the Windward YMCA.
This year's theme emphasizes "Ma ka Hana ka 'Ike," or "in doing, we learn." Free to the public and kicking off at 9 a.m., the "Stomp and Plant" of a lo'i kalo (taro patch) starts at noon at the Ulupo Heiau State Historical Park.
There will be cultural demonstrations, hula and kanikapila until 2 p.m. as well, at the Kailua YMCA on Kailua Road.
A traditional imu-based luau lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. for a donation of $10 to include kalua turkey and pork, limu poke, chicken lau lau, 'ulu and other Hawaiian favorites.
Visit www.kailuahawaiiancivicclub.com for more information.
FILM
Marks Garage to screen 'Comfortable Affliction'
Our Katherine Nichols mentioned in her Screen Time column last month local filmmaker Cheyne Gallarde and his movie "Comfortable Affliction." His brand spankin' new feature will be screened during "Misfit Movie Madness" at The ARTS at Marks Garage on Monday and Tuesday.
The 5' Giants production is described as "a 2-night cinematic event that's positively jake!" "Comfortable Affliction" will be the main attraction Tuesday night, and on Monday it's an assorted grab bag of locally made shorts, from comedies to dramas. 3-D glasses will be available as well (for what movie, we unfortunately haven't a clue).
The movies start at 8 p.m. both days, with an $8 general admission. For more info, go to www.myspace.com/5ftgiants or e-mail Gallarde at ch@5ftgiants.com.
LAST CHANCE
Charlie Murphy returns to isles and stand-up
Stand-up comic Charlie Murphy returns to the islands after close to a two-year absence to perform in Honolulu on Friday and on Maui Sunday.
Since his last shows here, Murphy has appeared on the big screen in "Roll Bounce" and "Night at the Museum," besides playing opposite his little brother Eddie in the hit comedy "Norbit." Well, he was the voice of Floyd the dog. But he did co-write the movie with Eddie.
Most people recognize Murphy from his "True Hollywood Stories" on Dave Chappelle's wildly popular show on Comedy Central. Striking while it's still hot, Murphy's been concentrating more on his stand-up these days. You can catch his act Friday night at the Hawaii Theatre and Sunday at the Castle Theatre of the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.
Both shows start at 8 p.m., and tickets go for $35 and $45 (plus a $2 restoration fee) for the Honolulu show (call 528-0506 or visit www.hawaiitheatre.com) and $30 and $40 for Maui (call (808) 242-7469, www.mauiarts.org).
FOOD
Gaku Sushi Izakaya
1329 S. King St. / 589-1329
Amid the sudden flurry of grand restaurant openings and great expectations, one in particular stands out because of its relatively small size, low-key vibe and quiet media reception, but make no mistake, Gaku Sushi Izakaya ranks right up there with the big guys. It's not inexpensive, but if you can't afford Nobu, it's the next best thing.
Imanas Tei regulars had the inside track, following head sushi chef Manabu Kikuchi as he ventured into chef-owner territory with this place of his own. With confidence in the quality of the fish served here, there's no messing with such novelty sushi as caterpillar, dragon and rainbow rolls.
Kitchen highlights include hamachi kama ($9.50), grilled moi, and the simple, refreshing, summery "taraba no kyurimaki su" appetizer ($9.50) of king crab wrapped with cucumber, sliced into thin, bite-size rounds and served in light seasoned vinegar with "mozukusu," a soft, silky Okinawan seaweed as slippery as a dish of chicken long rice.
Octopus and squid turn up rubbery at most restaurants. Here, both are masterfully handled so the octopus is tender, served cold and thinly sliced ($9.50), each piece topped with a torn basil leaf and a light garlic dressing, and the squid ($6.50) takes on a nice, crunchy -- not laboriously chewy -- texture when deep-fried in a coating flecked with nori.
If you don't feel like eating fish, you'll find other typical izakaya fare such as garlic rib-eye steak in ponzu sauce ($13), chicken karaage ($6.50) -- a touch of salt would have been nice here, considering the bold flavors that came earlier -- and teriyaki chicken ($6.50).
Open 5 to 11 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays. About $40 to $50 for two without drinks.
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