Our Picks for the Weekend Star-Bulletin staff

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THE ARTS

Benefit for arts center features Henry Kapono

While Central Oahu is still pretty much an area of bedroom communities, there are plans afoot to construct a performing arts center in Mililani Mauka, on land donated by Castle & Cooke. The center is intended to serve the communities of the North Shore, Waialua, Haleiwa, Wahiawa, Mililani, Waipio, Waikele, Kapolei and Waianae.

The signature fundraiser for the planned Oahu Arts Center will take place Saturday at the Mililani Arts and Food Festival. The evening will feature food from 10 top restaurants, a variety of wines and beers, a silent auction and entertainment headlined by Henry Kapono.

Festivities will run 5:30 to 10 p.m. at the Mililani Golf Course. Admission is $40 for adults and $20 for children under 12.

Tickets can be purchased online at OahuArtsCenter.org or by calling 848-7632.

LAST CHANCE

Lukie D trades islands with show at Island Grill

One of the summer's most popular artists on island contemporary radio makes his Hawaii debut this weekend, when Jamaica's Lukie D arrives in Honolulu to headline "Fearless Fest" at Don Ho's Island Grill on Saturday.

Local promoter Mass Appeal is partnering with radio station KCCN FM-100 and Ultimate Sound to produce the event, which also features a number of homegrown favorites.

Ooklah the Moc and Dub Phylum will bring the roots vibe they're both known for, while Kauai's self-described "Reggae King" Mr. 83 will make the trip to Oahu to join the party. Former Ho'onu'a member Christian Yrizarry will be there with his new musical partner, Sani Apuakehau, as the duo keep pushing their latest incarnation as Beach 5.

Along with "Missing You," Lukie D will perform songs including "Hawaii, Take Me Home," "Crying," and "Tragedy." The dance hall singer is currently on tour in support of his 2006 album, "Deliver Me."

Doors open at 9 p.m. Friday for the 21-and-over party; tickets are $25 at the door. Call 296-1003 for more information.

FILM

Peace advocate, local filmmaker are featured

A couple of special film events are on tap.

The Amnesty International UH-Manoa chapter sponsors a free screening of "Peace One Day." The documentary follows Jeremy Gilley's passionate attempts (and ultimate success) to persuade the United Nations to establish Sept. 21 as the International Day of Peace.

The film starts at 5 p.m. Friday -- Sept. 21 -- in Viewing Room 4 downstairs in the university's Sinclair Library. Contact aleina@hawaii.edu for more information.

Next Thursday the 27th, Jeff Katts' project, "The World of Soul Saviour," will be presented at 7 p.m. at Auditorium No. 1 in the Dole Cannery multiplex.

The eternal battle between good versus evil has been an ongoing concern for the local filmmaker, and he's done two -- well, one-and-a-half -- movies of his planned trilogy, "The Hidden Battle" and "The Soul Saviour Chronicles." A one-hour promotional video will be shown, along with a Q&A session with the involved actors and writers.

Admission is free. For more info, call 221-0268.

FESTIVAL

Portuguese celebrate their heritage at Festa

If you're Portuguese by birth or at heart -- or if you just like watching Frank De Lima decamp on the art of being Portuguese -- this is your weekend.

The Hawaii Council on Portuguese Heritage presents its 29th Festa -- say it, FESH-tah! -- Saturday and Sunday at McCoy Pavilion in Ala Moana Park.

Favorite Portuguese foods will be sold, along with crafts from the motherland. You can learn to cook, too, at several demonstrations, or learn about the culture -- with a special focus on the ukulele and Portuguese paniolos.

Curious about your family roots? The Portuguese Genealogy Society of Hawaii will offer help with research, no matter what your ethnicity.

De Lima performs at noon Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Other entertainment highlights: Gordon Mark on ukulele, 10:30 a.m. Saturday; Danny Carvalho on slack-key guitar, 10 a.m. Sunday; singer Glenn Medeiros, 4 p.m. Sunday.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Admission is $3; children 10 and younger free. Call 845-1616.

FOOD

Roy's Hawaii Kai

6600 Kalanianaole Highway

Soul food will be showcased at a special dinner Tuesday at Roy's Hawaii Kai as chef Roy Yamaguchi invites Debra Hopkins into his private dining room to prepare her Southern specialties.

Hopkins, former owner of Deb's Southern Comfort in Kailua, says Yamaguchi was a frequent customer until she closed the restaurant more than a year ago.

Her menu for Roy's: Fire-Flamed BBQ Chicken Wings, Lima Bean Soup with Hush Puppies, Fried Green Tomato with Remoulade, Deb's BBQ Ribs and Mississippi Cornmeal Fried Catfish. And don't forget sides such as cheese grits, collard greens and Deep-Dish Macaroni & Cheese.

Entertainment will be by blues guitarist Boogie. Dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $45, $65 with wines. Call 396-9875.