Our Picks for the Weekend Star-Bulletin staff

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MUSIC

Hawaii Public Radio hosts slack key concert

It's a "Kanikapila Sunday" as Hawaii Public Radio presents a special concert featuring father and son slack key-ukulele duo Dennis and David Kamakahi, and ukulele master Gordon Mark, at Windward Community College's Paliku Theatre.

Mark will open the concert with his signature arrangements of both popular and Hawaiian standards, followed by old favorites and new compositions from the Kamakahis' upcoming albums.

Radio hosts Derrick Malama and Keith and Carmen Haugen will be on hand as well. While HPR's concerts are usually held in its Atherton Performing Arts Studio in town, station President Michael Titterton hopes to re-create the studio's intimacy at Paliku Theatre for its Windward listeners.

Tickets are $25 general, $20 for HPR members, and $10 for students with ID, and available at the theater box office, charge-by-phone at 235-7310, online at eTicketHawaii.com, or calling Hawaii Public Radio at 955-8821 during business hours.

LAST CHANCE

American Indians offer storytelling and music

Two storytellers, each with their own distinctive style, will be featured at the Eighth Annual Native American Flute & Storytelling Concert at the University of Hawaii's Center for Hawaiian Studies, 2645 Dole St.

Leeta Wolfback will tell the traditional Cheyenne story of "How Mouse Became an Eagle." Wolfback was raised on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in Montana and is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Copies of her first book, "The Adventures of Boy Hunter: Ishy," will be available for signing.

Navajo flute player Andrew Thomas is self-taught and has chosen his instrument's voice to express his way of life, heritage and culture. His music has allowed him to travel widely, performing for the president of Pakistan and, last year, in the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu, Peru. His debut CD is "Changing Woman's Blessings."

The family concert starts at 6:30 p.m. and admission is free. For more information, call 734-8018.

HAWAIIANA

Kava festival, workshop to be held at UH-Manoa

Can a drink that makes you feel peaceful actually bring peace to the world?

Such is the theme of Saturday's Hawai'i Pacific Islands Kava Festival -- "I Maluhia ka Honua" ("So the World May Be at Peace").

The 'Awa Development Council of Hawai'i is hosting the festival, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, on the McCarthy Mall between Varney Circle and Hamilton Library.

'Awa, or kava, a sacred plant in ancient times, is undergoing a resurgence along with interest in Hawaiian cultural practices. The festival will present the viewpoints of Hawaiian cultural practitioners, 'awa growers, health and nutrition specialists and scientists.

Along with kava drinking, there will be a workshop on making an apu ('awa bowl), poi-pounding, Hawaiian crafts, plants, food and an exhibition by illustrator Solomon Enos. Entertainment will be by Guy Cruz, Johnny Helm, The Girlas, Kupa'aina, Round and Round, slam poet Kealoha and Matty McIntire.

Admission is free. Call 256-5605 or visit www.kavafestival.org

FILM

UH film series turns to subject of suffering vets

A Marine veteran returns from war, homeless. Consumed by drugs and alcohol, the insomniac wanders the streets at night. That's the setup for Paul Booth's short film "Empty Streets," which will premiere as part of the University of Hawaii's ongoing film series at the campus' Spalding Hall Auditorium.

Booth shot it in Sacramento, and it is based on the true story of a veteran who served six years in the military and now suffers from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).

Screening is at 7 p.m. Thursday . Admission is $5 general and $3 UH students, staff and faculty. Call 223-0130.

It will also play at 7:30 p.m. in the Kauai Community College dining room Oct. 11. A donation is requested there.

FOOD

Kochi by Gulick Deli

1936 S. King St. 102 / 941-2835

So many longtime dining establishments closed this year that it's great to see one mom-and-pop moving forward, not only by starting a second okazuya delicatessen on King Street, but expanding as a full-blown local-style Japanese restaurant and lounge.

Thirty years of experience gleaned through the original Gulick's has paid off in good food; big portions; decent prices; a bar and dining room more pristine than your typical lounge; and a capable, friendly and helpful staff.

Kochi is prepared to address appetites of every size. That means enough greens to satisfy anyone on a perpetual diet, as well as heavy-duty Gulick Deli barbecue ribs and steak for those who must eat like a man. Small appetites are accommodated with half-orders, but even those are big enough for two or three, eating family style.

Sashimi moriawase at market price (about $18 on my visit) is a keeper, a platter of thick-cut ahi, hamachi and salmon. And those accustomed to seeing one soft-shell crab on the plate for $9.50 at Japan-style Japanese restaurants will be happy to see Kochi's generous approach, which features three crabs surrounded by the fluffy-crisp tempura batter associated with the deli side of the operation.

Open 5 to 10 p.m. daily, with late-night pupu menu from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Dinner for two about $25 to $40 without drinks. Note: Gulick Delicatessen next door serves okazuya specialties from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays; 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekends.