Carlos Santana, above, performs at
Blaisdell Arena New Year's Eve.

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Ring in ’98 with
music, merriment

By John Berger
Special to the Star-Bulletin

Waikiki is where most of the New Year's Eve action is as 1997 lurches into 1998, but separate concerts by Tony Bennett and Carlos Santana make the Blaisdell Center ground zero for big-name concert action.

Elsewhere, Don Ho, the Society of Seven, Hui Ohana, the Krush, Genoa Keawe and Frank DeLima and Glenn Medeiros will bring 1998 in local style.

Honolulu's surviving nightclubs are also celebrating -- the Wave Waikiki and Hula's Bar & Lei Stand again top the list with imaginative and inexpensive theme parties. Several clubs have taken notice of the state of the economy and are also holding the line on prices. Scruples is charging only its usual cover to party there. Rumours has significantly reduced the price of its New Year's packages.

Third Eye Blind plays free at the Hard Rock Cafe.

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Major hotels are offering luxury dinner-dance packages that max out at around $200 per person. Those in search of "alcohol-free fun" will find First Night Honolulu an economical option downtown.

Another twist on the usual year-end party is to do it a day early. Hot Lava Cafe will celebrate on the 30th.

The times listed here are starting times for events on the eve. Except for Frank DeLima's show, all go on at least until midnight.

CONCERTS

Paul Anka: Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom, 10:45 p.m. Tickets, $125-$75, include one standard drink, half-bottle of house champagne and party favors. Call 947-7877.

Tony Bennett: Blaisdell Concert Hall, 8:30 p.m. Tickets, $175, $135 and $100, include pupus and soft drinks. Bennett performs at 10:30 p.m. followed by the Willie Barton Orchestra until 1:30 a.m. Alcoholic beverages extra. Cocktails only prices: $135, $95, $60. Call 591-2211.

Carlos Santana: Blaisdell Arena, 9:45 p.m. (gates open 7:30 p.m.). Tickets $65, 50 and 40. Call 591-2211.

Stomp: Hawaii Theatre, 8 p.m. Tickets: $25-$39.50. Tickets available at Connection outlets, Hawaii Theatre box office, or call 528-0506.

Third Eye Blind: Hard Rock Cafe Honolulu, 11 p.m. (doors open 11 a.m.). Free; no reservations (expect a long line). Minimum age 21. Band plays free all-ages show, 9 p.m. New Year's Day. Call 955-7383.

ONE DAY EARLY

Hot Lava Cafe: Mackey Feary, 9 p.m. Dec. 30, free, drinks "$2-You-Call-It." Call 941-5282.

SHOWROOMS

Frank DeLima and Glenn Medeiros: Hula Hut, 286 Beach Walk, 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Cover: $25; dinner package of $39.50 includes one drink. Call 923-8411.

Don Ho: Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel, 10 p.m. Tickets, $75, include dinner, one drink, favors, "Tiny Bubbles" champagne (seating at 8 p.m.); $50 includes one drink, favors and champagne (seating at 9:30 p.m.) Reservations required. Call 931-3009.

Legends in Concert: Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, 9 p.m. Admission: $47 dinner/show; $22 cocktails only (proof of Hawaii residency required). Call 971-1400.

Glenn Medeiros, left, and Frank DeLima:
Serve up raucous good cheer at the Hula Hut.

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Krush and Greg Hammer: Esprit Lounge, Sheraton Waikiki, 9 p.m. (doors open 8 p.m.). Tickets, $25, includes favors and view of stage; $20 includes favors and live video feed. Call 922-4422.

Motor City Angels: Waikiki Ballroom, Hyatt Regency Waikiki, 10:30 p.m. Featuring 60s-style soul revue, video-deejay, live "party cam." Tickets: $40 pre-sale, $50 at door. Call 923-1234.

Society of Seven: Outrigger Main Showroom, Outrigger Waikiki, 9:45 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Tickets, $85, include split of champagne, two SOS shows, dancing. Call 923-7469.

Yes!: Polynesian Palace, 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Featuring: Acrobats, gymnasts, mimes and magicians (first public performances are tomorrow). Several dinner or cocktail packages available. Call 923-7469.

HAWAIIAN

Ho'omaka Hou '98: Hawaii Ballroom, Sheraton Waikiki, 7:30 p.m. Featuring: Brother Noland, Kanilau and Hula Halau Na Mamo 'O Ka'ala, Moe Keale, Makana Sons, Keali'i Reichel. Tickets, $85 and $75, include one bottle of champagne per couple; $55 for show only. Add $55 for pre-show buffet at Ocean Terrace Restaurant. Call 922-4422.

Hui Ohana -- Dennis, Led & Ned: Captain's Table, Hawaiian Waikiki Beach Hotel, doors open 7 p.m., music from 9:30 p.m. Cover, $35, includes two shows, favors, glass of champagne. Call 922-2511.

Genoa Keawe/Mackey Feary Trio: Diamond Head Ballroom, Hawaiian Regent Hotel, 7 p.m. Tickets, $85, include pupus, steak and lobster dinner, bottle of champagne per couple. Call 922-6611.

NIGHTCLUBS/LOUNGES

Ainahau Showroom: (Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel) Dancing In Paradise -- A Holiday Experience in Waikiki, with Tihati's fire-knife dance team and 24-VII, 9 p.m. Cost: $130 includes lei, favors, two drinks, souvenir, champagne toast. Call 931-4660.

Banyan Court Veranda: (Sheraton Moana-Surfrider) Star Sisters and the Allstars, 7:30 p.m., $35 includes glass of champagne. Ship's Tavern dinner/show package is $168 (seatings at 5:30, 7:30, 9 p.m.). Call 922-3111, Ext. 544.

DoubleTree Alana Waikiki Hotel: Pianist Don Conover/guest singers, 7:30 p.m, no cover. Pupus/dinner available. Validated valet parking. Call 941-7275.

Duke's Restaurant & Canoe Club: (Outrigger Waikiki Hotel) Jonah Cummings/Lilikoi Sisters, 4 p.m. and on, regular menu. Call 922-2268.

Eurasia Sports Bar and Nightclub: (Hawaiian Regent Hotel) Star 101.9 New Year's Eve Bash, live remote begins 9 p.m., $5, includes champagne toast. Minimum age 21. Call 921-5335.

Gordon Biersch: (Aloha Tower Marketplace) Beat Poets, John Cruz, Pirahna Brothers. Dinner served from 5 p.m., $125 per table of five includes champagne, pupus, front row view of midnight fireworks. Reservations recommended, 599-4877.

Harry's Bar: (Hyatt Regency Waikiki) Augie Rey & City Lights, 8 p.m., free. Call 923-1234.

Tony Bennett: Plays the Blaisdell Concert Hall.

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Hula's Bar & Lei Stand and Trixx: "A Look Into The Future," doors open 9 p.m. Tickets: $10 advance, $15 at door, includes favors, "major party tricks," Hula's souvenir. No cover for access to the bar and game room. Minimum age 21. Call 923-0669.

Liquid Surf: Combination Surf Party with Local Anesthesia, fashions by Capital Phat, Irie Eyes, Rush It, 10 p.m. Cover $5; minimum age 18. Call 942-7873.

The Lobby Bar: (Hawaiian Regent Hotel) Rodney Perez & Tropi-Jazz, 9 p.m., $15 cover includes favors. Call 922-6611.

The Mixx: "The Extreme New Year's Eve Funkin' Eve '98," hosted by Rick Rock and Spaz, 9 p.m. Cover: $10 before 11 p.m., $20 after 11; includes favors, prize giveaways, champagne toast, performance by two mainland acts. Minimum age 21. Call 946-MIXX.

Monterey Bay Canners: (Pearlridge) Kalako and Friends, 8 p.m. Call 483-3555.

Nashville Waikiki: 4 p.m., $10 cover after 8 p.m. includes one drink, midnight champagne, favors, random giveaways. Call 926-7911.

Nick's Fishmarket: Bobby Z Band, 9 p.m., free. Special dinner menu available 5:30 p.m. to midnight. Reservations recommended, 955-6333.

Ocean Club: (Restaurant Row), 4:30 p.m., free until 8 p.m., $5 from 8 to 4 a.m., includes midnight champagne. Minimum age 23. Call 526-9888.*

Rock Cellar: 8 p.m., $5 cover (21 and over), $10 cover (18-20). Call 923-9952.

Rumours: (Ala Moana Hotel) 8 p.m., $10 includes glass of champagne. VIP package, $30 per couple, includes reserved seating and bottle of champagne. Minimum age 21. Call 955-4811.

Sand Island R & B: Big Dawg, 7 p.m., music from 9:30 p.m. Tickets: $10 pre-sale only, includes buffet and favors. Call 847-4274.

Paul Anka: Performs at the Hilton
Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom.

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Scruples Beach Club: Scruples' 14th Annual New Year's Eve Party, 8 p.m., $10 cover. Minimum age 21. Call 923-9530.

1739 Kalakaua Nightclub & Lounge: Madd Hatters' Ball with 20 deejays, 9 p.m. to noon New Year's Day. Admission: $5 with hat, $10 without hat; call ahead for $5 "guest list" admission. Minimum age 18. Call 949-1739.

Texas Rock & Roll Sushi Bar: (Hyatt Regency Waikiki) dancing from 10 p.m.; dinner, 6-10 p.m.; sushi service till 1 a.m. Call 923-7655.

Wave Waikiki: "Pop Into The New Year," Rage N' Rox plus two deejays, 9 p.m. Admission: $10 pre-sale; $15 at door. Minimum age 21. Call 941-0424.

World Cafe: (Restaurant Row) 5 p.m.; live broadcast 7-10 p.m. Cover: $7; rises to $10 later. Minimum age 21. Call 599-4450.*

DINING/DANCING

Hawaiian Regent Hotel Ballroom: "Sylwester '97 in Honolulu," Polish 1998 New Year's Eve Ball, 6 p.m. Features singer Halina Kunicka and emcees Bozena Jarnot and Lucjan Kydrynski. Cost: $100, includes dinner, dancing, midnight champagne, lottery. Call 955-4567.

Hanohano Room: (Sheraton Waikiki) Stardust, Brian Robertshaw, Jennifer Barber, Rocky Brown, Ladyanne, 8:30 p.m. Cost: $160 per person includes dinner, bottle of champagne per couple, favors. Call 922-4422.

Hibiscus Ballroom: (Ala Moana Hotel) "Feliz Ana Nuevo Baile Latino." Cost: $50 for dinner, drinks extra (seating at 7 p.m.); $25 for one drink (seating at 9 p.m.); Latin dancing past midnight. Call 955-4811.

Maile Ballroom: (Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hawaii Hotel) Kit Samson's Sound Advice, 8 p.m., $195 includes dinner (seating until 9 p.m.). Jackets, ties required for men. Call: 739-8896.

The O'Jays: Appearing at the Hilton
Waikoloa on the Big Island.

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Navatek I: New Year's Eve Cruise, departs Pier 6 10:45 p.m., returns 12:30 a.m. Tickets: $60 includes heavy pupu buffet, champagne at midnight, entertainment by Kristie Doss-Ching and Hotline ($37.50 for stay-overs from 8:15 p.m. dinner cruise). Call 848-6360.

Nicholas Nickolas: (Ala Moana Hotel), 5:30 p.m. Cost: $65 for New Year's menu (seatings 5:30-8 p.m.); $75 for final seatings (9:30 and 10 p.m.). Lounge open for dinner customers only. Entertainment by New Heights. Call 955-4466.

Orchids Restaurant: (Halekulani Hotel) Loretta Ables & Bruce Hamada Orchestra, 9 p.m., $175 per person includes dinner. Call 923-2311.

Pikake Terrace Buffet & Broiler: (Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel) Sam Kapu & Tropical Breeze, followed by Paul Flynn & The Starsational Singers. Tickets: $75 includes buffet, starting 5:30 p.m. Call 922-5811.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

The O'Jays: Hilton Waikoloa Village Grand Ballroom, 10:30 p.m. (dinner seating from 8:30 p.m.) Tickets, $170 and $140, include buffet, open bar, champagne, favors. Call: (808) 886-1234.

Tonic: Hard Rock Cafe Lahaina, 11 p.m., free (expect long line). Minimum age 21. Call: 528-5267.

* At Restaurant Row, Mystique and The Row Bar will also be open New Year's Eve. Further information was unavailable.

FESTIVALS AND FIREWORKS

If clubs aren't your scene, but you still want to greet the new year as part of a crowd, there are a few less boozy affairs on the eve:

First Night Honolulu '98: Downtown Honolulu between St. Andrew's Cathedral and Honolulu Municipal Building, 4 p.m. to midnight. Admission: Buy a First Night Honolulu button, $8 until Dec. 30, $10 Dec. 31. Featuring: Honolulu Symphony, Ledward Kaapana, Cyril Pahinui, Tenderoni, 52nd St. Jazz Band, acrobats, storytellers, poets, dancers. Call 833-0056.

Aloha Tower festival and fireworks: Entertainment on three stages includes Ten Feet, John Cruz, Beat Poets, Alisa Randolph and the Disco Inferno, Sunland, Piranha Brothers and free karaoke with Chris Da Pordagee Clown. Also, strolling magicians, clowns, balloon artists, jugglers. Fireworks just before midnight. Parking is $2 after 4:30 p.m. at Piers 5/6, and Irwin Park. Aloha Tower Express Trolley runs every 20 minutes to and from Waikiki until 1:30 a.m., $2. Call 566-2333 or 566-2337.

Barking Sands fireworks: Midnight, Pacific Missile Range Facility. Viewing sites include designated recreation areas; Major's Bay is optimal. Call 335-4379.