By Ken Sakamoto, Star-Bulletin
This bunch of "doughnuts" on a stick may
save your life someday.
They're sirens. This one, near the turn-off of Likelike onto H-1, sprang up a few weeks ago. It's replacing one built in 1961 at nearby Kapalama School.
"The schools don't like having them right on campus because they're so loud. This one is 121 decibels, the loudest we have available at the moment. The one on campus was 124 decibels," said Jones.
"Whenever we can afford it, we're gradually moving the sirens away from schools."
The rings, or doughnuts, broadcast the signal. The more rings, the louder it is.
The signals, which are tested at 11:45 a.m. on the first working day of the month, generally broadcast siren noises. There used to be a pattern that signalled different upcoming disasters; now the siren is a kind of alarm urging you to turn on your radio or TV.
Some poles, such as this one, are also "voice addressable," meaning that it can also broadcast "whatever we want to say into a microphone," said Jones.
Let's hope that the civil-defense guys aren't into karaoke.
Feature performers are Glen Bailey, Chris Moro, Curtis Kam and Greg Gabaylo of Hawaii, Mahka Tendo from Japan, and mainland acts such as The Gamesters, Steve Taylor, Aldo Colombini and Gregory Wilson.
The show takes place 7 p.m. March 14 in the Pacific Ballroom. Call 488-5162 for tickets.
The March 27 program, themed "From Africa to the Americas," begins at 5 p.m. with "Congo Square -- New Orleans," featuring stomps, field hollers, drumming and dances evoking early 17th century America and the first wave of African slaves, followed by "Birth of the Blues," a program of Cajun and Dixieland music.
The program continues 7:30 to 11 p.m. with big band, swing music and dancing.
The March 28 program begins at noon with student jazz. Then from 1 to 6 p.m. there will be continuous jam sessions featuring traditional, mainstream, ethnic fusion and contemporary jazz, followed by a Latin music session.
Creole food will be sold throughout the event.
Tickets are $15 per day, or $25 for both days. Students will be admitted for $5; keiki under 12 will be admitted free. Order tickets by calling 734-0397.
About 100 booths will display food products and restaurants such as Sam Choy's, Indigo and Don Ho's Island Grill will share their dishes. There also will be a petting zoo and educational talks.
Tickets are $10 in advance at Safeway stores or $15 at the door; no fee for children under 5. Proceeds will go the the Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawaii.
The Urban Garden Center is at 962 2nd St. in Pearl City. Information: 532-7483.
Festivities will feature an all-star line-up of Sherman's friends and foes who will give the writer "his due." Among those confirmed are comedian Bill Dana, former "Hawaii Five-O" star James MacArthur, Broadway performer Cris Groenendaal, jazz singers Jimmy Borges and Shari Lynn, Larry Paxton and former Miss Hawaii Melissa Short, Double K Country radio personality Kimo Kahoano-- he starred in Sherman's production of "Kui" at Diamond Head Theatre a decade ago --and Cathy Foy.
The production is directed by Jack Cione; production stage management by Brad Powell.
Don Ho will make a special appearance at "Hawaii's appoppin'" before leading Sherman and the those seated in the "Borscht Belt" to his new Don Ho's Island Grill in Aloha Tower Marketplace.
Tickets in the "Borscht Belt" which include VIP seats, parking and the post-show party are $125. Other tickets are $50 and $25.
Tickets are available by calling Temple Emanu-El at 595-6370 to charge-by-phone.
Tickets are on sale now, at $40 per person, including lunch, or $600 for a Gold Circle table of 10.
Doors will open at 11 a.m., with lunch at 11:30 a.m., followed by the show at 12:15 p.m. Event proceeds will support Easter Seals youth programs.
For more information, call the Easter Seals society at 536-1015.
