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WITH possible Y2K computer glitches looming last New Year's Eve, the Queen Kapiolani Hotel in Waikiki didn't follow the trend of hosting a big millennium party and opted instead for just a special menu in the main dining room.
Ringing in the millennium is
shaping up to be a quieter
affair this yearBy Treena Shapiro
Star-BulletinThis year, however, the hotel will be hosting "A Night to Remember" with comedians Augie T. & Lana'i among the entertainers kicking off the official start of the real new millennium.
"I believe it will commence this year ... just because of the way the numbers fall," said Jerry Gallego, director of food and beverage.
Gallego is in the minority, at least as far as those planning big New Year's Eve bashes this year. An abundance of celebrations is planned for Sunday: a blast from the past with legendary Paul Anka, Ho'omaka Hou 2001 (The New Beginning) with Hawaiian entertainers and futuristic takeoffs on "2001: A Space Odyssey" with local and mainland DJs (including DJ Pertz aka Perry Farrell, formerly of Jane's Addiction and Porno for Pyros).
But only a couple of venues are publicizing their events as millennium celebrations, despite some grumbling that last year's partying was premature.
Some millennium celebrations (for more, see Features): Party time
'A Night to Remember'
Where: Queen Kapiolani Hotel
'The Millennium Blast Party'
Maile McPherson of Aloha Party Rentals & Supply said there hasn't been much of a demand for supplies this year.
"There was a lot more hype last year and a lot more events last year as compared to this year," she said. "This year it's pretty scarce."
There are a few big parties planned with expected attendance of 100 or more, but of the clients she's spoken with, most are "30 or fewer people and they're staying home." Some are even postponing their parties until Jan. 6 to avoid competition, she said. Several Oahu caterers said, unlike last year, they aren't in demand and some are taking the night off to have celebrations of their own. Luis Camacho, sales manager for Kahala Caterers, said he's throwing his own party on Dec. 30, then ringing in the New Year at the W Honolulu.
Camacho belongs to the camp that proclaimed Jan. 1, 2000, the beginning of the new millennium, but said the transition to 2001 is still significant.
"The millennium came with new attitudes for people. It was a year of changes," he said. "I think people should celebrate it as that, not the millennium.
"It's a celebration of everyone who can survive this year."
Why not celebrate twice?
At Halekulani Hotel's La Mer, the millennium controversy has been avoided by not including the word "millennium" in publicity for either of its New Year's Eve galas. Millennium revelers were welcome last year, as they are this year at $325 a person.The evening, which commemorates the reigns of Louis XIV through Louis XVI, features a menu reflective of the period, the Honolulu Symphony, private fireworks, and even costumed staff.
"Ordinarily we don't have costumes, but this year we really wanted to do something extra special," Look said.
The Pikake Terrace Restaurant and Lounge at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani is taking a different tack: celebrating the millennium last year was a blast, so why not do it twice? A pool party and music by Kona Winds, Rubber Soul and the Bobby King Royal Combo are among the highlights.Assistant Manager Cheryl Lynn Wong said she believes this year is the last of the millennium.
"2000 is the ending of the last century, 2001 kicks off the new one," she said.
As celebrants ushered in the new millennium last year, Wong wasn't concerned with the controversy over dates.
"Y2K. That's the biggest and most important thing that was on my mind," she said.
Although this year's Millennium Blast Party is shaping up to be as successful as last year's, Wong said she doesn't think they'll try it a third time. "We'll probably have another, different theme," she said. "It won't be the millennium."
