[ISLAND HOPPING]
Fireworks over Waikiki
Those heading to Waikiki on Friday nights recently have been treated to a welcome sight -- the sparks of fireworks high above the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa.After putting the weekly Aloha Friday fireworks display on hold after the Sept. 11 attacks, the fireworks returned last month as the finale to Hilton's King Jubilee Celebration of Hawaiian song and dance, which started 15 years ago.
The free jubilee runs 6:45 to 8 p.m. April through September, and 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. October through March, with fireworks at the jubilee's end.
There will be no fireworks on March 29, due to the Good Friday holiday.
Family fun on Lanai
Spend some quality time with family away from the distractions of household chores and video arcades. From May 1 through Sept. 30,2002, the Manele Bay Hotel on Lanai is offering rates that will launch many a childhood memory. They are:>> Book a non-ocean room for two adults at $399 per night and get a second room free.
>> Book an ocean from for two adults at $599 per night and get a second room free.
Both packages include a free daily admission to the Pilialoha Adventure Program for children, ages 5 to 12, with excursions and special activities; and free meals for keiki 11 and younger at Hulopo'e Court and the Pool Grille.
Families may try archery, shoot at sporting clays, take golf or tennis lessons, ride horses in Lanai's upcountry, hike, go mountain biking, or splash around in the pool. (Some activities involve additional fees.)
Call 1(800)321-4666.
Maui's Royal celebration
Maui's Queen Ka'ahumanu Center will celebrate its namesake during a festival Friday through Sunday, featuring entertainment, cultural demonstrations, keiki activities, a historic display of lei from the Bishop Museum and a really big favorite, "The Original Uncle Charlie's 30-pound Laulau." The making of the laulau will be demonstrated at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, with free samples.Festivities begin with a 6:30 p.m. Friday rededication of the Ka'ahumanu statue sculpted by Maui artist Tom Faught. The program will include a Hawaiian blessing and chant by Hokulani Holt-Padilla, who will also talk about the queen's life. Holt-Padilla's Halau Na Leo Pulama O Maui will perform following the ceremony.
"Ka Lei, Continuation of Tradition," the popular Bishop Museum exhibit, will be on display at the center Wednesday through Sunday, with photos, illustrations and text covering the range of lei in Hawaii from pre-contact to present day.
Throughout the festival, Hawaiian crafts will be featured in Centercourt. The Hawaiian Learning Center will present daily demonstrations such as how to make hula instruments and Ti-leaf shirts, 'Ohe Kapala (bamboo stamping and printing) and lei, including a sale and exhibit of fresh flower, shell, seed and feather lei.
Keiki activities Saturday and Sunday include arts and crafts, Hawaiian games, petroglyph rubbings and leaf printing.
Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 17. Admission is free. Call (808) 877-4325.