[ ISLAND HOPPING ]

Lahaina 'Journeys'

Lahaina Cannery Mall's "Journeys to Polynesia" on Maui will capture the sights, sounds, colors and ambience of the South Pacific during the two-day festivities to be held 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 17 and 18.

Featured will be musical performances by Maui dance groups representing the islands of Hawaii, Tonga, Tahiti, New Zealand and the Marshall Islands, with keiki hula on both days.

Cultural exhibits will include a 40-foot koa canoe presented by the Lahaina Canoe Club and demonstrations of pahu drum making, and there will be tropical flowers, orchids and leis on display and for purchase.

Master drum carver Bill Kupuni of Molokai will be on site from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days to share techniques for creating the traditional Hawaiian drum used to keep the beat for hula and chanting. The drum, typically standing 2 to 3 feet and as high as 4 feet, is usually carved from a hollowed-out coconut or breadfruit tree. The top is traditionally covered by sharkskin, but today many pahu are covered by cowhide, resulting in a deep, hollow sound.

Here is the entertainment schedule:

Aug. 17

11:30 a.m. -- Marika Lanakila Tongan Community

1 p.m. -- Keiki Hula by Kano'eau Dance Academy

2:30 p.m. -- Maui Marshallese Ministry

Aug. 18

11:30 a.m. -- Te Tiare Patitifa

1 p.m. -- Keiki Hula by Pua Ala Hula Halau

2:30 p.m. -- Ari'i Hau Moana

Lahaina Cannery Mall is on the north end of Lahaina Town fronting Honoapiilani Highway and Front Street. For more information, call 808-661-5304.

Hula fest in Waikoloa

The Big Island's Outrigger Waikoloa Beach is honoring the mele (song) and hula (dance) from the island of Kauai at their sixth annual "Ka Hula Lea Festival: The Joy of Hula" in the hotel's Ali'i Ballroom, Aug. 22 to 24. The festival will feature songs composed by Alfred and Elizabeth Alohikea.

Hula teachers and their students from across the mainland and Hawaii will compete in ancient and modern dances. Big Island crafts and Hawaiian entertainment will also be featured.

Admission for the competition is $8 per day. Tickets may be purchased in advance by mailing a check to Outrigger Waikoloa Beach, attention Ka Hula Le'a, 69-275 Waikoloa Beach Drive, Waikoloa, HI 96738; or contact the hotel direct at 808-886-6789 and ask for guest services.

For reservations or information, call toll-free at 800-OUTRIGGER (688-7444) within the United States, Guam and Canada. Outrigger's toll-free number is available internationally via AT&T's Direct 800 Service. Elsewhere, call 303-369-7777.

Pleasant Waikiki stay

Pleasant Holidays and the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel are offering reduced rates on partial ocean-view and ocean-view rooms for new bookings involving travel through Dec. 22.

In addition to the reduced rates, Pleasant's guests will receive daily buffet breakfast for two, a two-for-one luau and an "ASTONishing Deals" booklet which offers savings coupons for food and merchandise purchases.

The Aston Waikiki Beach is just steps from the beach and within walking distance of the Honolulu Zoo, the Waikiki Aquarium and Kapiolani Park.

Four-night, land-only holidays start at $190 per person, double occupancy, reflecting a savings of $75 per room over the regular rate. Included in the travel package are accommodations, fresh flower lei greeting, round-trip hotel and airport transfers, hotel taxes and more.

For more information and reservations, call Pleasant at 800-242-9244.

---