[ WEEKEND ]
Ring in the
New Year
Happy New Year! Here are some of the events taking place New Year's Eve (except where noted) to ensure a bang-up start to 2004:
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Fireworks
"Big Bang" fireworks celebration: Ring in the 2004 by taking in a 12-minute fireworks display over Honolulu Harbor at midnight, with some of the best views from Aloha Tower Marketplace, where there will be pier-side entertainment from 9 p.m., featuring Dita Holifield, followed by John Cruz, Ilona Irvine and Jeff Rasmussen and Friends from 10:30 to 11:45 p.m. Call 566-2337 for information.
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On stage
Kenny Loggins: Performs at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa Coral Ballroom. Tickets are $195 for platinum seating, $160 for gold seating, $110 for silver seating and $85 general. Price includes pre-concert entertainment, party favors, a half-bottle of sparkling wine, one standard cocktail, and tax and gratuity. Call 947-7877.Frank DeLima: The comedian starts the year with laughter at the Palace Showroom of the Ohana Reef Towers on Lewers Street. Dinner package with 7:30 p.m. seating runs $99 plus tax and tip. The buffet includes chef-carved prime rib, seafood newburg, mahimahi tempura, a salad bar, desserts and choice of coffee or tea. It also includes a split of champagne and party favors. A cocktail package with seating 8:30 p.m. runs $79, and includes everything above but the dinner. Entertainment starts at 8 p.m. with Faithfully Yours, DeLima's show at 9 p.m. and dancing from 10:15 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Murder Mystery: Ring in the new year with "killer laughs" at Dave & Buster's. The 7 p.m. interactive mystery dinner includes hors d'oeuvres and a four-course dinner. Audience members decide who did what to whom. Guests also receive a complimentary power card and participate in a champagne toast. Admission is $130 per couple. Call 589-2215 for reservations.
Society of Seven Las Vegas: The spin-off group for Hawaii's longest-running showroom act will stage a New Year's gala dinner at Outrigger Waikiki. Show packages start with seating at 7:45 p.m. The buffet includes carved prime rib, seafood newburg, mahi mahi tempura and more. Admission is $135 per person. Cocktail show packages are available for $99. Seating at 9 p.m. Both packages include a split of champagne and party favors. Call 923-SHOW for reservations.
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Special
Adios 2003: Greet the New Year Latin-style at Reign, 1220 Kona St., where there will be music by DJs Mano Lopez and Capicoo, plus salsa bands Batacumbe and Conjunto Tropical, plus complimentary pupu and a champagne toast at midnight. Doors open at 9 p.m. for 21 and older. Dress to party."Big Blast": Book your VIP party from 6 p.m. to midnight at Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant, with R&B funk by Eight O Eight from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Call Lori Ho at 537-3291. Regular dinner service will be available from 5 to 11:30 p.m., with appetizers till 12:30 a.m. There will be a $10 cover charge for general admission for 21 and older with valid I.D., with dancing to H20 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. There will also be a "Big Bang" buffet of Chef's Specialties and pupu, with New Year's party favors. Cover charge with in-and-out privileges from 7 p.m. to midnight is $99 a person.
The Black Ball: At The W Hotel, features two rooms of hip-hop and house music, with midnight champagne toast. The night will be a combination of "Wonderlounge" Fridays and "Goodness Saturdays." Dress in black. Cover charge $25. Call 922-3734.
Hatsumode New Year's Blessing: Welcome the Year of the Monkey with the traditional Japanese Hatsumode New Years Blessing at Hawaii Kotohira Jinsha -- Hawaii Dazaifu Tenmangu, 1239 Olomea St. (off Houghtailing in Kapalama). There will be complimentary bowls of ozoni mochi soup served from midnight to 2 p.m., and several types of good luck omamori amulets (consecrated in religious ritual) for everything from pets to your golf game will be available. The event is free, running midnight to 5 p.m. Jan. 1.
New Year dance cruise: State Street Beef Company invites guests to set sail into the New Year aboard the Ali'i Kai Catamaran, from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., departing from Honolulu Harbor Pier 5. There will be DJ music for dancing and door prizes. Escape the crowds for the best views of aerial fireworks, plus the Waikiki coastline. The cost is $27.50 per person; must be 21. Call 595-4082 or 621-2333 for information. Purchase tickets at Windy City Dog in front of Home Depot, 421 Alakawa St., or 1021 Kamehameha Highway.
Star Ball: Event at Wave Waikiki features Rail live, with DJs KSM, BTF, RacerX, SubZero and Jrama. Doors open 8 p.m. for 21 and up. Limited table reservations and VIP packages available at $275 to $400 for four, including a bottle of champagne or liquor, tip, reserved valet spot and admission to an after-hours party. Limited advanced tickets on sale at the Wave, at $15. Tickets will be $20 and $25 at the door. Free New Year's party pack to first 200, with more than $7,000 in giveaways.
Platinum VIP party: Rumours Nightclub in the Ala Moana Hotel celebrates 2004's arrival with a party for the ages, in conjunction with KQMQ 93.1 FM, which will be broadcasting live. Dance all night long and celebrate with great drink specials and a complimentary pupu bar from 8 to 11 p.m., while qualifying to win prizes. The revelry continues to 3 a.m. Pre-sale tickets are $35, available at Rumours or the Concierge Desk. Tickets will be $45. For reservations or more information, call 955-4811.
Red Carpet Affair: Love Feast Productions is hosting a semi-formal party for young adult Christians of all denominations, for a party without the preaching. The event runs 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Bikini Cantina, on the second floor of Aloha Tower Marketplace. There will music, food, dancing, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. A lei will be cast into the harbor at midnight. Tickets are $8 pre-sale, available by making checks payable to New Hope Christian Fellowship and sending to: Love Feast Productions, P.O. Box 5373, Kaneohe, HI 96744. Tickets will be $13 at the door. For more information, visit www.lovefeastproductions.com.
Tiki Lounge: "An Evening of Forbidden Exotica" begins 9 p.m. at Hula's Bar and Lei Stand, 134 Kapahulu Ave., on the second floor of the Waikiki Grand Hotel. The event features Irene Soderberg, direct from Palm Springs, to perform her sultry act, with Derek Daniels' Party Favors as backup. For information and cover, call 923-0669.
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Dining
Azul: A prix fixe dinner at the restaurant at Ihilani Resort and Spa features caviar with potato rosti, artichoke and portabella stuffed squab and slow roasted beef salad. Entree choices include: pepper-crusted beef tenderloin Florentine; truffle poached moi and Kauai shrimps; or roast porcini dusted rack of lamb. $150 per person. Call 679-0079 for reservations.Eaton Square: Dinner includes: Sevruga caviar, smoked salmon, shrimp and Maine lobster bisque and roast duck salad with raspberry ponzu vinaigrette and a champagne toast. Choice of entrees are a seafood platter with a 1/2 lobster, scallops, prawn and abalone; grilled pork loin; veal osso bucco; grilled rack of lamb; sautéed brie stuffed with filet mignon; seared opakapaka; or lobster imperial. The cost is $59.95. Call 955-7866 for reservations.
La Mer: New Year's Eve menu at Halekulani, available from 9 p.m., starts with ballontine of foie gras prepared in a truffle essence with a timbale of squab in Sauternes aspic, followed by clams, oysters and mussels on a bed of savoy cabbage with fresh herbs; roasted Maine lobster; filet of "Kobe style" beef; and finishes with a choice from an assortment of desserts and other sweets. The cost is $350 per person including tax and gratuity. Reservations required. Call 931-5040.
Naupaka Terrace: Family-style buffet at Ihilani Resort and Spa features smoked salmon, seafood cocktail, crab and avocado summer rolls, choi sum, five-spice lamb chops and more. Served from 5 to 11 p.m. The cost is $45 for adults; $22 for children ages 5 to 10; free for children under 5. Call 679-0079.
Orchids: New Year's Eve Gala Dinner, beginning at 8:30 p.m., features smoked ahi parfait, followed by breast of herb-roasted squab; braised "Kona cold" lobster; sautéed onaga; broiled beef tenderloin and seared sea scallops; and concludes with a signature dessert and dancing to the music of the Honolulu Symphony and Jimmy Borges. The cost is $250 per person including tax and gratuity. Reservations recommended. Call 931-5040.
On New Year's Day, Orchids will offer brunch from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with a variety of salads, appetizers, omelets, stir-fry and carving stations, hot entrées, fresh-baked breads and desserts. The cost is $45 per adult and $28 per child ages 5 to 12. Call for reservations.
Palm Terrace: Buffet at Turtle Bay Resort includes braised artichoke salad with a carving station of slow roast prime rib and loin of pork stuffed with spinach pine nuts, grilled lamb chops, bow tie pasta with Manilla clams and more, served from 5 to 9 p.m. The cost is $36 for adults; and $18 for ages 4 to 11. Call 293-8811 for reservations.
Sergio's: Three seatings for a prix fixe menu which includes Kahuku corn and ginger chowder, lobster millionaire salad and a choice of entree. The entree choices include fresh fish of the day, herb-crusted prime rib with horseradish whipped potatoes or glazed lamb shanks with rosemary-mushroom risotto. Seatings at 5:30; 7:30; and 9:30 p.m. Cost is $75, and includes a glass of champagne. Call 951-6900 for reservations.
21 Degrees North: The holiday meal at Turtle Bay Resort starts with spiced pumpkin soup or confit leg of duck followed by a choice of prime rib of beef, sweet-mustard glazed striped bass or portabello fillet topped with chocolate soufflé and port wine ice cream. Served from 6 to 10 p.m. $47.50 per person. Call 293-8811 for reservations.
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Smoke-free
Firecracker Smoke Free New Year: Not everyone loves fireworks, and some will want to greet the new year with healthy lungs and a breath of fresh air. Makaha Resort Golf Club is offering an overnight package for an evening free of the aerial displays and choking clouds of smoke caused by firecrackers. The Grand Jubilee Package for two includes one night's stay in a standard hotel room (upgrades available) includes a five-course wine-paired dinner for two from 6 to 9 p.m., with an entree of a Makaha Medley of guava-anise glaze duck breast, crab-and-oyster stuffed jumbo shrimp, and hoisin-glazed lamb chops. The price is $250. There is also a $175 per couple poolside Jubilee Cocktail Package from 9:30 p.m. that includes complimentary pupus and a glass of champagne at midnight. For reservations call 695-7513.
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