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Lei Day at Kapiolani Park

The City and County of Honolulu celebrates May Day with its 78th Lei Day Festival Sunday at Queen Kapiolani Park.

This year's theme is "Na Waiho'olu'u O Na Lei (The Colors of the Lei)." Festivities start with adult and youth lei contest entrants delivering their leis from 7:30 a.m., with food, lei and craft sales running 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A hoolaulea of craft exhibits and demonstrations begins at 10 a.m. along with performances by the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association, Royal Hawaiian Band, and hula performances at the bandstand. The Lei Queen Investiture Program will run from 11 a.m. to noon.

The lei exhibit will be open to the public from 1 to 5 p.m.

In a related event, the public is invited to the Royal Mausoleum at 2261 Nuuanu Ave., from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, when the tombs of Hawaii's alii will be draped with leis during a brief ceremony that will include a talk on the history of Mauna 'Ala.

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Remember the Pali

The sound of the conch will summon participants, garbed in traditional Hawaiian dress, to the edge of Nuuanu Pali Lookout at 5:30 a.m. tomorrow, in an event commemorating the battle for the unification of the Hawaiian islands more than 200 years ago, when the forces of Kamehameha I faced those of rival chief Kalanikupule.

The story has been retold in oli (Hawaiian chant) rain or shine since 1995. Hula schools and warrior groups will present offerings and provide Hawaiian martial arts presentations.

It's free to watch the proceedings. Call 842-8719 for more information.

Filipino fiesta

The Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa and School is sponsoring its first Bayanihan Filipino Fiesta fund-raising event 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow.

The event will showcase an array of Filipino folk dances, kali-escrima martial arts and Filipino music. Rene Paulo, dubbed "Hawaii's King of the Keyboards," will be among the featured performers.

There will also be eight Filipino dishes including lechon roast pig, available for $25 per plate (enough to feed two).

"Bayanihan," meaning "helping one another," will help finance building of new facilities for both the church and the school.

St. Theresa is at 712 N. School St. Admission is free. For more information, call 521-1700.

Learn about turquoise

Turquoise is back for spring and summer, and to celebrate this semiprecious stone Native Winds is hosting a "Tea and Turquoise Two" event from 1 to 4 p.m. tomorrow.

Sample hot or iced tea from the Native American Herbal Tea Co. while viewing turquoise jewelry and beads.

Owner Wendy Schofield-Ching will give short presentations at 1 and 3 p.m. to answer questions such as "How can I tell if it's real turquoise?" and "Does turquoise require special care?"

At 2 p.m. in-house bead artists will demonstrate basic stringing techniques to start you on your way to creating your own jewelry pieces.

Native Winds is in Kaimuki at 1152 Koko Head Ave., second floor, next to Yoga Hawaii and above Bead It! Call 734-8018 for more information.

Then return Sunday to hear Choctaw author LeAnne Howe discuss her soon-to-be-released novel, "Miko Kings: An Indian Baseball Story," from 1 to 3 p.m. She will also be signing copies of her first novel, "Shell Shaker."

Salute to military

In tribute to Hawaii's armed services, Bishop Museum will host a "Salute to the Troops" from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The day will feature live entertainment and activities that will bring families together to celebrate the men and women who protect our nation's freedom.

There will be hot rod and racing car displays from the Hawaii Motor Speedway and Hawaii Raceway Park, and all of the museum's galleries and tours will be open showcasing the best of Hawaiian culture with special storytelling, song and dance.

Activities for kids include Polynesian voyaging canoe-making and a whale "blubber" experiment.

Event-goers also will be treated to viewings of the museum's newest planetarium show, "Deep Impact, Rendezvous with a Comet," and an unveiling of images taken from the Hubble Space Telescope, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary.

Music lovers will be treated to performances by country artist Dita Holifield, the Pacific Fleet Band, Kona and Oahu Line Dancers, and deejays from Star 101.9 will be on the Great Lawn from 10 to 11 a.m. with its jackpot machine and prize giveaways, including the chance to win a car! KHCM Country Radio deejay Charlie Garrett will emcee the event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

General admission is $3. Bishop Museum members, military personnel and dependents with proper ID, and children under 4 will be admitted free.

The museum is at 1525 Bernice St. Call 847-3511.

Oakton Six debuts

The Oakton Six Piano Ensemble from Oakton Community College in Des Plaines, Ill., will perform a free concert at 4 p.m. Sunday at Mozart House.

The ensemble's repertoire consists of arrangements of classical, ragtime and popular music that have been transcribed for six pianos, each with its own part. Included will be works by Mozart, Bach, Bizet, Gershwin and Joplin. Critics hail the sound of the Six Piano Ensemble as "extraordinary."

Founded in 1980 by Glenna Sprague, the Oakton Six has performed throughout the United States and Europe. This will be the ensemble's Hawaii debut.

Join 'Chorus Line'

The Castle Performing Arts Center will host auditions for "A Chorus Line" from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday.

Ron Bright will direct the alumni/community production, and Marcelo Pacleb of 24-7 will choreograph. The musical, in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Bright Theatre in Kaneohe, will open on July 22 and play for three weekends.

Auditioners should be prepared to sing a Broadway-type song; accompaniment will be provided. Appropriate dance attire and shoes will be required for the dance portion of the audition. Reading will be done from the musical's script.

For more information, call 233-5626 or 262-2704.

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Orchid show

The Orchid Society of Manoa presents its free orchid show and plant sale this weekend at Noelani Elementary School, 2655 Woodlawn Drive.

Rare orchid plants and tropicals will be on display and for sale along with haku leis and corsage making.

Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Speakers will also be on hand 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. tomorrow and 10 a.m. Sunday for free lectures on orchid culture and to answer your questions about growing orchids, pest control and more. Call 988-7191.

Feng shui seminars

The World of Feng Shui will present two seminars tomorrow at the Hawaii Prince Hotel Haleakala Kilauea Ballroom.

"Feng Shui for Modern Living" starts at 8:30 a.m., followed by "Feng Shui for Health and Love" at noon.

Tickets are $38 per session, with proceeds benefitting the American Heart Association. To reserve a seat, call 739-8288.

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