HULA? OF COURSE, IT'S THE HULA GRILL!: Uilani Hirao-Solem danced to the music of Na Kama -- Brian Mersberg, left, and Eric Lee -- as TS Restaurants threw a first-anniversary party for the Hula Grill Waikiki Friday at the Outrigger Waikiki. It was a perfect Hawaiian pau hana party and a great way to start the weekend.

THEIR YEAR WILL COME!: Ku'uipo Kumukahi and Milton Lau were among the guests late Wednesday when the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts hosted a reception for this year's Lifetime Achievement Award winners at the Outrigger Waikiki. Four of this year's seven recipients are still alive, and three of them -- Nedward Kaapana, Kealoha Kalama and Melveen Leed -- attended the party. Kumukahi probably has a few years to wait, but should eventually be recognized for her work as a Hoku Award-winning songwriter and recording artist. Mau will be recognized for his years promoting the annual slack-key guitar festival.

WITH LOVE FROM MEL!: Melveen Leed shared some aloha with longtime pal Jay Larrin. Leed told several entertaining tales about growing up on Molokai and hitting the big time in Waikiki. Larrin shared a few great stories as well.

ALOHA, EDDIE!: Ron Lee, left, general manager of the Outrigger Main Showroom, and Outrigger Entertainment VP Frances Kirk, third from left, greeted Eddie and Myrna Kamae. Eddie received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1992, but now that HARA is giving awards for lifetime achievement to groups as well as individuals, he'll get another when HARA acknowledges the Sons of Hawaii.

REMEMBERING SONNY: Margaret Kamahele, center, caught up with Patricia C.I. Tam, vice president of the Halekulani Corp., and Fred Honda, general manager of the Halekulani hotel. Her husband, the late Sonny Kamahele, a HARA honoree in 1996, played at the Halekulani from 1983 to 2003.