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Celebrate Aloha Week

The Aloha Festivals begin this week, a time of pomp, circumstance, flowers and feathers -- all celebrating Hawaii's cultural richness.

» Opening ceremonies take place at Iolani Palace at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, involving a procession of the Royal Court, led by Moi Kane (King) Ambrose Napihaa and Moi Wahine (Queen) Carolyn Leinaala Kahili, and hula in the courtyard.

» The Waikiki Ho'olaule'a, a block party on Kalakaua Avenue, begins at 7 p.m. Friday, with food booths and several entertainment stages.

» Pearlridge Center hosts a Keiki Ho'olaule'a beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, featuring activities for kids, entertainment and a visit from the Royal Court.

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Hawaii Bowl benefit

Despite all the talk about banning booze at University of Hawaii football games, a fund-raising event on Tuesday centers on wine.

"FLAVORS -- An Extraordinary Wine Tasting Event" takes place at 6 p.m. at the Sheraton Waikiki Ballroom, a benefit event sponsored by the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl.

An international selection of more than 100 wines will be offered, along with dishes by Sheraton chefs paired to specific wines.

Door prizes and a silent auction will include sports memorabilia, fine wines, travel getaways to Sheraton properties and more.

Cost is $60, to benefit the Hawaii Children's Cancer Foundation, Cure Autism Now, Rainbow Fever and the University of Hawaii Letterwinner's Club.

Tickets are available at the UH ticket office or online at www.etickethawaii.com; or call 944-BOWS. Tickets can also be purchased at the door.

Viva tequila!

The annual Tequila Festival at Compadres Bar & Grill runs through Sept. 16, ending with a celebration of Mexican Independence Day.

Each night brings a new featured tequila, along with bar and menu specials. A party on closing night will feature Kalaeloa & Friends from 9 p.m. to closing.

A tequila menu, with specials such as Huajolote Especial (turkey steak marinated in tequila) and Margarita Prawn Fiesta Salad, will be offered all month. Call 591-8307.

BBQ celebration

Dixie Grill's Best of Bar-b-Que Festival runs Wednesday through Sept. 27, featuring Southern-style specialties such as Memphis Bar-b-Que Pot Roast.

Also a featured entree are Ragin' Raven St. Louis Style Ribs, glazed with a sauce made with Ravenswood Zinfandel (add a glass of the zin for $6).

Daily specials through the festival:

Mondays: Flatdog Brat Sandwich

Tuesdays: North Carolina via Philly Cheese Steak on the Grill

Wednesdays: Salt & Pepper Beef Ribs

Thursdays: Grilled Shrimp & Cilantro Pesto Pizza

Fridays: Blackened Mississippi Catfish

Saturdays: Oyster specials after 3 p.m.

Sundays: Herb-Crusted Prime Rib, after 4 p.m.

Call 596-8359 (Ward Avenue) or 485-2722 (Aiea).

Wine on the menu

Padovani's Restaurant & Wine Bar features these events in September. Tastings are at 6 p.m. Cost is $20 for three half-glasses; $34 for three full glasses (except on Sept. 24). Call 946-3456.

Friday: "Unusual Red Wines" includes zinfandel, cabernet franc, sangiovese and barbera.

Sept. 16: "California Cabernet" features Cartlidge & Browne, Jordan, Groth, Terra Valentine and Laurel Glen wineries.

Sept. 23: "California Chardonnay" features Clos du Val, Sonoma-Cutrer, Scherrer, Avila and Grgich Hills wineries.

Sept. 24: Keith Kiuchi, wine buyer for Padovani's, gives a class on pinot noir. Cost is $25, including appetizers.

Sept. 30: "Pinot Noir Around the World" samples the wineries of Cristom (Oregon), ZD (Carneros), Freeman (Sonoma Coast), Archery Summit (Oregon) and Vincent Girardin Santenay (Burgundy).

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