JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Sporadic rain did not stop the show when Jake Shimabukuro, right, headlined "Moonlight Mele on the Lawn" at Bishop Museum on Thursday. Jake featured selections from his most recent Hoku Award-winning album, "Gently Weeps," and his brother, Bruce, left, previewed songs from his own new album, "Bits & Pieces." Chris Salvador was one several young players who opened for Jake and Bruce. CLICK FOR LARGE

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Scott Wallace, center, celebrated onstage Friday after he took top honors in the Hawaii State Finals of the Colgate Country Showdown at the Aloha Tower Marketplace. Wallace was one of several contestants who performed with backing musicians rather than karaoke tracks, singing original songs rather than country hits. He will represent Hawaii in regional competition in California next month. Sharing Wallace's moment of triumph were contest sponsor Julie Dimitron of Mortgage Alliance, left; single-monickered Tianna, who placed third; Showdown emcee Dita Holifield of "Hawaii's Country Music" KHCM-AM; and contest veteran Jesse Felder, who placed second. CLICK FOR LARGE

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Mayor Mufi Hannemann, center, congratulated Ronald Howard, president of Star of Honolulu Cruises & Events, and Mitzi Hirasawa Howard, vice president of sales and marketing, as they celebrated the company's 50th anniversary with a luncheon aboard the Star of Honolulu on July 11. Ron told the guests that the company's mission statement includes "creating memories for people." CLICK FOR LARGE

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Australian Defense Forces historian David Horner, center above, was guest of honor July 11 at a reception hosted by Australian Consul General John Quinn. Among those who engaged Horner on various aspects of Australian military history were Adm. Ron Hays, left, Quinn, historian Daniel Martinez and George Sullivan. CLICK FOR LARGE

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Roy Sakuma, left with leis, chatted with Jack Johnson, the surprise guest at Sakuma's 37th Annual 'Ukulele Festival at Kapiolani Park Bandstand on Sunday. Johnson did not want to take the spotlight away from Sakuma's hundreds of young players, so almost no one but Sakuma knew he was going to be there until he joined a group of 91 students onstage and played "Breakdown," "Bubbletoes," "The Three Rs" and "Upside Down." CLICK FOR LARGE