Our Picks for the Weekend Star-Bulletin staff

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MUSIC

4-day Kauai Music Fest starts Wednesday

If any of you Honolulu music lovers have some free time next week, check out this year's Kauai Music Festival. Now in its fifth year and hosted by the Hilton Kauai Beach Resort, the event attracts singers and songwriters (and the combination thereof) from across the mainland, Canada, Japan and Australia.

From Wednesday through Aug. 4, the festival will present four days of songwriting and music performance workshops, seminars, competitions, panel discussions and one-on-one interaction with some of the most successful producers and songwriters in the music industry, culminating in two gala concerts Aug. 3 and 4 that are open to the public.

For more information, go to www.kauaimusicfestival.com.

FAMILY

Children's center to host incoming kindergartners

Children entering kindergarten can enjoy their own special day at the Children's Discovery Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

"Countdown to Kindergarten," a partnership with Toyota's "On Board for Education" Program, is designed to help ease the transition for kindergartners and get kids excited about the first day of school.

During the event, families can learn about services and resources available through various agencies, including Good Beginnings Hawaii, PATCH, Native Pacific Education and Culture, PARENTS INC., the Hawaii Association for the Education of Young Children and more.

Admission is $8; $6.75 for children and $5 for seniors and kindergartners. Call 524-KIDS or visit www.discoverycenterhawaii.org.

FREEBIE

La Pietra's 'Art on Lawn' features Namba fashions

The combo of art and fashion hits the lawn at La Pietra-Hawaii School for Girls on Saturday.

"Art on the Lawn," from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will feature an impressive list of artists selling their works, with proceeds benefiting the school. A fashion show featuring designs by Anne Namba takes place at 12:30 p.m.

Artists include Alani Apio, Solomon Apio, Rozan Andrews, Allyn Bromley, Jodi Endicott, Hanale Hopfe, Pegge Hopper, Annie Irons, John Koga, Hans Loffel, Meleanna Meyer, Anne Namba, Stephen Paschal, Michael Powell, Mapuana Schneider, Hiroshi Tagami, Roger Whitlock and George Woollard.

The school is at 2933 Poni Moi Road. Call 922-2744.

LAST CHANCE

Professional polo players saddle up at Mokuleia

If the mere mention of the words "Pacific Gold Tournament" is not enough to entice you to come on down to Mokuleia Beach, then think about this: This year's polo tournament features some of the most high-profile players in the field in years.

On Sunday, polo-playing professionals from around the world will join local teams at the Hawaii Polo Club. Four teams competing are Team Equus (Oahu) with Juan Lagos of Argentina; El Ensueno (Maui) with Ulysses Escapite of Mexico; Hawaii Polo (Oahu) with J.D. Hall of Texas and Rob Yackley of Chicago; and finally Kuhuku Ranch (Big Island) with Hawaii resident Kimo "The Poi Pounder" Huddleston and Herman Louis "The Hawaiian Hurricane" Decoite of Maui.

The day begins at 2:15 p.m. and the match wraps up by 5 p.m. with live music to follow. Gates open at 11 a.m.

General admission is $8. Children under 16 admitted free and discounts available. Call 226-0061.

FOOD

Shokudo

1585 Kapiolani Blvd. / 941-3701

If you dine out frequently, low-end is the way to go. But everyone needs a break from Formica tables every now and then. A change of scenery can be fun, where you can enjoy ambiance, people watching and crisp service without paying too steep a price.

That's where the izakaya come in. The Japanese are experts at creating little hot spots combining comfort and hospitality, of which drinks and good food play a big part. It's a form of dining well suited to the 21st century's noncommittal dining habits. We like to eat, sure, but we also want to be free to come and go as we please. As long as the appetite rages, we'll stay; otherwise, it's on to the next party, film, club or next MySpace post.

Shokudo's popularity can be attributed to its hybrid nature. It mixes the casual elements of the izakaya with some of the formality of the American family dining experience.

There are plenty of a la carte pupus for sharing, the cocktails flow and seasonal menus mean there's always something new to try. One of the new introductions is a $13.95 sushi "pizza" with a crust of nori, layered with rice, creamy surimi and thin slices of jalapeno. If you're not into novelty, there's always old favorites like hamachi carpaccio ($12.95). Eat up!