Da Kine Star-Bulletin staff and wire services

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Donate teddy bears to help abused children

Got a spare bear? They'll be rounding 'em up Saturday at the Teddy Bear Round-Up and Family Resource Fair at the Ward Warehouse stage.

The sponsors -- Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii, the Hawaii chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America and the Child Abuse Prevention Planning Council -- hope to collect 4,300 new or gently used teddy bears of all sizes and shapes from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

That number equals the number of reports of child abuse in Hawaii last year, says Elsie Foster, chairwoman of the collection.

Ukulele Essence with Bruce Shimabukuro, Kauwe Boys and Maggie Silva-Purcell's Tahitian Review will perform during the collection. Costumed characters of Winnie-the-Pooh, Bugs Bunny, Tweety and Sylvester will also attend.

The bears will go to family shelters, children's hospitals and other organizations statewide to help comfort children in crisis.

The 11th annual event is the highlight of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Call 951-0200.

Lantern ceremony seeks volunteers

Volunteers are needed to help with the 10th Annual Lantern Floating Hawaii ceremony, to be held on May 26, Memorial Day, at Ala Moana Beach.

More than 1,500 lanterns will be set afloat in the ceremony to honor lost loved ones.

About 1,000 volunteers are needed throughout April construct lanterns; on the day of the event to transport, light and float lanterns; and on May 31 for cleanup.

The ceremony is sponsored by the Buddhist order Shinnyo-en. Call 942-1848 or 947-2814, or visit www.lanternfloatinghawaii.com.

Kapolei school to hold Spring Fling

Kapolei Middle School invites the community to campus for the annual Spring Fling, 1:30 to 9 p.m. Friday.

The event includes carnival rides, games, inflatable slides and bounce houses. Student singers and dancers will perform in the evening, with a movie showing on a large outdoor screen at about 7 p.m.

Admission is free. Proceeds from the sale of food and ride tickets benefit school organizations. Visit www.kapoleims.k12.hi.us for the latest information.

Walk to benefit arthritis research

Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park hosts the Arthritis Foundation's Arthritis Walk on Saturday.

The 1-mile walk starts at 8:30 a.m., with registration starting at 7:30 a.m. Prizes will be awarded for donations: Those who raise $100 will receive a T-shirt; $200, water park admission; $500, a Best Buy gift card; $1,000, an iPod Shuffle; $1,750, an iPod Video.

Anyone raising more than $1,000 is invited to a VIP room with breakfast, mimosas and more. Participants may also purchase pre-sale water park tickets for $20 through the Arthritis Foundation.

Visit www.HonoluluArthritisWalk.com or call 596-2900.

Kids explore drama in acting classes

Honolulu Theatre for Youth is conducting a "summer drama adventure" from June 9 to 27.

Children ages 7 to 12 will develop and rehearse an original play based on a popular fairy tale, led by Lily Brennick and Junior Tesoro. They'll work on skills including creative movement, music and drama.

Classes are 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, at Tenney Theatre, St. Andrew's Cathedral. For applications, visit www.htyweb.org or call 839-9885.

Aloha Music Camp relocates to Kona

The Aloha Music Camp lost its home when Molokai Ranch closed earlier this month, but the event will go on, June 22 to 28, at the Keauhou Hotel in Kona.

The weeklong exploration of music and Hawaiian culture has been led for five years by the Beamer family, and will go on despite the recent death of matriarch Nona Beamer.

Beamer family members committed to teach include Keola (slack-key guitar), Moanalani (dance) and Kaliko (Hawaiian language), joined by Robyn Kneubuhl (hula and ukulele), Kevin Brown (slack-key), Geri Valdriz (steel guitar), Tommy Cheng (puppetry), Aoi Wright (massage), Dennis Lake (ukulele-making) and Mark Kailana Nelson (slack-key and ukulele).

The new Keahou location offers a setting that includes three heiau, a replica of King Kalakaua's beach cottage and royal bathing pools.

Cost begins at $1,750, for six nights accommodations, meals, workshops, lessons and special events. Discounts available for children and accompanying family members who wish to stay in the hotel, but not take classes. Register via www.alohamusiccamp.com or call the camp office on Maui, 270-3090.

HPR fundraising brings in $720,000

Hawaii Public Radio ended its spring fundraising drive Friday morning with more than $720,000 in pledges collected.

Challenge 2008 closed two hours into its 10th day, with HPR topping its $719,000 goal by $3,215.

A staff of 345 volunteers handled the telephone pledges.

HPR programming is broadcast on KHPR 88.1 and KIPO 89.3.