The event will feature both hula kāhiko (ancient) hula and chant, and 'auana (modern) hula performances. Dancers will perform on one of the few remaining pa hula (hula mounds) in Hawai'i.

There is no charge to attend the festival however a button donation to MGF is requested to raise funds to support the event. The public, and visitors, are welcome and encouraged to bring their beach chairs and mats and enjoy the fun, food and festivities under the shady monkeypod trees of Moanalua Gardens. For more information, visit: www.moanaluagardensfoundation.org

Kaka'ako Kool Free Shave Ice Schedule Memorial Day Weekend

• Saturday May 28th, 2011: 11am-4pm
• Sunday May 29th, 2011: 11am-4pm
• Monday May 30th, 2011: 10am-4pm

For more information, connect with Kaka'ako Kool on Facebook.

Event Highlights Include

Grand Tasting and Fashion Show: Friday, May 20, 2011: This is a grazing event where guests will be able to chat one-on-one with winery owners, winemakers, winery representatives, including Brice Cutrer Jones of Emeritus Vineyard and Tracy Dutton of Dutton Estate. The evening includes a contemporary culinary experience featuring multicultural cuisines created by chefs Anne Burrell, host of Food Network's Secrets of a Restaurant Chef and co-host of Worst Cooks in America, Dave "DK" Kodama of Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar and d.k. Steakhouse, Russell Siu of 3660 on the Rise, Göran Streng of Tangö, Elmer Guzman of Poke Stop, Jinjie "JJ" Praseuth Luangkhot of JJ Bistro & French Pastry. This event will also feature a head-turning fashion show by Tahitian casual-wear designer Ida Teiti of Tiare Teiti Designs and swimwear designer Louisa Ngum of Honey Girl. Satomi Yarimizo Jazz Quartet and Jazz Monsters will perform exciting jazz tunes for your listening pleasure. More information: www.hawaiiwineandfood.com/event-classic.php

Wine and Food Pairings: Saturday, May 21, 2011: It's a face off between three Hawai'i chefs and a well-known Hawaiian comedian and food critic. Dining audience samples the pairings and votes for the best pairings. Chefs Jason Kina of the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa, Matt Zubrod of Monettes, George Gomes of the Mauna Kea Beach Resort and Fred De Angelo of Ola will present their dishes along with their choice of wines from the wineries who are participating in the festival. Panel moderator and comedian Tony Silva will select his own wine pairing for each dish. More information: www.hawaiiwineandfood.com/event-pairings.php

Beachside Barbeque and Fashion Show: Saturday, May 21, 2011: At this beachside barbeque guests heap their plates with an array of old-fashioned favorites and new creations prepared by Hawai'i chefs Scott Higa of the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa, Jinjie "JJ" Praseuth Luangkhot of JJ Bistro & French Pastry, Matt Zubrod of Monettes. George Gomes of the Mauna Kea Beach Resort, Fred De Angelo of Ola, Darryl Shinogi of Roy's Ko Olina, Sean Priester of SOUL and Kevin Hanney of 12th Ave Grill and wash it all down with choices of premium wines poured by winery owners, winemakers, and winery representatives. This event will also feature an unforgettable fashion show by South American swimwear designer Mariel Garrido Melchor of La Diosa and Latin music Rolando Sanchez. More information: www.hawaiiwineandfood.com/event-bbq.php

To see a list of participating celebrity chefs, visit: www.hawaiiwineandfood.com/chefs.php

Lessons will be taught by ukulele master Gordon Mark who has performed and taught 'ukulele for over forty years. As an 'ukulele soloist, he performed at several hotels to include the Hyatt Regency-Waikiki, Kahala Hilton, Hilton Hawaiian Village, and most notably at the Moana-Surfrider Hotel at the Captain's Galley for nearly nine years. Gordon Mark has been a guest soloist with the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra under maestros Robert La Marchina, Donald Johanos, and Henry Miyamura. At the request of the Honolulu Symphony, Gordon performed for world renowned composers and conductors, Maxim Shostakovich and Ahram Khachaturian. Gordon has also been heard on a national level when he did a live performance entitled "Breakfast In New York" on Fox Cable 2, and did a segment for Sesame Street. In recognition of his music, Gordon Mark received a National Endowment of the Arts award, (NEA Grant). Gordon has recorded and has several CD's on the market.

For more information, visit: www.alohatower.com/10/ukulele/

Photo © strollers on Flickr

From its royal beginnings in 1836, the Royal Hawaiian Band has entertained audiences on the islands and around the world for over 150 years. The "King's Band," as it was once known, was founded by King Kamehameha III and became a staple of daily life by performing for state occasions, funerals, and marching in parades. The band accompanied reigning monarchs of the time on frequent trips to the outer islands and brought their music to remote destinations of the kingdom such as the leper colony of Kalaupapa on the island of Molokai. For more information, visit: www1.honolulu.gov/rhb/about.htm

Photo © coconut wireless on Flickr

Hula's is located at 134 Kapuhulu Ave. Second Floor in Honolulu. For more information about Hula's, visit: www.hulas.com

The fun takes place every Thursday night with $4 Martinis + $5 Pupus from 5-7pm.

For more information, call: 808-956-1250, or visit: www.honoluludesigncenter.com

Duke Kahanamoku Statue © LukeGordon1 on Flickr

A time-honored sport, surfing originated from the ancient Hawaiians who considered it a symbol of social status and power. Royalty used surfing as a means of maintaining their strength, liveliness, and authority over their people. The sport was nearly extinct by the late 1800s, until a teen named Duke Kahanamoku and his friends breathed life back into it and promoted it worldwide. Now, Kahanamoku's statue stands on the shores of Waikiki Beach and the beaches of Oahu are filled with surfers of all levels and styles.

If you're traveling to Oahu to surf, the rolling waves on Waikiki Beach are consistent enough for novices but also appeal to pros. If you want to take lessons, nearby surf schools include the Ty Gurney Surf School, the Aikau Pure Hawaiian Surf Academy, and the Surf Academy by Dane Kealoha. Expert surfers can also catch waves at the Banzai Pipeline at Ehukai Beach Park on the infamous North Shore, which has waves up to 40 feet high. From October to March, this spot usually grinds out massive waves very close to shore. A sharp volcanic reef sits just inches below the surface. Sunset Beach, where the waves reach 15 to 20 feet from September to April, also appeals to expert surfers.

Surfing spots are not hard to find on Oahu, and other beaches that lure those board-obsessed travelers include Ala Moana Beach Park, a 76-acre public space with good surf and plenty of facilities; Ali'i Beach Park, where much of Baywatch Hawaii was filmed; Bellows Beach Park, a great spot for beginners; and Chuns Reef, another North Shore beach that appeals to expert surfers during the winter.

Also on the North Shore, you might catch a glimpse of some tow-in surfers, a sport pioneered by pro surfer Laird Hamilton. A surfer is towed into a breaking wave by a partner driving a personal watercraft, such as a jet ski, or a helicopter with an attached tow-line. Very few surfers are considered elite enough to participate in this sport. Tow-in surf contests occur throughout the winter season, usually in Waimea Bay.

The newest wave craze, particularly popular in Waikiki, is stand-up paddle surfing, which is an ancient Hawaiian technique that requires a huge longboard and a long-handled paddle, as well as considerable skill, strength, and agility. Its popularity is credited to Hamilton, who has become the most public proponent of it. Some "purist" surfers have criticized him for this, but Hamilton calls it a return to an old, traditional Hawaiian way of surfing, some say practiced almost 300 years ago by King Kamehameha and Queen Ka'ahumanu.

And finally, there's tandem surfing, born on the waves of Waikiki. This requires a couple being together on one board, where they demonstrate grace, style, control, acrobatic lifts, and polished wave-riding, very similar to figure skating pairs. Summertime is typically when you see this, and be sure to check schedules for competitions.

Visit Oahu in August, when the annual celebration for the legend of Duke Kahanamoku is held at Duke's OceanFest on Waikiki Beach. The week-long festival features a variety of competitions, including surf contests, swimming, paddleboard, and other events that pay homage to the local legend.

The tow plane before liftoff. (Ben Sumner)

One of the most amazing adventures you can have on Oahu isn't even on the island - it's above it. On a clear, beautiful day, head up to the Dillingham Airfield on Oahu's North Shore, and schedule a ride with Original Glider Rides, where you'll be towed up more than 3,000 feet in a glider plane, and see one of the most spectacular views in Hawaii.

As you glide down at 200 feet a minute, ask to steer the plane yourself, and your pilot will show you how. Don't worry - the experienced FAA certified glider pilot won't let you do anything dangerous. Bring a camera or camcorder to record as much of the flight as you'd like. Those who want an extra thrill can do the aerobatic flight, complete with loops, rolls, and spins.

A service of Honolulu Soaring, Original Glider Rides operates year round and offers a variety of times and packages. Two passengers can fly on the scenic route, which lasts about 20 minutes. Come between mid-December to April for whale watching.

Want to get an example of what you'll see? Check out Youbute for some spectacular videos. But be assured - these videos won't do the real trip any justice.

Telephone Number: 808-637-0207
Website: honolulusoaring.com
Email: info@gliderridehawaii.com
Transportation: #52 Circle Island
Neighborhood: Honolulu, Island of O'ahu - North Shore
Hours: Daily 10am - 5:30pm

As we walked back to the car I saw a woman with two Great Danes.  My brother and I are both huge animal lovers and couldn't resist the site of these floppy eared, droopy faced, gentle giants having the time of their life rooting through the grass.  We walked over, said hello, got in a few pats, and went on our way.  A few minutes later we saw another Great Dane.  Then another.  Then three.  I couldn't figure it out.  Was there some kind of convention going on?  I'd never even seen one Great Dane on my home island of Maui, and now they were everywhere.

When we reached the parking lot there were at least five more Great Danes getting out of cars to go on hikes.  I had to ask.  Turns out it was a Great Dane convention of sorts.  Once a month, Great Dane and English Mastiff owners get together at various dog friendly hiking spots around O'ahu so their dogs can play together.

If you're interested, check out http://www.meetup.com/hawaiigreatdanes/about/.  The site hasn't been updated in a while, but the contact information is still posted and obviously they're still out and about.