April 14-20, 2011 Volume XII, No. 15 A King’s passion for history and culture come alive at Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach Award-winning cultural programming is the norm at this beachfront hotel David La‘amea Kalākaua, the last reigning king of Hawai‘i, so loved Hawai‘ian music, dance and festivities that he became affectionately known as the “Merrie Monarch.” A world-traveler and diplomat, and an accomplished composer and author, Kalākaua helped revive Hawaiian music and hula, which had been suppressed for many years by missionary influences in the islands. In honor of Kalākaua’s passion for Hawai‘i’s arts and culture, Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach offers year-round cultural programming as part of its “Kalākaua Experience.” Launched in 2000, this award-winning program is designed to preserve and share Hawai‘i’s rich artistic, cultural, and environmental treasures – both ancient and contemporary – with guests. Cultural activities at the hotel cover a broad spectrum with most free to hotel guests, or discounted if there is a fee, making it an attractive value for visitors seeking cultural experiences while on holiday. The newest offering is the weekly free Hawaiian Vow Renewal ceremony, held exclusive for hotel guests every Thursday morning at 8 am on the beachfront lower patio, with Diamond Head and the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop. The non-denominational Hawaiian ceremony is conducted by a practicing kahu (Hawaiian officiant) who Continued on next page Inside this issue: Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach is making waves with “Kokua For Japan” Raises $1.6 Million 2 6 Canoe for Two Package Hard Rock Cafe Honolulu and The Make-A-Wish 4 American Academy of Neurology annual meeting expected Foundation® grant a rock star wish for Hawai‘i child 7 to top initial forecast by more than 2,000 participants Swing City ~ Jimmy Borges Headlines an Evening of Glitz, 5 Glam, Gals, and Gangsters ~ Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa’s Easter 8 Hop-penings Aqua Hotels supports Earth Day 2011 with booking 6 promotion Star of Honolulu's Easter Lunch & Champagne Cruise! 9 Hop over to Royal Hawaiian Center for Easter Prizes and Hyatt on the Beach fundraiser for Charity Walk 7 9 Family Fun . and MORE Continued from front page welcomes couples with a traditional Hawaiian chant. They are then honored with a graceful hula and serenaded with Hawaiian song; this is followed with a sprinkling of sea water before couples recite vows in the Hawaiian language. The ceremony concludes with the beautiful Hawaiian Wedding Song performed with a hula, and couples are presented with a certificate commemorating the celebration. Other free activities guests can enjoy when staying at Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach include casual classes in Hawaiian kukui nut bracelet making and storytelling; flower lei making; traditional Ti leaf lei making; ukulele lessons; hula lessons; the making of luggage tags with a guest’s Hawaiian name; mini koa surfboard shaping; and Hawaiian petroglyph greeting cards. Additionally, fun events throughout the year highlight Hawai‘i’s rich multi- ethnic make-up, such as a Chinese New Year celebration in February, Duke Kahanamoku surfing activities during the summer, and spooky Hawaiian storytelling around Halloween. Outrigger employees play a key role in the hotels’ cultural education efforts with most classes led by employees born and raised in the islands. As a result, guests who participate in the Kalākaua Experience programs are exposed to a depth of local knowledge and expertise not always found elsewhere. The hotel’s commitment to Hawai‘i’s sense of place goes beyond programming, however. Other opportunities for guests to experience Hawaiian culture and history include a special lobby showcase featuring dozens of rare Hawaiian artifacts on loan from the venerable Mission House Museum as well as various private collectors. The hotel’s new Voyager Room in the hotel lobby is a place to relax after the rigors of travel or to enjoy a quiet place to read. It features an honor library filled with books about Hawai‘i’s unique island heritage. There are travel guides, the Hawaiian Dictionary, and a vast array of books on Hawaiian culture and history. Custom-designed Hawaiian furniture from master artisan James Ferla, artwork by the iconic Hawaiian artist and historian – the late Herb Kawainui Kane, two Kahili – feather stanchions crafted by hotel employees, and a century-old fully restored outrigger canoe rigged in traditional Hawaiian pre-contact style all are hallmarks of the hotel’s commitment to its island roots. “Outrigger Hotels & Resorts was born in Hawai‘i, and therefore, supporting what makes our islands so special has always been an integral part of this company’s heart and soul,” said Robert McConnell, general manager of Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach. “Our cultural education programs are a win-win all around. They support worthwhile community organizations, give our guests opportunities for authentic island experiences, and provide an important connection between our employees and our community.” For reservations or information, call toll free 800-OUTRIGGER (1-800-688-7444) within the United States, Guam and Canada. Outrigger’s toll-free number is available internationally via AT&T’s Direct 800 Service. Elsewhere call direct to 303-369-7777 (long distance charges apply). Or, visit www.outrigger.com or e-mail [email protected]. For up to date resort information, follow http://twitter.com/outriggerWaikik on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/OutriggerWaikikiontheBeach Page 2, April 14-20, 2011 Page 2 Waikīkī Wikiwiki Wire “Kokua For Japan” Raises $1.6 Million All proceeds to benefit the American Red Cross for the Japan earthquake and Pacific tsunami relief efforts - Kokua For Japan” raised $1.6 million benefit the American Red Cross for the Japan earthquake and Pacific tsunami relief efforts. Organizers also announced that donations will continue to be accepted at www.kokuaforjapan.com. “We’re so proud of the way the TV and radio stations, vendors, volunteers, entertainers and the people of Hawai‘i came together to support the people of Japan,” said Chuck Cotton, Vice President and General Manager for Clear Channel Radio Hawai‘i. “This was truly the ‘spirit of Aloha’ at its best.” “It has been an amazing day,” said Jon Brekke, Executive Producer for Kokua For Japan. “We are proud to be a part of it. Our hearts go out to Japan.” “Kokua for Japan was truly a labor of love to show our care and concern for the people of Japan,” said Coralie Chun Matayoshi, CEO of the American Red Cross, Hawai‘i State Chapter. “We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support that Hawai‘i’s people have shown today. Their compassion will give strength to humanitarian efforts in Japan as we help them recover from this terrible tragedy. We want to thank everyone involved in this event for their wonderful contribution to the cause of humanity.” “Kokua For Japan,” a Hawai‘i-based radio, television and Internet fund raising event for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan was held on Sunday, April 10, 2011 from noon to 5 p.m. [Monday, April 11th 7am-12noon Japan time]. The event, staged by Clear Channel Radio Hawai‘i and Oceanic Time Warner Cable, took place at the Great Lawn at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa. All proceeds to benefit the American Red Cross for the Japan earthquake and Pacific tsunami relief efforts. Performers at the five-hour event included: Jack Johnson; Willie Nelson; Henry Kapono with special guests Michael McDonald and Mick Fleetwood; Patrick Simmons; Hutch Hutchinson; Jake Shimabukuro; The Brothers Cazimero; Loretta Ables Sayre; Cecilio & Kapono; Hapa; Kalapana; Cecilio & Kompany; Amy Hanaialii; Na Leo; John Cruz; Natural Vibrations; ManoaDNA; Robi Kahakalau; Society of Seven; Eric Gilliom; Mailani; Taimane; Go Jimmy Go; Jerry Santos; Gregg Hammer Band; Charles Ka‘upu and Kenny Endo Taiko. On-air personalities from Clear Channel Radio and local broadcast and cable TV stations will serve as hosts. Various media outlets carried the event including TV stations: KFVE; KGMB; KHNL; KITV 4; and OC 16 plus radio stations: AM940; Island 985; KCCN-FM100; KHVH AM; KIKI AM; Hawaiian 105 KINE; KSSK 92.3 FM; and KSSK AM 590. The event also aired live on several Japanese radio stations including: 76.1 InterFM (Tokyo); Love FM (Fukuoka); FM COCOLO(Osaka), ZIP-FM (Nagoya) and NORTH WAVE(Sapporo). The event was streamed live at: www.oc16.tv; www.kokuaforjapan.com; www.ksskradio.com; www.island985.com; www.khvhradio.com; www.kikiradio.com; www.kitv.com and www.pacificnetwork.tv. In-kind donations were provided by: Bank of Hawaii; Coca-Cola; GO! Mokulele; Hawaiian Telcom; Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa; Hawaiian Airlines; Honolulu Box Office; Honolulu Star-Advertiser; ING DIRECT Hawaii; NEP Supershooters; RHEMA Services; Sayre Public Relations; Small Kine Polynesian; Xerox Hawaii; and Zippy’s. Additional in-kind support for the Japanese broadcasts has been provided by Hawaiian Airlines, Hawai‘i Tourism Japan, Smoothweb Inc., and PacRim Marketing. In addition, all entertainers, on-air personalities, crew, production support, and event producers donated their time and resources for the program. For information, visit www.kokuaforjapan.com. Page 3, April 14-20, 2011 Page 3 Waikīkī Wikiwiki Wire Hard Rock Cafe Honolulu and The Make-A-Wish Foundation® grant a rock star wish for Hawai‘i child Wishes come true at Hard Rock Cafe Honolulu! On April 16th, April 23rd, April 30th, and May 7th 2011 in conjunction with the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Hawai‘i, Hard Rock Cafe will grant a wish for four special Hawai‘i children. Hard Rock Cafe Honolulu will treat four children and their family to a free meal and a t-shirt of their choice.