Waikīkī Improvement Association Volume X1I, No. 2 Waikīkī Wiki Wiki Wire Jan 13 - 19, 2011 Annual Ala Wai Challenge to celebrate its 26th year with a new location, new name January 23 Event Becomes the Duke Kahanamoku Challenge with the Move The Waikīkī Community Center (WCC) will celebrate its 26th annual Ala Wai Challenge with a move to a new location in 2011--Duke Kahanamoku Beach in Waikīkī. Inspired by the location’s namesake and to pay tribute to his contributions to Hawaii, the event will now be known as the Duke Kahanamoku Challenge. The challenge is a fun, community event for both local residents and visitors that features canoe racing and ancient Hawaiian makahiki games. First established in 1985 as a community service project by the Waikīkī Jaycees, the event is now positioned as the signature sports fundraising event benefiting the WCC. Sponsored by Hilton Hawaiian Village, festivities for the January 23, 2011 event will kick off at 9 a.m. with a double-hulled canoe procession, an oli` and kahiko by Hālau Hula ‘o Hokulani and Kumu Hula Hokulani DeRego and Larry DeRego. The competition starts at 10 a.m. with the final awards presentation at 2 p.m. The outrigger canoe race is an open ocean, quarter-mile competition open to all skill levels. The race will be a double elimination with winner and consolation brackets. The Hawaiian makahiki games will feature the ‘ulu maika (sand bowling); niu relay (short coconut run); moa pahe‘e (sliding); kukini (messenger run) and huki kaula (tug-of-war). The public is invited to come and play the makahiki games for a small nominal donation that helps the Waikīkī Community Center. The Duke Kahanamoku Challenge also will feature a handmade Hawaiian crafts, live entertainment, ethnic foods, lomi lomi massage and an invitational stand-up paddleboard relay. The organizers will once again offer the ever- popular canoe taxi service in specially-marked double-hulled canoes. Free canoe taxi service pick-up will be located at both sides of Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Ongoing entertainment from two stages will start at 9 a.m. with the Royal Hawaiian Band. There is no charge for spectators watching the races, competition and entertainment. Continued on next page Inside this issue: Swing into Waikīkī in a “Big Band” way with Pacific Beach Hotel’s Oceanarium Restaurant 7 premiere of dinner show and dancing featuring 3 welcomes Emerson Ribao back as General Manager renowned Osmond Waikīkī Hula show at the Kūhiō Beach Hula Mound 7 Queen Kapi‘olani Hotel welcomes 2011 and 4 kama‘āina with great rates Attachments: · Duke Kahanamoku Challenge – Intent to 5 Hawaiian launches service to Seoul, South Korea Participate form Duke’s Waikiki celebrates 18 years of Sharing The · Outrigger’s Weekly Entertainment Schedule Aloha Spirit with $10,000 donation to local non- 6 profits · ‘Ōlelo Ola O Ka ‘Āina . and MORE Continued from front page Complimentary parking will be available at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. Shuttle service will leave the center for Hilton Hawaiian Village from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. (ground level). The shuttle service will leave the hotel and return to Hawai‘i Convention Center between 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Each year, the challenge honors two water sports legends of Hawai‘i. The 2011 honorees are the Pi‘ianai‘a family and the late Mau Piailug. The members of the Pi‘ianai‘a family are living legends of ocean mariners. Abraham, the late patriarch, introduced his two sons Gordon and Norman to life at sea, and both would go on to earn nautical science degrees. In the span of three decades, all three have sailed on Höküle‘a, including grandsons. The late Mau Piailug was a traditional master navigator who used the non-instrument method of sea voyaging. Piailug, who passed away in July, is credited with having the foresight to pass on what he knew to be a dying art to approximately 1,000 students from Hawai‘i, New Zealand, Rapa Nui, Cook Islands, Japan, Tahiti and Micronesia. In 1976, he navigated Höküle‘a on its historic voyage from Hawai‘i to Tahiti, sparking a cultural renaissance for Hawaiian navigators. Its mission for more than 30 years, Waikīkī Community Center is dedicated to caring for the people of Waikīkī through quality programs and services. Since 1978, WCC has been meeting the diverse needs of Waikīkī’s children, seniors and families by providing a variety of services, including an Early Childhood Education Center; physical, social, and educational activities: counseling and case management for older adults and a food pantry for the homeless. Together, with its on-site partner agencies, the center serves approximately 15,000 people each year. Other special events sponsored by the center will follow throughout the year, including a signature gala event honoring the WCC and the Treasures of Waikīkī on August 27, 2011. The WCC celebrates 33 years of service in March 2011 and the Duke Kahanamoku Challenge will serve as its official kick off. For more information about the Duke Kahanamoku Challenge or the Waikīkī Community Center, call 923-1802 or visit www.waikikicommunitycenter.org. See attachment for Intent to Participate form. Images from previous Ala Wai Challenge events. Page 2, Jan 13 - 19, 2011 Page 2 Waikīkī Wiki Wiki Wire Swing into Waikīkī in a “Big Band” way with premiere of dinner show and dancing featuring renowned Osmond Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa hosts “Pacific Swing Hawaii” After months of preparation, the Big Band Era of the 1940s comes alive starting January 7, 2011 at the 1,310-room Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa with “Pacific Swing Hawaii,” Waikiki’s newest dinner show featuring international recording artist Nathan Osmond, son of 1970s pop star Alan Osmond and nephew to Donny and Marie Osmond. Guests will enjoy a gourmet dinner and lively show, and also dance the night away to the smooth sound of a live band. “We are pleased to debut ‘Pacific Swing Hawaii’ at our Waikiki resort,” said Michael Nisky, general manager of Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. “It will be a great evening offering for both visitors and kama‘aina who are looking for a new Hawaii experience unlike the traditional luau.” A trip back in time to the Big Band Hawaiian USO style tours of the 1940s, “Pacific Swing Hawaii” will be featured three to four days a week at Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. It includes fast-paced performances by a full cast of Hawaii’s most professional performers with timeless hits including “Somewhere Beyond the Sea” and “Chattanooga Choo Choo.” After the show, it will be your turn to “cut a rug” and swing dance the night away to the sweet sound of a live BIG BAND orchestra playing the tunes of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw and many more. “The 40s style of music and swing dancing is making a very strong comeback. Today’s generation is rediscovering this timeless musical era,” says Randal Davidson, the show’s executive producer. “VH1 just aired its new Salute the Troops tour with a 1940s rendition of the Andrew Sisters’ Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy sang by Keri Hilson, Katy Perry and Jennifer Nettles. Along with the popularity of tv shows such as Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance, swing dancing and the 40s have become the hottest thing with the newest generation.” Enjoy a gourmet dinner by the resort’s Executive Chef Miles Togikawa with sumptuous entrees including Slow Roasted Pork Loin with a Rich Mushroom Demi Glaze and Seasoned Roast Chicken with Sake Soy Glaze. Pricing*: VIP Tickets – $137 per adult, $99 for children under 12 years of age Dinner and Show Tickets – $107 per adult, $77 for children under 12 years of age Show Only Tickets – $77 per adult, $57 for children under 12 years of age *Kama‘aina and military discounted rates are available. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.PacificSwingHawaii.com or call 1-800-453-8020. Photos courtesy Pacific Swing Hawaii Page 3, Jan 13 - 19, 2011 Page 3 Waikīkī Wiki Wiki Wire Queen Kapi‘olani Hotel welcomes 2011 and kama‘āina with great rates Newly renovated and celebrating a new year Queen Kapi‘olani Hotel, a long-time favorite of kama‘āina, has recently been renovated and is celebrating 2011 by welcoming Hawai‘i residents with special rates for stays now through March 31, 2011. “We’re excited and want to show-off the hotel so we put together a couple options for kama‘āina booking rooms with us,” said Elizabeth Churchill, Aqua’s VP Sales & Marketing. “Queen Kapi‘olani Hotel’s prime location near Honolulu Zoo, Waikīkī Aquarium and Waikīkī Shell makes it an excellent choice for anyone planning a visit to these attractions, attending concerts and events or just relaxing in Waikīkī for a few days. Queen Kapi‘olani Hotel’s kama‘āina rate specials start at $80 per night for a city view room and $105 per night for a city view room and full breakfast for two people. Looking great after completion of a $5 million refurbishment and upgrade, most of Queen Kapi‘olani Hotel’s rooms have private lānai with beautiful panoramas of Diamond Head, Waikīkī Beach and Kapi‘olani Park. Hawai‘i residents staying at the hotel will appreciate its close proximity to the ocean as well as the many amenities offered including a mini- refrigerator, coffeemaker and daily local newspaper. Another plus is the availability of nearby parking for visiting friends. “I’d recommend the room and breakfast special,” added Churchill.