KOKO CRATER HIKE
Wednesday Jan 1 – 8am
Start off the New Year with a hike to the pillbox at the summit of the Koko crater. The Hawaiian Trail & Mountain Club welcomes all those would like go on this intermediate hike. For more information call 595-9023.

WWE WRESTLING
Thursday Jan 2 & 3 – 7:30pm
Catch all the action and excitement as the World Wrestling Entertainment presents two nights of professional wrestling at the Blaisdell Arena. For tickets and more information call 526-4400.

KAPIOLANI BANDSTAND CONCERTS
Friday Jan 3 – 5:30pm
A free concert featuring Second Winds, a blast from the past, with this classic rock band at Kapiolani Park Bandstand in Waikiki. For more information call 843-8002.

INTRODUCTION TO PILATES
Saturday Jan 4 – 9am
Aloha Body Therapy is offering an introduction to Pilates at Kailua Fitness. Pilates is an exercise system focused on improving flexibility and strength for the total body without building bulk. For more information call 263-0101.

MPRRC 2003 SPRINT SERIES - PEARLRIDGE 2-MILE
Sunday Jan 5 – 7am
Mid-Pacific Road Runners Club introduces this new series to give the beginning runner a chance to progress from an introductory 2-mile race up to an 8K (5 mile) distance early in the year. Meet at the Pearlridge Shopping Center, for more information call Bill 395-7154 or Clint 951-1648.

HAWAIIAN CHORAL MUSIC CONCERT
Sunday Jan 5 – 4pm
Kawaiolaonapukanileo, an a cappella ensemble specializing in Hawaiian choral music, will pay tribute to the music of Helen Desha Beamer at the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Orvis Auditorium. For more information call 536-2335.

NEWCOMERS CLUB OF HONOLULU
Thursday Jan 9 – 10am
The Newcomers Club hosts a welcome Aloha Coffee at a private residence. For reservations and more information call 944-3310.

HUNTER SAFETY COURSE
Friday Jan 10 – 5:45pm to 10:15pm
The Hawaii Department of Land & Natural Resources will be offering a hunter safety course for anyone over 10 years of age. Subjects covered will include firearms & archery safety, survival & first-aid, wildlife identification & conservation, rules and regulations, game care and outdoor responsibility. Classes will also be held on January 11, 17 & 18 at the Nimitz Business Center, 1130 N. Nimitz Highway. For more information call 587-0200.

THE COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS
Saturday Jan 11 – 10am
This non-profit self-help group offers friendship and understanding to bereaved parents, grandparents and siblings. The group has no religious affiliation and there is no cost. They meet at the Church of the Crossroads, 1212 University Ave. For more information call 524-4700.

AN EVENING WITH LIONEL RICHIE
Saturday Jan 11 – 7:30pm
From Richie’s early success as The Commodores’ soulful lead singer and saxophonist to his prosperous career as a solo artist in the ‘80s and ‘90s, Richie introduces his latest music during a concert at the Blaisdell Arena. For more information and tickets call 526-4400.

ALA MOANA PARK ARTFEST
Saturday Jan 11 & 12 – 9am to 4pm
Artfest features local fine artists and handcraft artisans, music, wonderful food. Located at the Diamond Head end of Ala Moana Beach Park, opposite Ala Moana Shopping Center. For information call Nancy Calhoun 696-6717.

IMAGO IN “FROGZ”
Saturday Jan 11 & 12 – Call for times
A fantastic creature-theatre performance bringing to life objects, animals and the absurd to entertain and mystify all ages. Leeward Community College Theatre. For more information call Barbara Donios 455-0385.

HONOULIULI PRESERVE HIKE
Sunday Jan 12 – 8:30am
This is a moderate hike recommended for ages 13 and older. Those who are afraid of heights should be aware that there are some steep drop-offs on this hike. For information call 587-6220.

2003 NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATION
Sunday Jan 12 – 9am to 3pm
The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii (2454 S. Beretania St.) and the United Japanese Society of Hawaii invites the public to celebrate the start of the new year at its annual New Year’s Festival. For information call 945-7633.

AUTHOR WILLIAM M. STEPHENS READ-ALOUD
Sunday Jan 12 – 2pm
Meet local author William M. Stephens, as he reads aloud from his new mystery Reedy & Abel at the Kaneohe Public Library, 45-829 Kamehameha Highway, next to the Kaneohe Police Station. For information call 233-5676.

IRISH PIANIST JOHN O’CONOR
Sunday Jan 12 – 7:30pm
The Honolulu Academy of Arts will present a piano recital featuring famed Irish pianist John O’Conor during a show at the Doris Duke at the Academy. For information call 532-8700.

SONY OPEN IN HAWAII
Monday Jan 13 to 19 – All Day
The Sony Open in Hawaii, the PGA TOUR’s first full-field event of the season, will feature of over 140 of the world’s greatest golf professionals playing at the Waialae Country Club. For more information call 523-7888.

HAWAII’S BIG BAND ORCHESTRAS
Tuesday Jan 14 – 6:30pm
Kailua Public Library will present the classic black & white film, Hawaii’s Big Band Orchestras. Conducting this program will be Steven Fredrick, film historian and collector of rare movies. The film will take viewers back in time to the 1940s, to experience and hear unforgettable musical performances by Hawaii’s Big Band Orchestras. For more information call 266-9911.

JOB QUEST 2003
Wednesday Jan 15 – 10am to 3pm
It’s a new year and people are looking for a new career. Job Quest 2003 is an excellent opportunity for companies and job seekers to interact in an energized, yet casual atmosphere. More than 30 companies with over 350 jobs with positions that range from entry level to executive will be on hand at the Blaisdell Center to meet and mingle. Admission is $1. For more information call 536-7222.

SALSA IN PARADISE
Thursday Jan 16 to 22 – Call for times
Join some of the biggest names in Salsa at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Hotel. Workshops and lessons for all levels in Salsa, Cha Cha, Merengue & Casino Rueda, featuring some of the best instructors from all over the world. DJ’s, Live Bands, Parties, Salsa Gala Show & more! Featuring the popular Salsa Band from Los Angeles “Johnny Planco Band”. For more information call 285-0072 or 626-0293.

THE MAKAHA SONS
Friday Jan 17 – 8pm
The Makaha Sons, recognized for their traditional Hawaiian music, will be on stage at the Hawaii Theater to present their unique style of harmonies and sounds. For more tickets and more information call 528-0506.

CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION
Friday Jan 17 & 18 – Call for times
Celebrate the Chinese New Year at the Mun Fa Cultural Plaza (Beretania Street and Maunakea Street). Plenty of entertainment, lion dance, food booths, pageants and more. The Chinese Cultural Plaza on Beretania Street at River Street opens to the public and will be transformed into a festival bazaar. For more information call Chinese Chamber of Commerce 533-3181.

ALOHA GYMFEST
Friday Jan 17 to 19 – Call for times
Aloha Gymfest is Hawaii’s leading multinational girls gymnastics competition featuring top teams from Hawaii, the Mainland and Pacific Rim countries such as Canada, Japan and Australia. Now in its 27th year, Aloha Gymfest is the longest continuously held gymnastics competition in the USA. It will be held at Kailua High School. For more information call 235-6866.

BRUNCH IN THE PARK
Sunday Jan 19 – 10am to 2pm
Spend the morning in Kapiolani Park enjoying local entertainment and sampling food from the finest hotels in the Hawaii. Entertainment will be performed at the Kapiolani Park Bandstand and will feature Jack Shimabukuro. Food vendors will be placed in a row on the makai side of the park parallel to Kalakaua Avenue near Monsarrat Avenue, while the tables, brunches and umbrellas for the public will go on the lawn near the bandstand. For more information call 523-4665.

WAIKIKI COMMUNITY CENTER’S 18TH ANNUAL
ALA WAI CHALLENGE
Sunday Jan 19 – 8:30am to 1:30pm
A fun family event for the community, visitors and local residents. The event benefits the Waikiki Community Center, a non-profit organization providing human services to the Waikiki community. Participate in a day of canoe sprint races and makahiki (Hawaiian land games) games. The event will be held at the Ala Wai Field and Playground. For more information call Jeff Apaka or Dave Hamil 923-1802.

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. PARADE
Monday Jan 20 – 10am
Join the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Coalition & The City & County of Honolulu for a parade in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The parade will start from Magic Island at Ala Moana Park and proceed to Kapiolani Park. For information call 395-4612.

38TH ANNUAL ALOHA STATE SQUARE & ROUND
DANCE FESTIVAL
Monday Jan 20 to 25 – Call for times
The Festival begins on the 20th with trail-in activities including luaus, dancing at the special sites, and local events. Three days of Festival Dances and workshops begin on the 23rd at the Ala Wai Golf Course Ballrooms. They will feature nationally recognized callers and cuers. 300-400 dancers from all corners of the world are expected to attend in full costume. For more information call the festival hotline 923-0446 or David Lemon 456-8465.

E LUANA KAKOU: MAKAHA SONS PLAY LIVE
Friday Jan 24 – 8pm
The Polynesian Cultural Center will be featuring the Makaha Sons and kumu hula Keith Wai and kumu hula Sunday Mariteragi with their halau for a Hawaiian celebration of song and dance as the Polynesian Cultural Centers celebrates its 40th Anniversary. For more information call 531-0244.

KA IWI COAST HIKE & FAMILY FISHING DAY
Saturday Jan 25 – 9:30am
Ka Iwi Coast is one of the few places on O’ahu where you can still find native coastal plants. Enjoy a day of hiking, fishing and a leisurely lunch at Pele’s Chair. Bring a fishing pole if you have one. Reservations required. For more information call Hawaii Nature Center 955-0100.

NIGHT IN CHINATOWN FESTIVAL
Saturday Jan 25 – 9am to 11pm
This event will be held on Maunakea Street in Chinatown to kick off the coming of the Chinese New Year, (Year of the Ram). At 4:30 p.m. a parade will start from the State Capitol Grounds onto Hotel St. and end at River St. Entertainment and craft booths will be on Maunakea St. For more information call 595-6417.

FOURTH ANNUAL PACIFIC ISLAND ARTS FESTIVAL
Saturday Jan 25 & 26 – 9am to 4pm
The festival will be held at Kapiolani Park, and features Made in Hawaii products from over 75 artists. There will also be working demonstrations, make-it and take-it, lei making, hula performances, foods and snacks. For information call Nancy 696-6717.

HONOULIULI PRESERVE HIKE
Sunday Jan 26 – 8:30am
This is a moderate hike with a steep downhill section. For more information call 587-6220.

ELDERHOSTEL – ARTS & CULTURE OF ASIA
Sunday Jan 26 to Feb 1 – All Day
A week-long study of the arts of Asia and the Pacific will be sponsored by the Honolulu Academy of Arts. There will be a variety of gallery talks, slide lectures and ethnic lunches provided everyday. Hawaii residents 55 years and older may participate at a reduced rate. For information call Betsy 532-3666.

PRE-SCHOOL STORY TIME
Monday Jan 27 – 10:30am
The new Kapolei Public Library will host a free story time program for pre-schoolers, ages 3 and up, and their caregivers at the library located at 1015 Haumea Street in Kapolei. For more information call 831-6881.