Courtesy photo
Saturday
Mission Marvels
A morning tour of Honolulu’s historic Buddhist temples offers folks a look at the ins and outs of the sacred, symbolic spaces
For whatever reason, pink seems to be the color of choice for some of the more intriguing buildings on Oahu. There’s the Royal Hawaiian, of course, and Tripler Army Medical Center.
Then there’s Jodo Mission, the temple that one sees from the H-1 freeway near the Punahou exit.
“It looks like a mosque because the Japanese wanted to reflect that Buddhism had an Indian origin,” said Willa Tanabe, professor emeritus in the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Department of Art and Art History. “They did these Indian flourishes, but in this case they were imitating the Mughal Indians, who were Muslims, without quite realizing it.”
You can learn about those cultural tidbits and more from Tanabe on a tour of historic Japanese temples in Honolulu. The tour is part of a cultural program sponsored by the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii.
The missions “are all of traditional Buddhist sects and schools in Japan that still exist and have existed since the sixth century,” said Tanabe. Tanabe and her husband, George, who will also guide the tour, wrote a book about Japanese temples in Hawaii.
Tanabe said the tour will focus on the temples’ architecture, which has elements uniquely developed in Hawaii, as well as the interior design of the altar, which tends to be “more traditional Japanese and rather ornate.”
“The altar represents the paradise of the Buddhas, so it’s a little bit more fancy than our world.”
Where: Meet at the cultural center, 2454 S. Beretania St., to board bus.
When: 8:30 a.m. Saturday
Cost: $25, $20 members
Info: www.jcch.com or 945-7633; limited seating, reservations required
Saturday
Evening of Kakaako fun stars bicycles, Las Vegas
Pedal into Ward Centers on Saturday evening and you could be flying your way out to Las Vegas. A trip to Hawaii’s second-favorite place is one of the prizes being offered at Discover Kaka’ako, the monthly celebration of the neighborhood in transition.
Entertainment will be provided by 2012 Kollaboration Honolulu winner Mike Izon, starting at 5 p.m.; island serenade specialist Keith Omizo at 6:40 p.m.; and upbeat lyricist Jeremy Cheng at 8 p.m. A fashion show starts at 7:50 p.m., with offerings from MisFortune Hawaii and T.J.Maxx.
Look for I Bike HI, a group that celebrates everything about bicycling in Hawaii, from freestyle tricks to simple cruising. The group will have a booth with bike gear and art. Bikers can also take a spin around nearby neighborhoods to get a look at the street art created by Pow! Wow! Hawai’i. Those interested in riding for health might also want to visit the Hawaii Medical Assurance Association’s booth for free body-composition and blood-pressure screenings.
Several Ward Centers businesses are participating in Half-y Hour, an event that combines signature cocktails by Liquor Collection with half-priced deals on merchandise (for ages 21 and over). Participating stores include Cookies Clothing Co., Crazy Shirts, Downtown Gifthings, Executive Chef, Island Soap and Candle Works, Jams World, Local Fever, Quiksilver, Sedona and THEFACESHOP.
The trip to Las Vegas is one of two being awarded at Discover Kaka’ako this year, with one being chosen Saturday and another in December. If you don’t win this time, you can enter at Discover Kaka’ako every month until then, increasing your chances.
Where: Ward Centers
When: 5-9 p.m. Saturday
Cost: Free
Info: www.discoverkakaako.com
Courtesy photo
Saturday
Burlesque models will spice up art at offbeat event
Whether you’re a professional artist or merely dabble in doodling, a ready and willing model can be hard to find. After all, how can you get someone to dress up — or dress down — and then ask them to hold still?
That won’t be a problem at “Dr. Sketchy’s Honolulu: Dames Royale,” an instant art event in which local burlesque performers pose for anyone who wants to try their hand at drawing them. It’s at the ARTS at Marks Garage on Saturday.
“The tag line is ‘Dames, Drinks and Drawing,’” said burlesque performer Ella Flaunt, who’s hosting the event. “You can have a good time drawing underground models, bringing to light more of our underground scene here in Honolulu. We have such amazing models here in Hawaii … and it’s another way for our artists to have another opportunity to hone their skills or even beginners to see what it’s like.”
The theme for the evening will be the Roaring ’20s, so expect models to have that Gatsby-era look: fishnet stockings and bobbed hair, and various degrees of dress in between. “We do go down to pasties when it’s an 18-and-over event (which this is), so it can get a little bit risqué, which is always a bit more fun,” Flaunt said.
“Dr. Sketchy” events started in New York in 1995 as “a way to get away from the same old same-old, drawing bowls of fruit,” Flaunt said. The events have since been held nationwide.
Artists are invited to bring their own supplies, but a limited amount of art supplies will be available for a donation. Entertainment will include music by DJ Jet Boy and the models themselves, who include Rhonda Corner and Mari Dolready.
Where: The ARTS at Marks Garage, 1159 Nuuanu Ave.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Cost: $10 ($7 for those in 1920s attire)
Info: www.drsketchy.com/branch/honolulu. 18+
Thursday
Isle favorites Cruz, Aweau kick off concerts at aquarium
Waikiki Aquarium opens its annual summer concert series Thursday with multitalented musicians John Cruz, pictured below, and Nathan Aweau taking the stage.
Cruz and Aweau have a long list of accomplishments in music. Cruz gained attention after his splashy recording debut with “Acoustic Soul”; its iconic tune, “Island Style,” is still popular nearly 20 years after its release. He’s performed widely throughout the mainland, including at four galas for President Barack Obama’s inauguration, and for the president himself here in Hawaii.
Cruz’s second album, “One of These Days,” released in 2007, won the Na Hoku Hanohano Award for best album and was named one of the 25 greatest Hawaii albums of the new century by Honolulu Magazine.
Aweau took home two Hoku Awards in May in the song and island music categories. He’s known for his voice and bass playing but also composes, produces and teaches; he performed with Don Ho for 16 years and won Hokus for his work with the groups Ka’eo and Hapa.
He is the only three-time winner of the Hoku for top male vocalist.
The Waikiki Aquarium’s popular concert series pairs top island musicians with food from favorite restaurants and family-friendly activities at the aquarium, which will remain open throughout the evening. Thursday’s show will include food catered by Kani Ka Pila Grille.
Additional concerts will feature Halau i ka Wekiu and KUmZ on June 27, with food by Hog Island BBQ; Mark Yamanaka and Darren Benitez on July 11, with food by The Grove; Amy Hanaiali’i and Hi’ikua, with food by Coco’z Catering & Takeout on July 25; and the Makaha Sons on Aug. 8, with food by The Counter.
Where: Waikiki Aquarium, 2777 Kalakaua Ave.
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, June 27, July 11 and 25, Aug. 8 (gates open at 5:30 p.m.)
Cost: $15-$45 (discount available for aquarium members and series tickets)
Info: waquarium.org/KKOKK or 923-9741
Ticker:
Say goodbye to “The Goodbye Girl,” ending its run this weekend at Diamond Head Theatre; $15-$35, diamondheadtheatre.com or 733-0274.