Pro Bowl Returns

The Pro Bowl is back in Hawaii and is all about having a good time. This year’s game features rockers the Goo Goo Dolls, Hawaii’s own Anuhea and "American Idol" Season 8 winner Kris Allen as pregame and halftime entertainment, along with tailgating and, yes, cheerleaders. And did we mention that some of the country’s best players (though none from the Super Bowl teams) will be on the field? Star-Advertiser features writers Gary Chun and Elizabeth Kieszkowski will be at Aloha Stadium today to capture the color and entertainment. Follow along on Twitter with @HonoluluPulse, and check HonoluluPulse.com after the pregame and halftime shows for our recap.

‘Forest box’ takes isle koa abroad

Students from Halau Ku Mana Public Charter School in Makiki created a "forest box" that went on display at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in New York. It was one of six boxes selected for the display by the American Forest Foundation out of dozens submitted nationwide. Other selected states were Florida, Indiana, Montana, New Hampshire and New Mexico.

Hawaii’s forest box, which was made of koa, was handcrafted by woodworker Robin Clark of Kauai. Items in the box included a Hawaiian bamboo stamping, a nose flute and kukui nut lotion and cream.

The United Nations designated 2011 as International Year of Forests to promote a broader understanding of the importance of forests and to promote sustainable forest management and conservation.

Social activism under discussion

"When Then Is Now: A Meditation on Social Justice, Activism and Political Change" will be explored during a special screening of the documentary film "Mountains that Take Wing: Angela Davis and Yuri Kochiyama." The film will be part of the University of Hawaii Biennial Winter Institute for Black Studies on Feb. 10 and 11. The film covers a 10-year span of conversations between Davis and Kochiyama. Both exemplify the intertwined African-American and Japanese-American liberation and civil rights struggle and the fight for justice and human rights.

On Feb. 10 the film will be shown from 6 to 9 p.m. with a post-screening discussion panel featuring the documentary filmmakers C.A. Griffith and H.L.T Quan, and other panelists. A pre-screening reception begins at 5 p.m.

On Feb. 11 a "Documentary Filmmaking, Politics and Social Justice" workshop will be conducted from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. The session features a dialogue with Griffith and Quan. The workshop will address the process and role of documentary filmmaking when considering political and social change and related struggles experienced by ethnic and socioeconomic class communities in Hawaii and beyond.

Both sessions are free and will be held at the UH-Manoa Art Auditorium. Call Elisa White at 956-2824, e-mail ejwhite@hawaii.edu or visit www.uhwibs.com for more information.

Lab is Hawaii’s popular pooch

The Labrador retriever took Honolulu’s top spot in the American Kennel Club’s 2010 ranking of the most popular dog breeds.

The Lab pulled ahead of the German shepherd to take the top spot after both tied for first place in the 2009 Honolulu ranking. The Lab is also the most popular 2010 breed nationwide.

Locally, the German shepherd came in second, while the Shiba Inu ranked third, followed by the Chihuahua in fourth and golden retriever in fifth place.

The catlike Shiba Inu, bred to hunt small wild game in Japan, is rarely seen in most popular breeds lists but is the third most popular breed in Honolulu.

"Although the Lab and German shepherd are perennial favorites in Honolulu, the city really favors some of the smaller breeds," said AKC spokeswoman Lisa Peterson. "Over the past five years, the Shiba Inu, Chihuahua, Pomeranian and Cavalier King Charles spaniel have all made an appearance in Honolulu’s top 10."

See the full ranking of dog breeds at www.akc.org.

Crooners for rent as Valentine treat

Looking for a unique Valentine for your sweetheart? Consider a "Singing Valentine" performed by a barbershop quartet. The foursome presents a silk rose, card and two songs at restaurants, workplaces, residences or even hospitals.

The singing telegrams will be delivered from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Feb. 11 to 14. A $60 donation is requested; $75 for a specific time or an evening delivery in Waikiki. Call 262-SONG (7664). To place orders on the Internet, visit www.hawaiisingingvalentines.com.

Website gets kids thinking healthy

Super Kids Nutrition is challenging teachers, parents and kids to make heart-healthy food choices in celebration of American Heart Month.

Their website offers advice on how schools and families can incorporate long-term lifestyle changes. Colorful food and drink trackers, games and coloring pages for children can be found on the site. For the grown-ups, nutrition articles offer an array of topics on raising a healthy family.

For Valentine’s Day the following tips were offered: arrange colorful berries in a heart shape and serve as dessert; think beyond candy and attach stickers or pencils to cards; indulge in sweets with benefits by dipping dried fruits in dark chocolate; and teach kids about their heart, how to find a heartbeat and what they should do to keep their heart healthy.

Visit www.superkidsnutrition.com for more information.

Send in photos of Hall & Oates

Daryl Hall and John Oates, rock and soul pioneers who have topped the charts eight times in a career spanning more than 30 years, are coming to Honolulu for a March 5 show at Blaisdell Arena.

Fans in Hawaii have followed the duo since their early days, and island acts such as Kalapana and Cecilio & Kapono have covered Hall & Oates songs locally.

If you have photos from the duo’s previous visits to Hawaii, please e-mail them to TGIF editor Elizabeth Kieszkowski at ekieszkowski@staradvertiser.com or mail a copy to TGIF, 500 Ala Moana Blvd. Suite 7-210, Honolulu, HI 96813. Please do not mail original photos, as they cannot be returned. We might post your photos online or feature them in the Star-Advertiser.