Palama footage wanted

Palama Settlement plans to produce a documentary about the social institution as a centerpiece for its centennial celebration. Producer- director Jim Bryan is seeking video and film footage of events and programs at the settlement. The footage will be copied and returned, he said. The documentary will premiere Nov. 20 during the “Malama Palama: Festival of 100 Voices.” Email Bryan at ScreenplayUSA@aol.com or call 528-1073.

Benefit is 1 a mother could love

The Associated Chinese University Women Inc., will hold its annual fundraiser May 7 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Tapa Ballroom. The event, "To Mother, With Love and Laughter!" will celebrate Mother’s Day and the organization’s 80th anniversary.

Associated Chinese University Women is a community service organization open to female college graduates who are interested in promoting Chinese culture. The organization has published books about Chinese customs and folk practices, raised money for the needy and provided scholarships, among other activities.

The fundraiser opens at 9 a.m. and will feature a boutique, bake sale, silent auction and a raffle. Prizes include a Chinese painting and jewelry. Comedian Frank De Lima will appear at 11:30 a.m., with a full lunch served at noon, followed by entertainment by the group Hawaiian Soul. Cost is $65.

Contact Nora Chong at 988-6197 or email nwchong@aol.com for tickets. Visit www.acuwhawaii.org for more information.

Lei Day party brings in musicians

Get ready for the city’s annual Lei Day celebration from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. May 1 at Queen Kapiolani Regional Park and Bandstand in Waikiki.

The celebration will feature the annual lei queen and court, along with local entertainment and hula performances.

The lineup includes the Royal Hawaiian Band, Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association, Kapena, Melveen Leed, Rebel Souljahz and Nesian N.I.N.E.

The lei contest exhibit, showcasing exquisite lei from around the world, will be on display to the public from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the open area between the bandstand and the Waikiki Shell.

Children can enjoy Tutu’s Hale from 1 to 5 p.m., where they can listen to stories and learn a song, a hula or how to make a lei. Craft, lei and food vendors will also be on hand at the hoo­lau­lea throughout the day.

Free lei-making workshops are available throughout the month of April. Visit www.hono­lulu­parks.com for more information.

Punahou hosts hula competition

The 2011 Malia Craver Hula Kahiko Competition, a showcase of secondary students performing ancient hula and chant, takes place May 14.

The competition, formerly known as the Hawaii Secondary Schools Hula Kahiko Competition, will start at 10 a.m. at Punahou School’s Hemmeter Fieldhouse.

More than a dozen schools from throughout Oahu are participating, including both public and private schools.

There are two divisions: middle school and high school, with categories for kane (men), wahine (women) and hui‘ia (combined). A group must have at least three dancers in order to compete in a category.

A Hawaiian-language award will also be presented to schools in both the middle and high school divisions.

The competition is sponsored by the Kalihi-Palama Culture & Arts Society and supported by funding through the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

Tickets, to be sold on the day of the competition, are $10 for adults, $8 for students.

For more information on the rules and an entry form, visit www.kpca­hawaii.com.

Expert pianists to dazzle at festival

Concert pianist John Naka­ma­tsu will join several other pianists sharing their artistry and advice at the Sixth Annual Aloha International Piano Festival. The festival runs June 11-18 at the Hawai‘i Convention Center and offers a series of concerts by professional musicians, solo and concerto competitions for young pianists, public master classes and private instruction.

Nakamatsu, who won the 1997 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, will give insights into his career and take questions at a June 16 evening appearance. Naka­ma­tsu, who is of Oki­na­wan ancestry, has relatives in Hawaii and has appeared here previously, performing both solo and with the Hono­lulu Symphony.

Other professional pianists participating in the festival include returning artists Sara Davis Buechner, Norman Krieger, Noriko Uenaka, former Hawaii resident Sean Botkin and festival founder Lisa Naka­mi­chi.

Ticket prices for individual events will range from $5-$20 for recitals and master classes to $25 for the June 18 final concert, which will feature works for two pianos as well as piano chamber music.

Free events include a "Pianomania!" concert June 12 at 2 p.m. and the all-day piano competition sessions on June 11 and 18.

Students may pay a $475 tuition fee that covers lessons, concerts and master classes. For more information, visit www.aloha­piano­festi­val.com.

 JAPAN RELIEF EVENTS

For a complete list of fundraisers, see honolulupulse.com. Email event listings to features@staradvertiser.com.

>> L&L Hawaiian Barbecue will donate $1 of every plate lunch sold today. Proceeds benefit the American Red Cross’ Japan relief efforts.

>> The Fishcake gallery and showroom is hosting an impromptu “Artists for Japan” fundraiser through April 30. With each $20 donation, patrons will receive artwork of their choice done by local artists. All of the proceeds will go to the Japanese Red Cross via the Japan-American Society of Hawaii. Fishcake is at 307C Kamani St., 593-1231.

>> The Halekulani and Nobu Waikiki have joined to present the menus of three acclaimed chefs in a culinary benefit on April 21 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. “For Japan — Culinary Artists for the Japan Relief Effort” will feature Halekulani Executive Chef Vikram Garg, and chefs Nobu Matsuhisa and Yuji Wakiya. Garg will present a “Neo-Classic Indian Cuisine” menu, Matsuhisa “Japanese-Peruvian Cuisine,” and Wakiya “Haute Chinese Cuisine.” Donations are $95 per person, with all of the proceeds going toward the statewide initiative “Aloha for Japan,” with the Japan-America Society of Hawaii as the designated recipient benefiting the Japanese Red Cross Society. For reservations, call 931-5040.

>> Hawaii designer Andy South will be joined by other popular “Project Runway” Season 8 contestants at Honolulu Community College’s student fashion show, “TRANSITOPIA,” at 7 p.m. April 23. Cost is $25, with a portion of the proceeds going to Japan disaster relief efforts. The show will be held at the HCC Automotive Department at 445 Kokea St. Call 845-9203.

>> The “Lei Day for Japan” fundraising event at the Aloha Tower Marketplace will start 6 p.m. May 1, with continuous live entertainment and more than 25 food stations. All proceeds raised will go to the Japan-America Society of Hawaii for donation to the Japanese Red Cross Society. Tickets are $100. Call 585-0011 or visit LeiDayForJapan.org.

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For a complete listing, log on to honolulupulse.com.