Do it: Kroc center, Less Than Jake, Windward Ho’olaulea
COURTESY SALVATION ARMY
TODAY
Kroc Center presents fall festival activities
Get an early start on the autumn holiday season at Kroctober Fest ’15, an evening of family fun at the Salvation Army Kroc Center Hawaii.
The center is run by the Salvation Army, which as a religious organization generally does not celebrate Halloween, said Denise Tanaka, a representative for the West Oahu center.
"This is kind of our replacement for that," she said. "It’s very carnival-ish."
There will be plenty of fall activities for families to enjoy, including pumpkin carving. "We’ll have a pumpkin patch," Tanaka said.
Kids can take in the petting zoo at this year’s Kroctober Fest
Attendees may also bring their own pumpkin, or buy for $8.
Families can enjoy bounce houses, fishing, old-time games and take part in crafts like printmaking. There will be a petting zoo, photo booth and Instagram scavenger hunt. Country music band HI Country will entertain, and food will be available for purchase.
Where: Salvation Army Kroc Center Hawaii, 91-3257 Kualakai Parkway (formerly North-South Road) in West Oahu
When: 6-8:30 p.m. today
Cost: Free
Info: www.KrocCenterHawaii.org or 682-5505
COURTESY THE REPUBLIK
TUESDAY
Formidable ska bands join up for a performance at The Republik
Longtime ska-punk bands Less Than Jake and Reel Big Fish join forces for a performance at The Republik on Tuesday.
Less Than Jake first formed in 1992 in Florida, naming itself after a band member’s dog and making a claim that everyone in the band was treated worse than the dog.
The band had a hit with 2003 album "Anthem," which reached No. 45 on the Billboard 200 chart and featured the singles "She’s Gonna Break Soon" and "The Science of Selling Yourself Short."
It’s one of the more stable bands around, perhaps because being treated worse than a dog inspires solidarity. Chris Demakes (lead guitar and vocals), Vinnie Fiorello (drums), Rogger Lima (bass and vocals) and Buddy Shaub (trombone and vocals) have been together since 1993.
Reel Big Fish, on the other hand, has had only frontman Aaron Barrett stay with the band since its inception in 1992.
The single "Sell Out," from the band’s second album, "Turn the Radio Off," reached No. 57 on the Billboard chart and became somewhat of an anthem for the disaffected. During the 2008 Olympics, it was played to entertain crowds during breaks in the beach volleyball competition.
Where: The Republik, 1349 Kapiolani Blvd.
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday
Cost: $33-$38
Info: flavorus.com or 855-235-2867
COURTESY WINDWARD HO‘OLAULE‘A
SATURDAY
The yearly Windward Ho‘olaule‘a is fun for the whole family
Venture out to the Windward side Saturday for a full day of family fun at the 15th annual Windward Ho’olaule’a.
The free, family-friendly festival, held at the Windward Community College campus in Kaneohe, is the largest annual event on the Windward side of Oahu, usually drawing up to 15,000 people.
The event will feature the music of Kapena — Kelly De Lima’s family band, rather than the original trio, which regrouped for a landmark reunion show last week in Waikiki — along with Jerry Santos of Olomana, sweet-singing Hawaiian trio Hi’ikua and other top island entertainment.
"We have a lot of really great Hawaiian cultural demonstrations — in wood-carving and botany and tours to the medicinal garden," says event chairwoman Bonnie Beatson. "There’s going to be so many crafters that people can start their Christmas shopping."
Highlights include a "Flying Monsters" show about flying dinosaurs, which will be in the Imaginarium at 11 a.m. and noon ($5 to $7), and the art exhibit "Revealed: The Myth of Disability," which displays the work of 20 inspiring artists.
Festivities begin at 10 a.m. with a performance by Kahalu’u ‘Ukulele Band, followed by the U.S. Air Force "Small Kine" Band. Jerry Santos, along with Kamuela Kimokeo, performs at 3 p.m.
Enjoy the music, but be sure to drop by the silent auction at Hale Akoakoa. The college will have a Kamaka ukulele up for bid, along with event tickets, art and jewelry, meals at fine restaurants, Kualoa Ranch adventures and other items. Bids close by 5 p.m., giving you enough time to get ready for Hi’ikua at 6 p.m.
Kapena takes the stage at 7 p.m.
"You never know," Beatson said, what guests may also appear.
Where: Windward Community College, 45-720 Keaahala Road, Kaneohe
When: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday
Cost: Free
Info: windwardhoolaulea.com
COURTESY GAMER EXPO HAWAII
Gamer Expo HI is returning with video game tourney
Hawaii video game enthusiasts can hit replay at The Modern Honolulu on Saturday at Gamer Expo HI, the state’s largest gaming event.
This year’s expo features some of the most popular video games on all the video game platforms, from Xbox to Playstation, Wii to PC. Tournaments and old-timers’ games will also be available.
The expo shows how far video games have come since the days of "Pong" and "Space Invaders." There are now formal "eSports" leagues and professional players, with players identified by their nicknames, like Brazilian soccer stars.
This year’s expo includes an appearance by Rumay Wang, known as Hafu in the eSports world. "She is one of the top competitive players in Hearthstone, which is a rising eSport," said Quincy Solano, an organizer of the expo.
Hafu, with her team Orz, became the first woman to win a major eSports tournament competing against men, a "World of Warcraft" competition in 2008. More than 330,000 gamers now follow her on the online gaming channel twitch.tv. Look on as gamers participate in a tournament with a $1,000 prize money at stake; there’s also a cosplay competition, with a $500 top prize. More than 1,000 gamers attended the first Gamer Expo HI.
Where: The Modern Honolulu, 1775 Ala Moana Blvd.
When: noon-10 p.m. Saturday
Cost: $25-$43
Info: gamerexpohi.com
