Saturday Briefing

By Dr. Richard Kelley

There will be lots of excitement in Waikiki next week as internationally renowned singer, songwriter, author and businessman Jimmy Buffett launches his latest restaurant and bar at the OHANA Waikiki Beachcomber.  Known as Jimmy Buffet’s at the Beachcomber, it is going to be sensational and the highlight of the $21 million renovation of that hotel.  Read the rest of this entry

By Charlene Goo

In an effort to help local schools raise much-needed funds for materials and equipment, the Guam Telephone Authority initiated a “phonebook roundup” fundraising. Each participating school must collect and submit old phonebooks to GTA to be eligible to win. The top three schools who collect and submit the most phonebooks will receive $3,000, $2,000, and $1,000, respectively. Read the rest of this entry

By Luana Maitland and Teri Orton

This Valentine’s Day, February 14, the Outrigger Reef on the Beach (ORF), Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach (OWK), and Embassy Suites® - Waikiki Beach Walk® (ESH) are offering guests a chance to renew their romance with complimentary vow renewal ceremonies. These jubilant, non-denominational ceremonies will incorporate unique Hawaiian-style elements that couples will remember forever. Read the rest of this entry

By Luana Maitland

Governor Linda Lingle and Lt. Governor James R. “Duke” Aiona Jr. have signed a proclamation declaring February “Humpback Whale Awareness Month” in Hawaii. The goal of Humpback Whale Awareness Month is to enhance public awareness of Hawaii’s official state marine mammal and increase public involvement in ocean stewardship. Read the rest of this entry

By Dr. Richard Kelley

In his inaugural address this week, President Barack Obama listed some of the major challenges our nation faces today and touched on a topic close to my heart when he said, “Health care costs too much.” He’s absolutely right. Read the rest of this entry

By Kathy Hansberry

The University of Hawaii Men’s Volleyball team proudly opened their regular season with the electrifying 15th Annual Outrigger Hotels Volleyball Invitational January 8 through January 10, 2009. Read the rest of this entry

By Luana Maitland

Kung Hee Fat Choy! Come and celebrate the “Year of the Ox” on Saturday, January 31, at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach (ORF) and the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach (OWK).

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By Nancy Daniels

Outrigger Enterprises Group’s Sunday Showcase music series and Na Mele No Na Pua Kama‘aina Concert continues in February with another great line-up of island entertainment. Set to appear on February 22 are Jake Shimabukuro, who headlines the Na Mele No Na Pua bi-monthly concert on the Embassy Suites® - Waikiki Beach Walk® Grand Lanai that afternoon, and Taimane Gardner, whose performance will follow downstairs on the Plaza Stage, as part of Waikiki Beach Walk’s weekly Sunday Showcase.

Adding a special bit of nostalgia to the weekly Sunday Showcase series is host and emcee Jeff Apaka. The son of Hawaii’s legendary Golden Voice of Hawaii, Alfred Apaka. A consummate performer himself, Jeff has played across the U.S. Mainland, Europe, Canada, and the Orient, as well as co-starring in musicals on stages in New York and Los Angeles.

Sunday Showcase
This free weekly program takes place every Sunday afternoon (weather permitting) from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the Plaza Stage at Waikiki Beach Walk.

February 1 - Alec B. & Friends (Jazz)
Alec Briguglio, aka Alec B., has accumulated many awards and accolades as a musician, teacher and artist. Born and raised in Massachusetts, he graduated from the Berklee College of Music in Boston and has traveled extensively performing and teaching music around the world. Shortly after moving to Hawaii ten years ago, he quickly established himself as an outstanding musician. He is the winner of the prestigious Hawaii Music Award’s Jazz Artist of the Year in 1999 and the Hawaii Music Educator of the Year award. This Punahou Jazz Band Director has also recently released “The Different Flavors of Alec B.”.

February 8 – Hula Halau ‘O Kehaulani (Hula/Hawaiian)
Hula Halau O Kehaulani, under the direction of Kumu Kehaulani Sousa-Yonehiro, is a non-competitive school offering both the ancient (Kahiko) and modern (`auana) styles of Hula. Kumu Kehau has been a dance Director and teacher for over 15 years. Hula Halau ‘O Kehaulani also proudly performs every Saturday evening from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on the 4th floor Grand Lanai of the Embassy Suites, as well as many other venues in Hawaii.

February 15 – Mo’ Dahka (Contemporary/Island/Hawaiian)
Enjoy sweet harmonies and a variety of Island, Hawaiian, Contemporary Hawaiian, with Mo’ Dahka. Be serenaded by the melodic rhythm of Mo’ Dahka, and walk away with a sense of what Aloha is all about.

February 22 – Taimane Gardner (Ukulele Virtuoso)

Taimane has often been described as a musical child prodigy. Many people have described Taimane as the “Female Carlos Santana.”  Through her performances, Taimane has created her own unique style and technique, with an uncanny ability to blend classic contemporary songs with classical music. Perhaps her best quality is her on-stage presence. Her magnetic charisma captivates the audience till the end of each of her performances.

Na Mele No Na Pua Kama‘aina Concert Series
This bi-monthly concert series is held at the Embassy Suites - Waikiki Beach Walk, Grand Lanai, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. every other month. (Performance time varies depending on artist.)

February 22 - Jake Shimabukuro
Renowned for lightning-fast fingers and revolutionary playing techniques, Jake views the ukulele as an

“untapped source of music with unlimited potential.” His virtuosity defies label or category. Playing jazz, blues, funk, classical, bluegrass, folk, flamenco, and rock, Jake’s mission is to show everyone that the ukulele is capable of so much more than only traditional Hawaiian music. From a modest beginning performing at a local Honolulu cafe, Jake has gone on to play renowned venues such as the House of Blues and The Knitting Factory (Los Angeles); The Birchmere (Alexandria, VA); Tipitina’s (New Orleans); Joe’s Pub, Highline Ballroom, and B.B. King’s Nightclub (NYC); The Bumbershoot Festival (Seattle); The Fuji Rock Festival (Japan); The Music Is Good Medicine Tour covering thirty-two shows (Japan), and many others. Occasional tours with Jimmy Buffett have broadened Jake’s experience, regularly exposing his virtuosity and amazing stage presence to crowds of up to 50,000. Jake has also performed on national television shows such as NBC’s The Late Show with Conan O’Brien (twice) and Last Call With Carson Daly, as well as featured on NPR’s Morning Edition, Public Radio International’s The World, and The Bob Edwards Show on XM Satellite Radio.

Valet parking for up to four hours is available for $6 at the Embassy Suites - Waikiki Beach Walk (201 Beachwalk) and the Wyndham at Waikiki Beach Walk® (227 Lewers Street), with any same-day purchase from any Waikiki Beach Walk merchant.

By Darren Shaw

As soon as the flood waters in Fiji had receded, staff and management from the Outrigger on the Lagoon - Fiji were out on the road making vital food drops to three local emergency centers, made possible by the generous assistance of Outrigger Enterprises Group. Read the rest of this entry

By Dr. Richard Kelley

The Hawaii State Legislature opens its new session this Wednesday, January 21. After the traditional ceremonies, flowers, and speeches, our legislators will have to confront the significant budget shortfall resulting from rapidly shrinking revenue projections. If state spending were to continue at current levels — and it cannot, due to the state constitutional mandate for a balanced budget — the shortfall for the next two-year budget is estimated at approximately $1.8 billion. That’s how much the legislators will have to trim state government spending. Read the rest of this entry