Dennis Oda, Star-Bulletin
The annual draping of the Kamehameha statue
takes place tomorrow.

Honor the king,
and we don’t mean Elvis

Kamehameha Day celebrations begin tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. when the king's statue in front of Aliiolani Hale will be draped with leis.

Highlight of the festivities is Saturday's floral parade, which will feature 58 units, Miss Universe Brook Mahealani Lee, pa'u riders and music.

The parade -- with the theme "Ka Mo'i Kamehameha Nui: A Call for Unity" -- will start at King and Richards streets and proceed down King to Punchbowl, Ala Moana and Kalakaua Avenue to Kapiolani Park.

A ho'olaule'a runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the park, featuring music, crafts and, this being Hawaii, lots of food of many ethnic varieties.

At 1 p.m. Hewasee Dam Congo Band takes the bandstand, followed at 2:15 p.m. by Na Leo Pilimehana. Parade awards will be presented at 3 p.m.

Information: 586-0333.

Make it a downtown weekend

First, catch the parade at its start, then head to the Mission Houses Museum's 1997 Fancy Fair.

The fair runs Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring Hawaiian-themed products, such as dresses, baskets, lauhala and jewelry. There also will be Hawaiian food and malassadas.

Information: 531-0481.

On Saturday night, head over to the Hawaii Theatre, where Willie K, Tony Conjugacion, John Cruz and Amy Hanaiali'i will headline a benefit concert and awards presentation.

"Creative Ticket for Student Success" will honor Maui arts supporter Masaru "Pundy" Yokouchi. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $26 to $4 and are on sale at the theater box office, 528-0506.