Generations Hawaii

Harmonious melodies, divine dinners, and Hawai‘i make the ideal recipe for romance. That’s what the Matt Catingub Orchestra of Hawai‘i has cooked up with the “2008 Hawai‘i Romance Festival.”
The 10-day event, scheduled May 2-11, will celebrate some of the most romantic music ever written, performed by guest entertainers from across the U.S. and the Islands.

Launched in March 2007 as the “Return to Romance” festival, the renamed Hawai‘i Romance Festival will offer more — more music, more performers, more celebrities, and, of course, more ROMANCE. The event also will feature the introduction of the festival’s vision for the future — the Hawaii Romance Center, a place that will pay tribute to romance and celebrate its many forms.

“We are excited about the caliber of performers who are joining us from around the globe and showcasing Hawai‘i as one of the world’s most romantic destinations,” said founding partner and Grammy Award-winning producer Allen Sviridoff.

“The Hawai‘i Romance Festival is growing in popularity and we’re looking forward to building on this year’s success to create an annual tradition in the Islands.”

The festival will kick off with opening ceremonies at ‘Iolani Palace with the Matt Catingub Orchestra performing. In keeping with Hawaiian tradition, Aaron Mahi will conduct a blessing and a hula halau will perform. To really bring love and romance to the occasion, Kahu Curtis Kekuna of Kawaiaha’o Church will invite audience members to renew their vows. The event is free and open to the public.
On May 3, four James Beard Award-winning chefs, including Hawai‘i’s own Alan Wong., will help create the most romantic dinner/dance in Hawaii. Each chef has been charged with designing a course especially for the evening and describing why he or she feels it is the most romantic dish.

Each course will be paired with the perfect wine chosen by a wine master.

Music by the Orchestra and guest artists will complete the evening with the most romantic melodies for dancing. The evening will benefit a local charity.

Among other special programs are a special screening of “Gone with the Wind” to celebrate the film’s 70th anniversary. Most romantics at heart agree that “Gone with the Wind” is not only the first romantic epic, but the grandest as well.

Romance in Film, Television, Books, and Food will be honored at the Romance Center Induction Dinner on May 6. Two motion pictures, including “Gone with the Wind”; two current television shows; a classic novel and a new book; and two chefs noted for their lifetime achievements in creating romantically appealing meals and atmospheres will be the first inductees into the Romance Center.
A committee of experts in each of the categories will determine the inductees. The dinner will benefit children’s charities in Hawai‘i.

May 7 and 8 will feature the “Most Romantic Songs Ever Written … Part 2” with a concert the Hawaii Theatre hosted by Nick and Nora Clooney; the May 9 program celebrates the Matt Catingub Orchestra’s “Back to Romance” CD with legendary Motown artist and songwriter Smokey Robinson joining local artists for an evening of romantic songs and music.

This year’s Rhythm of Romance 2 on May 10 will include R&B legend Gladys Knight and soul singer Aaron Neville joining Island musicians for this event in the Blaisdell Arena.

In honor of Mother’s Day, the closing event on May 11 will be Pink Day and will benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation Fight for the Cure. The event will be held at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel and will include a special dinner with a pink fashion show and a concert.

The Hawaii Romance Festival is hosted by the Matt Catingub Orchestra of Hawai‘i and is sponsored in part by the Hawaii Tourism Authority and Starwood Hotels and Resorts. For more information, visit www.MCOoH.com.

CarFit analysis offered seniors

A free CarFit analysis for mature drivers ages 65 and older is planned Jan. 4 in Parking Lot D at Kapi’olani Community College, Honolulu. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Trained professionals will lead participants through a 15-minute, 12-point checklist of their vehicle and recommend vehicle adjustments and adaptations that could make the vehicle “fit” better and enhance driver and passenger safety.

Information on local resources will be provided and an occupational therapist will be on site to provide information on adapting each vehicle to the owner’s driving profile.

Our shared goal is to keep adults driving safely for as long as possible, explains Kari Benes with the Injury Prevention and Control Program of the Hawaii Department of Health, one of several sponsors of this event.

Other sponsors are AARP, AAA, American Society on Aging, American Occupational Therapists’ Association and the University of Hawaii Kapi’olani Community College.

CarFit is a program designed by AAA California for licensed drivers age 65 and older who own a registered vehicle. Appointments are needed to participate in the Honolulu program and may be made by emailing Benes at kari.benes@doh.hawaii.gov or calling her at 586-5912.

Pain-management program seeks new participants

A new pain-management program in Honolulu has proven successful and is seeking additional patients who are in chronic pain to participate in the next course, which begins in January.

The program is a direct result of HMSA’s request to the Manakai O Malama clinic to design and facilitate a pain-management program under the leadership of Dr. Ira Zunin, medical director.

Sixty-four percent of program participants were disabled when they entered the Manakai O Malama 12-week pilot program in Comprehensive Pain Management program.

At the completion of the program, 90 percent of these patients were able to return to gainful activity, according to Dr. Zunin. In addition, 81 percent of participants had 50 percent or more reduction in pain medication following the program.

“Since the program’s inception, I have been committed to building a strong team of professionals devoted to excellence and innovation in chronic pain management” Zunin said. “HMSA’s endorsement is a definite sign that we are succeeding.”

The Manakai O Malama’s pain management team currently consists of more than 30 practitioners and staff who work towards achieving the highest levels of pain relief for CPM patients.

Eligible patients for the next course include individuals with longstanding and intractable pain, those who suffer from poor function at work and/or at home and those with a diminished quality of life and high utilization of pain medications, hospitalizations and physician visits.

“Chronic pain is a cruel master,” says Zunin. “To be able to help these patients is one of the greatest experiences of my career.”

For more information on the Manakai O Malama Chronic Pain Management Program or to enroll, please call 535-5555.