Are you looking to rumble?

Hawai'i's vintage motor scooter enthusiasts are planning a big gathering in Honolulu next month, but if that makes you envision a swarm of annoying mopeds heading down Kalaniana'ole Highway, think again.

These guys are a whole other breed.

Once almost universally scorned by power-hungry Americans, vintage scooters are making a comeback, with the demand for original Italian-produced Vespas and Lambrettas soaring in recent years.

That, in turn, has given rise to hundreds of clubs and rallies across the country, some of them international events. The most recent "High Roller Rally" in Las Vegas attracted more than 1,000 bikes, including about 200 shipped in from Britain especially for the event.

"There isn't much of a vintage scooter scene in Hawai'i, but there are a couple of clubs, many enthusiasts and numbers of recently restored vintage scoots popping up all over the islands," said Joe Pancho, a former Mililani resident living in Nevada who is organizing the "Lu'au-au-go-go" set for Oct. 14 to 16.

Pancho says he doesn't know how many of the vintage scooter enthusiasts will turn out, but he's got a busy weekend planned, including entertainment by a California band, dancing to '80s music and a roof-top lu'au at the Cycle City store near the airport.

The real highlight of the events, though, will be the rides. The first is through the South Shore area on Saturday; on Sunday, the ride is through the North Shore with stops for food, snacks and pictures.

"Hopefully, it will be the start of something that will blossom into an annual marker," Pancho said "We're hoping all the local scooterists and vintage car motorists come out and join us."

For more information, contact Pancho at smashagogo @yahoo.com.

JOBS WITH POTENTIAL

Looking for a well-paying job with a secure future? How about being a truck or bus driver?

The nonprofit Jobs for the Future agency reported this week that commercial driving jobs are among the ones with the most long-term potential in the country.

The group surveyed 725 work categories compiled by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, looking for jobs that paid $25,000 or more, were in fields with at least 20,000 openings a year, weren't likely to be outsourced and had at least some opportunity for advancement and modest education requirements.

For commercial drivers across the country the income ranged from $26,000 to $39,500, with more than 100,000 openings expected every year.

Reach Mike Leidemann at mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com.