CRATER FESTIVAL MAY 19

Diamond Head Crater will erupt with music and festivities again when the second Diamond Head Crater Celebration unfolds May 19.

Ron Gibson, Napa-based entrepreneur and former Island resident, staged this year's event April 1, after an unusual spell of 42 days of rain in Honolulu. Despite the weather, the event attracted an orderly sell-out crowd of 7,500 in what was the first celebration in 30 years in the crater.

And Gibson will do it again, with support from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, and sponsors including Hawaiian Airlines, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii, Times Super Markets, Miller Lite and Avis Rent A Car.

A lineup of performing talent will be announced later; Gibson promises it will be "bigger and better." This year's featured the Steve Miller Band, War, Linda Ronstadt, Yvonne Elliman and the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra.

Food and beverage concessions will be part of the day-and-night event, and a Crater Cabaret will enlist local talent. According to Gibson, plans are being developed to further expand the celebration to the Neighbor Islands.

For more information, go to www.craterfestival.com or call the hotline at 735-7000.

HOT DATES

Dec. 1-2: Kamehameha Schools Christmas Concert, Blaisdell Concert Hall.

Dec. 1-2: Hot Buttered Rum, rRed Elephant; Dec. 3 Waimea Falls Audubon Center.

Dec. 1-17: "Cinderella," the musical, Diamond Head Theatre.

Dec. 2: Pearl Jam, Blaisdell Arena.

Dec. 8: Gavin DeGraw and Jake Shimabukuro in concert, part of the Honolulu Marathon festivities, Waikiki Shell.

Dec. 9: U2, Aloha Stadium.

Jan. 5: Yolanda Adams and Kirk Franklin, Blaisdell Arena.

Jan. 6: Jim Brickman, Blaisdell Concert Hall.

Jan. 19-20: The Temptations, in a Honolulu Symphony pops concert, Blaisdell Concert Hall

Jan. 26: Holunape, in a tribute to Lena Machado, part of the Hana Hou! concert series, Hawai'i Theatre.