Friday and Saturday, off-duty firefighters, police officers, civil defense, military and other volunteers will be taking their hats off asking the public to fill them with donations for the American Red Cross.

The annual Hats Off event coincides with National Red Cross Month.

Donations may also be made online at www.hawaiiredcross.org.

All proceeds will go to the Hawaii Red Cross and stay in the Islands to help those in need.

On Friday, the event will kick off from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Tamarind Park and the four corners of Bishop and King streets.

Proclamations from Gov. Linda Lingle and Mayor Mufi Hannemann will start at noon, followed by the first-ever Mayors Cup Jan Ken Po contest with the county mayors, and Celebrity Jan Ken Po contest featuring well-known business and community leaders. News anchors Kirk Matthews and Kathy Muneno will serve as emcees.

Booths will feature Starbucks frappuccinos, a Lawyers for Red Cross Bake Sale, massages and Red Cross first-aid and disaster kits.

Morton's Steakhouse will be selling steak plates with two scoops of rice and macaroni salad for $10.

Saturday, volunteers will collect donations at various locations throughout the state from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Volunteers will be at 15 locations on O'ahu, including all Wal-Mart stores.

Neighbor Island locations include: Hilo (Longs Puainako and Wal-Mart); Kona (KTA and Wal-Mart); Maui (Wal-Mart and Safeways at Kihei, Kahului and Lahaina Cannery); and Kaua'i (Kukui Grove Shopping Center, Wal-Mart and Big Save in Koloa).

To help the Red Cross assist victims of this and other local disasters, send a contribution to:

American Red Cross

Hawaii State Chapter

4155 Diamond Head Road

Honolulu, HI 96816