JUNE 5

Keali'i Reichel headlines a special Sing 4 HUGS Sunset on the Beach concert. He's bringing along Halau Ke'alaokamaile, which won first place in three out of five of the women's categories at this year's Merrie Monarch under his direction.

6:30 p.m. / Waikíkí Beach / free / http://www.hugslove.org

JUNE 5

John Cruz kicks off Bishop Museum's Moonlight Mele summer concert series. Smooth sounds under the stars — gotta love it.

Doors open 5:30 p.m. / Bishop Museum / $20 general, $15 for museum members and military with ID / 847-3511, http://www.bishopmuseum.org

JUNE 5

Obon season is upon us, and Plantation Village's annual affair is the first of many Japanese Buddhist rituals that will honor the ancestral spirits. Colorful paper lanterns guide the spirits back to celebrate with their family and friends.

4 p.m. / Hawaii's Plantation Village, Waipahu / free / 677-0100

JUNE 5-6

If you love sexy dance that stimulates the senses, Puja Dance Concert and Festival fills the bill.

7:30 p.m. June 5, 2 p.m. June 6 / Paliku Theatre, Windward Community College / $25 general, $20 for students and seniors presale, $30 general, $25 for students and seniors at the door / 292-0820

JUNE 17-19

Gathering Pride Fest 2010 includes "A Night Under The Stars" Ohana Gathering June 18 at the Honolulu Zoo, but the biggie is the June 19 Gay Pride Festival at McCoy Pavillion that includes the Pride Idol finals.

McCoy Pavilion, Ala Moana Beach / for schedule, see http://www.honolulupff.org

JULY 1

Fat Freddy's Drop is a seven-piece band that describes its sound as drawing inspiration from almost every part of the black music lexicon. We say go listen because it's fun and funky.

10 p.m. (doors open at 9) / Pipeline Café / $22, $45 VIP / 877-714-7668, http://www.groovetickets.com

JULY 8-10

Twenty-four halau will be competing at the Queen Lili'uokalani Keiki Hula Competition. If you're wondering where the stars of tomorrow's Merrie Monarch are, you can see them here.

6 p.m. July 8-9, 1 p.m. July 10 / Blaisdell Arena / ticket prices TBA / 591-2211

JULY 9

Paul Ogata was da bomb when he was a deejay on Da Bomb 102.7, so it's good to see the comedian, now in Los Angeles, return to O'ahu for a show.

8 p.m. (doors open at 7) / Pipeline Café / $20, $40 VIP / 877-714-7668, http://www.groovetickets.com

HOT DATES

June 5 Gloc 9, Pipeline Café

June 5 Charity Fund Raiser WWII Tunnel Tours, WWII near Aikahi Shopping Center

June 9 Comedian Graham Elwood, Pipeline Café

June 10 Alborosie concert, Pipeline Café

June 11 The Green Official CD Release Party, Pipeline Café

June 12-20 Sesame Street Live, Blaisdell Concert Hall

June 19 Ladies of the '80s III, Blaisdell Arena

June 25 A Michael Jackson Tribute Show, Blaisdell Concert Hall

June 16 Jay Phillips, Pipeline Café

July 17 Summer Sizzle 2010, featuring Color Me Badd, Shai and All-4-One, Blaisdell Arena