KICKING ON: Former Police Chief and now City Councilman Lee Donohue is holding his eighth Taste of Kick Start fundraiser from 4 to 8 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Bayer Estate in Aina Haina. Donohue’s program teaches youngsters karate and provides them with a safe after-school environment, boosting them academically and physically. Chefs Sam Choy, Roy Yamaguchi, Alan Wong and Mel Tanioka will provide good grinds, supported by Yatai Sushi, Uncle Bo’s, Greg Gomes of Webco and Mike Irish of Diamond Head Seafood. George Szigeti of Better Brands and James Baloaloa of Anheuser Busch will provide beverages. A silent auction and music are always part of the day. The cost to attend the beachfront event is a $150 donation. Call Leanne Williams at 286-8831 for ticket info. …

Ten musical groups will compete for monetary prizes and other awards in Ka Himeni Ana at the Hawaii Theatre at 7 p.m. Sept. 10. Ukulele, acoustic guitar, string bass, autoharp and other acoustic instruments used by Hawaiians prior to 1931 will be featured. The only amplified instrument allowed is the electric steel guitar. This year’s Ka Himeni Ana will be emceed by Manu Boyd and judged by Nina Kealiiwahamana, Nola Nahulu, Bill Kaiwa and Haunani Apoliona. Contestants will be judged on musicality, including pitch, harmony, pronunciation, diction, projection, expression, appearance, manner, charm and adherence to the composer’s arrangements. Songs composed by the performers themselves or created before 1945 will be sung in the Hawaiian language and in the nahenahe style, which features a soft and gentle voice. The program was founded by Richard M. Towill in 1983. Tickets for the program, presented by the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame, start at $20 and $30. … Honorary Consul General of India Sheila Watumull feted her dear friend, University of Hawaii-Hilo Chancellor Rose Tseng, on her upcoming retirement at a dinner for two dozen "accomplished women" at Natsunoya Teahouse in Alewa Heights. Guests included designer Mary Philpotts McGrath, Sacred Hearts Headmistress Betty White, Bright Light Marketing’s Lynette Lo Tom, Morgan Stanley’s Gwen Pacarro, TV personalities Emme Tomimbang and Lynne Waters, eye surgeon Tyrie Jenkins, state Rep. Barbara Marumoto, Avalon Group’s Christine Camp, Kobayashi Group’s Kathy Inouye and other high-achievers. Everyone received a long-stemmed red rose in a nod to the guest of honor. …

On the last Friday of each month, the Halekulani will hold "Hoolaulea at House Without a Key." Kicking off the hoolaulea next Friday will be Puamana with singer and musician Owana Salazar and hula dancer Radasha Hoohuli, a former Miss Hawaii USA. Puamana is made up of Mihana Souza, her sister Aima McManus and their cousin Luana McKenney. But Luana is unavailable on that date, so they landed Owana. …

EMME Tomimbang is re-screening some of Hawaii’s top entertainers on "Waikiki: Then and Now" on "Emme’s Classic Island Moments" airing at 6 p.m. Sunday on KFVE. Emme will bring back an interview with the late Don Ho and also show footage of the Society of Seven, Loyal Garner, Dick Jensen, Al Naluai, Kimo McVay, Emma Veary, Nephi Hannemann, Iva Kinimaka, Melveen Leed and Carole Kai and feature an update with Jimmy Borges. …

Ben Wood, who sold the Star-Bulletin on Honolulu streets in World War II, writes of people, places and things every Friday. E-mail him at bwood@staradvertiser.com.