For the first time, 'ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro joins the Symphony Pops, conducted by Matt Catingub, at 8 p.m. today and tomorrow at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. Tickets start at $15; www.honolulusymphony.com or 792-2000.

— Catherine E. Toth

HOLLYWOOD SPINOFF

ZEN AND THE ART OF 'KILL BILL' MEMOIR WRITING

So, grasshopper, you loved the "Kill Bill" films? Get the inside story from "The Kill Bill Diary" (Harper, paperback, $16.95) by the man who played Bill — the scruffy-haired star of the cult classic "Kung Fu" TV series, David Carradine. He turns out to be kind of a Shaolin master of life as well as of the martial arts.

— Wanda Adams

FINAL WORD

"Even at 'Lord of the Rings' events, people get excited when I mention the meerkats."

Sean Astin | (who played Sam the hobbit), narrator of today's "Meerkat Manor Marathon" on Animal Planet, in TV Guide