Think of it as bonding time in cyberspace: The moms chatting in the discussion board on www.HawaiiMoms.com are sharing their birth stories. Got an interesting tale to tell? Add it to the thread in the My Stories forum. One mom, who calls herself elua*kane, said she was horrified when all five of her female in-laws showed up for the birth of her first son. She writes:

Talk about humiliation! I specifically told my husband that I don't want anyone there, and that he was to "drop the hint" somehow so everyone would know. Well, that didn't happen!!! (But) now that we are way past it, I am very grateful that they were there to help me welcome my son. I pushed for an hour, and I had them all cheering me on. It was great! Having all that support ... was awesome!

HAPPENING

OHTA SAN PLAYS THE ZOO

When summer weather gets as crazy warm as it is now, we can't think of a better way to enjoy an early evening of live entertainment at the Honolulu Zoo than with a hot cup of premium joe. The folks at the universe's biggest chain of coffee cafes must have had similarly caffeinated thoughts when deciding to sponsor weekly twilight Starbucks Wildest Show in Town concerts. That and, you know, continuing a very cool, long-running hump-day live music series at the zoo. Performing tonight? 'Ukulele legend Ohta San and Nando Suan. A Pono 'uke will be given away. Doors open at 4:35 p.m. A $2 donation is appreciated. More information at 971-7171.

— Derek Paiva

FINAL WORD

"I adore other people. I can make a fuss over you like nobody can. ... How do I convince you I'm a woman doing that, and make you want to watch her for an hour and a half?"

John Travolta | who plays the rotund mom Edna in "Hairspray," in The New York Times