STAGE: SEPT. 15-DEC. 9

"The Lion King," right, stalks into the Blaisdell Concert Hall for an unprecedented 12-week run. The most anticipated show of the season, "The Lion King" is the touring production of the Broadway staple of nearly 10 years and winner of six 1998 Tony Awards. Say hakuna matata to the lavish sets and costumes as elephants, giraffes, lions and more prance on stage, and hum along to "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" and "The Circle of Life."

Preview performances: 8 p.m. Sept. 15, 1 p.m. Sept. 16; opening performance: 6:30 p.m. Sept. 16; regular performances: Sept. 18-Dec. 9, with shows at 8 p.m.

Tuesdays-Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays / Blaisdell Concert Hall / Preview tickets: $35.50, $76.50, $88.50; regular tickets: 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. Sundays: $33, $74, $86; regular tickets: 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 1 p.m. Sundays: $38, $79, $91; premium tickets: includes souvenir program and VIP merchandise: $156 / 877-750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com; group reservations: 593-2468; hotel packages at 13 properties: 866-721-4221.

CONCERT: SEPT. 18

Yeah, Sept. 18 is a Tuesday, but how often does a band like Nine Inch Nails, right, come to Honolulu? Yeah, almost never. In fact, the kings of industrial rock, touring behind their "Year Zero" CD, have Honolulu down as their only U.S. stop on its far-flung (Russia, Sweden, Scotland, UK, Israel, Beijing, Hong Kong, Australia, etc.) tour. Thank your lucky musical stars and Trent Reznor and pals.

6:30 p.m. Sept. 18 / Blaisdell Arena / $52.50 upper level reserved, $55 lower level reserved and general-admission floor tickets / 877-750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com.

CONCERT: SEPT. 20

Los Lonely Boys Henry, Jo Jo and Ringo (yes, he's the drummer) Garza call their music "Texican rock 'n' roll" and they bring their honky-tonk sound to three islands beginning with a Sept. 20 O'ahu date. Originally from a cowpokes-and-Air-Force-base town in west Texas, Los Lonely Boys established their sound in Austin and went on to win a Grammy for best pop vocal by a duo or group in 2005.

8 p.m. Sept. 20 / Events at the Tower, Aloha Tower Marketplace / $40 advance, $47 day of concert / 877-750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com.

7:30 p.m. Sept. 21 / Maui Arts & Cultural Center / $45, $50, $55 / 242-7469, www.mauiarts.org.

6:30 p.m. doors open, Sept. 22 / Hilton Waikoloa Village's Grand Ballroom, Big Island / $40 / www.kingmichelconcerts.com.

CONCERT: SEPT. 21

Island Rumours Band, Fleetwood Mac founder Mick Fleetwood's local project (he lives on Maui) — made a splash at this year's Diamond Head Crater Celebration with its blues-n-rock sound with Hawai'i flavor. He's rounded up his homegrown all-stars again for a concert at Pipeline Cafe. Fleetwood (drums) tapped Willie K (voice and guitars) and Eric Gilliom (voice and guitars), Raiatea Helm (voice and 'ukulele), Lopaka Colón (voice and percussion) and Gretchen Rhodes (vocals). Also in the lineup are music veterans Rick Vito (voice and guitars) and Lenny Castellanos (bass). Special guests include Yvonne "If I Can't Have You" Elliman and Allen Alexander.

Doors open at 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m. / Pipeline Cafe / $27 general, $75 VIP / 877-750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com.

FESTIVAL: SEPT. 22

Kaukahi, which took this year's Hoku award for group of the year, headlines this year's Windward Ho'olaule'a — "Homegrown Celebration" — at Windward Community College. Also in the lineup will be food, crafts, keiki games, a silent auction and high-tech Imaginarium shows that take visitors on tours of the universe. Part of the Celebrate Kane'ohe calendar of events, the ho'olaule'a honors "the people and heritage of this community," said co-chair Janis Chun. "The day will showcase WCC's programs and new facilities, local businesses, community groups and entertainers with ties to that side of the island."

9 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 22 / Windward Community College / Free /235-7338, www.wcc.hawaii.edu/hoolaulea.

CONCERT: SEPT. 25

Brand New's name may bring to mind perky boy bands, but the outfit is all woe-is-me emo. Check out its Web site (www.fightoffyourdemons.com) to see the shot of two band members in Grim Reaper getups next to a little kid. And don't forget guitar-reverb-filled tunes such as "Good to Know If I Ever Need Attention All I Have to Do Is Die" and "The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows." Touring its latest CD, "The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me," the band arrives fresh from playing the UK's two biggest music festivals — Reading and Leeds. For those 18 and older.

Doors open at 7 p.m., opening artists at 8 p.m. Sept. 25 / Pipeline Cafe / $27 general, $50 VIP / 877-750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com.

CONCERT: OCT. 4

Parrotheads, it's margarita time again: Jimmy Buffett, left, and the Coral Reefer Band are coming back as part of their 2007 Bama Breeze Tour, pegged to Buffett's "Take the Weather With You" CD. Buffett is known for hits such as "Cheeseburger in Paradise" and, of course, "Margaritaville."

7 p.m. Oct. 4 / Waikiki Shell / $38.50 for general admission lawn; $76 and $126 reserved / 877-750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com.

FESTIVAL: OCT. 6

"I Maluhia ka Honua" ("So the world may be at peace") is the theme of the Hawai'i Pacific Islands Kava Festival, featuring the sacred plant and its nectar, Hawaiian crafts, an 'awa bowl-making workshop, live art exhibit with "Polyfantastica" creator Solomon Enos, food, poi pounding and entertainment. Among the scheduled performers: Guy Cruz, Johnny Helm, The Girlas and slam poet Kealoha.

9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Oct. 6 / University of Hawai'i-Manoa's McCarthy Mall, between Varney Circle and Hamilton Library / Free admission / www.kavafestival.org.

The fourth annual Cinema Italiano showcases several award-winning feature films from Italy. The lineup: