Show Biz
Nabors sporting shades; Iz a hit on AOL

SIGHT ’EMS: Jim Nabors has been wearing dark glasses, even at night — he was dining at Portlock in the Hawai‘i Kai Shopping Center the other evening — for a reason. "I’ve got this black eye," he said, doffing the specs to reveal a shiner on his left eye. No, he didn’t bump into a door; "I had a cancer removed," he said, pointing to a tiny scar on the eyelid. The procedure resulted in a black eye . . .

Portlock, by the way, under the management of Turk Cazimero, a nephew of Robert and Roland Cazimero, is planning to add Island music to its dinner mix. A Wednesday Hawaiian Night, slated to be launched Feb. 21, will spotlight the sounds of Auntie Genoa Keawe, with Uncle Bozo — that’s Roland — inclined to do some solo stuff, too. Cecilio Rodriguez is dickering for a slot; some weekend jazz is in the works. The menu, constantly changing, features a daily fresh catch, and sushi and mini-laulau are part of the mix. Yummy . . .

NAMES ’N’ PLACES: That "Aloha Waikiki" show, being staged from 7 to 7:30 p.m. daily at the new DFS Galleria in Waikiki, is not one to miss if you’re in the vicinity; it was produced by Tihati Productions for the Galleria and is directed with quick-precision charm by Cha Thompson. "It’s been fun, to do an all-Hawaiian show," said Thompson. And a joy that Delys Recca, who she’s seen bloom into a savvy dancer, is among the performing ensemble; Delys’ parents are Tihati regulars Joe and Shirley Recca . . .

At one point Monday, when Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole’s "Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" was featured on the welcome page of America On Line, he was getting between 5 million and 6 million hits an hour, right there up in the ranks of a Britney Spears, his Mountain Apple Company forces have been told. Incredible . . .

Clarke Evans, a Seattle-based director who won his share of Po‘okela Awards here ("Jake’s Women" and "Master Class" at Manoa Valley Theatre, "Love! Valour! Compassion!" for the now-defunct ASATAD, at Leeward Community College Theatre), died of cancer Tuesday. Among other triumphs here: MVT’s "Jeffrey" and ASATAD’s "Boys in the Band" . . .

NIGHT WATCH: Albert Maligmat, formerly of the Society of Seven, was in town recently and took in his ex-showmates’ production at the Outrigger Waikiki . . .

On a busman’s holiday: Francis Ruivivar, the Las Vegas-based entertainer, who is shaping the reworked "Yes!" show (at the ‘Ohana Reef Towers Hotel’s Polynesian Palace) with the arrival of magician Phelston, new to the cast . . .

When "Al Waterson and You" marked its ninth anniversary Saturday at Fisherman’s Wharf, a swarm of folks showed up, including Iva Kinimaka, Alfredo Romero, Forte, DisGuyz, Brian Viloria, Jack Cione, Yemun and Gloria Chung, Bobby Brooks, Nito Larioza, Greg Gabaylo, Tiny Tadani, Randy Abellar of the Society of Seven, and Augie Rey . . .

Waterson and wife Nancy Bernal and a host of other notables have been checking out Loretta Ables-Sayre at the Veranda of the Kahala Mandarin Oriental. Among others: Herb Alpert and spouse Lani Hall (marking their 27th anniversary), Garry Marshall, Jeff Wald, Darryl Hall (of Hall and Oates), Carole Kai and husband Eddie Onouye, Emme Tomimbang and husband Jim Burns, Deena Dray, Paul Azinger, Vijay Singh, Matt Catingub, Tim Tsukiyama, Jim Decker, Dean Taba, Allan Leon, DeShannon Higa, Cathy Foy and Benny Reitvald . . .

And that’s Show Biz . . .

Wayne Harada writes Show Biz every Wednesday and Friday.

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