'Hawai'i Stars' plans to say final aloha

After an eight-year run, "Hawai‘i’s Stars," the No. 1-rated locally produced television series, is pulling the plug. The final show will air March 25 on KHON Fox 2.

“Hawai‘i Stars” co-hosts Carole Kai and Kimo Kahoano will lead karaoke contestants into the final competition March 25, after being on the air for eight years. Advertiser library photo • October 1998

A total of 2,000 contestants will have sung their way into more than 400 episodes taped over eight years, some enjoying their 15 minutes of fame, others launching recording careers.

"I have a good nose about when to get out of something successful," said Carole Kai, the karaoke show’s co-host and co-producer. "Obviously, the station would like to see us continue. But like the bed race I used to do, I kind of feel that this is the time to go, when we’re still on top. I want to do other things, grow."

Dirk Fukushima, a co-producer with Hawai‘i Stars Presents, the producing company, said that he and his partners are creating a new show to maintain the time slot, at 6:30 p.m. Sundays, following the station’s newscast. He was not ready to divulge any details, however.

Among other projects the company is planning:

A golf show, led by Kimo Kahoano, current "Hawai‘i Stars" co-host, destined for cable television.

A Local Divas special, geared for prime-time viewing. The Divas are comprised of Kai, Melveen Leed, Loyal Garner and Nohelani Cypriano. Kai said that while "Hawai‘i Stars" won’t be seen on a regular schedule any longer, there are plans to do periodic "Stars" specials, particularly one with a link to the Harry Weinberg Foundation charities.

The final shows will be taped on two separate days, Feb. 23 and March 16, with three episodes to be completed each evening, originating from Centerstage at Ala Moana Center. While the show has done a few "location" shoots, particularly for semi-final specials, Ala Moana’s entertainment stage has been its base for the eight years.

"Thirty of our special contestants, some winners and mostly

finalists, are being invited to be on the final shows," Kai said. The finale will showcase the six who get the most votes from celebrity judges.

"The neat thing about the ending show is that Carole wanted to thank the viewing audience. So whatever the winner wins, someone at home in the viewing audience, will win the same prize," Fukushima said. The top prize includes a trip for four to Las Vegas and $1,000 (entry forms are available at Taco Bell locations through March 1).

Fukushima said that he hadn’t expected an eight-year run. "We thought the show would go 13 weeks and we’d have a good time," he said. The program originally launched in a 4:30 p.m. slot on Sundays.

Nor was it the idea to make the contestants into recording stars, though some folks did go on to record their work. Said Fukushima: "The goal was simply to enable a singer to gain some exposure and win the respect of his family and friends, sharing his talent. I think the show accomplished that — and more."

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