Show Biz
Stars get VIP treatment at Diamond Head Grill

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

STAR WATCH: John Travolta and Kelly Preston — part of a party of 15 or so — descended upon the Diamond Head Grill at W Honolulu the other night, enjoying their meal and even dancing to David Swanson's music. Of course, the Hollywood couple got the red-carpet treatment from the Grill's Gordon Berry, whose antennae goes up when a VIP is on the property ...

Compadres Bar & Grill continues to attract more than its share of Mexican-food lovers, the latest celebrity type being former basketball great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who was seen dining on the outdoor lanai ...

EGGS 'N' THINGS: Frank DeLima's Easter show at the Willows was a sell-out; a striking McKinley school teacher was among the audience, and DeLima had the teacher stroll to and from the stage. "That's practice for tomorrow," he told her about the picket line she would join the next day. Another state employee was sitting across from the teacher, and DeLima told him, "They're taking from you to give her," alluding to the teacher wages and other unions with the state ...

DeLima, truly a good egg, showed up as the Easter Bunny to help distribute goodie bags and perform for the homeless at the Institute for Human Services. He was recruited by "The Birdies and Eagles," a dedicated group of long-time golf buddies (husbands and wives), who organize service projects along with tee times ...

And DeLima has been making the rounds of private schools the past two weeks, sharing his message of literacy and a drug-free lifestyle among students who are in classes. "It's divine providence," he said of the HSTA strike that closed public schools. "I had just finished the last of my public school appearances when the strike happened." However, this week's "Transition Convention," enabling grade-school kids to learn about the transition to middle school, was affected ...

ITEMIZATIONS: Irmgard Aluli will be a special guest/honoree at The Brothers Cazimero's Lei Day concert May 1 at the Waikiki Shell. In addition to unnamed surprise guests, five halau will also perform. Tehani Gonzado, who last night relinquished her Merrie Monarch Miss Aloha Hula crown, will dance in the Hilo festivities. Her aloha dance featured a trio composed of Robert Cazimero, Sean Pimental of Three Plus and Ken Makuakane ...

Stanley C. Hong, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce, marked his birthday at L'Uraku the other night, in the company of family and friends. He enjoyed chef Hiroshi Fukui's papio filet. The restaurant, by the way, marks its fifth anniversary today, with cooking stations galore, entertainment by Na Leo. Emme Tomimgbang emcees ...

Noel G. Trainor, Hilton Hawaiian Village general manager, is chairing the Bishop Museum's annual awards dinner tomorrow at the hotel; a slate of great Island names will perform, including Emma Veary, Genoa Keawe, Nina Keali'iwahamana and Jeffrey Apaka. Clips of Edgy Lee's "Waikiki: In the Wake of Dreams" will be shown, too, and for the awards segment, Gov. Ben Cayetano and Edwin L. Carter will receive the Charles Reed Bishop medal, and Thomas H. Gentry will be posthumously honored with the Robert J. Pfeiffer Medal ...

And that's Show Biz ...

Wayne Harada's Show Biz is published Wednesdays and Fridays. Phone him at 525-8067, e-mail at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 525-8055.