Show Biz
Copperfield books Cabang for private show

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

NIGHT MAGIC: David Copperfield believes dreams can come true, and one of his will tomorrow night at Don Ho's Island Grill. He long has been a Mel Cabang fan, after seeing the comedian here years ago, and he's constantly telling his parents, Hy and Rebecca Kotkin, and his road crew about Cabang's antics. "They've been very curious to see why I find him funny," said Copperfield, who was able to find Cabang (who works for Caesars Cleaners, and is expected to do a TV commercial for the company soon). Cabang agreed to do a private late-nighter, 10:30 p.m. tomorrow at Don Ho's Island Grill, with Copperfield hosting.

A tip: Some "public" seats will be available (with no-host drinks) by calling David Nagaishi at Don Ho's, 528-0897 ...

Copperfield, his family and some staff showed up at a post-opening cocktail party with pupu at Compadres Bar & Grill at Ward Centre, arriving fashionably late ("We got lost," he said) but clearly enjoying himself, meeting folks like Chuck Cotton (Clear Channel radio honcho, who "disappeared" on stage earlier in the evening), Tom Herschell (of KGMB), Pam Davis (publisher of Oahu Concierge), Wendy Nagaishi (Royal Hawaiian Hotel concierge) and Scott Enos (son of Compadres owner Rick Enos). Also there: Arlene Tanaka (Copperfield's longtime friend, from the Pagoda C'est Si Bon era) ...

ITEMIZATIONS: Marek Lieberberg, who took in Copperfield's opening performance, partied afterwards at Tokyo Tokyo in the Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hawaii. Lieberberg is the Germany-based entrepreneur who also owns a Maui home; he is promoting 83 dates with Copperfield this year. In Lieberberg's party: Brad Bedford, New York's Arbitron honcho. Lieberberg has presented Celine Dion and Ricky Martin in concerts here in the past ...

Paul Bloch, veteran PR wizard from Rogers & Cowan in Los Angeles, is ensconced at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hawaii for the next few weeks. Loves it here ...

Kate Beckinsale, a co-star of "Pearl Harbor," has been vacationing here ...

Don Ho trekked to Maui for his 71st birthday celebration, thrown by Shep Gordon, a Maui resident, restaurateur and Hollywood agent. Among those attending: Clint Eastwood, Paul Stanley of Kiss, and Ratan Tata, chairman of India's Tata Steel, along with kitchen wizards Peter Merriman, James MacDonald and Mark Ellman. Ho, his associate Haumea Hebenstreit and Eastwood also played a round of golf at the Maui Lani Dunes course, where Eastwood is an investor ...

As part of her change-of-scenery rehabilitation, Loyal Garner's doctor has invited her and her 'ohana on a Los Angeles-Las Vegas trek this week — IVs and other medical needs packed, too. Garner hopes to be back at full speed for The Local Divas' Nov. 29 concert at the Sheraton-Waikiki Hotel ...

RADAR CHECK: KDDM-FM morning drive duo Paul Ogata and Kid Leo, in Las Vegas recently to attend a radio convention, ran into their former New Wave Broadcasting ally, Jeff Blazy (now doing mornings in Santa Rosa, Calif.). En route home, Ogata was detained at the Las Vegas airport security check-in: He had been overheard talking about Da Bomb, the nickname of the radio station where he is gainfully employed, and the guard hastily pulled him aside to be searched. "After I showed him my business card and after being scanned by explosive-sniffing equipment, I was let go," said Ogata. "Next time, I'll keep my mouth shut"...

And that's Show Biz ...