Tip-Off
'Na Kupuna Night' revived for anniversary

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

"Na Kupuna Night," a staple of the Sheraton Moana Surfrider in the Waikiki of the 1960s, will be revived for a one-day run, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 4 in the hotel's Banyan Courtyard.

The event is part of the hotel's 100th anniversary celebration; the program will be the first of five during the centennial year.

It will feature a Hawaiian buffet dinner set up in the Grand Salon Ballroom, with seating on the veranda. Cocktails-only seating also will be available.

Bill Kaiwa, veteran entertainer who earlier was a performer on the hotel-based "Hawai'i Calls" radio show and an original cast member of "Na Kupuna Night," will emcee the evening.

Other performers will include the group Po'okela, the Soldiers of the Royal Guard and Kuhai Halau O Kahalepuna Pa 'Olapa Kahiko.

"In the '60s, the audience would sing along with the entertainers," said Fred Orr, managing director of the hotel. "We found an original copy of the 1960s song card and duplicated it, so that our audience, 40 years later, can feel like they are a part of the same festive era."

Julie DeMello, a dancer, has been tapped as the new "Girl in the Red Velvet Swing," one of the musical favorites from the '60s that will be revived. Future "Na Kupuna" programs will be staged on June 6, Aug. 1, Oct. 3 and Dec. 5.

Tickets: $35, dinner and show; two-drink minimum, but no cover charge for cocktails only. Reservations: 922-3111.