Music Scene
Nabors' holiday show his gift to Hawai'i

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

Jim Nabors is ready to welcome the holidays with his annual benefit concert, "A Merry Christmas With Friends and Nabors," at the Hawai'i Theatre. Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser 'A Merry Christmas With Friends and Nabors' 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday Hawai'i Theatre Also featuring: Karen Keawehawa'i; Emma Veary; Frank DeLima; Philip Huber and Huber Marionettes; the Honolulu Symphony; Diamond Head Shooting Stars; Hula Hui O Kapunahala 'O Nu'uanu YMCA; Halau Hula 'O Kawaili'ula; St. Peter's Choir; and Prince Kuhio Hawaiian Civic Club $40, $50 (discounts for seniors, military and students) 528-0506

"It's a lot more difficult than it looks," Nabors said about mounting the production, which opens a three-day run tonight at the Hawai'i Theatre. "You take Christmas, which is a fun time, but to make it different every year is always a challenge," said Nabors, an Islander for 33 years.

The "new" this year is Frank DeLima, who brings his own brand of comedy to the visual and musical spectacular, tapping soloists, a puppeteer, hula halau and choruses young and old. Plus the Honolulu Symphony, of course.

"I've been trying to get Frank for years, and his schedule just didn't work out," said Nabors. "A huge fan" is how he describes his admiration for the Portuguese clown prince. "You remember, I was the one who took Imelda Marcos to see him, and I've had great respect for him since, because he had the guts to come as Imelda with wig and everything. And she loved him, too."

Well, there will be no Imelda, but DeLima will likely bring his singing Christmas tree to add a streak of whimsy to the limelight.

"We're always putting our friends together," Nabors said of the fusion of talent in the grand parade of performers.

Thus, DeLima will team up with Philip Huber and the Huber Marionettes.

And Nabors' two ladies of song, Emma Veary and Karen Keawehawai'i, will appear solo and together with Nabors.

"I tell you, we're going to have a lot of fun. Christmas is my favorite time," said Nabors.

"We try to vary the music, but there are some songs that Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without repeating, like 'Silent Night' and 'White Christmas.' And I love Emma's version of 'We May Not Have Snow.' Very Hawaiian."

Nabors has been rehearsing with his cast all week. The show, which benefits the orchestra and the Hawai'i Theatre, is his gift to the community (he receives no salary).

And decking out his Diamond Head home with tinsel: He expects friends for Christmas. That's the private side of his holiday doings.

"When I had a ranch in Montana, the gang would come over and spend Christmas with me there," he said. "And they still come — now that I'm in the Hawai'i I love. I cook the turkey; everybody else cooks different things. It's all a typical family holiday."

And, said Nabors, he's an open-the-gifts-in-the-morning person, with house guests abiding by that rule (instead of opening up gifts on the Eve).

"I just hope it's a safe Christmas," he said, referring to an accident last year, when one of the crystals from his chandelier fell on and injured a houseguest. "I mean, what are the odds of a crystal falling on you?"

Nabors still works Mainland venues but won't hit the road till February.

"Though I've lived here 33 years, some people still think I just got here," he said. "That's why doing the Christmas show helps put my roots down there. I feel connected with the good ol' earth of Hawai'i."