Show Biz
Sansei's Kodamas add one to family
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor
ABOUT PEOPLE: The Kodama clan, of Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bars in Honolulu and Kapalua, Maui, had a lot to be thankful for this year. Sansei's D.K. Kodama and wife Lori are extremely proud parents of their first child, a baby girl, who checked in Nov. 24. Brie Ann Kodama weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces, and according to the chef-dad, all are doing "great." Next expectation: that Kihei restaurant opening, sometime early next year ...
Jojo Watumull and husband Mark Bratton are regular diners at Compadres, and they did a double-take at the Ward Centre restaurant the other night when they saw Todd Saunders, former Compadres g.m. Saunders is visiting; now lives in the Bay Area and works for developer Jack Myers. He and wife Marsha have rented a Lanikai home for the holidays ...
Andrew Hongo, who lives and works in New York, will be home for the holidays and will join parents Randy and Gay Hongo in "A Family Christmas," at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at Mamiya Theatre. Designer and Hawaiian wear guru Nake'u Awai is directing ...
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CLUBLICITY: Kit Samson's Sound Advice will headline a New Year's Eve dinner-dance at the Ala Moana Hotel's Hibiscus Ballroom. Samson, normally doing solo piano at the hotel's Mahina Lounge, will assemble a five-piece band for the evening, which starts at 7 p.m. with no-host cocktails, followed by a prime-rib buffet from 8 to 9:30 p.m. and entertainment from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. ...
Augie Rey's hours have changed at Nick's Fishmarket, where he now plays music earlier, from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. every Friday and Saturday. When he opened there recently, Tony Ruivivar of the Society of Seven manned the congas, Jimmy Borges and Mary Gutzi sang. And Eddie Maligmat (Albert Maligmat's brother) joins the band today on bass, replacing Alfredo Romero ...
Sean Na'auao will hold a CD party, from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. tomorrow, at Kapono's at Aloha Tower Marketplace, formally launching the dual release of his "Holomua" and "Progression" releases on the Mountain Apple label ...
Go Jimmy Go marks its fifth birthday with a pre-Christmas bash, from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Dec. 15 at the Hawaiian Hut. Also aboard: Ooklah the Moc and DJ Big Bear ...
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RANDOM NOTES: Loyal Garner's farewell, at Kawaiaha'o Church on Monday night, was no ordinary funeral. Her two 'ohana, blood and hanai, shared anecdotes. Scores of musicians provided the kind of harmony and love she advocated in life, and the gallery of mourners ranged from local celebrities to everyday folks who have been touched by Garner's music and love. She's at rest in the musicians' section of Hawaiian Memorial Park, in the Kane'ohe she adored ...
Publicist Bonnie Friedman couldn't tolerate her move to Philadelphia, so she had to reconnect with the Maui she loves. She resettled back on the Valley Isle a couple of months ago, with most of her client connections intact, and located her Grapevine Productions company — get this — on Vineyard Street in Wailuku ...
Jack Cione just returned from Las Vegas, filled with praise for Clint Holmes (at Harrah's) and Danny Gans (at the Mirage). "They're the new Wayne Newton," he coos ...
And that's Show Biz ...
Wayne Harada's Show Biz runs Wednesdays and Fridays; reach him at 525-8067, e-mail at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 525-8055.
