Show Biz
Love for Loyal evident in fund-raiser concert

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

FAITH, HOPE 'N' LOYALTY: Loyal Garner has been in and out of the hospital as she continues her fight against cancer. She hopes to be fit enough to make an appearance at the "For the Love of Loyal" benefit from 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Windward Mall.

The Local Divas (including Garner's singing chums Carole Kai, Melveen Leed and Noelani Cypriano) have organized the fund-raiser to help Garner with her medical bills, which Leed said exceed $50,000. Garner had a great birthday present Sept. 28: She was released from Queen's Medical Center. However, she likely will appear at the event in a wheelchair.

Scores of her show biz colleagues, from Marlene Sai to Frank DeLima, from Mahi Beamer to Jerry Santos, from Teresa Bright to Henry Kapono, from Genoa Keawe to Danny Kaleikini, from Jay Larrin to Ho'okena, from Keith and Carmen Haugen to Tino and the Rhythm Klub, from Glenn Medeiros to Glenn Pinho, will perform. Each has a five-minute limit, so all acts — working from two stages — can be accommodated.

Tickets are $25, at Cutter Ford or Windward Mall. Call 235-1143 ...

ITEMIZATIONS: Maui folks have a treat in store; Eric Gilliom and Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, who are brother and sister, are teaming up again to co-star in "The Rocky Horror Show," starting Oct. 26 at Iao Theater. He is directing, producing and portraying Frank-N-Furter, the transsexual from Transylvania, in the raucous perfect-for-Halloween show, and she is playing the meek and innocent Janet. It's a hana hou for both; they earlier originated the characters on the Valley Isle ...

With tonight's Waikiki Ho'olaule'a forcing the closure of Kalakaua Avenue and numerous cross streets, folks attending the sold-out Ho'okipa 2001 fund-raiser at the Royal Hawaiian's Monarch Room have an access dilemma. Event organizer Kelvin Ro of the Kapi'olani Community College's culinary arts program said that guests should approach the Royal through the back roads; Kalia and Lewers will be two-way, leading to the Royal and Sheraton Waikiki property and valet and garage parking. Information: 734-9484 ...

Though business is way down in Waikiki, entertainers making the rounds often provide show "extras" if you're in the audience. For example, Keith and Carmen Haugen ventured to Genoa Keawe's show at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort's Ocean Terrace Bar and wound up performing; the couple also trekked to the Halekulani to catch the Hiram Olsen Trio and hula stylist Kanoe Miller, and guest performers included Darlene Ahuna (visiting from the Big Island) and John Ely (from Texas and Nashville), who was filling in on steel guitar for Casey Olsen. The Haugens' performing hours have been adjusted at the Royal Hawaiian's Mai Tai Bar; hear them from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays ...

SHORTS OF SORTS: Albert Maligmat brought down the house when he joined Keahi Conjugacion and Wise Fools at Anna Bannana's recent blues night sponsored by the Hawaiian Blues Society and KIPO Radio ...

Ben Gutierrez has left the evening weather slot at KITV-4 and joined (this past Monday) the "Good Morning Hawai'i" team, alongside Paul Udell and Jill Kuramoto, where he'll do more than just weather ...

Jerry West and the coaching staff of the Lakers dined at Matteo's the other night ...

And that's Show Biz ...

Wayne Harada's Show Biz runs Wednesdays and Fridays. Reach him at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 525-8055.