TRAVEL LOG: Chef Chai Chaowasaree of Chai's Island Bistro and Singha Thai Cuisine is back from a Las Vegas trek, where he and Beth Ann Nishijima, of Nori's in Hilo, were joined by Hawaiian Air vice president Blaine Miyasato and filmmaker Scott Sorensen for the taping of segments for in-flight programming. While in Vegas, the group was lucky enough to catch one of Cher's incredible "final tour" shows at the MGM Grand, where Miyasato spotted local actress Kelly Hu ("The Scorpion King") and got her autograph. ...

Also catching the Cher extravaganza: Frequent Vegas visitor Jason Kina, who wound up going to the show two consecutive nights, ga-ga over the fab wigs and Bob Mackie costumes that have become the Cher signature. ...

Local girl Katija Pevec is filming "Airbud Strikes Back," a movie in which she portrays a character named Andrea Framm. ...

NIGHT WATCH: When Keahi Conjugacion was singing with John Kolivas and the Honolulu Jazz Quartet at Kapono's last week, a giant B-52 cockroach flew onto Kolivas' microphone stand.

"I'm terrified by them (roaches), so I was whacking it with a towel while my drummer, Richie Pratt, was doing cymbal crashes on cue with my flailing," said Kolivas, who managed to outwit the pesky roach, sending it to roach heaven even after it climbed up his leg.

"I got a round of applause for the stunt," he said. ...

Actor Ray Bumatai returned to the cast of Diamond Head Theatre's "You Somebody," for the final three performances Friday through Sunday, to hearty applause and a new buzz haircut that nicely disguises his scars from surgery to remove a brain tumor. He's still undergoing treatment, but rejoining the cast was probably the best medicine. Cast member Eric Manke (who plays Little Joe Lusa) put together a get-well video card for Bumatai, who played Daddy Lusa. So with the closing of "Somebody," Ma Pua Lusa (Loretta Ables-Sayre) finally can return to a more glamorous life — as songbird this Saturday at The Veranda of the Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hawaii. ...

Look for Da Braddahs (Tony Silva and James Roache) in a monthly series of comedy concerts, starting with an 8:15 p.m. show Aug. 30 at the Hawaiian Hut. Tickets are $28.50. ...

Ken Noyles' "Phantasm" event, 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays at Indigo Restaurant, combines theater with a seance and is ghostly fun. For August, there's a twofer deal — two admissions for the price of one ($25). Call 521-2900. ...

And that's Show Biz ...