Show Biz
Local Divas will increase presence in 2002
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor
THE LOCAL ANGLE: You'll be seeing and hearing more of The Local Divas in the new year, despite Loyal Garner's death last year. Carole Kai had a round of medical challenges following the Christmas concert, but has since received a clean bill of health. Though the surviving trio (which includes Melveen Leed and Nohelani Cypriano) had contemplated disbanding the Divas, they will carry on. "We are not going to add a fourth person, but we will continue on," Kai said, mainly because some gigs have materialized. One of the shows likely will be a Mother's Day concert at the Sheraton Waikiki, for years a Garner tradition before her cancer battle forced her to sit it out ...
Sonya Mendez, who regularly works in the Divas concert as both an opening act and a backup singer, is finally finding her niche in the Waikiki landscape, with Friday and Saturday gigs at the Halekulani Hotel's Lewers Lounge beginning Jan. 18, and Wednesday and Thursday sessions at the Hilton Hawaiian Village's Shell Bar. The Halekulani has refined its performance slate, with Noly Pa'a playing Sundays and Mondays, Bruce Hamada and Jim Howard moving to Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and Rocky Holmes and Lenny Keys occupying the Thursday limelight ...
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ITEMIZATIONS: The late Israel Kamakawiwo'ole continues to get national press. A Washington Post article Dec. 16 dubbed him "the Bob Marley of Hawaiian music, a gentle ambassador," describing him, to paraphrase, as informal as a lazy island afternoon but incisive as a bluesman ...
Dave Toma has joined Tino and the Rhythm Klub, the hot number at the Sheraton Waikiki's Esprit Lounge. Toma replaces Les Fernandez, who will be joining his brother, Jason (formerly of Honolulu and Soul'd Out) with the Las Vegas-based group, Destiny. "He adds a new dimension to our music with his musicianship and vocals, and on top of that, the girls love his good looks," said group leader Tino Ibach about Toma, who was part of the Toma/Natto group (Richard Natto now is with the Society of Seven Las Vegas).
The Rhythm Klubbers were thrilled when members of Earth Wind & Fire showed up at the club to perform such hits as "Shining Star," "Let's Groove" and "Sing a Song," prompting Tino to toss in more nuggets like "Boogie Wonderland" and "September" ...
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HOLIDAZE: Entertainer Moe Keale graced the Sheraton Waikiki's Christmas card this past holiday ...
And the yuletide often brings curious notes from card-senders. This, from ex-Honolulu resident Ed. Cassidy's list of bests and worsts of 2001 (he's now in St. Petersburg, Fla.): Greatest green-thumb achievement: "We grew enough plumeria, tuberose and pikake to actually string a few leis"; most terrifying encounter in the yard: "Reached for the garden hose but grasped a four-foot long black garden snake instead" ...
Robert Cazimero's yuletide message: "You need balls for Christmas." You have to see him with brother Roland and members of Halau Na Kamalei to get the full impact. Let's say that the guys do a Michael Jackson with their hands ...
Mai Tai Sing, the hostess at Ciao Mein at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki, reminded me of a great icebreaker: When you get a fortune cookie, your fortune takes on a new meaning when you tag on "... in bed" after it. Try it ...
And that's Show Biz ...
Wayne Harada's Show Biz appears Wednesdays and Fridays. Reach him at 525-8067, e-mail wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 525-8067.
