SHOW BIZ
San Diego lands Keawehawai'i for Mother's Day
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor
MOM'S THE WORD: Karen Keawehawai'i is skipping her usual Mother's Day concert here this May because daughter Winona Farias is graduating from college. But an offer to do a Hawaiian show at the Del Mar Hilton in San Diego was too good to pass, so she'll do one there May 12, picking up a Hawaiian band and hula dancers from the region. As for that tradition that couldn't be replaced — the antics of aunties Mapu and Flo (the venerable comedic sidekicks of Keawehawai'i) — the change simply means that the kupuna will be going over for the performance. For additional details, go to tulaproductions.nfusa.com, or call (619) 426-1953 ...
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NAMES 'N' PLACES: Kelsey Grammer, star of NBC's "Frasier," has become something of a regular on Maui, but even his celebrity couldn't get a table at the packed Pacific 'O a few nights back. But he graciously agreed to take his family to sister restaurant I'o. "I did something I never do," said chef James McDonald. "My mother-in-law is a huge fan (of Grammer), so I asked him for an autograph." The star complied ...
Kyle MacLachlan, of HBO's "Sex and the City," also managed to find his way to Pacific 'O — without his kilt ...
With comedian-actor Adam Sandler in town last week for the Sony Open at the Waialae Country Club, it's not surprising that he's showed up nighttime at restaurants, often mixing with the crowd. At Sam Choy's Diamond Head, for instance, Big Daddy was talking story with local diners that included Alan Zeltzer, president of XCVI wearables, and his fiancee, Mila. Flora Tobby, local rep for XCVI, also was there and excitedly called her son, Teddy, a big Sandler fan, who coincidentally was watching "Billy Madison" on the USA Network ...
Disco diva Donna Summer, of "Last Dance" and "Hot Stuff" fame, performed last week at a Sony Open event ...
And when the Mercedes tournament was under way on Maui, scores of golfers found refuge — and good grinds — at D.K. Kodama's Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar in Kapalua. "We were going through about 50 pounds of 'ahi a night," said chef Ivan Pahk. Which meant the golfers could eat, and the fish was always fresh ...
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RANDOM NOTES: Moloka'i teen sensation Darrell Labrado's "Master Blaster (Jammin')" single has been sizzling on the Billboard charts, ending last year in the Top 10 on all surveys and finding its stride in New York, too. It portends a good response to his forthcoming CD, "Someday," which could emerge as his crossover hit, from local boy to national star ...
When chef Martin Wyss re-creates his Swiss Inn culinary delights as guest chef Saturday night at the Bali-by-the-Sea restaurant at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, it will truly be a Kahala Hilton reunion. His wife, Jeanie, and her sister, Sharon Fujii, will be very visible, likely working the floor with restaurant manager Alicia Antonio; they all toiled at the Kahala's Maile Room for years, before Wyss moved to Niu Valley. He and Bali chef Roberto Los Banos are cooking up classic favorites. The Swiss Inn Dinner is $55; for reservations, call 941-BALI (941-2254) ...
Songstress Loretta Ables Sayre, whose debut CD "Dreamy" is just out, invited bosom buddy Robert Cazimero to do a duet on Kui Lee's "I'll Remember You/She's Gone Again," which hadn't been touched since Don Ho did it 30 years ago with Robin Wilson. Sounds great ...
And that's Show Biz ...
Wayne Harada's Show Biz runs Wednesdays and Fridays; reach him at wharada@honoluluadver tiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.
