SHOW BIZ
Ex-KGMB anchors seen around town
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor
ANCHORS AWAY: Familiar TV news anchors have been visiting the past week. Terry Okita, D.C.-based CBS-TV reporter formerly with KGMB -9, was catching up on local grinds at Kaka'ako Kitchen. The really good news is that she's engaged to be married in August to CBS cameraman Billy McKnight ...
Meanwhile, Ross Shimabuku, ex-Channel 9 sports anchor now with KTBC-TV in Phoenix, is in town for a week's visit, pegged to a surprise birthday celebration this past weekend at L'Uraku for his dad, George Shimabuku ...
And Ku'ualoha Taylor, ex-Channel 9 weather anchor now with KFMB-TV in San Diego, is due here in March for a friend's wedding. On the air, she now goes by Aloha Taylor – much easier to pronounce and remember ...
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SHOW BREEZES: "Al Waterson and You," the karaoke attraction from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Fridays at Fisherman's Wharf, will mark its 10th anniversary this Friday. Waterson and his tech aide/spouse, Nancy Bernal, expect a clutch of guest celebrants, including her clients DisGuyz and Forte, plus Tani Lynn. There will be birthday cake for all and a chance to sing for some. Forte got their start singing at "Al Waterson and You" and are recording artists today, like the singer-host ...
Crooner Jimmy Borges is gearing up for a romantic serenade from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Mid-Pacific Country Club. Should be a cool evening, since his All-Stars reunite to back him up: singer Shari Lynn, pianist Betty Lou Taylor, drummer Noel Okimoto, bassist Steve Jones and saxophonist Gabe Baltazar ...
The original Society of Seven (Tony Ruivivar and the gang) reopen Feb. 5 at the Outrigger Waikiki's Main Showroom, succeeding the Society of Seven Las Vegas ...
Scratch that Melveen Leed Mother's Day gig at the Pacific Beach Hotel. Da Tita apparently was asked by a promoter to star in a show for moms, but he never secured the date or the venue ...
Local residents are beginning to support Waikiki shows. Examples: Mel Tanioka from Waipahu's Tanioka's Fish Market brought 125 employees to the Tihati show at the Sheraton Princess Ka'iulani the other night. Tanioka, a longtime friend and supporter of Jack and Cha Thompson (the show's creators), said he was "Buying Hawai'i." Tomorrow, a Farrington Class of '64 entourage, numbers unknown, will hold a reunion celebration at the Tihati show. A Faulkner Institute crew, with a Farrington connection, also will be coming to support their fellow Farrington grads (the Thompsons are ex-governors). "I'm touched," said Cha. "Go Kalihi!" ...
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WHAT'S COOKING: Saturday's Swiss Inn menu special, at Bali-by-the-Sea, attracted many fans of Martin and Jeanie Wyss, who provided their signature salad dressing as a take-home gift for guests. He was in the kitchen, she was working the floor with sister Sharon Fujii, with Allen Suzuki pouring the wine — just like memorable old Swiss Inn and Kahala Hilton Maile Restaurant days. Restaurant manager (formerly of the Kahala) Alicia Antonio was pleased by the response ...
Ryan's Grill employees celebrated Christmas late — Monday — by taking over next-door Compadres Bar & Grill for a party. Compadres, which just marked its 18th birthday, has some new menu pleasures, such as yummy ribs flavored with owner Monene Bradley's own barbecue sauce ...
And that's Show Biz ...
Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.
