SHOW BIZ
Iz makes it to the top of another world-music list
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
Demise of Waikiki theaters sparks holiday show idea
TOPPING THE CHARTS: In Billboard's Year in Music double issue, with a Dec. 28 publication date but coming out a week earlier, the late Israel Kamakawiwo'ole will be ranked No. 1 on the 2002 Top World Music Catalogue chart for his "Facing Future" CD. The Mountain Apple release has been on the best-sellers chart for about 190 weeks and has been on the Top 5 for 62 weeks.
In the same issue, Bruddah Iz also will be:
- No. 2 on the Top World Music Album roster for his "Alone in Iz World," which had been No. 1 for 14 weeks.
- No. 3 on the Top World Artists chart.
- No. 3 on the Top World Music Imprint chart (a ranking for subsidiary labels).
In addition, Honolulu-based Mountain Apple Co. will be named Top World Label. ...
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HOLIDAZE: Sad, sad news that the Waikiki 1, 2 and 3 theaters have closed. So many illustrious movie premieres have been held there over the years, from the most recent "Lilo & Stitch" to earlier classics such as "Tora! Tora! Tora!" The closures leave the Varsity as the lone stand-alone facility in the Consolidated family, and it's hardly a movie palace. Can you imagine doing a red-carpet premiere at a multiplex? Not the same. An era ends. ...
With the closure of the movie houses, Mountain Apple's Leah Bernstein had a bright idea, which probably won't happen. But she put in a call to Glenn Yim, Consolidated's vice president overseeing Hawai'i operations anyway, to see if the Waikiki 3 might be a viable last-minute Christmas-show site for the Brothers Cazimero. Robert and Roland Cazimero, you recall, have scrapped their yuletide plans because a venue couldn't be confirmed. "There could be hula in the aisles, and (to create) a quick stage, we do have Jon de Mello," she quipped. That's thinking outside the box — though Yim had not returned calls. ...
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HERE 'N' THERE: Island Viking may be a tiny local label, but it's marking its 15th anniversary this year, releasing five new CDs — two albums, three singles, with considerable variety: two are Hawaiian, one has a patriotic theme, another is a Christmas release and the last one is a plea for peace. Keith Haugen is the label's most visible singer-composer, and he's involved in all projects, one alone, two with wife Carmen Haugen, one with The Patriots and the last as Cordell, his country alias. ...
The Outrigger Waikiki marked its 35th anniversary last week with a luncheon celebration in the main showroom attended by Richard Kelley, Outrigger Enterprises chairman, and about 170 former and present employees. Kimberly Agas and current Outrigger GM Kelley recalled how the Kalakaua Avenue strip has changed, remembering when dinner buffets cost $1.25 or $1.50 with "extras." The party included performances by Outrigger talents the Society of Seven Las Vegas and Frank DeLima. For both acts, it was a great chance to see the other in action, finally, since their overlapping work schedules don't allow 'em to pop into each other's showroom. The SOS, of course, is at the Outrigger; DeLima is at sister hotel Ohana Reef Towers' Palace Showroom. ...
Members of the Hawai'i Theatre Center were treated to an early holiday party recently, with food, door prizes and holiday music led by University of Hawai'i music professor Larry Paxton, accompanied by John McCreary on the Robert Morton theater organ. The theater gift shop, headed by Claire Engle, did brisk sales, too. ...
Ex-"Baywatch" staffers Angela Laprete (producer) and Chico Powell (writer) hosted a dinner party recently at Aaron's. Guests included Luella Costales, marketing director of the Hawai'i International Film Festival, and Temuera Morrison, New Zealand actor who was in "Once Were Warriors" and "Star Wars II." ...
When Emme Tomimbang's Island Moments by Emme did a fashion show at Macy's Ala Moana for special customers recently, the TV hostess tapped members of DisGuyz, Keahiwai and Da Braddahs to model; and Joni Albao, from Randy Smith's Frank Sinatra tribute show, also modeled. Then again, Albao manufactures the Emme line. ...
KHON Fox-2 morning co-anchor Bernadette Baraquio is hapai again, expecting a second child next July. She and husband Rick Hamada, KHVH-830AM morning drive host, celebrated with dinner at Ruth's Chris Steak House last weekend. ...
And that's Show Biz ...
Wayne Harada's Show Biz is published Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reach him by e-mailing wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, phoning 525-8067 or faxing 525-8055.
