SHOW BIZ
Makaha welcomes Sons back to home turf
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
COUNTRY INROADS: The Makaha Bash, long a popular showcase for The Makaha Sons, will return home to Makaha this year, but with a new name: "Take a Walk in the Country," titled after one of the group's hit tunes. The Makaha Sons, marking their 27th anniversary, are doing a "Bash"-type show (they can't use the former name, which is a registered trademark they don't own), from 6 to 9 p.m. June 14 at the Makaha Resort Golf Club. Of course, Louis "Moon" Kauakahi, Jerome Koko and John Koko will be on hand — presumably, John will no longer have the crutch he's been hobbling on because of a twisted ankle — to kibitz and perform with their stellar guest stars: Imua, Ho'okena, Paie'a, Kilinahe, Fiji, Robi Kahakalau, Sean Na'auao, Raiatea Helm, Del Beazley, JJ and Darlene Ahuna and a couple of hula halau: Karl "Veto" Baker's and Michael Casupang's Halau I Ka Wekiu and Chinky Mahoe's Hula Halau O Kawaili'ula. Some of the proceeds will support scholarships for Nanakuli and Wai'anae High student Arrianna Diaz and the Glen Gaspar Memorial Fund (the police officer shot while on duty in Kapolei). ...
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ITEMIZATIONS: Lanai and Augie T hope to raise $5,000 with a 985-minute live broadcast on Island Rhythm 98.5 FM, from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. today from Ward Entertainment Center, just below Dave & Buster's and Consolidated's Ward Theatres. The radiothon will benefit East Seals. ...
When Kalapana performs tomorrow and Saturday at Kapono's at Aloha Tower Marketplace, there will be an opening act (Henry Kapono tomorrow, Pacific Blue on Saturday) and a closing act (Jook Joint). The waterfront outdoor stage, under a canopy of stars and clouds, should bring new meaning to Kalapana's "Moon and Stars" hit. ...
The slate of Secretary's Day luncheon shows April 23 include Frank DeLima at the Palace Showroom of the Ohana Reef Towers Hotel ($35, call 923-SHOW); The Makaha Sons, Melveen Leed and Rodney Villanueva at the Pacific Ballroom of the Renaissance Ilikai Hotel ($33, call 944-6372); Andy Bumatai at the Hibiscus Ballroom of the Ala Moana Hotel ($29, call 955-4811); and an Aloha Friday "administrative professionals" event April 25, with Kapena, the Society of Seven Las Vegas, Andy Bumatai and Jake Shimabukuro, at the Monarch Room, Royal Hawaiian Hotel ($25, call 931-7194). ...
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PASS THE MAYO: Augie Rey, a favorite on the nightlife scene, will be featured in a special Cinco de Mayo performance from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. May 5 at the Veranda of the Sheraton Moana Surfrider Hotel. Since he's dipping into his Hispanic song bag for this event — a little salsa, some rhumba — he's coined a musical genre and dubbed it "Salsumba" to herald Cinco de Mayo. Rey's daughter Tahiti will join him. Of course, Rey continues his serenades from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Fridays through Sundays at the Mai Tai Bar at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. ...
Rey's aforementioned daughter, whose full name is Tahiti Fernandez, is the March winner of the karaoke competition at "Al Waterson and You" at Don Ho's Island Grill, and as part of her prize, the 21-year-old singer will make an appearance tonight on the Don Ho show at the Hoku Hale Showroom of the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel. The grand prize winner gets a slot on a Ho booking in Las Vegas in December of this year. ...
Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, who appeared with Barry Flanagan in last weekend's Honolulu Symphony pops concerts, gives a Mother's Day concert May 10 at the Palace Theatre in Hilo. ...
And that's Show Biz ...
Wayne Harada's Show Biz is published Tuesdays and Thursdays; reach him at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.
