SHOW BIZ
Island musicians score exposure in new flicks

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

And while Iz's "Rainbow" was sought for "The Big Bounce," Warner Bros.' filmed-in-the-Islands biggie starring Owen Wilson, Morgan Freeman, Gary Sinise, Charlie Sheen and all of Hale'iwa, the refrain only was used in the trailer. Not to worry. Hawai'i will still get representation in the comedy-adventure, with Sean Na'auao's "Li Hing Hula" and The Ho'opi'i Brothers' "Ahulili" tapped for the movie. ...

WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Still high from his recent concerts with the Honolulu Symphony, singer Jimmy Borges is stoked that two unnamed West Coast orchestras are seeking, for the 2004-05 season, possible gigs with the crooner and Honolulu Symphony pops maestro Matt Catingub. Catingub arranged most of the music for the two-night stand with Borges, the orchestra and guest guitarist-singer John Pizzarelli. "I was in seventh heaven," Borges said about the sound and the moment at Blaisdell Concert Hall. "I felt like I was in the audience, loving every minute of it. The payoff is the possible gigs next year." ...

Cole Horibe, who performed in Army Community Theatre's "Gypsy," competed (along with older brother Cale) in the National Collegiate Taekwondo Tournament in Lynnwood, Wash. He returned with a silver medal (flyweight division), to qualify for the Collegiate Team Trials in Kansas in January. Cole is a first-degree black belt, who is eager use martial arts to enhance his acting prowess. Unfortunately, brother Cale returned home with a fractured shin. ...

Miss Hawai'i Kanoelani Gibson had three back-to-back Mainland trips recently, including one to New York for a Glamour magazine shoot that should be in the January issue but on the newstands this month. It's a then-and-now spread covering Miss Hawai'i, Miss Indiana, Miss Massachusetts and Miss Florida (the reigning Miss America). Gibson also is huddling with the RJ Reynolds folks about an antismoking campaign that will be launched in Hawai'i schools shortly. ...

When Paul Ah Cook says there are changes in his life, he really means it. His boss, restaurateur Randy Schoch, has promoted him to director of operations for all three Ruth's Chris Steak Houses in Hawai'i (Honolulu, Wailea, Lahaina), a notch up from his general managership at the Restaurant Row location. And he and his wife, Robin, are expecting their first baby, a girl, in February. ...

AROUND TOWN: Audy Kimura, the singer-guitarist at Hy's Steak House, has been wearing a new hat lately — as Hawai'i rep for two recording-industry companies, iZ Technology Corp. and Genelec. The iZ company deals with a hard-disc recorder, Radar 24, utilized by the likes of Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, U2, Mariah Carey, Elton John and others. Genelec specializes in studio monitor speakers. ...

Sweetie Pacarro, producer of the Michael W. Perry-Larry Price Sheraton Waikiki Hanohano Room Saturday morning show, was a bit hoarse after attending the recent Air Supply concert. Reason: she sang her heart out during the performance. Little-known fact: Pacarro was a Brown Bags to Stardom winner in 1982 and sang, ahem, Air Supply's "Here I Am," to victory. Reminder: Perry and Price move to John Dominis starting Dec. 6. ...

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.