SHOW BIZ
Wedding bells ring for star of 'Lilo & Stitch'

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

SHOW BITS: Tia Carrere, the voice of Nani in "Lilo & Stitch," got married Dec. 31 to journalist Simon Wakelin, in San Ysidro, Calif. She mentioned the matrimony on a few talk shows; the groom is associated with Board, a London-based magazine ...

Speaking of marriages: That whirlwind couple, Liza Minnelli and David Gest, swept into Chef Mavro's with frequent guest diner Richard Chamberlain. The duo's 9 p.m. arrival one night last week created quite a buzz, and if you're curious, Minnelli chose Hawaiian ceviche, followed by Provence-style lamb loin. As for chef George Mavrothalassitis, he's just back from his sixth appearance at the James Beard House in lower Manhattan. "It snowed every day, which was beautiful, but it's good to be back in my kitchen," Mavro said. ...

WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Folks in the Hana area are still buzzing about how polite and courteous actor Leonardo DiCaprio was during his holiday rendezvous at the Hotel Hana-Maui. Usually smiling from under a hat, he was gracious in the dining room, opening doors for his mother and grandmother. DiCaprio also lunched at Mama's Fish House, cavorting on the private beach near the restaurant and snapping photos on Mama's outrigger canoe. He's since left for Europe to promote "The Gangs of New York." ...

Actor Keanu Reeves, who will be a box-office biggie this year when two "Matrix" sequels are released, also was a Hana guest. ...

The late Jennie Hanaiali'i Napua Woodd, grandmother of singer Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, was a pioneering island entertainer, appearing in such movies as "Waikiki Wedding" with Bing Crosby, "Pagan Love Song" with Debra Paget, and "Diamond Head" with Charlton Heston. Gilliom said you can also hear Grandma "if you listen very closely to the end" of Gilliom's recording of Woodd's composition, "Hale'iwa Hula." Services will be 6 p.m. Saturday at Ballard Mortuary on Maui, with a celebration of life also scheduled at the same time Jan. 25 at O'ahu Cemetery chapel, with a private ceremony following at Waialua on Moloka'i ...

Film historian and collector Steve Fredrick will showcase "Hawai'i's Big Band Orchestras," a classic black-and-white film, at 6:30 p.m. today at the Kailua Public Library. He'll give viewers a backward look at classic island orchestras and musicians performing in the 1940s, including Paul Page, Betty Bradley, the Music Maids and bandleaders Ray Kinney, Lani McIntyre and Danny Kua'ana. "The Cockeyed Mayor of Kaunakakai," circa 1943, also will be screened, featuring Jennie Woodd's comic hula. Fredrick fondly recalls a 1996 film class he taught at Maui Community College, when singer Gilliom performed "Mayor" while Grandma danced. ...

RANDOM NOTES: Puddle of Mudd got the younger diners excited New Year's Eve at Ka'anapali's Hula Grill. The California-based rockers — Wesley Scantlin, Paul Phillips, Greg Upchurch, Douglas Ardito — were soaking up the sun, still basking in the success of their "Come Clean" CD of 2001 but raring to go into the studio under the aegis of Fred Durst (Limp Bizkit) and his Flawless label. ...

Is it ever too early to do a Christmas album? Not if you're Keith Haugen, who has already launched work on a 2003 Christmas CD. Among the tunes he's recording is one entitled "In Bethlehem," something he composed in 1995, for which he needs a rapper, albeit a clean one, since the ditty is devoid of obscenities or even sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll. A couple of holiday-themed tunes will be part of the new album. ...

Branscombe Richmond may be involved in the Hawai'i-based series on the Coast Guard, planned by his industry buddy, Chuck Norris. ...

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.