SHOW BIZ
Makaha Sons preparing for a very good year
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor
MUSICAL NOTES: The Makaha Sons, performing tomorrow night in the Hawai'i Theatre's Hana Hou series, are gearing for their 27th anniversary this year and will celebrate with a new DVD. A Seattle concert Feb. 22 also is a milestone, marking the first anniversary of Makaha Sons Inc., the company formed by members Louis "Moon" Kauakahi, Jerome Koko and John Koko to handle the group's business affairs. The event will be a biggie, with Ho'okena and Raiatea Helm also performing, along with dancers from Chinky Mahoe's halau.
For the DVD, Kauakahi is writing a few new songs, with other composers being tapped to contribute. And, said John Koko, the group is updating its Web site, www.makahasons.com, to include new data, photos and merchandise. A glorious year is forecast — with seven trips to Japan and concerts on both coasts and in the Midwest. ...
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CLUBLICITY: Melveen Leed returns to the nightlife spectrum with three Thursday gigs, starting tonight (and again Jan. 23 and 30), at Chai's Island Bistro at Aloha Tower Marketplace. Leed, who will again teach music at Windward Community College this year, also plans to return to Nashville to do an album this year, her first there in 20 years. ...
Jaz Kaner, the comic from Kailua, was home during the holidays, doing a couple of nights at the Laugh Factory, which he described as "as well-kept a secret as my career." ...
Speaking of comics: Mel Cabang and Hutchi Boy-E join AMI*K and Kaleidoscope from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday at the Sand Island Rhythm & Blues Club. ...
It looked like an arts convention, but it wasn't — just mere coincidence when a hungry lot of artsy movers and shakers had lunch, most of them separately, at Compadres last Friday. Folks like Charlie Aldinger, publicist for the Honolulu Academy of Arts; Marie Carvalho, p.r. and marketing person for the Contemporary Museum; Lee Conching, marketing director for the Bishop Museum; Caroline Witherspoon, Hawai'i Opera Theatre marketing consultant; Joe McAlister, executive director of the O'ahu Choral Society; Keola Cabacungan, education and programs coordinator at 'Iolani Palace; Karen Kennedy, director of the University of Hawai'i choir; Pam Eliashof, Hawai'i Opera Theatre opera chorus member; and Lisa Josephsohn, publicist for Compadres, Hawai'i Theatre, Diamond Head Theatre and Ballet Hawaii. ...
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HERE 'N' THERE: Michael McDonald, the ex-Doobie Brother who's been a big draw in the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra's pops series, has added a third performance, at 2 p.m. May 31 at Blaisdell Concert Hall. Earlier-announced playdates at 8 p.m. May 30 and 31 are expected to sell out. ...
Jim Nabors joined Liza Minnelli and David Gest for dinner at Tony Roma's in Kahala. ...
Phil Nakayama got a vintage Lionel Richie T-shirt signed backstage at Blaisdell Arena last Friday night. Richie scribbled "Hello," then his name, on the keepsake garment, a bit faded but now blessed with an original autograph. ...
When Audy Kimura opened Richie's concert, it was a reunion of sorts. Years ago, the two shared a studio in Hollywood twice while recording albums so, remembering that, Richie's management specifically asked that Kimura open his Honolulu show. The ex-Commodores star told Kimura after his opening: "Man, these people just love you, don't they?" and requested that Kimura send copies of his CDs to him for a closer listen. Said Kimura, "Lionel is as gracious and warm a person as you'll ever meet." It's been a musical time for Kimura at his Hy's Steak House slot, where Maurice White (Earth, Wind & Fire), Glen Larson (TV producer and composer) and Tom Moffatt (show presenter and recording exec) have popped in. ...
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.
