SHOW BIZ
Lingle steps gracefully around first-dance issue
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
NEW BEGINNING: While Gov. Linda Lingle is touting a New Beginning, she ended a tradition at this year's Narcissus Festival Coronation Ball at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. See, it's been customary for the new Narcissus Queen — this year's is Kathy Wong — to dance with the governor. But Lingle is Hawai'i's first woman governor. She declined the first dance, so Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris did the honors. "Gov. Lingle was quite charming in explaining," said Takeo Kobayashi, long-time festival observer, stylist and groomer (Wong was the ninth Narcissus Queen to don a Takeo gown). Among those cheering on Wong: Ikaika Kahoano (of LMNT) and Erin Madden (Miss Hawai'i Teen USA). ...
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NAMES 'N' PLACES: "Al Waterson and You," the karaoke endeavor by Waterson and wife Nancy Bernal, had a stellar closing Friday night at Fisherman's Wharf, with a swarm of entertainers attending. Bigger news: The show moves Feb. 4 to Don Ho's Island Grill, where it will unfold from 7 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays with weekly singing competitions and guest judges. It will all lead up to finals in December, with the winner getting a chance to perform in Las Vegas and record with Mountain Apple. You need to pre-register to participate, so call Bernal at 947-5736. ...
Waterson's closing-night crowd included Forté, DisGuyz, Tani Lynn, Dick Jensen, Melveen Leed, Augie Rey, Rolando Sanchez, Tiny Tadani, Rhonda, Alfredo Romero, Jeanette Trevias, George Chun, Jack Cione, Glenn Pinho, Yemun Chung, Gloria Chung, Randy Smith, Mika Nishida, Amado Cacho, Greg Gabaylo, Fred Livingston, Annie MacLachlan, Peter Clark, Eddie Lactaoen, Sandy Kinoshita, Elsa Lactaoen, Elan Markos, Alison Maldonado, the Glover clan and Jesse Robbins. ...
Many of the above also took in Rhonda's show Saturday night at the Esprit at the Sheraton Waikiki, along with Tom Moffatt, Jeff Kino, George Chun, Alan Aratok, Debra Canada, Tino Ibach, Hemingway Jasmin, Adney Atabay, Elmo Custodia, Albert Maligmat, Chriss Heyd, Merrie Lake, Jodi Leong, Keoki Kerr and Ann Botticelli. ...
Tino and the Rhythm Klub have the later slot at Esprit, and folks taking in the Tower of Power concert at the Sheraton's Hawaii Ballroom trekked to Esprit, where TOP lead singer Larry Bragg took the stage. Others jamming: Albert and Eddie Maligmat, Jeanette Trevias, Andy Sexton of Simplicity, Freddy Von Paraz of Society of Seven Las Vegas, and Kata Maduli. Observers included Janet Maduli, D.J. Pratt of Kalapana, and ex-Aura members from the Mendoza family, Vince, Dennis and Christine. ...
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ITEMIZATIONS: To better understand the the subject matter in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," which premieres tomorrow at Diamond Head Theatre, cast members have been doing research. Bridget Kelly, for instance, looked up military nurses and hospitals to prep for her part as Nurse Ratched, and director Bill Ogilvie arranged for some participants from Diamond Head Mental Health Clinic's Life Skill Program to make a guest appearance to talk about disorders, treatment and coping. ...
Dates to circle: The Hawai'i International Film Festival's Spring Film Festival will be held April 11-17 at Dole Signature Theatres ... The Hawai'i Music Awards voting is under way through March 15, with ceremonies from 6 to 9 p.m. April 6 at Kapono's ...
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IN MEMORY: Hundreds braved wind and rain to say a final aloha to Honey Ho, Don Ho's beloved mom, Friday at Hawaiian Memorial Park. Don Ho delivered the eulogy, his daughter Hoku Ho and her husband Jeremy Clements performed "He Knows My Name," and Hoku also led "Amazing Grace." Amazing, the number of survivors Honey leaves behind: a brother, four children (five died earlier), 29 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren. ...
And that's Show Biz ...
Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, phone 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.
