THE NIGHT STUFF
Summer party sizzles late night at Don Ho's

By Derek Paiva
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Yumiko Fujita, of Waikiki dances to Three Plus at the Quiksilver/Roxy Summer Party Concert Series at Don Ho's Island Grill. Photos by Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser

Kaui Lindsey and boyfriend Kale Kealoha join the dance-floor crowd. The live concerts, scheduled Saturdays through Aug. 23, pack in partygoers during the late-night hours.

Tanoa Kapana of Three Plus sings at the Quicksilver/Roxy Summer Party Concert Series.

Since its debut in early June, the weekly live concert series has presented Fiji, B.E.T., Ho'onu'a and Natural Vibrations to mostly full houses at Don Ho's Island Grill. And with Three Plus scheduled for the night I stopped by, I didn't expect anything less, crowd-wise.

Still, I was surprised to find most of the restaurant's tables and seats already spoken for when I showed. I headed toward the bar — which was already slammin' in spite of the early hour. Props to Toni, who, perhaps sensing I was alone this night and needed to sit down, later offered me a seat at her table.

"Trust me. As soon as the band starts playing, this place gon' be pumpin'!" assured Toni, who probably noticed I was staring at the empty dance floor a bit too much.

Several patrons had told me as much, earlier in the evening, as I watched Wicked Machine Racing unload a few show cars pierside for display. One particularly large regular even scolded me when I told him I had another event to hit post-midnight.

"I hope you not leavin' yet, bro, 'cuz you too early." I checked my watch — 10:45 p.m. — and assured him that I wouldn't. Taking a swig from his Pacifico beer that would render most folks I know unfit even for riding shotgun, Malcolm — I think that was his name, Outkast was freakin' loud — gazed down at me. "Deez guys not gon' start till after 11."

Noted, Malcolm.

At quarter past 11, Three Plus was still setting up and a couple of grinding blondes were creating a man sandwich out of one very happy-looking dude on the dance floor. A middle-aged guy leaning against the rail of a large sloop docked pierside gazed pensively into Don Ho's. He looked like he was in need of some serious sleep.

As Toni had promised, the gathered came alive when Three Plus began its set 'round 11:30 with "Two Person Party." A mass of patrons — at least 50 strong — filled the large dance floor in mere seconds, abandoning seats, drinks and the bar as if waiting for the moment. Displaying a satisfied "I told you so" smile, Toni grooved in her seat.

Three Plus, for its part, offered a great set that played like a near-continuous live-mix tape of their best work, with some tasty covers from Steel Pulse and Bob Marley thrown in for good measure. Most of the crowd knew all the lyrics, greeted the intros of each song with vibrant applause and never left the dance floor less than full again. Don Ho's was still filling nicely when I left.

Mike Galmiche of promoter All Access Hawaii told me later that it was still too early to tell, but based on the limited-run event's success so far, he hoped to extend it beyond its final Aug. 23 Fiji redux. There were certainly enough people in the house last week who seemed more than willing to support an endless summer.

Got a night spot, night event or club event that we should check out? Reach Derek Paiva at dpaiva@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8005.

What: Quiksilver/Roxy Summer Party Concert Series.

Where: Don Ho's Island Grill, Aloha Tower Marketplace, 528-0807.

When: 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturdays through Aug. 23.

Our arrival/departure: 10 p.m./midnight.

Cover: $5.

Younger than 21 OK? No.

Age of crowd: 20s-30s.

Attire we saw: Mostly casual. On men: aloha shirts, casual button-down shirts, solid and print tees, polos, jeans, shorts. On women: tanks, camisoles, peasant blouses, tube tops, solid and print tees, jeans, shorts.

What we drank: Whiskey sour ($5).

Peak crowd while there: 200-plus.

Queue?: No.

Dancing?: Yes.

Sample music: The night I stopped by featured live sets from Three Plus.

This week: Go Jimmy Go and White Lines.

Coming soon: B.E.T. (July 12), Three Plus (July 19), Typical Hawaiians (Aug. 2), Ho'onu'a (Aug. 9), B.E.T. and Sudden Rush (Aug. 16), Fiji (Aug. 23).

Night notes ...

Neighboring nightclubs Maze and Zanzabar join forces Saturday for ArtistGrooveNetwork and Juicy Crew's Summer Massive. One cover charge gets you into both clubs for live hip-hop and local-style sets by Ilona Irvine, O-Shen and Chief Ragga, and DJ sets headlined by Christopher Lawrence, DJ Vertigo and David Backes. From 10 p.m., 18 and up. 591-3500 or 921-5800.

Mo'ili'ili's legendary Anna Bannanas launches a week of parties celebrating its 34th birthday tomorrow night with visiting rockers Warsaw Poland Bros. at 10 p.m. Tie Dye, '60s Flashback and X-Mas in July nights follow on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. John Cruz and Johnny Helm hold court Wednesday. The 86 List does punk Mexicano Thursday. Call 946-5190.

One of the more interesting Independence Day invites we found was Peggy and Dave 86's House, a North Shore live-band house party with The 86 List, TV Hair-Do, Dork and Diverse Unity. Free admission and food, starts 6:30 tonight. It's at 59-092 Kamehameha Highway.