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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, July 17, 2003

SHOW BIZ
Is concert by surviving Local Divas in works?

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

COCONUT WIRELESS: Melveen Leed and her Local Divas chums, Carole Kai and Nohelani Cypriano, dissolved the group after the death of fourth member Loyal Garner, but the buzz is that a Christmas concert is in the works — date and venue to be determined. Leed turns 60 tomorrow. A party in her honor will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday at Chai's Island Bistro, Aloha Tower Marketplace. A no-host bar will prevail, but there will be free pupu and entertainment, and tunes by Da Tita. ...

• • •

SIGHT 'EMS: Eve, the hip-hop hottie known for "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" and "Who's That Girl," was dressed to the nines while shopping at Neiman Marcus the other day. No word on whether she bought or just looked. ...

Duane "Dog" Chapman, the Hawai'i-based bounty hunter, staked out the burgers and fries with his family earlier this week at Eddies Burgers & Frozen Custard in Kaimuki. ...

Susan Olsen and Christopher Knight, the actors portraying Cindy and Peter Brady in "The Bradys Back in Hawai'i" (the Travel Channel documentary airing early next year), dined at Tiki's Grill & Bar at the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel. Too bad Barry Williams, who plays Greg, wasn't there — the restaurant has a drink called Greg Brady's Wipeout, inspired by the Bradys' Hawai'i visit 30 years ago. Actor Seann William Scott ("American Pie," "Dude, Where's My Car?") also dined at Tiki's. ...

Henry Kapono and wife Lezlee were sizzling with joy recently over their steaks at Morton's The Steakhouse. ...

About 100 folks showed up for last Friday's reception at Meritage restaurant to welcome local indie filmmaker Eric Byler's "Charlotte Sometimes" film, which opened that evening at The Art House at Restaurant Row. Chant performed, and a group from Kumu Kahua, led by director Keith Kashiwada, was on hand to support Byler. Attendance was great over the weekend, so a Q&A component was added to a Tuesday night screening. ...

Lots of Rip Taylor sightings lately. The comedian-actor regularly breakfasts at Keone's, at the Ohana East Hotel, and he helped publicist Lisa Josephsohn mark a birthday at Sergio's at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. On screen, he's the French general in the Kate Hudson-Luke Wilson film, "Alex and Emma." And he'll scoop ice cream at a Make-A-Wish Foundation benefit from 5 to 6 p.m. July 24 at the Cold Stone Creamery in Waikiki ...

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DINING OUT: We finally made a voyage to the Ocean House restaurant, open for about a year on the beach at the Outrigger Reef Hotel, and it's really a "find." Its plantation-house decor clearly says Hawai'i, and its menu is crammed with savory entrees, appetizers and desserts — and that unadvertised nightly special, the spectacular sunset view. Think Michel's without the high prices, Duke's without the noise, Orchids with a more casual atmosphere, or Roy's at the water's edge — a gem of a place for people-watching and a romantic evening out. Kudos to David Nagaishi and his staff — Ocean House is a good reason to rediscover flavorful Waikiki dining. ...

For foodies and wine buffs, "The Joy of Food and Wine" (a benefit for Rehab Hospital) includes a gourmet dinner at 7 p.m. tomorrow at the Halekulani, with harpist Pumehana Davis providing music; and a wine- and cheese-tasting from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Sheraton Waikiki, with pianist Ginny Tiu. ...

Phillip Paolo's at Restaurant Row is making a comeback. Phillip Sarubbi and wife Connie Ortiz-Sarubbi combine Italian grinds with music — and such folks as Cecilio Rodrigues stopped by one night to jam with Tradewinds, the house band, while Dick Jensen also took to the mike on a birthday visit. Gov. Linda Lingle and her entourage also have enjoyed the food and the music. ...

And that's Show Biz. ...