Hawai'i residents just love to root for our own

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

It's no surprise that former "American Idol" contestant Jordan Segundo, the Farrington High School senior who didn't quite make the grade on the Fox network show, has been met with quick adoration and lingering admiration from locals.

In fact, his popularity continues to spiral, despite his loss several weeks back.

One reason: Hawai'i residents have pride of ownership when one of their own excels. That's why "Hawai'i Stars," for eight years a Sunday-night habit, has returned to the tube.

Audiences love to see others strive and reach for dreams that viewers can enjoy vicariously. If they find success and fame, that's even better.

Segundo is becoming a rags-to-possible-riches story, even without the "Idol" blessing.

The 18-year-old lives simply with his mom and two brothers in a modest Kalihi Valley home.

Early TV news footage showed the family being whisked to and from the airport in stretch limos when he journeyed to Los Angeles. That's the up side of his quest.

The down side is that there may be talent in the 'ohana, but it hasn't yet tapped a gold mine, and there still could be potholes in the road ahead.

Yet, concert presenters have been signing Segundo for this and that. Ho'okena sees motherly potential in his boyishness (OK, maybe that sweet voice was a determining factor, too) and brought him in for a Mother's Day luncheon concert Sunday.

The Honolulu Symphony Orchestra has tapped him, too, for a pops concert.

Even celebrity interviewer Emme Tomimbang, who has never seen Segundo perform, has been impressed by the burst of publicity and admiration, and the swiftness with which Segundo has become a household name.

Tomimbang said she may add him to her Christmas special.

Others went before Segundo, too.

Remember? He went to Punahou and wanted to be a doctor (Robin Luke). She went to Roosevelt and initially found success in London (Yvonne Elliman). He was from Kaua'i and won "Brown Bags to Stardom" (Glenn Medeiros). She didn't show star quality at Radford and felt racial tension in school (Bette Midler).

Hawai'i idols, then and now:

Kelly Hu

• Claim to fame: Former Miss Teen USA and Miss Hawaii USA; kicked butt in "The Scorpion King"; co-starred on TV's "Nash Bridges" and "Marshal Law."
• Local ties: Attended Kamehameha Schools.
• Trivia: Hu's first acting job was a guest-starring role on the sitcom "Growing Pains."
• Update: Hu has a prominent role in "X2: X-Men United," which opened nationwide Friday, as Lady Deathstrike. She is the star attraction in the Honolulu production of "The Vagina Monologues," at the Hawaii Theatre May 21-25. Note: Hu appears with other principals from "X2" at a special event Friday at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa Campus Center Ballroom, presented by Chris Lee.

Bob Shane and Dave Guard of Kingston Trio

• Claim to fame: Had No. 1 hit in Kingstons' "Tom Dooley" in 1958.
• Local ties: Punahou grads. Original third member was Nick Reynolds.
• Trivia: Helped launch folk music trend; they were performing at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel when summoned to the Mainland because of breakout "Tom Dooley" hit.
• Update: Shane still tours with the Trio, now with Bob Haworth and George Grove.

Yvonne Elliman

• Claim to fame: Originated Mary Magdalene role in "Jesus Christ Superstar" in the early 1970s, first in a concept album, then on stage, then in films; sang "If I Can't Have You" on "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack.
• Local ties: Roosevelt grad.
• Trivia: Toured with Eric Clapton, sang backup vocals on his "I Shot the Sheriff."
• Update: Ready to do a "Superstar" concert revival.

Glenn Medeiros

• Claim to fame: Recorded "Nothing's Gonna Change My Love for You" in 1986; hit Top 20 in '87; had No. 1 with Bobby Brown on "She Ain't Worth It," '90.
• Local ties: Kaua'i-born and bred; a former "Brown Bags to Stardom" winner.
• Trivia: Performed on Johnny Carson's "Tonight" show; video aired on MTV.
• Update: Now a music teacher at St. Joseph's Catholic School in Waipahu.

Tia Carrere

• Claim to fame: Star of films ("Wayne's World," "Rising Sun.") and TV ("Relic Hunter"); provided voice of Nani in Disney's animated "Lilo & Stitch."
• Local ties: Sacred Hearts Academy grad and a former "Brown Bags" winner.
• Trivia: Gained dubious attention earlier this year, posing nude in Playboy magazine.
• Update: Will voice Nani again in "Lilo & Stitch" direct-to-DVD/video sequel, plus TV series.

Bette Midler

• Claim to fame: The ultimate diva, aka the Divine Miss M, with triumphs on Broadway ("Fiddler on the Roof," "Clams on the Half-Shell"), films ("The Rose") and recordings ("Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," "From a Distance," "Wind Beneath My Wings"), in a luminous career that began in the 1970s.
• Local ties: Radford High grad.
• Trivia: Grew up in Navy housing, owns property on Kaua'i.
• Update: Looking for a comeback song, movie or TV show.

Don Ho

• Claim to fame: "Hawai'i's Dean Martin," because of his tipsy image; "Tiny Bubbles" and "I'll Remember You" put him on the map.
• Local ties: The unchallenged Mr. Show Biz; now known as the father of Hoku Ho.
• Trivia: He's still a crossword puzzle clue: Waikiki entertainer (five letters)
• Update: He's now an MTV animated figure — "Cartoon Don," a buff and younger sort performing Peter Gabriel's "Shock the Monkey."

The Rock (Dwayne Johnson)

• Claim to fame: Appeared in "The Mummy Returns," and parlayed that cameo into "Scorpion King."
• Local ties: Attended McKinley High School.
• Trivia: Family has been deeply involved in WrestleMania here.
• Update: Will film "Walking Tall"; awaiting green light to do film about King Kamehameha; joined gallery of wax figures at Madame Tussaud at Times Square in New York City.

Jason Scott Lee

• Claim to fame: Starred in "Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story" (1993) and "The Jungle Book" (1994) and voiced David in "Lilo & Stitch" (2002) in films; starred as the King in "The King and I" (2000) on the London stage.
• Local ties: Attended Pearl City High School.
• Trivia: Has career ties with Kevin Costner, who produced his "Rapa Nui" film.
• Update: Ready to start filming "Prophecy" in Romania

Robin Luke, singer

• Claim to fame: Recorded "Susie Darlin', " which made it to No. 5 in 1958.
• Local ties: Punahou grad.
• Trivia: Titled song after kid sister; appeared on "American Bandstand."
• Update: Now a university professor in Springfield, Mo.