SHOW BIZ
Kapi'olani Park is the star in KGMB-9 special

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

TUBE TOPICS: Phil Arnone, who just completed his "Comedy Classics" special for KGMB-9 (it aired last week), has launched production on "Kapi'olani Park," a look at the the park's origins and its uses over the decades. While it has been home to the Waikiki Shell and weekend ball players, joggers and family picnickers, the park once had horse racing, an ostrich farm, polo and much more. Kama'aina will recall Makee Island, Castle Mansion, military camps and Queen's Surf — all in the shadow of Diamond Head. Robert Pennybacker will write the special, set to air in August or early September. ...

RANDOM NOTES: Look for a new Kalapana CD on July 2 — on Sony Records. Group member Gaylord Holomalia says the band completed its five-album deal with Pony Canyon Records, and Sony has since entered the picture. Sony reps have been in town, for last night's Na Hoku Hanohano Awards event at the Sheraton Waikiki, and huddling not only with Kalapana, but with Jake Shimabukuro and members of Na Leo Pilimehana. ... Things I didn't know: Singer Yvonne Elliman, appearing in tomorrow's "Disco Fever" at the Hawaii Ballroom of the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, is great with her hands.

She has been spending some of the past two weeks car-detailing for a friend. Elliman is eager to do a demo disc and is interested in securing the shakuhachi skills of her Roosevelt classmate, Riley Lee, a localite who has been living in Australia. Lee is home doing a concert with slack-key partner Jeff Peterson at the Doris Duke theater tomorrow. ...

ITEMIZATIONS: Diamond Head Theatre has mounted an ambitious production of Stephen Sondheim's "Follies," with a tight-knit ensemble on and off stage. The ample talents of Cathy Foy, Devon Guard, Peter Clark, Bob Frederick and Wisa D'Orso, coupled with behind the scenes brilliance (John Rampage directed and choreographed, Donald Yap conducted the orchestra, Karen G. Wolfe costumed the cast, Stephen Clear lit the show), means you can really get your jollies at "Follies". ...

Locals are rapidly discovering The Bistro at Century Center. Among them: Carole Kai, Kapono Beamer, Kit Samson, Alicia Antonio, Brickwood Galuteria, Russell Siu, Nick Sayada, George Mavrothalassitis, Chai Chaowasaree and more. Samson, who plays piano at the Ala Moana Hotel, vowed to return to tickle the ivories when resident entertainer Tim Kallen is on a break. All of which must make restaurant owner Ben Wong and chef Rodney Uyehara smile. Though only dinners are being served now (nightly except Mondays), luncheons are slated to be launched in late June. ...

Speaking of eateries: Roy's in Hawai'i Kai will host a Hawai'i Farm Bureau Federation benefit dinner on June 2. Chef-owner Roy Yamaguchi will be joined by Jacqueline Lau of Roy's Waikoloa Bar & Grill, Ronald Natusi of Roy's Hawai'i Ka, D.K. Kodama of Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar, Hiroshi Fukui of L'Uraku, Wayne Hirabayashi of Hoku's at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental, Darryl Fujita of the Halekulani, Colin Nishida of the Side Street Inn, Siu of 3660 on the Rise, Douglas Lum of Mariposa, Chaowasaree of Chai's Island Bistro, Elmer Guzman of Sam Choy's Diamond Head and Aaron Higashi of Roy's Hawai'i Kai. Tickets are $100. ...

When the Maui Academy of Performing Arts and Maui Light Opera staged the Maury Yeston-Arthur Kopit "Phantom of the Opera" recently, the hurrahs were plentiful at the post-show party at Manana Garage in Kahului. ...

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.