Now boarding: Eddie Kamae's 'ukulele, case | The Honolulu Advertiser

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Now boarding: Eddie Kamae's 'ukulele, case | The Honolulu Advertiser | Hawaii's Newspaper

Posted on: Thursday, November 13, 2003

SHOW BIZ
Now boarding: Eddie Kamae's 'ukulele, case

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

'UKULELE TALK: When entertainer Eddie Kamae and his song-writing wife Myrna were en route home from a trip, they tried to board a flight in San Francisco — with Kamae hand-carrying his 'ukulele. Told by security (and confirmed by Hawaiian Airlines reps) that it was no longer possible to do that without a ticket for the instrument, the Kamaes were forced to purchase a ticket because Kamae would not let the 'ukulele out of his sight. "It was the last ticket on the plane," said Myrna, "and I was hoping the ticket would say 'Ukulele Kamae,' but it said Kamae/Extra Ticket." Their writer pal, Jim Houston, wondered (with pointed curiosity), if 'Ukulele Kamae got a meal in the deal, but Eddie said "it wasn't hungry." A peculiar situation, because an 'ukulele in a case is smaller than most roller bags, but security measures have changed drastically since Sept. 11, and the Kamaes want to warn others about this situation. They attended the Pacific Rim Festival in Santa Cruz, where Kamae performed before a throng of 700 and earned a standing ovation. Yep, he plays a "mean" 'uke, but who'd have thought it "unsafe" to board a plane with its player/owner? ...

Happy ending: Entertainer Kahauanu Lake has been reunited with his treasured 'ukulele, stolen last week. What meanie would steal the heartbeat of a musician's soul?. ...

• • •

NIGHT WATCH: "Na Mea Makamae O Waikiki," a Waikiki Community Center benefit marking its 25th anniversary, will honor three treasures of Waikiki — Cha Thompson, Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays — for their unflinching contributions to the visitor industry, tomorrow night at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom. The Makaha Sons, Lilikoi Boys, 5x5 and Simplisity perform. ...

Pianist Kit Samson will be off to Japan on Nov. 26, to accompany singer "Rey" Unosuke, who knew Samson from the Kahala Hilton days and tracked him down at the Ala Moana Hotel. So Paul Conrad subs for Samson on Nov. 26 and 27 at the Ala Moana's Mahina Lounge. Samson will do his fourth New Year's Eve show in the Ala Moana's Hibiscus Ballroom, if you're planning ahead. Samson did a private gig recently for Homeland Security officials and received a letter of appreciation — a framed keeper — and with another gig for the FBI in December, he wonders, "I guess I'm wanted by the Feds." ...

A party of 30, led by New York Yankees slugger Jason Giambi, descended upon Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar in Kapalua last week. Brother Jeremy Giambi was getting married the next day (last Saturday) on Maui. ...

• • •

SHORT NOTES: Tino Ibach and Lucky Salvador of Tino & the Rhythm Klub noticed a familiar figure late one night at Esprit at the Sheraton Waikiki. Turned out to be "Great Balls of Fire" legend Jerry Lee Lewis, and during a break, Tino asked Lewis if he didn't mind performing, and yep, there was "A Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," much to the delight of the crowd. Afterward, Lewis whispered in Tino's ear: "When I was 20 years old, I used to dance like you." A real memorable moment, even for light technician Jeanne Mitsuda, who had Lewis autograph the shirt she was wearing. ...

And Adney Atabay, vocalist-trumpeter-conga player with the Rhythm Klub, has been out of commission because of a mild heart attack." After rushing to Kaiser Moanalua, he learned he had a collapsed artery, and has been recuperating. ...

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.

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