By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

NAMES 'N' PLACES: That Avex Honolulu Studios, out Hawai'i Kai way, has had quite a lot of traffic lately. Gaylord Holomalia, who runs the place and is a member of Kalapana, says the group will start production there shortly on a new CD. But folks such as Godsmack, from Universal Records, have used the facilities (and took a break to watch themselves on "Hard Rock Live"), and Kyle Cook from matchbox twenty stopped by for a look. Cecilio and Kapono's live CD, commemorating the duo's 30th anniversary (recorded at Kapono's at Aloha Tower Marketplace), is in the mixing phase. The Makaha Sons' "Take a Walk in the Country" concert, recorded at the Makaha Resort, also will be mixed there. Further, Ho'okena has been working with chief engineer Troy Gonzales on new stuff for an album, too. ...

Darrell Labrado has been on a whirlwind New York visit. His first gig in The Big Apple was at the Oheka Castle on Long Island, attracting a crème de la crème audience. His "I Want My Island Girl" video has been pumping up interest and attention. In Long Beach, Labrado joined fellow Hawai'i acts Pati, B.E.T. and Baba B in a concert, attracting a crowd of 1,200. ...

WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Paul Anka just wound up a Kahala Mandarin Oriental vacation. He called the other day, saying he's been working with David Foster on projects for Josh Groban and a new Canadian kid on the block, Michael Bublé, whose debut CD includes an Anka composition, "Put Your Head on My Shoulder." Anka, a composer-singer from way back, has had nearly five decades of hit songs on the charts, including "Diana," "You Are My Destiny," "(You're) Havin' My Baby," "Puppy Love" and "Times of My Life." And yes, one of his biggest signatures is "My Way." He still works Las Vegas, Atlantic City and other show capitals, doing 150 dates a year. Next stop? As he puts it: "Steve Winn is developing a $600 million casino in Macau, and we took a look. Who knows what will happen?" ...

Quite a send-off for retiring entertainer Sonny Kamahele, when friends and fans joined him and his wife, Margaret, in a fond aloha at the House Without a Key at the Halekulani Hotel. General manager Fred Honda extended appreciation for the long years of service (Kamahele has been a member of The Islanders), and folks such as Genoa Keawe, Karen Keawehawai'i, Gary Aiko, Melveen Leed, Kealoha Kalama and Nancy Gustafsson either sang or danced. Other well-wishers included Mihana Souza and Harry B. Soria Jr. The Kamaheles are building a home in Hilo and plan to move to the Big Island. ...

Though he doesn't usually predict how well an actor or show will do, director Glenn Cannon is plenty excited about his Army Community Theatre cast of "Gypsy," opening Thursday at Richardson Theatre, Fort Shafter. In particular, Cannon is high on praise for young Jakara Mato, a 15-year-old Iolani student, who plays Older Louise, who evolves into Gypsy Rose Lee. Though only a sophomore, Mato already has logged an enviable list of credits: "Honk!" at Manoa Valley Theatre, "It's a Wonderful Life" at Diamond Head Theatre, "A Merry Christmas with Friends and Nabors" at Hawai'i Theatre, and TV spots for "Read to Me," Kahala Mall and Foodland. ...

SHORTS OF SORTS: Keith and Carmen Haugen opened with fanfare at Neptune's Garden at the Pacific Beach Hotel, where they're ensconced 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. They'll also take the stage at the Honolulu Country Club's Sushi Restaurant 6-8 p.m. this Friday. ...

One of the first things TicketMaster did when it entered the Hawai'i market: donated a new server to the Honolulu Symphony, a move that saves the orchestra at least $6,000 in cash to renovate its computer system. ...

And that's Show Biz. ...

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.