SHOW BIZ
'Hawai'i Stars' turns to Idol-style viewer voting

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

WHEE, THE PEOPLE: The Rock (Dwayne Johnson) has been doing a press tour to plug his current film, "Walking Tall," and he told KINE-FM that he's been missing his Island music while on the road. So he requested what he said is his favorite song — Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's "Hi'ilawe." Truly, a sound of aloha that keeps The Rock chipper on the road. ...

By the way, a revealing documentary, "IZ: The Man Behind the Music," airs at 9 p.m. April 14 on KGMB-9 (repeating at 9 p.m. April 24). It boasts the Hawai'i premiere of Bruddah Iz's magical "Over the Rainbow" music video that puts a face and a formidable imprint on his gigantic hit. ...

It was "Camelot" at the cathedral as Gene Allen assembled cast members from the upcoming Army Community Theatre musical for a Saturday photo shoot at St. Andrew's Cathedral, which looks like a stone castle. Choreographer Deanna Luster had assembled costumes on loan from Karen Wolfe at the Diamond Head Theatre Costume Shop, so there was Bryan Bender as King Arthur, Tina Shelton as Guenevere and Matt Pennaz as Lancelot, attended by David Farmer as Merlyn and John Hunt as Pellinore. Imagine the laughter when a guy walked up to the outdoor setting and asked, "Is this a Japanese wedding?" Maybe it was the crowns and the swords? ...

SPECIALS: Secretary's Day is April 21, and there are three ways to celebrate. The Makaha Sons do their Hawaiian thing 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Renaissance Ilikai Waikiki Hotel's Pacific Ballroom. Tickets are $35; call 949-3811. ... On a comedy note, Frank DeLima, Andy Bumatai and Paul Ogata collaborate for a "Laugh 'Til You Cry" luncheon show from 11 a.m. (11:45 a.m. show) at the Ohana Reef Towers' Palace Showroom. Tickets are $39.50; call 923-SHOW. ... And over at the Ala Moana Hotel, KINE-FM is assembling the Brothers Cazimero, Vaihi and Da Braddahs (with Brickwood Galuteria hosting) for a noon-1 p.m. luncheon serenade. Tickets: $29 general, $19 for children 12 and younger; call 955-4811. ...

Mother's Day specials include a luncheon celebration, themed "KUmZ" (after a CD title), from kumu Karl Veto Baker and Michael Lanakila Casupang's Halau I Ka Wekiu, from 10 a.m. May 9 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village's Coral Ballroom. Pi'ilani Smith dances a tribute to her late aunt, Loyal Garner, and Loretta Ables Sayre is a guest singer. Tickets: $40. Call Annette Peterson at 381-1791 or 676-8055. ... There's also a comedy package, with Frank DeLima, Andy Bumatai and Paul Ogata, from 5:30 p.m. (dinner seating) May 9 at the Ohana Reef Towers' Palace Showroom. The laughs unreel at 6:45 p.m. Tickets: $45 general, $27 children; call 923-SHOW. ...

SIGHT 'EMS: On his last day last Friday as morning news co-host at KITV, Paul Udell whacked his alarm clock with a sledgehammer, since he no longer has to rise and shine at a wicked 1:30 a.m. ...

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.