Posted on: Thursday, August 26, 2004

SHOW BIZ
Kapolei plant's prime-time 'Connections'

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Connections: Audy Kimura, a Na Hoku Hanohano Award composer, has been busy at his home studio, putting final touches on The Honolulu Advertiser's new commercial. It features original high-tech music heralding the state-of-the-art printing plant at Kapolei. The campaign, "Connections," depicts how staffers connect to readers in the community and the world. "It's an exciting time at The Honolulu Advertiser with our new look and capabilities," said Faye Yorck, producer and marketing communications manager for The Advertiser. Yorck assembled James Sereno to direct the spot, with editors Jay Evans and Stanford Chang involved. Kimura tapped 'ukulele artist Imua Garza to add a local flavor to the rock mix. ...

The Brothers Cazimero have logged another milestone: performing at The Advertiser's new Kapolei plant (OK, in a tent next to the building) at a Sunday open house for employees. ...

Sight 'ems: Roseanne — with her daughters, grandkids and a gent (no one knew his connection to her) — dined at Vino on Maui Sunday night. Restaurant general manager Aaron Trujillo said neither he nor the staff recognized her with "almost blond hair and a face full of sun-freckles," but he added, "her voice is unmistakable." ...

Shannen Doherty, in town for a guest-star stint on Fox's "North Shore," dined at Jose's Mexican Restaurant in Kaimuki. And Brooke Burns, one of the regulars on "North Shore," has been a repeat diner at Keo's in Waikiki. On one visit, she was with Marcus Allen. ...

Cathy Foy, last seen with sushi in her hair (in Hawai'i Opera Theatre's "The Mikado"), went Mexican for lunch at Compadres a few days ago. ...

Here 'n' there: When chef Beverly Gannon, of Hali'imaile General Store on Maui, was vacationing in Cambodia recently, she encountered a roadside vendor in Siem Reap selling grilled frogs on a stick for a quarter each. Prepared with Asian spices (only a chef would ask and know), she purchased three frogs, ate one, and offered the others to children in the village. A minute later, a throng of 20 had gathered (kids and adults), waiting their turn for free frogs on a stick. She made everyone happy, buying all of the vendor's frogs (120 sticks). ...

"Hurricane Charley" — that's returning Honolulan Charley Landrum — has left Florida for good. Landrum, who previously managed such stores as Tiffany & Co., Georg Jensen, Royal Copenhagen and Paradizzio here, has left St. Petersburg after a split with long-time partner Ed Cassidy, and is checking out job prospects. He's eager to participate in community and business events as he did before. ...

Names 'n' places: Nicholas Hormann, Honolulu-born actor, is set to star in the West Coast premiere of William Nicholson's "The Retreat From Moscow." He recently appeared in the New York premiere of Charles Mee's "Wintertime," opposite Marsha Mason. Locals may remember him from his stint with the Hawaii Performing Arts Company (now Manoa Valley Theatre). And yes, he's the brother of Honolulu actress Sylvia Hormann-Alper. ...

Jeff and Lesleigh Coelho (he's the radio honcho) are first-time grandparents. Son Peter and his wife Stephanie welcomed Zoe Coelho a few days back — the cutie was 22 inches long and 9.5 pounds. ...

Gloria and Yemun Chung are grandparents, too. Yvette (Gloria's daughter) and her husband Mark Taoy welcomed Ashlee (on Aug. 19), who was 19 inches long and weighed 6 pounds, 12 ounces. ...

Ex-Sen. Bob McDermott descended upon Brew Moon recently, when Lanai was doing a solo stint (funny mate Augie T was not in town). "He was pretty good in his debut as a stand-up comic," said Lanai. ...

Shorts of sorts: "Access Hollywood" aired a story recently on "Vacation Getaways for Stars," and mentioned the five-star Halekulani Hotel as the retreat for Ben Affleck, Cuba Gooding Jr., Kristin Davis and Paula Abdul, among others, who have found comfort in this Waikiki jewel. Viewers also got a glimpse of the hotel's Royal Suite and pool with its orchid icon. ...

A full house greeted George Winston Sunday night at Orvis Auditorium, where the audience included musicologist Barbara Smith, enjoying his piano artistry. Winston told University of Hawai'i-Manoa dean Judith Hughes that he's eager for a return visit. ...

And that's Show Biz. ...

Show Biz is published Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, or fax 525-8055.