Swell of laughter is comic's ideal ride

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Kaleo Pilanca, featured in Saturday's "Make Me Laugh 3," mines his Waiahole Valley childhood and ethnic background for jokes. 'MAKE ME LAUGH 3' 9 p.m. Saturday South Seas Village, Hawaiian Hut at Ala Moana Hotel $25 at the door, $20 in advance at Cheapo's, Jelly's 'Aiea, Rainbow Music, Harry's Music, Samurai and Hungry Ear Charge by phone: 545-3642 Featuring: Kaleo Pilanca, Greg Gabaylo, Booga Booga (Ed Kaahea and Dave Lancaster), Mo Dixon, Junior Kekuewa Jr. and Randy "Akebono" Rowan

"The waves intimidate me," Pilanca said. "But once I get into the water, it's good fun. When I catch a good one and get into the barrel, it's like being on stage and concentrating on the mike: Timing is everything."

Pilanca, 31, hopes to ride a wave of laughter when he appears with other funny folks in "Make Me Laugh 3" tomorrow night at the South Seas Village, Hawaiian Hut.

Comedy is serious stuff for Pilanca, who looks to real-life experiences for much of his humor.

"When you're born and raised in Waiahole Valley, get plenty life experiences to share," said Pilanca. "When I was growing up, we had no electricity and two outhouses. Never had Nintendo to play; we played rain. ... We jumped into the river, 'cause had plenty water."

A 1991 graduate of Kamehameha Schools, Pilanca — real name: Philemon Kaleokalani Pilanca — plays off his Hawaiian, Portuguese and Filipino heritage to make people laugh.

Then again, the self-styled standup — still emerging on the local comedy scene — chose his academic degree (the 1997 graduate of Eastern Washington University holds a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation) because of a cousin who was injured in a diving accident — "was too expensive for auntie to get help, so I ended up helping, you know, by making cousin laugh."

Pilanca works days as a recreation therapist at Shriners Hospital for Children.

"Before or after surgery, these kids relate to comedy," he said. "Even in a wheelchair, they relate to old-style Hawaiian-kine laughs. They laugh. It's a challenge to bring a smile to their faces."

For a short spell, he was doing double duty at Shriners and the Hawai'i State Hospital.

"The folks there laughed, too, but they hear voices in their heads. They thought I was crazy, too, but it was a good time, trying to help them laugh."

Pilanca knows a thing or two about models and mentors, so he's aligned with several local comics.

"I now open up for Uncle Mel (Cabang) at Brew Moon on Saturdays," said Pilanca. "He tells me, 'Be yourself, have fun. But boy, no be dirty, or you goin' get one stigma like me.' So I keep it clean."

Andy Bumatai has advised Pilanca to be analytical about comedy. "He taught me the art of the joke — that there's a beginning, a middle and an end to a joke," said Pilanca.

Occasionally, Pilanca also is a sidekick to Gregg Hammer on Hot 93.9, where he is known as KP.

"Gregg kicked my 'okole in the right direction, teaching me the business side while having fun," he said.

"These guys have been around, so it's good learning from them," said Pilanca. "Like my grandma says, 'Say nothing, just listen, to learn.' "

But Pilanca's also been around — he's done intermittent standup at "Cracked Up Thursdays" at the All-Star Cafe, appearing with Bo Irvine, and he's gained some experience in front of crowds by hosting wedding receptions.

"I really want to do well in comedy," he said. "I do pidgin, but if get malihini or visitors in the house, I go up personally and translate."

He said some people laugh at some of the absurdities of his Waiahole days. "I invite people to my house in Waiahole; I tell them look for the green two-story house, which is not mine; ours is to the right. The outhouse is there, but people say they're allergic to this kind of bathroom."

But worry not; Pilanca now has electricity. And flushing toilets, too.

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