Posted on: Tuesday, December 21, 2004
SHOWBIZ
'Wheel' spotlights Merrie Monarch fest
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor
Prize is trip for two with hotel stay and competition tickets
ON THE AIR: On the Dec. 27 edition of "Wheel of Fortune," airing on KHON-2, host Pat
Sajak will give away a trip for two to the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo next year, complete with hotel stay and tickets to the competition. With hula fever so hot, this makes for an unusual and special prize. Further, dance footage from the festival will be shown on this particular show, a boon for Hawai'i. It's all part of a promotional-consideration deal that offers unique prizes for the syndicated game show. ...
Singer-composer Audy Kimura had a major role in the recent Honolulu Marathon — in Japan. Kimura, who performs at Hy's Steak House, was a special guest on FM-Tokyo's nationally telecast coverage of the Honolulu event. And his composition, "What Love Can Do," was chosen as the theme song heard on Japan's largest radio network. With 15,700 Japanese runners participating, interest was very high in Japan. Kimura, whose personal best marathon time was 3 hours and 26 minutes, also performed two originals, "Love in the Moonlight" and "Falling," and discussed his personal marathon experiences and training. "The most important thing I gained from running were the great friendships," he said. Further, Kimura's signature song, "Lovers & Friends," will be heard on a special on the Japanese radio station J-FM tomorrow, along with a Christmas tune. ...
ITEMIZATIONS: Auntie Aggie Cope's Wai'anae Coast Culture & Arts Society is in financial jeopardy, so Dr. Terry Shintani is spearheading a major fund-raising event from 5:30 p.m. Jan. 21 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom to raise awareness of the work of her organization as well as money to continue operations. A show, also marking Cope's 80th birthday, will feature Melveen Leed, Frank DeLima, O'Brian Eselu, Halau Hula O Hokulani and Ledward Ka'apana; Paula Akana and Kimo Kahoano will emcee. Tickets are $100; sponsorship tables are $25,000, $10,000, $5,000, $2,500 and $1,250. Call 668-8940 for tickets. Hawai'i's congressional delegation, three former governors and their wives are supporting the effort. ... Regulars at Honey's at Ko'olau at the Ko'olau Golf Club in Windward O'ahu adore the Sunday afternoon jams with Mike Ka'awa's trio, featuring Ocean Kaowili and Analu Aina. Eddie Kamae and Paul Kim often sit in; last Sunday, Ka'awa marked his birthday, which turned out into a family reunion, with his dad, Ike Ka'awa, sister Aurora Ka'awa and cousin Saichi Kawahara of the Kapalakiko Hawaiian Band (from San Francisco) in attendance. ...
REMINDER: "Stomp!" opens a two-week run tonight at the Hawai'i Theatre, where it continues through Jan. 2. The off-Broadway hit (still running in New York) recently marked its 10th anniversary. Jam Theatricals, which is the presenter here, heard about the deployment of troops from Hawai'i to the Middle East (and tour-of-duty extension for those already there) and is offering special $25 tickets to military folks and dependents. ... HERE 'N' THERE: Not a typical Monday at Compadres last week, when a group of Hawai'i Theatre supporters collected their prize from The Caper fundraiser — a cocktail party at Compadres, followed by a trolley ride to "Honolulu City Lights," with Christmas caroling led by Jimmy Borges. The celebrants included Karen Huffman, president of Stars, a fund-raising group for the theater; director of development Elaine Evans; board member Eric Ludwick and other successful bidders. Meanwhile, Cecilio Rodriguez of Cecilio and Kapono was chowing with Mark Tanouye, keyboarder in Cec's band, and Mark's wife Suzanne. ... Speaking of Borges, his gorgeous voice will be displayed, with backing from the Bruce Hamada Trio, at the Halekulani Hotel's New Year's Eve gala originating from Orchids. The gig is part of the Honolulu Symphony Eve tradition at the Waikiki resort. For the record, Borges in 2005 will mark his 50th anniversary in show biz and his 70th birthday June 1. ...
WHEE, THE PEOPLE: 'Ukulele sensation Jake Shimabukuro visited his alma mater, Kaimuki, the other day. He leaves Hawai'i on Christmas Eve for another Japan visit. "I really enjoy the travel; it's been a great year for me," he said. He's recording a new CD, which he hopes to release "probably next summer." Maui gets to see and hear Shimabukuro in concerts Jan. 28-30 at McCoy Theatre at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. ... 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.
