Concert to warm New Yorkers

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

ALOHA LIVES: "Hawai'i Calls ... With a Message of Aloha," a Hawaiian music extravaganza featuring the "Hawai'i Calls" cast from yesteryear, will bring a ray of sunshine to New York's Carnegie Hall at 8 p.m. Dec. 1.

Performers include Nina Keali'iwahamana, Boyce Rodrigues, Iwalani Kahalewai, Gary Aiko and Beverly Noa, with a special guest appearance by Danny Kaleikini.

Harry B. Soria Jr., an icon of Territorial Radio in Hawai'i (105 KINE on Sundays), will emcee; the program is being presented by Yasuhiko Ariga and U'ilani Japan Inc., and co-sponsored by the Hawai'i Cultural Foundation of New York City and Continental Airlines. "Our intent is to present a Hawaiian entertainment show that will appeal to everyone, of all ages, at the exact moment that New York is plunging into the winter deep freeze, to send New Yorkers dashing for the airport to fly to Hawai'i," said Soria, who has been involved in a myriad of U'ilani ventures in Japan.

Hula by Hokulani and Larry DeRego and Halau Hula 'O Hokulani, and Kamaile Sachiko Tanaka and Halau Hula Onaona 'O Ka Maile will be added lure. ...

WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Add Howie Mandel, the standup comic and kiddie cartoon ace, to the holiday calendar. Mandel will perform at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 29 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on Maui and at 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. New Year's Eve at the Renaissance Ilikai. Tickets ($25, $35 and $45 on Maui, $35 for the early show and $45 for the nightcap in Honolulu) go on sale Saturday at the Maui box office — (808) 242-7469 — and at Ticketmaster outlets in Honolulu. ...

Matt Catingub, pops conductor with the Honolulu Symphony, will guest-conduct the Pacific Symphony Pops Nov. 19 and 20 in Orange County, Calif. Motown legend Smokey Robinson is guest performer. And while Catingub is away, his pops baton here will be held by Burt Bacharach, at 8 p.m. Nov. 19 and 20 at Blaisdell Concert Hall. The first half will be a tribute to John "Star Wars" Williams, with Joan Landry, Honolulu Symphony assistant conductor, at the helm. Bacharach's portion will focus on some of his pop music treasures. ...

ITEMIZATIONS: Adrian "Highlander" Paul checked out cell phones at the Kahala Mall the other day. He's here for "Tides of War" filming. ...

Singer Jordan Segundo, Hawai'i's first "American Idol" candidate, had a mid-afternoon meal at Compadres Sunday. ...

Looks like comedian Rip Taylor's bypassing Hawai'i for the holidays — he's too busy working. Just completed a "Will & Grace" appearance (playing himself) and will be in the Bruce Willis-Sharon Stone film "Alpha Boy." ...

Casts from Joyce Maltby's "Broadway Bound" (Hawai'i Pacific University's Windward campus) and Ronald Bright's "Big River" (Paliku Theatre at Windward Community College) held separate opening/closing parties at Kailua's Big City Diner. ...

And that's Show Biz. ...

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