Posted on: Thursday, September 16, 2004

SHOW BIZ
Aloha makes 'Primetime' at Disneyland

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

ALOHA LIVES: As the presenting sponsor of ABC's Primetime Preview Weekend (Sept. 10-12), Aloha Airlines hosted a Sept. 11 reception at Disneyland's Grand Californian Hotel. Scores of paparazzi shot photos of 70 stars from ABC-TV's prime-time shows, giving Aloha a lot of mileage since its logo was plastered on the background wallpaper. Not only that, Aloha's commercials were displayed on the giant Jumbotron at the entrance of Disneyland. Personalities such as Jim Belushi, Kelly Ripa, Faith Ford, Matthew Fox, Dominic Monaghan, Teri Hatcher and Kelly Osbourne were among the notables who joined Disney president Bob Iger. Further, guests enjoyed a "Taste of Aloha — New Wave Lu'au," with food by Alan Wong and music by Jake Shimabukuro, backed by Michael Grande, Steve Jones, Bryan Kessler and Noel Okimoto. ...

The aforementioned Monaghan, who played a Hobbit in "The Lord of the Rings," delighted students and teachers at St. Andrew's Priory when ABC's "Lost," filmed scenes at the neighboring St. Andrew's Cathedral. Priory girls waited patiently — and silently — during the shoot ... and were rewarded when Monaghan signed autographs and posed for pictures. Even new head of school Marilyn Matsunaga got the actor's autograph. And Monaghan dined at Morton's The Steakhouse — a great escape for any Hobbit. ...

WHEE, THE PEOPLE: When Mahi Kekumu wound up a year's run in the ensemble of the Tony Award-winning "Aida" musical on Broadway recently, his mom Donna and friend Stacey Mailelauli'i Naki (choral director at the Hawai'i Youth Opera Chorus where Kekumu was a member at age 11), rounded up 30 orchid and tuberose lei so that all cast members could sample the aloha spirit. Charlotte Fuller had a double orchid lei for Kekumu, too, and his pals, including Naki, Lisa Matsumoto, Zan De Peralta, Thomas Villegas, Mei Nakano and Theresa Riedman were in the audience. Kekumu gave the locals a backstage tour before proceeding to a party at Arriba Arriba for margaritas and Mexican grinds. Another party was held at Waikiki Wally's in New York. ...

In his senior year at Castle High School, Kekumu played the king in "The King and I," directed by Ron Bright. His classmate, silver medalist Bryan Clay, who always yearned for success on stage — only his turned out to be of Olympic proportions. ...

TUBE TALK: It pays to surf Makaha — especially if it's with Brian Keaulana. At least, that's what comedian Andy Bumatai has come to believe. He just landed the role of Randall, an ex-Pipeline heavy who runs the beachside burger joint, on Fox's "North Shore." Keaulana, who is the water-safety consultant for the Hawai'i-based TV series, remembered his surfing buddy Bumatai when the need for an aging Pipeline master surfaced. "He knows that me playing the part of Randall, his job as water-safety officer will be more in demand than ever," said Bumatai, who can be seen riding that comedy wave Fridays and Saturdays at the Palace Showroom of the Ohana Reef Towers Hotel. ...

RANDOM NOTES: Katherine E. Mills, a Punahou senior, is luminous and delightful in the Army Community Theatre's "West Side Story," which is packing 'em in at Richardson Theatre, Fort Shafter. Her Maria is a-swirl in youthful energy and she hits the high notes with effortless perfection. The cast (Jimi V. Wheeler as Tony, Tricia Marciel as Anita, Cole Hirobe as Bernardo, Joshua Duhaylonsod as Riff) is as good as it gets in "West Side" glory. If you attend, plan time for the security check to get on base. ...

Lawrence Pau, who sang "Ke Ahi Wela," placed first in the Frank B. Shaner Falsetto Contest Saturday at the Sheraton Waikiki. Bill Wynne ("Ida's Hula") was second, Noah Campbell ("Nani Kaua'i") was third, but the unofficial victors were Kamala Fernandez and Auntie Genoa Keawe, who did an "Alika" give-and-take, with Auntie clearly the champ in the hold-the-high-note hurdles. ...

Danny Kaleikini has been named ambassador of aloha for the Hawai'i Senior's Fair/Good Life Expo, opening a three-day run Sept. 24 at Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. ...

Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom and friends dined at Tiki's last week. ...

Magician John Hirokawa and family enjoyed teppanyaki at Kobe Japanese Steak House — but he pulled a "disappearing" act to make his magic show at the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel. ...

And that's Show Biz. ...

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