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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, December 1, 2005

SHOW BIZ
Makaha Sons present 'Gift' at Hawai'i Theatre

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Columnist

HOLIDAZE: Wondering why there's no Christmas concert by The Makaha Sons this year? John Koko, a member of trio, says their usual venue, the Renaissance Ilikai hotel, had conflicting bookings and alternate dates didn't suit Koko, brother Jerome Koko and Louis "Moon" Kauakahi. As they brainstormed, the group figured while they wouldn't be in a show, they could put one on, so "A Gift for All of You," at 5 p.m. Dec. 18 in the Hawai'i Theatre, will assemble Na Palapalai, Sonny Ching and Halau Na Mamo O Pu'uanahulu, Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, Na Kama, Hoku Zuttermeister, Barry Kimokeo with Bernard Kalua and Alika Odom, Robi Kahakalau and Jordan Segundo. Tickets are $35, available at the box office. ...

WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Danny Couch, who sang two Island songs repeatedly (about 30 times, he estimates) aboard the Starwood Hotels' float in Chicago's Thanksgiving Day parade, was happy "to bring a little sunshine to Chicago." The Windy City was Chillsville. "It was so cold, the lei we had on froze," he said. ...

Barry Flanagan of Hapa spent Thanksgiving in the Big Apple. And didn't the Hawai'i All-State Marching Band Na Koa Ali'i marchers, players and dancers look grand in the Macy's parade? ...

Deejay Lanai of Island 98.5 has returned from the Philippines (he had business talks with singer Martin Nievera, just in Hawai'i for a concert). When Lanai, Raymond Noh of Noh's Food and Christian Yrizarry of Ho'onua were at the Peninsula Hotel in Manila, Imelda Marcos, the former first lady, popped in for halo halo. Then Mayor Mufi Hannemann walked in. When Lanai was having a massage at the Peninsula, he learned that boxer Brian Viloria and singer Jasmine Trias — separately — also had their bodies worked on. Guess the Peninsula's a hot spot. ...

HERE 'N' THERE: "The Forbidden World of Don Tiki" will be the New Year's Eve attraction at the Grand Ballroom of the Pacific Beach Hotel. Special guests will include Lopaka Colon, Noel Okimoto, Willow Chang and Sherry Shaoling. Call 921-6137. ...

DON'T MISS: The Eagles at the Blaisdell Arena tomorrow and Saturday ...

SIGHT 'EMS: That was Tom Moffatt serving as grand marshal of the Hawai'i Kai Christmas Parade Saturday. Great to hear the Kaiser, McKinley and Farrington bands, but a Santa who didn't toss candy disappointed the tykes gathered on Lunalilo Home Road. ...

Emme Tomimbang's "Emme's Christmas Island Moments" concert, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. today at the Banyan Courtyard, Sheraton Moana Surfrider, is free. It features The Krush, Na Palapalai, The Honolulu Boy Choir, Yvonne Elliman, Tani Lynn Fujimoto and Jasmin Idicais; it will be taped for broadcast at 9 p.m. Dec. 15 and at 5 p.m. Christmas Day on KHON-2. ...

Elliman is back from the Netherlands and Belgium, where she sang, was interviewed and was guest of honor at the Dutch premiere of "Jesus Christ Superstar," the rock opera that launched her career years ago when she originated the Mary Magdalene role for the concept album, the Broadway musical and the resulting film. She and boyfriend Allen Alexander got the red-carpet treatment, and she drew 7,000 people at a disco "Fun Party" in Leiden, with The Trammps, Big Black and Beautiful and Tavares also on the bill. "Her popularity in Europe is still huge with a vast number of age groups," said Alexander. ...

JEOPARDY NOTE: The answer is Feb. 20-23. The question is "When will Jeopardy return to Honolulu to audition prospective contestants?" Watch the syndicated game show at 4 p.m. today on KGMB-9 for details. Initially, you must sign up at www.jeopardy.com and await an e-mail if you're selected to be among the pool of candidates. A similar search was done here in January 2003. ...

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.