Posted on: Tuesday, February 8, 2005

SHOW BIZ
Segundo the face of water campaign

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

PERSONALITIES: Jordan Segundo, the "American Idol" survivor, gets more media splash as the spokesman for the city's Department of Environmental Services' Clean Water campaign, under way this month. He'll be seen and heard on commercials to raise awareness of protecting O'ahu's precious water supply — a task he's taken on since last year. ...

Segundo also will perform at the Great Aloha Run — one of many entertainers scheduled — on Feb. 21. And he can be seen on the Honolulu Boy Choir's Christmas concert DVD released after the holidays. ...

From her 11th-floor apartment at Ala Wai Plaza, Georgie Canon watched with fascination and joy the performance of the aforementioned Segundo recently at a Rabbit Kekai tribute at the canoe house and park area along the Ala Wai Canal. "He was just fabulous, his voice so professional," said Canon, who last saw him on "American Idol" two seasons back where "he wasn't a fish on a slab," as Simon Cowell described him. Canon was so impressed, she planned to get Segundo's debut CD. That's fanship, for sure. ...

ALOHA LIVES: When the Makaha Sons performed at Whittier College in California recently, longtime fan Claude H. Kouchi presented John Koko with a custom-made koa bass that took nine months to craft. "The sound is unbelievable," said Koko. Kouchi met Koko less than two years ago in a bathroom on Kaua'i. Says Koko: "All I remember was washing my hands and he introduced himself to me, telling me he cried after listening to our music. We chatted for about 20 minutes and I gave him one of my lei I had on. He told me someday he'll give me something for being so nice — I told him he didn't have to." Koko said he wept when the koa bass was presented. "This is what we call the aloha spirit," Kouchi said. Now Koko is eager to put the bass to work at the next Makaha Sons recording session. ...

'Ukulele sensation Jake Shimabukuro wrapped up a 26-city tour with three sold-out concerts at McCoy Studio Theatre on Maui recently. He was backed by drummer Noel Okimoto and bassist Dean Taba, and Shimabukuro made all aware that the venue is his "favorite place to play in the world." Which made fifth-row listener Art McCoy pleased as punch, since he's the namesake. ...

And that's Show Biz ...