OFF THE RECORD: The Makaha Sons are producing two CD projects this year, according to member John Koko. With colleagues Jerome Koko and Louis "Moon" Kauakahi, the Sons are producing the debut disc of Pilioha, a group composed of Glenn Mayeda Jr., Barry Kimokeo and Gary Krug. Work is under way at the AVEX studio in Kahala, with Gaylord Holomalia (of Kalapana) engineering and producing, for October release. Bernard Kalua, manager of the trio, also is assisting. ... The other disc is by Hoku Zuttermeister, whom John Koko describes as "the next Keali'i Reichel," who is coming out of the shadows and into the solo spotlight. Zuttermeister will be working with engineer-producer David Tucciarone for a November launch. ...

The Makaha Sons are financing the projects but have given both acts pretty much free rein to select their own tech crews, distributor and — get this —ownership of the recordings. Kind of a rarity. ...

SIGHT 'EMS: Comedian Wayne Brady was at Morton's The Steakhouse, Honolulu to celebrate his birthday with wife Mandie Taketa Brady, a Castle High grad. Brady enjoyed a number of Morton's classics, including his favorite, the Cajun rib-eye steak. He's also performing Aug. 27 at Blaisdell Concert Hall. Also at Morton's: actor Paul Walker, whose entrance caused the hearts of Morton's hostesses to beat "Fast and Furious." Walker enjoyed spinach salad, oysters, opah and chocolate souffle. He's soon to be seen in "Into the Blue." ...

"Night on the Town," with Jack and Maydelle Cione, is a monthly outing for Arcadia residents and led by the couple. Eighty Arcadians — 40 one night, another 40 another night — bussed over for a visit to the Don Ho show at the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel last week. On the first eve, comedian Rip Taylor hopped in, tossing confetti, of course. Taylor, not yet ready for a retirement residency, had dinner with the Ciones another night at the Arcadia. ...

Lunchmates at Compadres in Ward Centre the other day included Ron Gibson, director of the Diamond Head music festival; California and Kane'ohe-based broker Mark Mellick; and Ballet Hawaii honcho Steve Knox. Knox was waxing eloquent about the August "Coppelia" ballet at Blaisdell Concert Hall, which will feature, among others, John Selya, the Tony-nominated trouper from the still-running "Movin' Out" hit on Broadway. ...

AROUND TOWN: Correctly anticipating a further extension of Diamond Head Theatre's "Beauty and the Beast" (now held over through Aug. 14), actor-director-choreographer David Spangenthal (who's starring as the Beast) arranged his return to New Jersey after Aug. 14, avoiding charges on airline flight changes. Meanwhile, there's a bit of backstage trivia: Daniel Boulous, whose wife, Sharene, plays harp in the DHT orchestra, was a computer animator for Walt Disney Studios, and created the on-screen character of Chip, ably enacted here by TJ Tario, a classical piano prodigy who, at 8, already has performed with the Honolulu Symphony and has a number of stage credits, along with brother TX. Both are members of DHT's "Shooting Stars." ...

Speaking of the symphony: Interim head Gideon Toeplitz, who has held top positions with the Pittsburgh and Boston orchestras, among others, knows the joyful sound of a sizzling steak; he enjoyed one when he dined at Ruth's Chris Steak House, where restaurant g.m. Don Asam happily welcomed him, since he and wife Liz are big music fans. ...

Melina Lilios won't be at a "Miss Saigon" reunion at Henry Loui's on Friday night when the Army Community Theatre cast gathers for karaoke fun. Lilios, who was "Saigon" music director, has e-mailed that she's in Athens, attending a "big fat Greek family reunion" but will toast her colleagues with some ouzo. ...

Michael Ching, conductor for Hawaii Opera Theatre's "The Pirates of Penzance" (playing this weekend at Blaisdell Concert Hall) and HOT executive director Karen Tiller dined at Kona Brewing Co. to talk story about the old days when he gave her her first job in opera. Tiller is one of the youngest female exec directors in the biz and was recently recognized as one of Pacific Business News' 40 top executives younger than 40. ...

Owana Salazar is better known for her singing, but OC16 viewers catching her on "The Sugar Cane Shack" (10:30 a.m. today, lots more repeats through Saturday) — are discovering her kitchen prowess, too. She's joined chef Dana with salmon saute and sashimi selections.

And that's Show Biz. ...