Posted on: Thursday, June 16, 2005
SHOWBIZ
Actress Tia Carrere going rockabye baby
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
NAMES 'N' PLACES: Actress Tia Carrere, a hometowner who's a star of recording, film and TV, is taking on a new role — motherhood. "We're expecting a girl, around Sept. 22," she said by phone. She has been married to journalist Simon Wakelin since December 2002, and the child will be their first. Many local TV and film fans know Carrere as the voice of Nani, Lilo's sister, in the animated "Lilo and Stitch" Disney movie and cartoon series. ... Danny Kaleikini, William Paty and Duke's Waikiki will be named Treasures of Waikiki at Na Mea Makamae O Waikiki , set for Aug. 26 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom. Melveen Leed will provide entertainment. ...
Comedian Mel Cabang, who served three years in a federal prison for tax evasion and gambling, went back to prison — on a good-deed mission. Cabang performed a Kamehameha Day show with nostalgia band Flashback last Saturday for the inmates at the O'ahu Community Correctional Center. "I know how they feel in there," said Cabang. "When someone came from the outside and donated their time, it felt really good." ...
Grammy Award-winning Charles Michael Brotman's group, Kohala, plays at "Night on Nature" this Saturday at Lanikuhonua. Kohala includes Kevin Teves and Charlie Recaido, who also performed on the Best Hawaiian Album winner, "Slack Key Vol. 2." ...
BIRTHDAY NOTES: Pianist Rene Paulo, who had triple bypass surgery last February, will be feted by his children when he turns 75 on June 28. A belated celebration is set for July 2 at Waikiki Lau Yee Chai. Kathy Paulo-Hirai, one of Rene and Akemi's daughters, said her siblings wanted to celebrate his recovery — and his achievements — with family and dear friends who've been part of keyboarder Paulo's long-time success. Paulo pére has been on the Mainland with son Michael, a musician of distinction in his own right, and one of the best wailers on saxophone. ... Entrepreneur Yemun Chung turns 60 tomorrow, which is supposed to be a secret, and he told wife Gloria, of Tihati Productions, to skip the party in favor of a quiet family dinner, and then a movie with his favorite superhero, the caped crusader in "Batman Begins." OK, mum's the word. ...
AHOY, THERE: Eight of the 10 dancers hired for the Norwegian Cruise Lines ship Pride of America are from Hawai'i. The locals include Pono Aweau, Shannelle Dragomanovich, Cara Horibe, Heather Holmes, Alicia Vela-Bailey, Brandon Hiroe, Orlando Ortega and Jordon Ofia, all members of Marcelo Pacleb's 24/7 DanceForce group. The ship left Bremerhaven, Germany, en route to New York, where it is set to arrive tomorrow for a christening ceremony. On Saturday, the vessel leaves for Miami, with a "Live With Regis and Kelly" to be broadcast from the ship. The journey continues to the Honduras, Costa Rica, the Panama Canal, Cabo San Lucas and San Francisco, arriving July 18 in Hilo. ... Remember that Kona Village Resort promotion earlier this year, when the Big Island hotel provided "coconut gift certificates" at a New Flea Theater event in New York, where local boy Jim Simpson (whose wife is actress Sigourney Weaver), is artistic director? Resort g.m. Ulrich Krauer passed out 300 coconuts; the first coconut was redeemed recently for a two-night stay. ...
DATEBOOK: The Hawaii State Theatre Council's "Stars' Night Out" benefit, set for July 25 at the Ko'olau Golf Club's Ko'olau Ballroom in Kane'ohe, will celebrate the riches of theater. Cocktails begin at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and entertainment, with dance music by Kit Samson's Sound Advice. Participating theaters will perform excerpts from musicals and a couple of awards will be presented. This event is being held in lieu of the annual Po'okela Awards, which have been shelved for now. Tickets: $40 per person, $500 per reserved table of 10. Call Diamond Head Theatre at 733-0277, ext. 306. ...
A "Help the Homeless" benefit, at 5:30 p.m. July 2 at the Waikiki Shell, will feature BeatleMania Live, an act that pays tribute to — who else? — The Beatles. Other performers include Still Surfin', a Beach Boys sound-alike band; Surfjam, doing more surfin' safari sounds; and such local acts as Wasabi, Vaihi, Juke Joint and H20. Doors open at 4 p.m.; Miss America 2001 Angela Perez Baraquio and Mayor Mufi Hannemann are expected to make appearances. The Salvation Army receives $5 from each ticket ($15-$50). Oldies 107.9 is presenting the event. ...
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.
