PEOPLE IN PARADISE: Kirsten Dunst, co-star of the upcoming "Spider-Man 3" and last year's "Marie Antoinette," visited Compadres Bar & Grill in the Lahaina Cannery on Maui after taking in the Old Lahaina Lu'au across Front Street. Steve Austin and his Compadres staff can't stop buzzing about the actress. ...

And that was Matt Lauer of the "Today" show and some NBC colleagues enjoying a stopover on Maui and a trek to I'o restaurant in Lahaina. I'o executive chef James McDonald is a big Lauer fan and apparently the feeling was mutual — Lauer ordered and thoroughly enjoyed the chef's favorite menu item, lamb Pa — chops spiced with Madras curry. Lauer also shopped at Maggie Coulombe's boutique. ...

Also on a Maui holiday was veteran record and movie producer Lou Adler with his wife, Page, and four of his seven boys. If you don't recognize his name, you'll know his credits: He produced the stage and film versions of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," was active in the recording careers of Shelley Fabares, Carole King, The Mamas and the Papas, Barry McGuire and Johnny Rivers. He's also courtside next to actor Jack Nicholson at L.A. Lakers basketball games. ...

ISLAND-HOPPING: We're just back from the Big Island and a stay at the Hilton Waikoloa Village resort, where we played tourist with our grandnephew John Rhoades in tow; he practically lived in the swimming pools. Watched the sunset from a beachfront perch while enjoying chef Dayne Tanabe's scrumptious cioppino at the Kamuela Provision Company, had a splendid Italian dinner at Donatoni's, where chef Sascia Marchesi prepared a medley of appetizers and something new to this diner — tender, yummy porko bucco, a pork version of osso bucco. Ventured to the new Ruth's Chris Steak House at The Shops at Mauna Lani, where g.m. Kyle Nishimura oversees mounting crowds that can watch the hula spectacle at the shopping complex from an outdoor second-floor perch before or during their sizzling steak dinner. We had remarkable lamb. ...

SPEAKING OF RUTH'S CHRIS: The new Waikiki Beach Walk location is an instant hit, with nary an empty seat, translating to joy for g.m. Paul Ah Cook and his assistant, Jay Kaneshiro. Outrigger president and CEO David Carey and wife Kathy were among those at a pre-opening gathering but he returned the next day when owner Randy Schoch and his invited guests took part in the blessing, with Danny Kaleikini officiating and blowing his conch shell and playing nose flute. More shops and dining and nibbling options are opening daily. Deanna Luster, who teaches at Kaimuki High School's theater department, was among the first to celebrate a birthday at Ruth's. ...

HAU'OLI LA HANAU: The cast and crew of Hawai'i Pacific University's "The Cherry Orchard" surprised director Joyce Maltby with a birthday party after Sunday's matinee. Maltby closed shop and was leaving when cast and friends yelled "Happy Birthday!" Then all returned to the theater balcony for potluck, cake and entertainment, with cast member Eden Lee Murray sharing a limerick about Maltby's attributes. Fiddler Kevin Cravin performed Irish music, with celebrants doing jigs — and Murray discovering rubber slippers are not the easiest things to dance in. Maltby was speechless when the gang gave her a $300 gift certificate. ...

And Michel Martin, founder of the original Michel's restaurant, turned 100 yesterday. He spends half the year at his Four Paddles apartment, the other half in Nice. Longtime foodies remember his innovative culinary skills. ...

FINALLY: "Le Bizarre," that boys-will-be-girls revue directed by Jack Cione and starring Brandy Lee, is back. The show will relaunch at 8:30 p.m. April 29 at the Hawaiian Hut for an indefinite run. "We're back by popular demand, every Sunday," said Cione, as he left the Island to spend Easter in San Francisco. ...

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.