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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, February 6, 2007

SHOW BIZ
Tadd Fujikawa, parents have a ball at Alan Wong's

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Columnist

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Tadd Fujikawa, the unexpected star of the recent Sony Open, had dinner with his parents, Lori and Derrick, at Alan Wong's restaurant recently. Hosts were Judge James Burns and wife, Emme Tomimbang, and it was the first visit for the 16-year-old Moanalua High School sophomore. Tadd enjoyed his divine upscale meal; his mom and dad loved the li hing mui salad dressing so much, they wanted the recipe from Alan Wong. Sorry, no can do — but the award-winning nice-guy Wong gave the family some of the dressing to take home. ...

WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Diane Ako, reporter and weekend anchor at KHNL 8, and hubby Claus Hansen are expecting ... a girl. Due date is June 3, and so far, it's been a relatively easy pregnancy. She's working weekends only, and the couple's been prepping a nursery. ...

Retired Honolulu Police Department captain and magician Alan Arita, who performed more than 180 magic shows last year, is swapping his police uniform for a tuxedo full time. He plans to do his magic and will include an anti-drug message. ...

Publicist Mona Wood and Max Sword took her clients, Duane "Dog" Chapman and his wife, Beth, to dinner at Duc's Bistro downtown. Owner Duc Nguyen recognized the bounty hunters, saying "I've seen you on TV," and took a shine to Beth, bringing her a rose and special tea with lotus when he heard her cough. "We're here in Chinatown a lot for our work, so now we have a favorite spot to eat," she said. Expect to see an autographed photo of the Chapmans at Duc's. ...

Jim Nabors has become a regular at Romano's Macaroni Grill. Ditto Gideon Toeplitz, who's still consulting for the Honolulu Symphony from his home base on the East Coast. ...

Rick Enos, owner-founder of Compadres, has been in town to celebrate the 23rd anniversary of the Mexican restaurant. We hear he's developing a new margarita with jamaica (a dried flower made with hibiscus) that he anticipates will be the rage. ...

HITHER 'N' YON: Brent Koki, former dancer with Marcelo Pacleb's 24-VII Danceforce group and a previous performer in Ron Bright's Castle Performing Arts Company musicals, was one of the traveling dancers with The Cheetah Girls last weekend. His parents are Brian and Shirleen Koki of Kane'ohe. ...

Remember ad man Tom Sellers and wife Sherri, who left Hawai'i in 2002 after a 30-year residency for "retirement" in San Diego? Their son Dustin Sellers now co-owns with Ben Godsey a business called ProService Hawai'i, which provides outsourced employee administration kokua. Anyway, ProService is a big company you probably never heard of, but it's getting TV buzz with two 30-second spots dubbed "Turn Pro," which dad Tom helped conceive. The first bowed on last night's "24." Lotsa local names and faces aboard on the spots: Harry Wong III, Tony "Da Braddahs" Silva, Devon Nekoba, Robyn Ishihara. All the extras are part of the 'ohana: Dustin's son Maxx and daughter Paris appear; ditto, ProService marketing manager Chana Clark and even Godsey has a cameo. ...

RANDOM NOTES: Fridays needn't be dull anymore, now that Andy Bumatai is back doing stand-up every Friday at the Esprit lounge at the Sheraton Waikiki hotel. A $10 cover includes parking validation. Call 921-4600. ...

Augie Rey and his Little Big Band (Carlos Barboza and Bobby King) are doing a pre-Valentine's to-do, "I Want to Sing You a Love Song," from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday at the Elks Club. The $30 tariff includes a buffet dinner and two drinks; ladies receive a rose. Reservations are required. ...

"Don Tiki's Forbidden Love," from 8 pm. Feb. 17 at Events at the Tower at Aloha Tower Marketplace, is a belated Valentine's evening with an exotic veneer, with the Don Tiki Dancers in provocative costumes, frolicking to quixotic choreography, and retro jungle vibes exemplifying tiki culture. Tickets are $30 ($25 presale) at Ticketmaster locations. ...

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.