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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, April 3, 2008

SHOW BIZ
Island sounds color movie soundtrack

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Columnist

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
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"Forgetting Sarah Marshall," the filmed-in-Hawai'i Jason Segel-written comedy produced by Judd Apatow (of "Knocked Up" and "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" success), features six legit Island tunes in the soundtrack. So, hearing the background music might be as enticing as watching the comedic antics of a dude (Segel) seeking refuge in the Islands to overcome his split from his ex-girlfriend (Kristin Bell) ... who also is in Hawai'i.

The late Bruddah Iz, aka Israel Kamakawiwo'ole dominates with four vocals ("Ka Huila Wai," "Aloha Ka Manini," " 'Ulili E," and "Henehene Kou 'Aka") but listen, too, for cuts by The Brothers Cazimero ("Mai Ha'i Ia Ha'i") and Martin Pahinui ("Ka 'Ano 'I").

The movie also taps Grammy-winning producer Daniel Ho (who also sings, and is known for his uke and ki ho'alu prowess), vocalizing Prince's "Nothing Compares 2 U" (which was translated by Amy Stillman), as earlier mentioned in this space.

The two other Island-inspired tunes are Hawaii Tattoo's "My Little Grass Shack" and Malekowa and The Tradewinds' "Molokae Moloka'i." ...

The Turtle Bay Resort is easily identifiable as the backdrop in much of the footage and the rustic North Shore coastline — from La'ie to Mokule'ia — stars, too. ...

And that recent Jodie Foster-Abigail Breslin photo shoot at the Ko Olina resort, part of a People magazine package about their new film — "Nim's Island" — is now on newsstands. The film opens tomorrow. ...

WHEE, THE PEOPLE: To quell any rumors, no, The Brothers Cazimero will not be performing a Lei Day concert on May 1 at the Waikiki Shell. Nor on May 3 (a Saturday, as some folks are buzzing about). This should not be a surprise; Robert Cazimero said last year's 30th annual show would be the last of its kind; if the tradition is to continue in a revised concept, it's not going to happen this year. If you're hankering for "May Day Is Lei Day in Hawai'i," the only place to see and hear Robert and brother Roland will be at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului on May 2. They've traditionally done a next-day concert on the Valley Isle — that tradition lives on. ...

Robert is bound for New York this weekend with pal Burton White (Hawai'i Theatre manager) to catch Loretta Ables Sayre in her debut on Broadway as Bloody Mary in Lincoln Center Theater's revival of "South Pacific," opening tonight at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre. Don't miss Ables Sayre on NBC's "Today" show, between 8:30 and 9 this morning. Also migrating to The Big Apple, for the same reason: KITV's Keoki Kerr, who'll get his fix on new Broadway fare. ...

FLOWER POWER: Bert Fink, senior vice president of the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization, flew in from New York to catch Diamond Head Theatre's "Flower Drum Song" opening recently — not only to read a message from David Henry Hwang, who rewrote the musical's book, but also to extend to the DHT family well wishes from the aforementioned Ables Sayre, a DHT alum. Fink paused on Kaua'i (where "South Pacific" filmed movie scenes) before returning to New York City for tonight's launch. ...

The "Flower" cast party was held at Town in Kaimuki; fittingly so, since chef-owner Ed Kenney Jr.'s father, Ed Kenney, was the original Wang Ta in the 1958 Broadway premiere of the musical. And first-nighter Jimmy Borges (attending with wife Vicki and host Carolyn Berry), found empathy in the Wang Ta nightclub emcee, an unofficial model of his role as host at The Forbidden City in San Francisco, early in his career. ...

RANDOM NOTES: There are family ties crisscrossing a pair of new stage productions. Joyce Maltby, who is directing Sylvia Hormann-Alper and Bree Bumatai in Hawai'i Pacific University's "The Constant Wife" starting tomorrow night, is grandmother to Mickey Graue, who is double cast with Jimmy Davis, in a role in The Actors Group's "Shadowland," opening April 11. Hormann-Alper is Davis' grandmother; that production is being directed by Melinda Maltby, Joyce's daughter. Bumatai, however, is not related to any of the others mentioned here. ...

Christine Yasunaga, producer of "Destination: Groove Dance Hawaii," launches the second season with a 6 to 10 p.m. April 10 celebration at Doraku Sushi (which is formally holding its grand opening) at the Royal Hawaiian Center. Admission is $100; incudes an Anne Namba fashion show, Doraku food stations, art by Gary Hostallero, dance exhibitions by Albert Franz and Jerome Ramos, and feats by Matzman the Magician. For tickets, e-mail christineyasunaga@yahoo.com ...

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.