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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, August 30, 2009

Kodamas' housewarming party draws some local celebs


By Wayne Harada

Big housewarming party a few nights back at D.K. and Lori Kodama's new home. Delish kau kau, family and friends, some local celebs, too — like Daniel Dae Kim (Jin on ABC's "Lost" and partner in D.K.'s The Counter burger restaurant) and his wife Mia, KGMB weather guy Guy Hagi and wife Kim Gennaula. Most ingenious food station? The marinated vegetables, fruit, crackers and CHEESE; the Kodamas' three children all have appetizing names — Brie, Chev and Cashel — so Lori identified each with a photo of the kids. Too cute! ... 

Actor Naveen Andrews, Sayid on "Lost," was shopping at Whole Foods in Kahala a few days back. Wonder if he had a burger at The Counter a few doors away? ...

Good to see Jorge Garcia, Hurley on "Lost," doing a public service announcement with reading advocate Wally Amos for Friends of the Hawaii Public Library. When notables promote community endeavors, it enhances their residency quotient. ...

STATEHOOD SHORTS: Carmen Sarmiento, who was a songleader at Baldwin High School 50 years ago, returned to the Valley Isle for her "statehood class" reunion at the Maui Beach Hotel last weekend and led (like she did many times in high school) the singing of the alma mater. Now Carmen Haugen, she and hubby Keith performed at the reunion banquet and gifted schoolmates with a Keith & Carmen CD. ...

Hotelier Ed Hubennette, VP of Marriott International, hosted a party at the Ritz Carlton Battery Park's rooftop terrace with views of the Statue of Liberty, at a Statehood Day celebration in New York. Ex-pats Paul Guanzon of WINS, Shari Matsuo of Elite Modeling Agency, Roman Young of Wilhelmina Modeling Agency, talent agent Thuy Tran of Michele Filomeno and Katrina Dobarro of WPP Advertising were among those there, along with media. Keo Woolford of Robert Cazimero's Halau Na Kamalei provided a solo show and Maui chef Beverly Gannon prepared pupu delights. Local Marriott rep Bernie Caalim and Elliot Mills of the Kaua'i Marriott were on hand to promote the chain's "Tweet Yourself 2 Hawaii" continuing campaign (go to www.marriotthawaii.com) ...

DISC-CUSSIONS: Ho'okena's new CD, "Nani Mau Loa — Everlasting Beauty," is the first by the group to be released digitally via iTunes, with an in-store appearance pegged for September. A track of interest: "Ka Ni'o o Maleka 'Ailana," a tribute to President Barack Obama, inspired by Ho'okena's earlier performance of "Hawai'i Aloha" for then-candidate Obama, who commented, "Hey, I know that song," at the Kahala Hotel. ...

REMEMBRANCES: Folks abroad are still mourning the death Aug. 20 of publicist Elissa Josephsohn. Kevin Gray, who was one of "The Three Phantoms" Josephsohn promoted here (and Scar in "The Lion King") said: "We all feel this loss so deeply and personally, but that is nothing compared with the loss felt by the arts community in Hawai'i, who have had an incredible advocate for so many years. She created a family of artists in Honolulu, who she supported and defended to her final day. She was very tough and tenacious, but if you were the beneficiary of her powerful spirit, you had a Guardian Angel ... There can never be another Lisa." ...

 And Toronto-based Ronald Andrew, coaxed by Josephsohn to produce shows like "Cats," "Les Misérables," "Phantom of the Opera" and "Miss Saigon" here, said: "She had incredible passion for theater and was instrumental in working with producers to bring shows to Honolulu. Like a mother, she made you feel like family." ...

"A Hard Act to Follow," a celebration of her life to be produced by Broadway actor Richard Vida and Hawai'i Theatre artistic director Burton White, is set for 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 25 at Hawai'i Theatre. ...

And that's Show Biz. ...

Read his blog at http://showandtellhawaii.honadvblogs.com.