WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Janet Jackson has enlisted talented local troupers to work behind the scenes and on stage for her "20 Y.O." tour planned for 2007. Gil Duldulao of Hawai'i, her longtime choreographer, producer and friend, is aboard. Kane'ohe resident Laurel Thomson, a member of Marcelo Pacleb's 24/7 dance group, is a back-up dancer. Makeup artist Cassandra, also from Hawai'i, is involved. The three locals were with Jackson when she recently appeared on the "Today" show and "The Oprah Winfrey Show." Duldulao choreographed a bit of hula in a dance sequence performed on "Today." ...

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?: After spending jail time for campaign-spending irregularities, one-time candidate for lieutenant governor and Congress Dalton Tanonaka has returned to his career as a broadcast journalist. Now living in Indonesia, the former CNN Asia anchor is co-anchoring "Indonesia Now," a weekly English-language show on Jakarta-based Metro TV. On the show's Web site, Tanonaka says the program's mission is to "provide an honest and balanced look at what's happening here" to help erase stereotypes and misrepresentations about Indonesia. ...

AROUND TOWN: Mark Stitham, psychiatrist and sometime actor, traded in the white coat of a doctor he portrayed in the first season of ABC's "Lost" for the white duds of a minister in an episode airing Nov. 8. He worked with Evangeline Lilly and Matthew Fox and opined, "both are talented, modest and generous to their fellow actors — a fantastic combination." ...

That was KGMB's married couple, Kim Gennaula and Guy Hagi, with their keiki, Luke and Alia, enjoying "Maddy's Beach Resort" during a recent lunch. The modest but popular sandbox at Dixie Grill on Ward Avenue is named for restaurant owner Ed Wary's daughter, Maddy, who is a Hanahau'oli School first-grader. ...

GOOD DEEDS: Ho'omaika'i 2006, a Thanksgiving benefit to kokua the homeless population here, will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Kawaiaha'o Church. Performances by Na Leo, Kaukahi, Martin Pahinui, Melveen Leed, Halau Hula O Kawaiaha'o, Kawaiaha'o Church Choir and Kawaiolao-napukanileo Vocal Ensemble are on tap, with Brickwood Galuteria emceeing. Tickets are $25 for the main sanctuary, $15 for balcony seats. Call 524-8520 or Ticketmaster at (877) 750-4400 or ticketmaster.com ...

SHORTS OF SORTS: Honolulu Theatre for Youth artistic director Eric Johnson was a split personality at the "Le Masquerade" fundraiser at The Royal Hawaiian hotel Saturday night. He came as "Dan and Louise" — education director Daniel A. Kelin II and managing director Louise King Lanzilotti. What does that entail? Johnson was dressed in fashionable black ... shorts. Kelin, who is celebrating his 20th season with HTY this year, has never, ever been seen in long pants, and Louise is rarely in anything but thespian black. Next day at the sold-out opening of "Sport," Johnson sported a twist on the candy lei concept, with a knee-length lei fashioned from golf, tennis and baseballs. ...

PERSONALITIES: Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom's "Generation Hawai'i" concert Friday night at the Hawai'i Theatre was a joyous celebration of her Hawaiian roots. Gilliom paid tribute to her Tutu Jennie Napua Hanaiali'i Woodd in song and in still and video images, and to her kupuna (Auntie Genoa Keawe, Kealoha Kalama and Leina'ala Haili) who told her to wear false eyelashes befitting a diva. She did — though not without a struggle. Kalama, in the audience, also graced the stage with a hula. And yep, baby Madeline got on stage. ...

Keola Beamer has completed a short film (his story, his music) at Lucas Films. Fans can expect a DVD release shortly. ...

Brad White played pan flute on Doug Baker's forthcoming CD. White lends the sound of an Irish whistle to a hapa-haole song that Baker sings in an Irish brogue. Impressed, Baker ordered a flute from White and hopes to take lessons. ...

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.