BLUES BROTHER: Afatia Thompson, billed simply as Afatia, drew a sellout of 800 recently when he staged his "5:54" concert at Treasure Island in Las Vegas. With a cast of 16, including Miss Hawai'i Pilialoha Gaison (who performed her Miss America talent-winning Tahitian dance) and four other ladies from the Tihati cast at the Ainahau Ballroom of the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani hotel, they swiftly dropped hula and Polynesian rhythms for the heat and fury of hip-hop and rhythm 'n' blues, which are Afatia's forte. Tony Ruivivar and his Society of Seven colleagues (still at the Flamingo showroom) offered their support; Afatia attracted two busloads of fans — one from Utah, one from California — and is poised for national exposure because a record label associated with Universal is eager to distribute his CD. ...

Afatia's mom, Cha Thompson, accompanied maestro Matt Catingub and wife Vicky to Samoa the past few days, where he was to receive honors from the Samoan government and also research the roots of his late mother, jazz singer Mavis Rivers. ....

NIGHT WATCH: Crooner Danny Couch finally has found his way back to Waikiki, performing at 7 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at the Ainahau Ballroom of the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani hotel. Couch, known for his "These Islands" hit, which was the theme song for the 1998 Miss Universe Pageant, previously performed at the PK from 1989 to 1997. ...

Pianist Kit Samson now performs from 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays at the Ala Moana hotel's Mahina Lounge; Paul Conrad mans the ivories on Saturdays. The hotel has reduced performance hours, with no entertainment week nights. Samson still does Wednesdays at the Waikiki Yacht Club and Sundays at The Kahala resort. ...

TRAVEL LOG: When Hapa played Merkin Hall, at Goodman House's Kaufman Center recently in New York, Barry Flanagan and Nathan Aweau were thrilled that Broadway vet (and Tony winner) Tommy Tune was in attendance — and the fact that the concert coincided with the 80th birthday of Barry's mom, Rose Flanagan. "Boy, is he tall," Barry said of the lanky Tune. Aweau had an immense Carnegie Deli sandwich before the show, and quipped: "I had to take a nap after eating it." The concert included tunes that Flanagan said would be included in a Broadway musical, "Koa, the Polynesian Journey," which is in development for an opening in seven years. Hapa now is touring the Northwest and will conclude its tour April 21 on Maui. ...

Still glowing with memories, 35 Diamond Head Theatre Shooting Stars are home from a whirlwind Broadway visit that included performances of "Wicked" and "Mary Poppins" en masse, smaller groups opting for "Phantom of the Opera" (with a backstage tour, courtesy Melanie Tojio Lockyer's husband Peter, who plays Raoul), "Les Miserables" (with a backstage chat with Hawai'i cast member Doug Kreeger and Lea Salonga, playing Eponine) and "Beauty and the Beast" (with a backstage tour arranged by "Beast" swing, David Spangenthal). A performance for Rosie's Broadway Kids, with New York and Island kids chiming in on "Lullaby of Broadway," was a chicken-skin moment. ...

TRADE WINDS: Local boy Robert Kiyosaki, co-author with Donald Trump of "Why We Want You To Be Rich," visits John Noland (K108 AM) between 8 and 10 a.m. today to talk story, then does a book signing at 7 p.m. at the Kahala Barnes & Noble. Kiyosaki is known for his motivational "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" series. ...

Teen golf sensation Tadd Fujikawa won the longest drive contest at a Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts tournament, with Patti Kimi Woodd the female winner. Cyril Pahinui won for putting and tourney winners were Rick Davis, Jim Mansell and Leland Lindsey. Alas, Davis lost his 7 iron on the Klipper Course, so the finder should contact the HARA office at the Musicians Union building. ...

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.