Elizabeth Taylor has been ensconced at the Kahala Resort, spotted by diners at Hoku's, as she was escorted in a wheelchair around the hotel lobby. Taylor's latest beau is Jason Winters, a wealthy businessman who has acquired a home here, prompting periodic Hawai'i visits. ...

Chef Mavro came out of his kitchen at his award-winning King Street restaurant one night and greeted some VIP guests, including Dr. and Mrs. Ed Shen, actress Joan Chen and husband Dr. Peter Hui (who were in town for the Hawai'i International Film Festival), Al and Charlyn Masini and Jim Nabors. ...

GOLLEE: There's yet another feather in Jim Nabors' cap. The former "Gomer Pyle" TV star and much-adored singer has been named International Celebrity Ambassador for Hawai'i by the International Variety Club Board, filling the position held for years by the late Don Ho. The Tent 50 Board presented Nabors with a heart statuette to accompany the new honor.

"We nominated Mr. Nabors for this position," said Mary Ezar, chief barker and president of Variety Club of Hawai'i, Tent 50, because "he has, through his talent, benefited not only the children of Hawai'i but of the world, along with the adults, through laughter and the beauty of his singing voice."

MELE KALIKIMAKA: "Fred Claus," the Warner Bros. holiday film starring Vince Vaughn Paul Giamatti, Kevin Spacey and Kathy Bates, opens Friday. For this one, stay until the very end — that's when Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's "Wonderful World" is heard, in a scene of a family traditionally celebrating Christmas with presents and a decorated tree. "It's nice to hear Iz's familiar soft voice and 'ukulele in this holiday setting," said Eliot Tiegel, who, with wife Bonnie, caught a press screening in L.A. The Tiegels are regular Island visitors; he is a writer-editor whose "Latinization of America: How Hispanics Are Changing the Sight and Sound of America," is due this month; she is a senior supervising producer for "Entertainment Tonight." ...

"A Christmas Gift" is the theme of Na Leo's holiday show, 7 p.m. Dec. 19-20 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village's Coral Ballroom. Guests are Keali'i Reichel, Willie K and Kaukahi, so expect to hear "Ave Maria" (from Na Leo), "Merry Christmas Darling" (Reichel) and "O Holy Night" (Willie). Don't know if Kaukahi has a signature Christmas tune yet. Tickets ($38) are on sale at www.na leo.net, www.worldsound.com or 262-6300. ...

Reichel's "Kukahi" DVD drops today, in time for holiday buying; an HD (High Definition) version is due shortly. Reichel was in San Francisco last weekend to judge the Hula Association of Northern California hula competition. ...

Tickets now are on sale for "A Cazimero Christmas," 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21-22 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 23 at the Hawai'i Theatre. The Brothers Cazimero — that's Robert and Roland — will be joined by Leina'ala Heine Kalama, Halau Na Kamalei and the Royal Dance Company in a holiday extravaganza. Tickets ($30, $40, $50 and $75) are available at 528-0506. ...

AROUND TOWN: Radio personality and country-western diva Dita Holifield was at a recent Steinlager Thursday in Compadres Ward Centre when she got the urge to sing with Kalaeloa, the house band. That made for fun for everyone at the big party (the last Thursday of the month), especially when Holifield uncorked "Looks Like We Made It." ...

Ron Gibson, honcho of the Diamond Head Crater Celebration, dined at the new Ruth's Chris Steak House at Waikiki Beach Walk a few nights back. As he was cutting his prime rib-eye, he heard a Boz Scaggs tune and recalled early ties with Scaggs: Gibson had the notion to record Scaggs with a full orchestra — the Oakland Symphony — at a time when such a collaboration was unheard of and set attendance records at Alpine Meadows. As he plans the 2008 Diamond Head Festival, collaboration might be in the offing. ...

Mary Gutzi, the Broadway performer, was in town for the March of Dimes' Governor's Ball. She recently did Aldonza in "Man of La Mancha" for North Carolina Theatre and is prepping for the role of Golde in "Fiddler on the Roof" for Syracuse Stage. ...

Out Kona way, University of Hawai'i quarterback Colt Brennan and pals touched down at the oceanfront Huggo's Restaurant for the seafood platter, crab-crusted ono and grilled scallops. ...

Remember Guy Banal and his Bon Appetit restaurant in Discovery Bay? Imagine Ed Wary's surprise when the Frenchman walked into his new Tio's Garage & Taco Station on Ward Avenue (the old Dixie Grill). Wary left the kitchen to catch up with Banal, who has traded in the kitchen for airplanes — he owns a skydiving operation on the North Shore and makes frequent jumps himself. ...

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.