Entertainer Raiatea Helm, who's on a Mainland tour this week, has a whole new look. With a sassy 'do, shimmering, smoky makeup and red carpet-ready gowns, she has made the transition from tomboy to diva.

Stylist Ralph Malani first saw Helm at the Hoku Awards three years ago and thought she was absolutely beautiful but was not doing herself justice with "long straight hula hair." He yearned to get his hands on Helm's hair. Finally, he did.

Malani, who works at Aveda Salon & Spa in Ala Moana Center, said the first time Helm came into the salon, she was wearing board shorts, an oversized T-shirt and rubber slippers. She looked "like a cute little boy," he said.

During recent years Malani has given Helm different hair colors and convinced her to let him cut considerable length from her locks, as well as adding layers. Her latest look is a chic A-line bob, a style currently popular with celebs such as Victoria Beckham, Katie Holmes and Rihanna. "I love it," Malani said. "It makes her look taller and shows off her beautiful neck and shoulders."

Now Malani describes Helm, 23, as "a sassy, sexy, fashionable young lady. When she comes into the salon now she's wearing high heels, a summer dress and full makeup. She struts now; she feels so much more confident."

We caught up with Helm as she was packing for her Mainland tour. She said she grew up on Moloka'i as a tomboy, with two older brothers and all male cousins. On Moloka'i, she said, "We dress not to impress." So when she hit the Honolulu scene at age 15, it was a bit of a culture shock, fashion-wise.

The first time Malani approached her about cutting her hair, all she could think was: "My mom's gonna kill me. If not, my dad's gonna kill me," Helm said with a chuckle.

Japan's fashion-forward attitude has influenced Helm in recent years. She has visited Japan 20 times and said, "I love how they change all the time and they're just so fashion-driven."

Helm's dresses were created by Kapolei resident Kini Zamora (who simply uses "Kini" as his design moniker), a local designer who recently returned from auditioning for "Project Runway." (No, he didn't get in. More about that in another story.)

Kini found Helm to be the ideal client. "She's a perfect body type. She's not a mannequin; she's real," he said. He found her exceedingly easy to work with: "Her spirit made me feel comfortable and she let me have freedom with my designs."

And no worries: Helm said she still wears board shorts and oversized T-shirts when she goes home to Moloka'i. Hey, you can take the girl out of Moloka'i. ...