Wayne Harada always seemed like a deity. He could make an entertainer's career, sprinkle star dust on their name, give a Harada seal of approval to a new show in town, lift up an unknown to new heights. To get mentioned in his Show Biz column is like getting the call to the big league. If Wayne Harada knows who you are, your existence is validated, your talent confirmed.

What a shock to meet this powerful star maker and find that in person, he's such a nice guy. Sweet even. Uncle-ish — the smart, funny uncle who knows everything but isn't a know-it-all.

I had started hatching the plot for the musical "You Somebody" before I met Wayne. The story line involved a fame-starved stage mother determined to get her name — or the name of one of her kids, she doesn't really care which one — into Wayne Harada's column. It was intended to be a broad, exaggerated comedy.

Once the play was officially on the season for Diamond Head Theater, I had to tell Wayne about it. Gulp. Uh, I'm writing this play and it's kind of about you. And it's supposed to be funny. You don't mind, right?

Bless his heart, he never even asked to see an advance copy of the script. Bless his heart even more, he came to opening night, sat through jokes at his expense and over-the-top tributes to his name, and never rolled his eyes or acted like he was going to wring my neck.

After the performance, he went backstage to say hi to the cast. He had little hand-made gifts for everyone — and I mean everyone, even the performers who didn't get lines. He was tickled by the whole thing, but somehow didn't take any of the jokes personally or get puffed up by the homage. He handled it as he has with other public displays of adoration, with grace and humility.

As an entertainment writer, that grace was extended to his stories. He never flexed by purposely writing snarky reviews. He didn't get an ego boost by ripping up a performance. Not that he was an easy grader. If Harada said a show was good, you knew it was solid. If he said the second act fell flat, you knew that was the truth.

It is hard to say goodbye to him as he retires. He is one of the most productive, knowledgeable, dedicated journalists Hawai'i has ever known. He is a deity, but a wise and benevolent one, and he has been the god of Hawai'i entertainment for more than 40 years. Thankfully, he will continue to write a Sunday Show Biz column.

When you Google Wayne Harada, thousands of hits come up. Few are about him. They're all stories he wrote about someone else. That pretty much sums him up.

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.