Former Honolulan Dean Pitchford's first novel, "The Big One-Oh," has been selected for the South Carolina Book Awards 2008-09 Master List, which means the children's novel, based on the award-winning Broadway composer's growing-up time in the Islands, will be among those read by youths in that state. The kids read selections from the recommended list, then vote for their faves, and the list ultimately becomes a reference for other schools and libraries in determining what's reader appropriate for youths.

"The sound you're hearing is furniture breaking, as I cartwheel in my office," said Pitchford upon learning about his "One-Oh" pick. You may know Pitchford from his Saint Louis days and as the award-winning composer of tunes from "Fame" and "Footloose." ...

HITHER 'N' YON: Watch for a resurgence of Rap Reiplinger CD and DVD sales, once "Rap's Hawaii," a compilation and theatrical presentation of his popular 1970s-'80s comedic sketches, is staged by Honolulu Theatre for Youth beginning March 7 at Tenney Theatre, Saint Andrew's Cathedral. HTY has been touring a cut-back version at local schools and libraries, and not surprisingly, the performances — with Charlie Timtim donning Reiplinger-like Afro wig, though company actors Pomai Lopez and Kimo Kaona also take RR leads, like when Kaona performs the lone song in the show, "Fate Yanagi" — are receiving an overwhelming thumbs-up. For some, it's a first-time exposure to the vintage material, assembled by Lee Cataluna, and directed for the stage by Harry Wong III. For others, it's a stroll down memory lane; likely, it's the parents of the kids who savor the chestnuts. If you recall "Room Service," you're a certified Rap rooter. ...

The Feb. 18 People magazine had tidbits on folks with Island connections: Elizabeth Mitchell, the mystery woman of "Lost," who abandoned The Others to join the castaways; Jack Johnson, the North Shore's most famous singing surfer dude, whose "Sleep Through the Static" got a lukewarm CD review; and Laird Hamilton, the world-class surfer, and his volleyball star wife, Gabrielle Reece Hamilton, showing off six-week-old daughter Brody Jo at a North Shore beach. ...

Johnson's CD has bumped Israel Kamakawiwo'ole off the No. 1 spot in local sales. ...

TRADE WINDS: Isle actress Julia Nickson, who got national exposure when she appeared in Sylvester Stallone's "Rambo: First Blood Part II," just finished a film with Sanoe Lake ("Blue Crush"), another Islander, titled "Half Life." It's directed by Jennifer Phang, who combines live action and animation in the story about a single mom trying to keep it all together while the world around her crumbles. The film received some buzz at the recent Sundance Film Festival. Nickson's daughter, China Soul (with ex-husband David Soul, Hutch in "Starsky and Hutch"), now is attending the University of London, Royal Holloway. Julia's sister, Jane Nickson, still lives in Hawai'i, so Julia visits when time allows. ...

NICE GESTURE: The "Cirque Hawai'i" cast, performing at the Cirque Hawai'i Theatre in Waikiki, invited 60 members of "Hawai'i Theatre Follies: Les Mardi Gras" to its production. "Nice for another show to treat the cast," said "Follies" director Jack Cione. ...

WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Wheaties might be the breakfast of champions, but Ruth's Chris Steak House was the dinner of one champ — Champ Bailey, that is. He's the Denver Broncos Pro Bowler...

On another eve, OC16's Bernadette Baraquio and hubby Rick Hamada of KHVH Radio enjoyed dinner with their two children at Ruth's Chris. And Groundhog Day birthday lad David Buck and hapai wife Meghan also were Ruth's diners. ...

At a Chinese New Year's celebration at Hong Kong Harbor View Seafood Restaurant, owner Li May Tang greeted such guests as Taiwanese opera singer Cinderella Liao and actor-politico Lenny Klompus; and belatedly, on another night, 40 residents from the new Hokua condo danced and delved into karaoke after a 10-course meal. Now that's stamina. ...

AROUND TOWN: In the audience at his sold-out Fia Fia! lu'au recently at Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club, comedian-host Chief Sielu Avea publicly recognized his old friends Eddie and Charlotte Sax, founders of the Honolulu Comedy Club (1988-1995). Their working relationship dates to the days when Avea worked days at the Polynesian Cultural Center's Samoan Village while quietly moonlighting a few evenings each week at the Saxes' Waikiki club. ...

Shirley Walker, who just got her pre-med degree from Hawai'i Pacific University, is back to singing full time with Joy Waikoloa at Coconut Willy's. She's taking a year off from vet school to sing. ...

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.