When publicist David Patterson, who operates the PRstore at Puck's Alley in Mo'ili'ili, was asked by his L.A.-based acting-coach sister Rebecca Kitt to host of one her Hawai'i-bound ex-students recently, Patterson obliged — not knowing he was going to meet a Hollywood hunk. See, his sister worked on "Tropic Thunder," the Ben Stiller film, and wanted Patterson to share aloha with actor Matt Long and his TV-reporter-wife Lora while they were vacationing here recently.

So Patterson and his PR associate, B.J. Whitman, brought the couple to Spices restaurant across the street. Whitman asked Long about his acting credits, and he mentioned "Sydney White" and "Ghost Riders"; Patterson called his teenage daughter Channing to see if she heard about Matt Long. (Good advice for unknowing parents.)

"Why?" Channing asked. "Because I am having lunch with him right now." So she started screaming: "He's hot! You have to take a picture of him and get his autograph." Long, by now, was cracking up; he's from Kentucky and not so Hollywood-inclined. Long made sure he sent Channing a photo — and even picked up the lunch tab. They stayed on the North Shore for 10 days, so you might have spotted them. Long's one wish: He hopes to find a role on "Lost." ...

MAVRO-LOUS: Speaking of "Lost": Evangeline Lilly, who plays Kate on the ABC series, enjoyed a quiet dinner at Chef Mavro and raved to George Mavrothalassitis that she was glad she found the six-course spring menu. ...

A contingent of Honolulu Symphony who's who also descended on Chef Mavro after the Sunday finale of the season. At one long convivial table, the diners included concertmaster Ignace "Iggy" Jang, guest conductor Naoto Otomo and family, and musicians Jim Moffitt, Nancy Masaki and Greg Wrenn, hosted by Dr. Kumi Naiki and Paul Lemke. The party agreed that pastry chef Hiromi Okura's chilled rhubarb soup with strawberry shave ice was a highlight. ...

At separate tables: Mark Wong and Guy Merola, who had other symphony-goers in tow, celebrating Wong's birthday and his organ performance for the Saint-Saens finale. ...

HERE 'N' THERE: Maui filmmaker Kenneth K. Martinez Burgmaier and his Jazz Alley TV/Maui Reflections Films production company have been commissioned to direct and produce two 60-second Hawaiian Airlines in-flight spots for Beverly Gannon's Maui eateries, Hali'imaile General Store and Joe's in Wailea. The Hali'imaile spot will feature music by Maui's Tom Conway, "Black Forest Jam." Sounds so foodie-oriented, no? "Being selected by one of Maui's top chefs and restaurants is an exciting challenge and we love seeing our work on Hawaiian Airlines," said Martinez Burgmaier. ...

Jack Cione reports that his longtime pal, Tavana, he of the Polynesian shows of yesteryear, is planning a July visit — and wants to stage a show with Samoan, Tahitian and South Seas music, for old times' sake. "We were competitors," said Cione, who had Le Boom Boom happening in the International Market Place, with Tavana ensconced at the Banyan Courtyard of the Moana Hotel. ...

ABOUT PEOPLE: Actor Ned Van Zandt will present a comic monologue, "So Glad" (penned by Van Zandt and William M. Hoffman — the latter of "As Is" fame), at the launch of the Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival, at 7 p.m. today at Doris Duke Theatre, Honolulu Academy of Arts. Van Zandt won a 1999 Drama Desk Award for his role with Kevin Spacey in "The Iceman Cometh." The opening night film twinbill pairs "Thirteen Or So," a short about two married straights who have a romantic affair, and "Shelter," the main feature about two surfers struggling with identity, family and friendship. Tickets: $12. ...

Maunalua — the trio composed of Bruce Spencer, Bobby Moderow Jr. and Kahi Kaonohi — has joined the Mountain Apple Co. The group's "Ho'okanaka" CD is up for three Na Hoku Hanohano Awards on June 17 — Group of the Year, Hawaiian Album of the Year and Entertainer of the Year. Maunalua's partnership with Mountain Apple should continue to be fruitful — further tapping into its contemporary spin on traditional mele. ...

Manoa DNA — the threesome featuring Lloyd, Nick and Alex Kawakami — heard about its two Hoku noms for Contemporary Album of the Year and liner notes while touring Japan with Hawaii Tourism Japan. Alex composed the HTJ theme song, "Discover Aloha With Me," which earned lots of exposure on Japan radio and TV. Upon coming home, Manoa DNA was tapped by Gaylord Holomalia and Avex Studio to record a version of the Tiki Room theme song for Tokyo Disneyland, part of a compilation of Disney songs performed by other local acts. ...

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.