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It’s aloha – like, in goodbye – for “NCIS: Hawaii.”

The CBS series – which still is rolling out its third season, with Vanessa Lachey as the first woman special-agent-in charge in the “NCIS” franchise —  was canceled today, (April 26), according to The Wrap. The finale will air at 10 p.m. May 6.

The local spin-off was launched in September 2021, toasting Lachey’s Jane Tennant role as the first female boss battling crimes from Pearl Harbor. The show also was the franchise’s first across the pond, so to speak, meaning the aloha state’s own crimes involving military personnel, would be prime time fare, upholding national security while sharing the usual visitor-popular views of the blue Pacific, the verdant mountains and valleys, and the mystic of the islands. Tropical has been an ingredient that fueled tourism for Hawaii, from the Jack Lord and Tom Selleck era.

LL COOL J, with Vanessa Lachey, were “NCIS” crimefighters here,

LL Cool J as Sam Hanna was dispatched this season, from the canceled “NCIS: Los Angeles,” a cool addition to the cast as a recurring guest star, adding fuel and manpower after appearing in the finale of season two. He joined Alex Tarrant as Kai, Noah Mills as Jesse Boone, Yasmine Al-Bustami as Lucy Tara, Jason Antoon as Ernie Malik, Tori Anderson as Kate Whistler, Kian Talan as Alex Tennant.

In recent weeks, the Hawaii cast had been was awaiting the green light, but a renewal was elusive.

Could it be that  “NCIS: Hawaii” overstayed its welcome, though it was the lone procedural filming here, following multi-seasons of reboots of “Magnum P.I.” and “Hawaii Five-0,” with a somewhat repetitive of aerial shots of Kualoa Ranch, the Koolau range, the vibrant coastlines, Waikiki, Chinatown and the North Shore waves?

However, CBS is not short of “NCIS” shows. “NCIS” (the Mark Harmon original) was renewed for its 22^nd season, and the newbie, “NCIS: Sydney” also earned a season 2. “NCIS” also has two new hybrids coming up: a prequel “Origins,” examining the youthhood of LeroyJethro Gibbs,  and an anticipated new 10-episode season, still unnamed (on Paramount+), reuniting Michael Weatherly (DiNozzo) and Cote de Pablo (Ziva) .

In TV land, everyone despises the C word. Cancellation is bad news…

And that’s Show Bjz,,,

Just Asking…

When you buy a new shirt or a pair of jeans,  do you wash ‘em  before you wear ‘em?

Most folks don’t but should.

According to experts, it’s wise to send your new clothing, even socks, into the washer and dryer for a spin before donning ‘em.

Manufacturers don’t tell you, but chemicals – including formaldehyde — might be treated on your new apparel. Chemicals can cause skin irritation or respiratory and allergic reactions, but they help keep clothes crisp en route to stores.

So, before you wear, wash!

Robert Cazimero will be the big draw on Lei Day, when island residents make a lei, wear a lei, and give a lei.

May 1 is Lei Day, or May Day, and this year there are options.

Cazimero’s biggie will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. May 1 at the Bishop Museum, where a pageantry of  hula, mele and oli will flourish beneath a huge tent. Keauhou, the award-winning powerhouse trio comprised of Zachary Alaka‘i Lum, his brother Nicholas Keali‘i Lum and their Kamehameha Schools chum Jonah Kahanuola Solatorio, will assemble to vocalize and dance, but also perform on instruments. Zachary is producing the event, which will feature pre-show festivities and entertainment from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by a two-hour revue from 7 to 9 p.m.. that will be streamed live on Mele.com, the evening’s presenters.

Cazimero, pictured, who is kumu hula of Halau Na Kamalei O Lililehua, will be at the keyboards and his halau gents, and other guest dancers, will harmonize and hula.

Tickets: $35 for general admission, and patrons can buy dinner and snacks from vendors; $50 for the show and a provided Hawaiian plate dinner, and $135 for a VIP package.

Reservations: visit mele.com …

Other Lei Day attractions:

• Karl Veto Baker and Michael Lanakila Casupang, pictured, kumu hula of Halau I Ka Wekiu, will stage a concert at 7 p.m. May 1 at the Tom Moffatt Waikiki Shell. The event will salute their kumu hula from the past, Robert Cazimero.

“But I won’t be there,” Cazimero said, when asked for comment.

Tickets: $35 to $93  at the Blaisdell Center box office  at (808) 768-5488.

• Kuana Torres Kahele, pictured, will front two May 1 concerts, at 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. at Blue Note Hawaii, at the Outrigger Waikiki resort with guest dancers Teva and Amberlee Medeiros. Doors open at 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.; dinner and beverage will be available. Tickets: $35 to $45,  at www.bluenotehawaii.com or call (808) 777-4890.

• A belated Lei Day show  starring Kalani Pe‘a, pictured, three-time Grammy winner, will unfold at 7 p. m. May 4 at the Hawaii Theatre. Guests will include vocalist Weldon Kekauoha, kumu hula Sallie Yoza and Halau ‘O Napuala‘ikauika‘iu, kumu hula Leina‘ala Pavao Jordan and Halau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina‘ala and kumu hula Keli‘iho‘omalu Puchalski and Halau Kawai‘ulaokala. Tickets:  $45 to $55; VIP package, $250,  at www.hawaiitheatre.com  or (808) 528-0506…

Hawaii Theatre events

“Music & Memories,” featuring Jerome Koko, pictured center, and the Makaha Sons, will be staged at 3 p.m. June 2 at the Hawaii Theatre.

The event is a benefit for the Alzheimer Assn. of Hawaii.

Participating island talent includes Robi Kahakalau, Kawika Kahiapo, Kimo  & Kaimi Artis, Pomaika‘i and Malie, and Kamuela & Ka‘ihi Kimokeo.

Tickets: $35 to $60, at www.hawaiitheatrecenter.com or (808) 528-0506…

“Croce Plays Croce,” at 8 p.m. May 16 at the Hawaii Theatre, features the musical legacy of the late Jim Croce.

His son, “A.J. Croce,” will share his dad’s musical hits, which includes “Time in a Bottle,” “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” and “I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song.”

Tickets: $65 to $85, at www.hawaiitheatrecenter.com or (808) 528-0506…

And that’s Show Biz…

Ezekiel Kekuna, the Kaneohe lad performing the role of Young Simba in Disney’s “The Lion King,” Broadway in Disney’s hit show, has been extended through Aug.18.

His original closing performance was to be on June 2, but he was offered to continue his role at the Minskoff Theatre, and Zeke, pictured, decided to stay.

“We are very proud of Zeke and left the decision up to him to accept or decline the extension,” said Sarahlea Gamiao Kekuna, his mom who’s been very much a part of the Broadway experience.

The extension is not related to Zeke’s injury earlier this year when he was on sick leave to mend. But clearly, the lad was determined to return to the Pridelands undergoing rigorous PT and occasional rehearsals, to rejoin his acting ‘ohana in Broadway’s No. 1 hit, week after week.

A continuous flow of islanders has been flocking to the family favorite to catch Zeke in action. But he’s double-cast in the role, so it’s pertinent to know when Zeke’s in the show.

For early summer travelers, for instance, Zeke will be in costume, singing and dancing, on these June dates:

• Wed, June 5 at 2 p.m.
• Fri, June 7 at  8 p.m.
• Sat, June 8 at 8 p.m.
• Sun, June 9 at 3 p.m.

Martin to lead ‘Salesman’ cast

Dwight Martin, pictured, former executive director at Manoa Valley Theatre, is returning to the fold – to star as Willy Loman, in Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman” playing May 23 through June 2.

The profound drama deals with a struggling salesman seeking the American Dream, but success and happiness evade him.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, and at 3 p.m. Sundays, with an additional matinee at 3 p.m. June 1.

Tickets: $25 to $46, at www.manoavalleytheatre.com and (808) 988-6131…

Broadway grosses, for week ending April 21

“The Lion King” still rules on Broadway, but “The Wiz”
is a newbie making an impressive debut.

The Top 10:

1– “The Lion King,” $2,174 million.

2—“Wicked,” $1,966 million.

3—“Hamilton,” $1,897 million.

4—“MJ the Musical,” $1,509 million.

5—“The Wiz,” $1,481 million.

6—“Moulin Rouge, the Musical,” $1,400 million.

7—“Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber on Fleet Street,” $1,391 million.

8—“Aladdin,” $1,394 million.

9—“Merrily We Roll Along,” $1,313 million.

10—“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” $1,141 million.

The complete list, courtesy the Broadway League:

And that’s Show Biz…

Al Waterson, a prolific veteran in Hawaii’s entertainment community, died from cancer Sunday night (April 21) at his Moili‘ili home, with his wife Nancy Bernal at his side. He was 77.

They have been partners and teammates in work and life for 46 years, Waterson as a versatile, beloved singer, recording artist, host, emcee, voice-over specialist and wedding officiant, appearing in such varied events Bernal was promoting, including fashion shows, circuses, and TV programs and commercials, collaborating with her role as a talent  manager of such show biz personalities as jazz man Michael Paulo and Miami-based TV anchor Jordan Segundo.

Bernal called Waterson “the best husband in the world”  and “the love of my life.” In preparing and releasing details for his obituary, Bernal said: “This is the most emotional press release that I have ever written and I never thought I would need to do this.” 

Al Waterson, consummate entertainer, has died at age 77.

Waterson was born in Honolulu on Aug. 30, 1946 and launched his entertainment career in his early 20s here, initially as a vocalist and continued performing last year, till his cancer worsened. He lived in the Midwest for some of his teen years, but otherwise resided in Honolulu for his entire life.  He served in the Marine Corps in 1966.

The couple met years ago at Opus 1, a nightclub at the Ilikai Hotel, where he was subbing for a vacationing Rene Paulo. “He was sitting at the bar, and my eye caught him, and I became a regular watching him perform,” said Bernal, who came to Hawaii from Chicago. They finally met and were together for 22 years before tying the knot, becoming lifetime friends and supporters of the Paulo family because of their significant role in their meeting.

Waterson performed nationally and internationally, bringing his voice and talent well beyond the reefs of the islands he loved. He was the featured singer for iconic band leaders like Del Courtney and Willie Barton at the icon Monarch Room of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, and he was a card-carrying member of SAG-AFTRA, enabling him to land principal roles before the CBS cameras of “Hawaii Five-O,” the original with Jack Lord and the reboot with Alex McLaughlin, and other locally-filmed shows as “Magnum P.I.” and “North Shore.”

His hosting ledger included scores of pageants, galas, festivals, craft fair shows and corporate conventions, including the likes of the Hawaii Woman Expo, Honolulu City Lights tree-lighting and Christmas parade, and “The Celebrities and Their Pets Fashion Show.”

He loved pets, especially dogs, and for 20 years, owned a food service/food truck called “The Singing Chef Munch Wagon.’

A skilled handyman, Waterson also worked on renovation projects for homes and apartments in-between entertainment jobs.

He was also a passionate videographer and enjoyed filming restaurants, parades, and other events to create and edit for viewing on his YouTube channel.

Waterson’s and Bernal’s entrepreneurial ventures included their “Al Waterson and You” talent competition for singers at old Fisherman’s Wharf for 11 years and at Don Ho’s Island Grill for 10 years.  They supported mentored, and managed aspiring artists.

A skilled handyman, Waterson also worked on renovation projects for homes and apartments in-between entertainment jobs.

He was also a passionate videographer and enjoyed filming restaurants, parades, and other events to create and edit for viewing on his YouTube channel.

Al Waterson and wife Nancy Bernal: Work and life partners.

The couple supported non-profit organizations by emceeing their events and Waterson was the sole emcee for The Ronald McDonald House Charities Hawaii Annual Gala for years. They were saluted for their charity work in 2019.

“Al always had a smile and a joke to share,” said Bernal. “It brought him so much joy to see people laugh at his jokes and enjoy life.  His positivity was contagious.”

Funeral services are pending.