Month: October 2026

“Honu by the Sea,” the Hawaii-produced original environmental musical by Johnson Enos, will celebrate its 10th anniversary residency at the Tokyo Sea Life Park with performances on Oct. 10, 11, and 12. Indeed, it’s big homecoming weekend for the production and its creator.

The conservation-savvy musical, featuring Enos’ original music and lyrics, will be staged for the first time since its hiatus in 2019.

“Honu by the Sea,” created by the prolific Hawaii resident, combines storytelling which embraces concerns about the environment, and features marine life characters who sing and dance to Enos’ compositions to introduce youthful audiences to the important message of marine conservation. The show made its debut in 2016 and will be marking its fifth appearance at the Sea Life Park.

Honu is the Hawaiian name for sea turtle, and for the 10th anniversary, Marlise Ahuna will reprise the role of Lehua, Mama Honu, which she originated in the 2012 premiere performance at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. For this run, she will perform alongside her daughter Clara, who is enacting Malia.

“Honu,” set ‘neath the waters of Hawaii, tracks Kainoa, a teen surfer from Waikiki, who is granted a wish to spend one day undersea, after helping a magical sea star return to the ocean. Thus, Kainoa meets wondrous critters under the sea, including Hula Hoop the octopus, Shaka the crab, Kapper the seahorse, and the denizens of the deep teach Kainoa about the importance of protecting marine life and keeping the ocean free of plastic water bottles.

Seven songs will be featured in the anniversary show, including a few with Japanese lyrics. 

A highlight will be “Remember,” which will be heard in Japan for the first time. The tune, about caring for and protecting the ocean, was released in an extended version for World Oceans Day in 2020, featuring cast members and images from Honu’s performances around the world. 

Also returning: “Ocean Cleanup Parade,” an opportunity for interactive participation with youngsters in the audience joining the cast to help clean up trash from beneath the sea. It’s a learn-by-doing moment.

“I’m so grateful to the partners and audiences in Japan who have welcomed us,” said Enos. “The heart of the show has always been simple: use music and theater to help kids understand why taking care of our ocean matters. It means a lot to return to Tokyo Sea Life Park and celebrate this anniversary where our Japan journey began.”

Performances will be at the outdoor Sky Plaza at Tokyo’s Sea Life Park.

Multiple performances are set Oct. 10, 11 and 12; prevailing park admission includes a performance; park admission will be waived on Oct. 10 to mark the park’s anniversary.–

And that’s Show Biz…

Josh Allen, the popular quarterback of the Buffalo Bills, was quite taken and thrilled when island singer-actress Auli‘i Cravalho, of “Moana” fame, rendered the National Anthem at the Bills’ inaugural home game at the new Highmark Stadium in Buffalo last Sept. 17.

“Do you know who this is? It’s the voice of Moana,” Allen whispered to the Bills’ head coach, Joe Brady, when the anthem was rendered. For whatever reason, Allen wanted his teammates and coaching staff that he knew Cravalho’s voice from the popular hit Disney film. He recalled her voice since she voiced the Moana character, in the original animated film.

It was logical that Allen – a superstar quarterback – would know a film figure like Cravalho since he has a young daughter, Harper Haize, who happens to be fan of Cravalho and she likely adored the movie and her voice, just like daddy.

Must’ve been be a motivational omen to have Cravalho sing the “Star-Spangled Banner.”  The Bills played the Detroit Lions and the home team won, 41 to 31 Allen scored five touchdowns, throwing three and rushing another two into the end zone.

Harper’s mom and Josh’s wife, actress Hailee Steinfeld, is having a good run in her DIY Dress TV commercial. She’s the one who cuts up a luxurious sectional sofa to create her own original gown…

From the Spider-Man Web

Hawaii’s Jacob Batalon, the sidekick Ned Leeds to Tom Holland’s Peter Parker from the “Spider-Man” film series, got married to Veronica Leahov, an interior designer, in France recently.  It was their second ceremony, since they tied the knot earlier. Here’s how People magazine reported the marriage…without mentioning the three-day (Aug. 25 to 27) event.
Maui’s Destin Daniel  Cretton directed the latest “Super-Man: Brand  New Day” hit film…

Shari Berenobis dies

Sorry to report the unexpected death of Shari Floyd Berinobis, wife of entertainer Tito Berinobis, the longtime performer at the Chart House.

Shari, a familiar face in the audience of numerous shows, died Oct. 3 at a hospital. She was always at the Chart House and she regularly took in Robert Cazimero’s serenades at Chef Chai, where I last saw her this summer. She had heart issues and suffered a heart attack last year, but apparently she was too weak to combat a bout with pneumonia and the Covid virus. May a flight of angels accompany her in her flight to the heavens…

Note worthy

Another second tribute celebration, FIJI Fest Hawaii,  is set for Nov. 21 at  at the Aloha Stadium parking lot. It’s likely to echo the “A Hui Hou”  memorial held last year at the Tom Moffatt Waikiki Shell, to remember the legacy of Fiji, the beloved reggae entertainer whose formal name was George Veikoso…

Gail Mack and Gordon Kim are assembling their musical buddies for shows in the weeks ahead. The gigs are from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 16 at The Edge at 31 N. Pauahi St.; call (808) 888-3228;  and a Christmas show  and dance, from 5:30 p.m. Nov. 28 at Mango  St.; call (808) 621-5451). Performers will include Gail and Gordon, Lance, Keith and Bobby, and others…

And that’s Show Biz..