That’s why whenever I do my holiday lapel pins, I strive to offer a range of images and styles to suit all palates.
Generally, cute works. For Halloween, a fiercely spooky image might be off-putting, where a dog with a jack-o-lantern or a baby dressed as a pumpkin might win favors over, say, a sketch of a ferocious Frankenstein.
My pins are generally 2×2 inches. And size can matter, too.
Further, whenever possible, I try to do a series of wee pins – with images and artwork as small as 1×1 – if doable. Some folks favor undersized whimsy.
That said, this year’s Halloween pins have been distributed, for the most part, though I’m in the final stage of getting the remainder sent or delivered to folks who are eager to see what’s in store this year.
So, an early shout-out for a Happy Halloween. May there be more goodies than ghoulies in your midst.
The fall season for Hawaii’s theater community brings two acclaimed productions this weekend. One is very appealing and time-tested for local — or loco — palates, with previous sell-out runs at Kumu Kahua Theatre. The other is a Tony Award-winning musical, making its Hawaii debut and bustling with feel-good feelings, inspired by the life-changing after effects of 9/11.
Playwright Lee Cataluna.
Manoa Valley Theatre is reinventing Lee Cataluna’s beloved comedy, “Da Mayah,” which explores the hijinks of a shady Hilo mayah – that’s mayor, in pidgin. The laugh-filled local-style political shenanigans opened last night (Sept. 11). And I believe this is Cataluna’s debut at MVT; welcome, dear prolific one — better late than never.
Diamond Head Theatre presents the island premiere of “Come From Away,” a true and timely 9/11 story of humanity about the residents of Gander, Newfoundland, which welcomed 38 airborne flights to land in their airports when other airports were locked up and shut down during the tragic bombings of New York’s Twin Towers. The drama opens tonight (Sept. 12).
Due to public demand for tickets – many performances are virtually sold out — MVT has already tacked on two extended playdates, at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4 and 3 pm. Oct. 5; if you seek seats, this would be where you’ll find ‘em.
DHT’s “Come From Away” should attract theater-goers, too. The announced run should end Sept. 28, but an extension for a couple more shows could happen.
The cast of “Da Mayah,” at Manoa Valley Theatre.
The “Mayah” cast features politics, secrets, and plenty of mishaps collide in Hilo with a shady new mayor, his stressed-out assistant, a bumbling hitman, and a karaoke bar owner who’s seen it all. The talented cast includes Devon Nekoba, Elexis Draine, Matthew Miller, Karen Kuioka Hironaga, Stu Hirayama, Juvy Lucina, and Sharon Garcia Doyle.
Themes of politics, secrets, and mishaps galore collide in Hilo with a questionable new mayor, his stressed-out assistant, a bumbling hitman, and a karaoke bar owner.
“Come From Away,” written by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, features Howard Bishop, Andrew Erwin, Kalani Hicks, Samuel Tofolo, Isiah Gundermann Graham,Jarren Amian, Vanessa Manuel-Mazullo,Courtney Watanabe, Leleaʻe “Buffy” Kahalepuna-Wong, Ainsley Shearer, and Chelsea LeValley.
Imagine if you’re landed in an unfamiliar turf, without your luggage and become friends with your giving, kind Gander folks, who provide shelter and kindness and rescue you with an outpouring of unexpected aloha spirit while America, and the world, were rewriting the nature of travel amid the fiendish skies.
Real-life Hawaii chef Vikram Garg (right) visited Diamond Head Theatre; he’s a character in “Come.”
The DHT cast met with Vikram Garg, a real-life global restaurateur, of UMI at Halepuna Waikiki Hotel, who had a front seat in the Newfoundland situation, creating meals and fellowship and hope, and he wound up as a character in the tale of resilience, sharing, and caring. On Sept. 11, DHT welcomed first responders to take in the musical, which features gentle folk-rock music in the spirit of healing during a dark time in history.
For MVT tickets, call (808) 988-6131.
For DHT tickets, call (808) 733-0274.
‘Hamilton’ is where it’s still happening
“Hamilton” still rules, and Leslie Odom, back in the show as Aaron Burr, surely is the reason. “Wicked” still is defying gravity, as both “Hamilton” and “Wicked” dominate the $2 million club.
The Top 10:
1—”Hamilton,”$2.150 million
2—“Wicked,” $2.005 million
3–“Mamma Mia!,” $1.503 million
4—“The Lion King,” $1.451 million
5—“Art,” $1.263 million
6—”Maybe Happy Ending,” $1.234 million
7—”Just In Time,” $1.217 million
8—“Oh, Mary!,” $1.213 million
9—”Death Becomes Her,” $1.164 million
10—”John Proctor is the Villain,” $1.054 million
The full list, for the week ending Sept. 7, courtesy the Broadway League:
Leave it to comedian Frank DeLima, who either has too much time or too little patience, who’s been monitoring how Hurricane Kiko has been prancing over the seas.
Thus, his latest parody has emerged. From his new Las Vegas residency, he’s been monitoring the current windy/rainy/humid weather in our midst the past few days.Thus, his latest parody has emerged. From his new Las Vegas residency, he’s been monitoring the current windy/rainy/humid weather in our midst the past few days.
So he put on his thinking cap to create his newest refrain, “Hurricane Kiko,” with his usual lingo, exploring the winds and erratic rain dancing and prancing in our midst. No hurricane, happily.
Frank DeLima
If the name of the current visiting weather visitor sounds familiar, it should be; weather officials have tapped the name Kiko and has been utilized it for 14 earlier cyclonic storms in the past.
The current visitor which has been threatening us in Hawaii this year had origins in the Eastern Pacific and swished its way to our zone in the Central Pacific. And happily, it moved north and away from the Hawaiian islands, so we’re no longer in jeopardy.
Kiko is neither Japanese nor Hawaiian, but qualifies as a hapa happening — half Japanese, half Hawaiian. According to Wikipedia, Kiko in Japanese is a feminine name meaning “child of joy” or “happy child.” In Hawaiian, there’s neutrality; kiko as a spot or speck, and has been tapped as a name for Hawaiian monk seal, so it’s a versatile monicker.
Back to DeLima: he’s transformed the tune, “Born on the Bayou,” which was an earlier Creedence Clearwater Revival hit, with an original swamp-rock effect. It’s wholly different from DeLima’s delightful and fun version.
DeLima’s anthem is a bouncy beaut; he laments that Kiko is not fun, a son of a gun, and with his multi-language skills, he even works in “ikimasho,” meaning let’s go in Japanese.
Further, David Kauahikaua, DeLima’s longtime partner and savior in prepping and fine-tuning these parodies, turns in a stellar instrumental blanket for this effort.
So “ikimasho,” let’s tune in to DeLima’s ditty, before Kiko sails too far away.
Can’t share the “Hurricane Kiko” video here, since posting a video is a no-can-doer in this column. To view the video, visit my Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/wayne.harada.5
Robert Uluwehi Cazimero, veteran entertainer and award-winning kumu hula, will celebrate five decades of music and hula with an unprecedented two-part event, “My Hawaiian Souvenirs,” next month.
Cazimero, the unparalleled creator of Hawaiian mele, chants and ‘olelo via popular recordings and performances, will showcase the history of his incredible and indelible accomplishments over the past 50 years.
Robert Cazimero at the keyboard ; he’s marking his 50th anniversary.
He’ll share the limelight and journey with a treasure chest of familiar vocals and instrumentals with his award-winning hula institution, Halau Na Kamalei O Lililehua.
Reflecting on his journey through song and dance, Cazimero said, ”I thank my parents (William Ka’aihue Cazimero, Sr. and Elizabeth Kapeka Meheula) for nurturing us, for my voice, and especially for giving us a great work ethic and appreciation of music.”
Maiki Aiu Lake
“As far as dance is concerned, I would be nothing without Maiki. That’s a given.” Maiki, of course, is his visionary kumu hula Maiki Aiu Lake, whose inspired teachings have made a lasting impact on his own stewardship of his own halau.
The two shows will be a recapitulation, laced with memories and reflection, and will tap several eras of Cazimero’s artistry, including the years when Robert was part of the duo The Brothers Cazimero with his late brother, Roland Cazimero, as an award-winning Na Hoku Hanahano Award-winning act, and as the kumu of Halau Na Kamalei, a two-time winner of the prestigious Merrie Monarch Festival.
Halau Na Kamalei O Lililehua, in a May Day concert at Bishop Museum.
The riches of songs and dances could not fit in a single show, so hence the two-fer format. The pair of concerts will be staged at what has emerged as Cazimero’s and Na Kamalei’s key venue, the Leeward Community Theatre at Leeward Community College in Pearl City.
The fund-raising concerts, with separate admissions, will be presented by the Wahea Foundation, one in the evening, the other in the afternoon:
Act 1 will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct.11.
Act 2 will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct.12.
“Putting the shows together for October? Tough!,” he said. “Lots of material to choose from, trying to make old things new and exciting again? Trippy! But talking story with people every day helps the creativity flow. Gotta love it.”
The Brothers Cazimero, with Robert and bro Roland.
Roland was an innovative musical gem, who learned how to command the upright bass and guitar, creating a splendid niche for his rock and folk destinations inspired by the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Crosby, Stills & Nash; he taught his pianist-kumu hula brother how to perform on upright bass, an instrument Robert has shelved as a solo musician-singer since Roland’s passing.
Robert’s diversity has been evident in such mammoth spectacles as May Day at the Waikiki Shell and Bishop Museum, holiday concerts in the round at the Blaisdell Arena, a career-high gig at Carnegie Hall in New York City, and private parties at Mahi Beamer’s home in Malaekahana.
His hula milestones include the big wins in his first and final Merrie Monarch competitions, in 1976 and in 2025.
The contents of the October shows have not been revealed, but will embrace the Cazimero style of staging, incorporating drama, comedy and storytelling skills and usually with guest artists from the vast circle of Cazimero-Na Kamalei supporters.
Tickets are $100, available at www.waheafoundation.org
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Also, another round of “merry” shows is coming up in December, when Cazimero unwraps his annual holiday gift of Christmas serenades at Chef Chai’s.
Robert at Chef Chai’s: Christmas shows in December.
He’ll be at the piano as usual, at 6:30 p.m Dec. 16 to 20. The performance customarily runs for 60 to 90 minutes, but if the champagne glasses are filled, again and again, the show could be extended.
The usual dinner service from 5:30 p.m. will precede the shows. Space is limited, so reserve seats early. Price will be $125 per person.
Though Halloween is more than a month away, we’ve competed our project of producing lapel pins. Lots of ’em.
Which means folks on our mailing list are now beginning to receive mini-parcels of pins accentuated by images of ghouls, jack-o-lanterns, and oher icons of the bewitching season.
You’ll note, too, that the 2025 packaging is visually different — a sleeker format — with the pins snugly nestled in our usual celephane bag, without the crinkle of the past and minus a bow. This saves time, a bit of money and space. But not so much money; postal fees have spiraled; what was a $1.99 fee to mail a box of several pins a decade ago now is $6.00 (local) or $8.00 or more. The first mailing of 10 or 12 mini-boxes totaled $100. And subsequent mailings will include 80 to 85 boxes — and that’s just the postage!
Christmas, the jolliest of all seasons, could be the finale for distributing Wild Pins.
