Author: Wayne Harada

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‘Lilo & Stitch” streaming on Disney+

Summertime is over for this year. For many, the temps were uncomfortably high and stormy waters created havoc in parts of the U.S., even taking lives.

For movie buffs, notably in Hawaii, the box office champ was  “Lilo & Stitch,” a charming Disney live-action film shot here and reintroduced the world to the concept of ‘ohana.

And beginning today (Sept. 3), “Lilo & Stitch” starts streaming on

“Lilo & Stitch,” the summer’s hottest film,, now is streaming on Disney+.

Disney+, if you have signed on to this service. It surely will attract the stay-at-homers who bypass the theater experience to  discover belated joy via home viewing. Whether weather made an impact, keeping movie fans away from the cinema, is anyone’s guess.

But it’s time to reflect on this year’s summer films.

At last count,  “Lilo & Stitch,” grossed more than $3.53 billion world-wide,  short of the anticipated $4 billion mark, according to Comscore.

Surely, this was a rather lukewarm summer at the box office, compared to earlier seasons like 2023’s “Barbenheimer” match, when “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” dominated the grosses. “Lilo & Stitch” was a curiosity, but fans rallied … making it No. 1 in overall summertime grosses.

Here is a list of the top 10 summer movies in 2025, by domestic box office tallies: 

1—“Lilo & Stitch,” $423,318,538

2—“Superman,” $351,748,613

3—”Jurassic World: Rebirth,” $338,265, 613

4—“The Fantastic Four: First Step,” $265,826,18

5—“How to Train Your Dragon,” $262,774,245

6—“Mission: Impossible –The Final Reckoning,” $197,413,515

7—“Thunderbolts,” $190,274,328

8—“F1: The Movie,” $188,071,545

9—”Final Destinations: Bloodlines,” $138,130,814

10—“Weapons,” $134,602,687

Interestingly, the tale of a little Hawaiian girl, Lilo (played by Maia Kealoha) who befriends Experiment 626, aka Stitch (voiced by Chris Sanders) has warmed the hearts of viewers. The two have an unexpected relationship with highs and lows, laughter and heartache, and the journey provides shared mutual joy.

Christopher Bright

The film was directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, from a screenplay written by local boy Christopher Kekaniokalani Bright and Mike Van Waes.

Lilo and Stitch beat Superman, Tom Cruise, a flying dragon and seawater dinosaurs to steal the summer flick competition.

You can also watch the original animated feature, on the Disney channel,  and lest you forget, a live-action sequel is anticipated to be in the movie theaters in two years…

‘Hamilton’ retains No. 1 spot

As summer season ends, and vacationers exit Broadway, “Hamilton” remains atop the weekly gross list, for the week ending Aug. 31.

The Top 10:

1—“Hamilton,” $2.264 million

2—“Wicked,” $2.005 million

3—“The Lion King,” $1.875 million

4—“Mamma Mia,” $1.787 million

5—“Maybe Happy Ending,” $1.567 million

6—“Death Becomes Here,” $1.373 million

7—“MJ the Musical,” $1.333 million

8—“Oh, Mary!,” $1.234 million

9—“Just in Time,” $1,277 million

10—“The Outsiders,” “$1.198 million

FYI, the complete list of Broadway grosses, provided by the Broadway Guild, was not available at the time this column was filed…

And that’s Show Biz…

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LET’S HEAR IT FOR ‘SUNSET JAZZ’ GALS

“Let’s Hear It for the Girls,” featuring a bevy of female singers, is the theme of this year’s “Sunset Jazz,” slated on Sept. 14 at the Great Lawn of La Pietra, Hawaii School of Girls.

The stellar line up will feature Shari Lynn, event founder who is returning to the lineup of performers; the talent includes Ginai, Jeanette Trevias and Friends featuring Riya Davis, Sandy Tsukiyama and Arara de Vento, and Mary Gutzi.

Shari Lynn Acebedo

The prospects for a formidable evening, laced with a delectable menu of music, is guaranteed considering the mixed menu of jazz, favorites from the Great American Songbook, dance-friendly salsa, soulful and romantic ballads, and a cluster of Broadway melodies.

Doors open at 5 p.m. and music starts at 5:30 p.m., continuing well after the sun goes down.

Basic admission is $85 a person and includes a glass of wine and a dessert sampler. Food will be available for sale, but attendees may bring their picnic baskets and drinks.

Alternate options included table sponsorships and rolling admission tickets.

Details are available from Director of Enrollment Alaina Cunningham (808) 922-2744, ext. 106, or at admissions@lapietra.edu …
 

End of summer season causes drop in grosses

As schools reopened, signaling the end of the summer season, Broadway shows took a dip in the weekly gross meter. All the biggies took a glide, but at the of the week, “Hamilton” managed to move to No. 1 for the first time in weeks, one of only two shows in the coveted $2 million club. The other was “Wicked” at No. 2.

The Top 10:

1—”Hamilton,” $2.106 million,

2—”Wicked,” “$2.007 million,

3—”The Lion King,” $1.820 million,

4—”Mamma Mia!,” $1.785 million,

5—”Maybe Happy Ending,” $1.436 million,

6—”Death Becomes Her,” $1.331 million,

7—”Just in Time,” $1.276 million,

8—”MJ, the Musical,” $1.239 million,

9—”Oh, Mary!,” $1.174 million,

10—“Aladdin,” $1.160 million

The complete list of grosses, courtesy the Broadway League:

And that’s Show Biz…

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DELIMA TACKLES VEGAS TREASURES

Like the dice in the Las Vegas casinos, comedian Frank DeLima is on a roll.

The island comic has relocated to a senior residence in Vegas, but that hasn’t stopped him from creating his popular musical parodies. His first from the gambling capitol was the recap of the tsunami alert, which caused intense traffic jams in the islands, which DeLima brilliantly summarized in “Gridlock” to the tune of “Under the Boardwalk.”

Frank DeLima

His second, out this week, is “Las Vegas Is the Place to Be,” in which he analyzes some elements of life in the Ninth Island with his keen humorous style. The melody is a long-forgotten gem, the theme to the TV show “Green Acres,” which starred Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor (yeah, long time ago, and possibly forgotten). His intent is to pick out some pleasures of LV.

Like: “No can get hungry, cuz get three Zippys.”

Or: lots of opportunities to win moolah, thanks to “jackpots Megabucks, Power Ball numbers.”

He’s not alone, he sings, because LV boasts 50,000 folks from Hawaii Nei.

The advice, however, is to hydrate—“drink plenty water.”  With a daily check, 12 times a day, to avoid chapped lips.

Bruddah DeLima doesn’t admit, however, even while singing to his chosen melody, “Green Acres,” that ovah deya, get plenty sandy acres. No mo’ green acres.

To hear “Las Vegas Is the Place to Be,” visit my Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/wayne.harada.5 since this column format doesn’t allow video clips…

And that’s Show Biz,,,

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‘MAYBE’S’ CRISS LEAVING, RETURNING

Darren Criss, the  first Asian American to win a Tony Award for a Leading Actor in a Musical for “Maybe Happy Ending,” will take a leave of absence from the musical after Aug. 31, but will resume his role in the fall.

It was previously announced that Andrew Barth Feldman would replace Criss,  who became the first Asian American axctor to win the Tony. Criss is part Filipino and has Honolulu ties. Feldman is white – cause of the concern from some critics sinnce there’s a scarcity of Asian roles for actors.

Darren Criss

But because Criss also is a co-producer of the Korean musical, it was simple to resolve the controversy, by proclaiming his nine-weak leave will be temporary, and that he will return to the show on Nov. 5.

The Broadway cast features Helen J Shen and Criss starring as, respectively, Claire and Oliver, South Korea-based Helperbots deemed obsolete. The pair form an unlikely bond, setting off a surprising and romantic adventure,  earning its Best Musical laurels earlier this year.

Several Hawaii actors remember that Criss attended a local school, and thus qualifies as an island-winner of two Tonys this year, one for his acting, and the other for his producing…

‘Hamilton’ reclaims No. 1 spot on weekly grosses

“Hamilton,” celebrating its 10th anniversary, surged back to No. 1, earning $2.197 million.

Which means “Wicked,” which has regularly ruled the charts, dipped to No. 2.

“The Lion King,” a dependable player week after week, found itself in the No 3 slot.

And “Gypsy,” in its closing week, logged its best numbers, claiming the No. 4 position, its best week of a challenging season.

The Top 10:

1—”Hamilton,” $2.197 million

2—”Wicked,” $2.018 million

3—”The Lion King,” $1.948 million

4—”Gypsy,” $1.607 million

5—”Mamma Mia!,” $1.606 million

6—”Maybe Happy Ending,” $1.373 million

7—”Just In Time,” $1.293 million

8—”Aladdin,”  $1.273 million

9—”Death Becomes Her,” $1.238 million

10—”MJ the Musical,” $1.228 million

The complete list, courtesy the Broadway League:

And that’s Show Biz…

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ZIPPY’S KAHALA PLANS RENOVATIONS

The Zippy’s at Kahala will be shutting down, likely by year’s end or early next year, for renovations.

The Kahala waitstaff will be diverted to other branches,  surely an inconvenience.

The closure, said one waitress, will last for about three months, which means us East Siders now may have to drive to the Makiki branch of Zippy’s for a sit-down meal and chat-chat. This one’s brighter and larger than the branch in-between Zippy’s offices on King Street and Washington Middle School.

Meanwhile, the rumors persist that Zippy’s Koko Marina take-out could be shuttered like the already closed dining room…

Red velvet ice cream

It may take me quite a spell, but I’m trying to order a different ice cream flavor at each visit to Hammond’s at the Koko Marina Center.

Latest joy: Red velvet cake, mixed with vanilla ice cream.

Always loved the red velvet dessert cake (not widely available these days), so naturally, found this choice perfect for a warm afternoon treat…

Bedbugs found at Ala Moana Center food court

Why is the Ala Moana Center food court closed, you ask?

A very good reason:  It’s shut down due to bed bug infiltration.

No reopening date yet, but they’d better thoroughly spray those antiquated seats and backboards…