Author: Wayne Harada

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PORTUGUESE AND PROUD. VERY.

It was a luncheon I’ll never forget. My wife Vi and I hosted Glenn Medeiros and Frank DeLima for a holiday lunch – and gabfest – a few days ago, since neither had seen the other in a coon’s age.

We love these two guys, and their pleasantries on and off stage, so we assembled at Gyotaku Niu Valley, for informal Japanese food.

Oh. What. Fun.

You do recall that Medeiros and DeLima worked together in Waikiki, at the Polynesian Palace, now long gone. Medeiros was a hot crooner with a national hit recording, and DeLima a presiding hottie himself, as the Prince of Portuguese comedy.

Glenn Medeiros and Frank DeLima: Brotherly bond.

Updates and factoids:

Current status: GM, president of Saint Louis School; FDL, on hiatus from his stand-up comedy and school tours of motivational talks via his student enrichment program.

Things I didn’t know: GM still hosts and sings at the Hale Koa’s luau shows four nights a week; FDL recently did a show for local clergy at the Hawaii Prince Hotel, appearing as his fictional Catholic character, Cardinal Vermicelli.

Claim to fame: GM, appeared on Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show,” singing his national hit tune, “Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love for You” on national television; FDL, a gig at The Noodle Shop triggered a recording/nightclub career that included hits like “Lucille” and “Waimea Lullaby.”

Little known fact: GM, besides his SL leadership, he’s teaching grad school courses for Chaminade University; FDL, has a dilemma, since his opu has grown, widening his girth so the Velcro  on his sash/belt for his Pope’s outfit needs to be updated.

They share a bond of  brotherhood: GM and FDL share a bond for life; they roar at each other’s jokes; the former recalls specific show moments (“if you make a mistake in a show, and the audience loves it, keep it in”) and FDL is like an older bro. And they are undeniably committed to Catholicism and education; FDL was a seminary student but opted to serve his mission in life as a comedian in his school of hearty laughter…

Restaurant tidbits

It’s again an open and shut restaurant climate in Hawaii Kai. At the Koko Marina Center,  Heavenly is a newbie, next door to the earlier reopened Assaggio. And Fat Boy’s also has reopened its door after renovation.

But down the Kalanianaole Highway corridor, Scratch apparently can’t fight the low tide traffic, and will shut down at the end of the year, at the former Outback locale…

Secret’s out

Robert Cazimero’s two Christmas concerts at the Leeward Community College Theatre featured a dancing dinosaur during the “Me and My Teddy Bear” sequence.

The kumu hula declined to reveal the identity of his halau member doing the frolicking dance moments, so we’ll tell you now, as an aftermath of the secret.

It was Kaipo Dudoit (pictured), son of Horace and Nani Dudoit, who also played the violin in the yule show.

Dudoit indeed is versatile – he sings, too, as all halau members do, too – but he’s also an actor, now awaiting a January production reboot, playing surfer dude David Kawena, in Disney’s live-action “Lilo and Stitch,” which had been halted due to the SAG-AFTRA strike earlier this year and since resolved…

And that’s Show Biz…

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THE THREE R’S OF HO‘OKENA

Ho‘okena’s Christmas residency at Blue Note Hawaii – the group did two shows Sunday (Dec. 17) at the club at the Outrigger Waikiki – was rich in values, robust in mele and hula, and radiant in lasting power.

I took in the 4 p.m. performance (vs. the 7:30 p.m. show) and was amazed and impressed with the content and command demonstrated by Horace Dudoit III (12-string guitar), Chris Kamaka (standup bass fiddle) and Glen Smith (slack key guitar). For added power, Aron Nelson guested on keyboards, and of course, Nani Dudoit’s (pictured below, right) hula contributions and Maila Gibson-Bandmann’s (pictured below, left) guest vocals provided substantial dance and vocal fireworks.

Few combos have the depth and skills to pull off a mixed repertoire of traditional Hawaiiana and familiar favorites from the yuletide repertoire. And impressively, all members of Ho‘okena have vocal  potency, as soloists as well as a trio. Their rendering of “Ku‘uipo I Ka He‘e Pu‘e One” – the rich harmonics, the high and low notes, the chemistry of togetherness– was a late-in-the-show keeper.

This time of the year, Ho‘okena and Maila  share the No. 1 holiday melody (“The Prayer,” the popular Celine Dion-Andrea Bocelli hit), but they wisley energized  and localized it with Hawaiian lyrics, elevating the appeal and octane. Smartly, “The Prayer” was the obvious save-the-best-for-last offering, before all left the stage, and exquisitely, Nani’s solo hula provided the grace and eloquence of the pseudo-religious ballad.

The Dudoits have learned well from mentor Robert Cazimero, over the decades. She was Robert’s and brother Roland’s hula soloist, in the era when the Royal Hawaiian Hotel’s Monarch Room boasted an island attraction. Also, Horace’s earlier residency as one of the dancers in kumu hula Robert’s Halau Na Kamalei (now Lililehua) also has had deep-rooted impact.

The band, from left: Kamaka, Nelson, Dudoit, Smith.

Ho‘okena’s show is casual, but also retained the discipline and mission to deliver authentic and aspirational momentum. It’s alternately fun, consistently fabulous, thanks to the talent on view.

“Home for the Holidays,” the opening tune, was sort of the theme for the evening. The popular tune fronted a medley that instantly identified with Hawaii, featuring “Aloha and a Mele Kalikimaka” and the omnipresent “Mele Kalikimaka.” “Mele Kalikimaka Ei Nei” and “Mele Kalikimaka Ia Kakou” followed a bit later, but that’s not redundancy  —  these are mele that reflect the island yule experience.

Hula family, from left: Kaipo, Nalani and Horace Dudoit.

One of the sweetest segments was when Kaipo Dudoit – son of Nani and Horace – joinied his parents to hula on “Makee Ailana,” a song about the Waikiki region where the Honolulu Zoo parking lot sits today. This kind of spontaneous familial unity is reflective of performers here.

Ditto, the participation of Nani’s haumana (hula students) from her Halau Kaleilehuaikealoonalani on “Rose Lauli‘i, and the contingent of Halau Ka Lei Papahi o Kakuhihewa from Maui on the popular Kui Lee composition, “Lahainaluna.”

Maila, an infrequent guest artist with Ho‘okena, had a one-two wallop in a two-song segment, the first tune reflecting her Karen Carpenter stance on “Merry Christmas Darling,” which truly is a lady’s (not gent’s) solo number, with an enrapturing, silky glow. “Midnight Train to Georgia,” an unlike holiday tune, was dedicated to the memory of her late dad (his fave song), and she put a soulful, blues stamp on the tune, with Nani among the back-up singers, offering rousing Gladys Knight-and-the-Pips notes, and splendid “woo-woo” train vibes.

Finally, though we’ve annually heard Horace’s tale about “The Song of Christmas,” also penned by Kui Lee, it’s worth chuckling again about his early confusion about its lyrics, about Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights), which was foreign to him years ago. It’s a genuine chortle to hear his story again and again…

And that’s Show Biz….

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FINAL EVENING OF HOLLY-JOLLY

Robert Cazimero owns December; his recent two-night stand Dec. 9 and 10 at Leeward Community College Theatre, plus his ongoing Full Moon Concert at Chef Chai’s, which began Dec. 13 and concludes with the final performance tonight (Dec. 17), makes him the Santa of yuletide songs.

Gift yourself with reservations; if space remains, take in the finale. You’ll also enjoy chef Chai Chaowasaree’s bountiful meal, and you’ll frolic in Cazimero’s antics, charm, and artistry.

At his keyboard at Chai’s, Cazimero is flying solo, though his customary dancers, Bully and Fern were challenged last night to hula in tight aisles, since diners are plentiful, with servers delivering meals, and a lovely but large Christmas tree (bathed in red) standing majestically amid the crowded space.

Happily, the coziness works and a celebratory posture prevails.

‘Tis the jolly-holly season, and Cazimero, the kumu hula of Halau Na Kamalei o Lililehua, is serenading packed houses in performances that may lack theatrics (think Leeward Community College) but not talent. Cazimero puts as much oomph into his solo serenades as he does when he’s orchestrating daunting, larger hula spectacles with his gents.

Cazimero sings, Bully dances amid crowded aisles.

Take last night. Since he focused on a repertoire of holiday tunes – a huge chunk of island melodies, as well as traditional mainstream classics – there won’t be any songs totally unknown to you.

From “Jolly Holly Christmas,” his opening number, till “Mele Kalikimaka,” his closing tune that turned into an audience sing-along, Cazimero  shared 20 songs over nearly 90 minutes, personalizing each melody to suit his style.

Many vocals seemed to become part of a medley, not necessarily logical, but the mood felt like Cazimero was weaving a lei, with an orchid here, a plumeria there, resulting in satisfaction for the artist and his audience.

Spontaneity was the bottom line. “Winter Wonderland” followed “Holly Jolly,” and “E Kuu Morning Dew” followed “Wonderland,” which was followed by “Hawaiian Santa.”

Then from left field, the pidgin English “What’s a Matter You Last Night” (local seniors will rejoice upon hearing it) popped in, for gentle laughs, with “Christmas in Hawaii” completing this thread.

Any show mixing the Alvin and the Chipmunks hit, “Christmas Don’t Be Late” from way back then and “Drinking Champagne” by Myra English, the local fave when toasting drinks, reflects under-appreciated brilliance. Few ever sing these ditties anymore. So it’s a touch of genius to encounter some forgotten gems.

Cazimero tapped the yuletide library to cherry-pick his choices. His Hawaiian songbook was rich with some obvious titles, including “Christmas in Hawaii”  and “Aloha Kalikimaka,” and his traditional list featured the likes of “White Christmas,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” and a stunning “Away in a Manger.”

Amid the carefree fun, Cazimero managed to include a precious Hawaiian number, Kahauanu Lake “Pua Lililehua,” written for his kumu hula wife, Maiki Aiu Lake, boasting unparalleled beauty and authenticity. And isn’t Lililehua now part of the name of his halau?

Of course, he may abandon some songs and replace titles as he sees fit, so don’t anticipate the same playlist tonight. Whatever Cazimero programs, you’re bound to find yuletide cheer and goodwill befitting Christmas.

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Robert Cazimero’s Full Moon Concert, Christmas Edition

When: 6:30 p.m. today; dinner served from 5:30 p.m.

Where: Chef Chai’s.

Cost: $99, includes show and complete meal.

Reservations: (808) 585-0011 or Open Table at https://www.opentable.com/neighborhood/hawaii/honolulu-restaurants

Broadway grosses, for week ending Dec. 10

Two musicals — “The Lion King” and “Wicked”: continue to be in Broadway’s $2 million club.

The Top 10 shows, for the week ending Dec. 10:

1 –”The Lion King,” $2,408 million.

2—“Wicked,” $2,263 million.

3—”Merrily We Roll Along,” $1,923 million.

4 – “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” $1,845 million.

5–  “Hamilton,” $1,824 million,

6– “MJ The Musical,” $1,722 million.

7—”Aladdin,” $1,542 million.

8 –”Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” $1,463 million.

9 –”Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” $1,413 million.

10—“Back To The Future: The Musical,” $1,338 million.

The complete list, courtesy The Broadway League:

And that’s Show Biz..

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REMEMBRANCES 0F PAST CHRISTMASES

Here’s the thing: You’ve been singing Christmas songs and carols for a long time.

But have you experienced some of the haps in these melodies?

I started paying attention to some standard holiday numbers … and concluded that there are some haps in some tunes that are gaps in my life.

Let me count ‘em as I found ‘em.

1 – In “Jingle Bells,” the lyrics refer to “a one-horse open sleigh.” I know what a sleigh is, but it’s something totally out of my realm in Honolulu.

2 – “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” mentions figgy pudding. Huh? Never had ‘em, only know it from this song. You probably don’t know figgy pudding either; so, I Googled and learned that it is a rich boiled pudding, made from flour, suet, figs and other dried fruit. Not to be confused with the Christmas-time fruit cake.

3 – The countdown in “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is overwhelmingly foreign to my actual experiences. I’ve seen drummers drumming, but not 12 altogether. Never experienced nine pipers piping, nor 10 leaping lords. Nine ladies dancing? Yes, think hula halau maidens. But never milking ladies, not even one, so forget eight. Swans are not plentiful here, so seeing seven a-swimming, nada. Six laying geese, never. But five golden rings, yes, in jewelry stores. But no, no. no, no, no to four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.

4 – “We Three Kings” is about gifts for the new-born king. Gold is notable and widely familiar.  But I’ve not seen frankincense nor myrrh.

5—Kui Lee’s Christmas tune, “The Song for Christmas,” is heavenly-bright, and favored by numerous Hawaii performs. It mentions ”Aurora Borealis,” the formal name of the Northern Lights, which brighten the skies. Alas, I’ve never once experienced this gift of nature, though know what it is.

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Did you have bubble lights on your Christmas tree, back in the past?

They are still available today, mostly via online, and they’re considered retro now.

Frankly, these lights feature liquid-filled tubes representing candles. As the lights warm up, the liquid bubbles, hence bubble lights.

The problem: these lights are heavy and would often sag on lean branches, so they require thicker branches.   Norfolk pine might be suitable  for bubble lights.

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Before there was Ala Moana Center – and the subsequent smaller malls in suburbia – there was downtown Honolulu.

For Christmas shopping, the family got into the ol’ sedan, and drove to Fort Street, where Liberty House was anchored. We’d visit, not just for gift-shopping, but also to see the annual holiday show in the LH windows. Peeking from the sidewalks was not an issue; this was the only game in town.

Of course, downtown was home to McInerny, Ritz Store, Kress, Woolworth, and Hub. But Liberty House was the magnet.

Fort Street was wholly open – cars could travel from King Street to Beretania – so the small Fort Street Mall came later, though operative today, minus the “name” destinations.

And downtown King Street had overhead decorations which lit up at night; not a big thing now, but then, it was the bomb.

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Over at Beretania, Sears Roebuck was the mammoth newcomer retailer – and boasted the first escalators, a vital installation at all multi-level retailer since. Escalators! Moving stairs, up and down. And at Christmas, Sears staged an outdoor holiday show going above the main entryway, and families watched from the parking lot. Such pageantry doesn’t exist anymore…

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And remember the Christmas-painted buses in seasons past? HRT (Honolulu Rapid Transit) had a few buses painted with holiday cheer. As kids, we wanted to catch one, of course, instead of the bland regular buses, and I recall these holiday buses only operated on the main route, between Waikiki and either (maybe both?) routes to Kalihi and Liliha.