Category: Reviews

Two generations of the Tihati ‘ohana share their rarely-discussed stories of love and faith on “Living Hope,” New Hope Hawaii’s new TV magazine series airing this holiday season.

The Tihati founders, Jack and Cha Thompson, open up their home and hearts, along with their successors, Afatia Thompson and Misty Thompson Tufono, in conversations with hosts John Tilton and Dawn O’Brien, in seven unprecedented screenings this weekend (see box), the second of a new series of programming.

“It’s about good news in challenging times,” said Tilton, new leader of New Hope and a former employee of Tihati Productions, about Tihati’s struggles amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which shut down operations for more than 18 months until the company’s Polynesian shows reopened when visitors finally started to arrive in Hawaii.

Thus, it’s a rare glimpse of dad and mom and son and daughter, revealing how their Tihati Productions company – the state’s and world’s largest entertainment-producing organization for 52 years – is deeply rooted in religion and family values.

Faith is the glue that bonds the Tihati tradition; commitment to ‘ohana is the framework of its success.

As Cha declares about the religious orientation, “Give to the Lord first and he will come through.”

As Jack remembers, “We have to thank someone or something,” about their good fortunes then and now.

Their revelations suit the theme of New Hope’s series of “Living Hope,” with pastor Tilton and Dawn O’Brien co-hosting.

God and prayers have been part of the Tihati spirit for decades, when inspiration hit the Farrington High School sweethearts one night. They went shopping/searching for a church, and set anchor at a Pearl Harbor home of worship. Since then, the church is where there is a need, like hotel show spaces where performers conduct Bible studies and offer prayers before and following each performance.

As Jack “Tithai” puts it, “we give to the Lord first and he would come through,” a sentiment that has prevailed ever since the company was launched. Through his South Seas Christian Ministry, Tihati has provided support and kokua to independent Samoa for 34 years, arranging for natives to receive medical supplies, creating water tanks to families, and building or rebuilding churches to continue the work of God.

‘LIVING HOPE’ AIRDATES

12:30 p.m. Dec. 24, KITV

6:30 p.m. Dec. 24, KHII

8:30 p.m. Dec. 25, KHON

10:30 p.m. Dec. 25, KITV

9:30 a.m. Dec. 26, CW

6:30 p.m. Dec. 26, KHII

10:30 p.m. Dec. 26, KHON

Son Afatia, now Tihati president, and his sister Misty, now vice president, continue the gift of caring and giving, having lived and learned the ways of Tihati as youngsters with ringside seats growing up in a show biz family. “Being onstage, growing up in hotels…we thought that was normal,” says Misty.

“God has helped us weather this storm (of the pandemic) and we remain faithful in his plan,” says Afatia.

Misty says Psalm 46:10 in the Bible – “Be still” – is her inspiration. “In the fear, we will worship.” she explains.

The show includes a few vintage photos of Jack and Cha, back in the day, and should have included an archival clip of a live Tihati performance to provide visual evidence of the pulse of the company’s livehood: hula, mele, otea from the Polynesian resources that give the Tihati brand a sound and moving foundation.

However, there’s live music, to conclude the TV chat, as Afa sings “I Will Worship” on the front lawn of his parents’ Portlock home, surrounded by ‘ohana singing, dancing (Cha, in a sit-down hula from a queen’s chair), or listening on the front porch. For the holiday season, and befitting the Tihati message: a family that plays together, stays together, and prays together …

And that’s Show Biz. …

Fellowship.

That’s the modes operandi at Chef Chai’s, when singer-pianist Robert Cazimero is in the limelight.

Cazimero opened a rare five-night run last night (Dec. 15) at the restaurant; normally, it’s a monthly one-night Full Moon Concert, but he’s chirping and tickling the ivories for multi-evenings because it’s the Christmas season.

His serenades are informal, impromptu and inviting.  Folks go not just for the food by chef Chai Chaowasaree, but for Cazimero’s patter and chatter, with livingroom informaliy. Indeed, it’s like a yuletide family reunion – everyone’s at ease, chuckling, listening and whispering with goodwill and cheer.

It’s more piano bar than showroom stuff, and you never know who’ll show up or not.

On this eve, Cazimero’s lone hula dancer was Bully Keola Makaiau, because partner Sky Perkins Gora had family visiting and took the night off. She’s likely to be aboard tonight.

No matter. With family in  the house, Cazimero sister Kanoe, aka Tootsie, was one of two from-the-audience hula stylists who obliged and danced.

This kind of unplanned trysts provide spontaneity and surprise treats.

With the prevailing holiday mood, Cazimero shared a list of Christmas carols and seasonal tunes. One of his faves, “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear,” had a wistful tone. There was quiet, attentive goodwill on “Christmas Song” (“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire”) and audience sing-along on the novelty flashback tune, “The Chipmunk Song” (“Christmas, Christmas time is near”). Then it was another moment of solitude with “Christmas Waltz.”

Yep, he did his “At Home in the Islands,” a signature for Cazimero as well as the tune’s composer, Henry Kapono, and the pendulum swayed to place-specific local tunes, from the comedic “Cock-eyed Mayor of Kaunakakai” to  the romantic  “Hanalei Moon,” prefaced with a mention that he returned home the day earlier from Kauai.

He shared one tune from his new “Mine” CD, “Hakipu‘u,”with anecdotal mention of Mary Kawena Puku‘i years ago had the lyrics but no melody, so Cazimero composed the song with her lyrics. Sitting an arm’s reach from Kuana Torres Kahele, himself a prolific singer-composer-musician, Cazimero got an assist when Kahele chimed in, without a mike but hearable, and even helped the guy on the piano with lyrics when there was a brief stumble. For the record, Kahele co-produced the “Mine” album, and possibly can sing the entire songlist of Cazimero compositions.

It’s that kind of fellowship that prevails at a Cazimero evening.

He’ll perform through Sunday (Dec. 19), but full houses are anticipated so make reservations at 585-0011. …

And that’s Show Biz ,,,

Robert Cazimero’s new CD, entitled “Mine,” clearly is a labor of love. It’s his first solo disc in years, the first in collaboration with the prolific singer-musician Kuana Torres Kahele and Marcus Turner (Kahele’s partner in life and in music).

The CD arrives in the midst of the holiday season, so looms as a perfect stocking stuffer gift that will keep on giving throughout the years to come.

Simply, “Mine” is  alive with a trove of original tunes composed by Cazimero, rich in memories and reflection, about moods, places, and themes Hawaiian.

With Cazimero’s piano accompaniment augmented by Kahele’s upright bass and guitar presence of Imua Garza, the disc assembles a warm vision and tone suited to the singer’s identifying vocal dynamics in mostly cozy stance..

There’s a lot to embrace and the new compositions provide a cluster of potential hula melodies awaiting movements and interpretation by hula dancers.

A batch of “place” atmospheric songs is quickly contagious:

* “Nu‘uanu Poina ‘Ole” is an homage to the cool area of refreshing rain and fragrant scents of blossoms, amid astonishing cliffs and history of Kaniakapupu, a house of royalty.

* “’Anini Mine” reflects with poetic Hawaiian lyrics a memory of a dancer in gentle rain.

* “Manoaakalani” relates to a glorious and hospitable home where clouds and breezes are plentiful, rain falls freely, all protected by the arch of rainbow.

* “Ka Pali Hotel (Kama‘aina)” paints a picture of the waterfalls of Waikahalulu, the comforts of a Pali Hotel and its verdant gardens.

The reflections of bygone memories appear to flow gently and easily if you’ve lived a rich life influenced by the joys of nature fueled by your imagination and savvy to articulate these flashbacks in new mele.

Cazimero, of course, has been a prolific and productive trouper in the show biz scene here, headlining  in Waikiki showrooms in his prime with his late brother, Roland, and in recent times, providing intimate songfests  in smaller performance spaces.

 He opens a five-night engagement tonight (Dec. 15) at Chef Chai’s on Kapiolani Boulevard and likely will perform a tune or two from “Mine,” mixed with repertoire faves and perhaps a sprinkle of holiday tunes. Christmas is a joyous time to reflect, and it’s his favorite season. …

Blue Christmas

With Christmas a-coming and some folks eager to party hearty (with facemasks and vaccination proof, of course), Blue Note Hawaii at the Outrigger Waikiki has a slate of local acts in the days ahead:

• Frank DeLima, at 7 p.m. today (Dec. 15). This will be the only time and place to witness his inimitable Filipino Christmas parody clad in a Christmas tree costume that lights up.
• Paula Fuga, at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday (Dec. 17-18).
• Jake Shimabukuro, at 6 and 8:30 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday (Decl 19-21).
• “A Charlie Brown Christmas” with Mike Lewis and Friends, at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday (Dec. 22).

For reservations, visit www.bluenotehawaii.com …

And that’s Show Biz. …

In her final live performance of 2021, singer Shari Lynn continues to be a consummate songbird others can learn from.

She illuminates any tune she sings, investing an actress’ stance in interpretation, storytelling with lyrics that give melodies substance and breadth.

Her passion is luminous, as she brightens and heightens a song with her elocution and expressive delivery.

In her Medici’s at Manoa Marketplace gig last night (Dec. 10), she opted to stage a mixed bag of a show without sacrificing relevance. It’s the holiday season, so yes, there were a few Christmas pauses, with mentions of that Claus named Santa.  But the artist in her didn’t pause or miss the opportunity to put her imprint on exceptional songs with stellar lyrics, from two creators passionate of the tradition of tough, revelatory words to accompany infectious melodies for the brave souls willing to sing ‘em.

Thus, her pair of tributes to the late Stephen Sondheim, the prolific creator of some of Broadway’s brightest and innovative shows who died on Nov. 26, and Dave Frishberg, the underappreciated jazz pianist and composer who passed on Nov. 17.

The homages were powerfully honest and pure, reflecting differing styles that challenge the performer and in her hands, their diverse songs reflected an invisible bond.

The Sondheim section included the inevitable, the reflective “Send in the Clown” from “A Little Night Music,” about ill-fated love that perhaps is his most popular title, plus the rousing Mama Rose’s show-stopper, “Some People,” from “Gypsy,” with all the histrionics and body language befitting an artist who has done the show and the tune and continues to celebrate their allure.

The Frishberg  collection included “I Can’t Take You Nowhere,” which might be bad grammar, but with tongue-twisting words, plus “My Attorney Bernie,” a fun piece about an attorney.

The opening song, an instrumental version of “O Christmas Tree” rendered by pianist Jim Howard and bassist Bruce Hamada, was solemn and mood-setting, soon diverting to a jazz version of “Santa Baby,” serious and seductive, unlike the wildly uproarous Jewish/Christmas parody that has become one of Shari’s trademark this time of year. Yep, she’s officially Jewish but practices the vows of Christmas complete with multiple decorated trees at home.

Her interpretation of a Barbra Streisand holiday album track,”The Best Gift,” again demonstrated her savvy in extending lyrics into smart tale-sharing, and yep, there was a skosh of Barb in her delivery.

Her onetime, longtime accompanist, keyboarder Don Conover, took the stage by playing piano on a medley of “Remember/Toyland,” a sweet cameo from the past.

Her parody of “My Favorite Things,” with hilarious and insane lyrics, was clearly and grandly goofy and fun.

An advocate of the Great American Songbook, Shari dusted off a couple of “standards,” like  “The Best Is Yet to Come,” the Peggy Lee-composed “I Love Being Here With You” and “On the Sunny Side of the Street,” tossing  in a hana hou in “Here’s To Love.”

With pandemic protocols lowering for restaurants and clubs, perhaps Medici’s should eliminate the plastic curtain fronting the stage. The see-through shield is a major distraction now; it’s like watching a show through shower curtains. Face masks, of course, still are necessary to attend. …

And that’s Show Biz. …