Category: Show Biz

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EVE DEBUT FOR KAPONO’S LOUNGE

The indefatigable Henry Kapono, who already wears several hats, has been donning a new one and is ready for a formal launch on  New Year’s Eve.

Kapono, easily Hawaii’s most prolific working entertainer, already is involved with his Henry Kapono Foundation. But his new gig, Kapono’s at The Lounge in partnership with Island Sound Studios on the waterfront at the Hawaii Kai Shopping Center in East Oahu, could be his pinnacle. He envisions it as a cultural, work and social space.

Henry Kapono, center, at Island Sound Studios aka Kapono at The Lounge

“It’s amazing to see life come full circle,” said Kapono in a statement. “Twenty years after closing Kapono’s at Aloha Tower, we’re opening a new space that celebrates what Hawaii’s music is all about — connection, creativity, and community.”

“For decades, Island Sound Studios has been a creative home for chart-topping and Grammy-winning artists,” said Bryan and Kyle Spicer, co-owners of Island Sound and partners in the endeavor. “Kapono’s at The Lounge expands that legacy into a live venue and creative hub for Hawai‘i’s music community.”

Among the plans ahead:

Aloha Fridays – A pau hana event featuring live local music, pupu service, and signature cocktails. The resource of performing talent will be from the Henry Kapono Foundation‘s On The Rise artists, which staged regular gigs on Manoa Valley Theatre’s dark nights. Aloha Fridays will be  open to the public with no cover.

Saturday Night Live Concert Series – A ticketed, up-close concert experience showcasing Hawaii’s top talent alongside select national artists.

Sunday Brunch by the Water – A lively island brunch featuring food, live music, and community connection.

Additional Experiences — Various events are planned throughout 2026 at The Lounge, from livestream performances, to private events, from open mic nights, to special artist collaborations — designed as a place and space for creativity and connection, uniting artists and audiences, in celebration of Hawai‘i’s music culture.

The stars have aligned

The studio had been a creative hub where the likes of Beyoncé, John Legend, and Eminem have laid down tracks. Its private, quiet demeanor had been an attraction for “name” talent.
 

Part of the upstairs venue, in a makai wing of the Hawaii Kai Shopping Center, where Longs Drugs is located, previously was the site of Dolly Parton’s failed on-the-marina restaurant.

When it bows on New Year’s Eve, Kapono is turning the pages to elevate the recording studio as part of a three-pronged facility: headquarters for his Henry Kapono Foundation, redubbing a night life format as Kapono’s at the Lounge, and Island Sound Studios.

“This partnership is more than a venue launch,” said Lezlee Kaʻaihue,  executive director of the Henry Kapono Foundation, and spouse of the entertainer.  “It’s about creating a true home for Hawai‘i’s music — a place where artists and audiences can come together to celebrate, uplift, and inspire.”

The presence of a music and cultural venue in a Hawaii Kai shopping center is a rare breed of a merchant, in a community that has been struggling to welcome and retain new tenants. This particular shopping destination boasts a trio of popular destinations, Longs Drugs, Safeway and McDonald’s, and if nothing else, the musical activities surely will lure a younger audience and patrons after dark.

Costco, located across the marina, is located in the Hawaii Kai Towne Center, which also is home to Ross, Roy’s Restaurant, and City Mill. The Koko Marina Shopping Center, the area’s longest existing shopping center, lost its movie theater a few years ago, but has welcomed Heavenly, a popular restaurant, and its Zippy’s is only doing take-outs, since it shut down its dining room perhaps two years ago,

The dynamics of live music in a real night club coupled with a recording studio could fetch curious folks young and old. And Kapono, a Hawaii Kai resident, is a popular, visionary entertainer who is community-savvy,

 All about Eve – New Year’s outlook:

  • The Lounge (downstairs) — An intimate, 50-seat waterfront venue with two open lanais, the sunset precedes two gourmet dinners and performances with Grammy-nominated, multi–Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner Henry Kapono & His All-Star Band (5:00–7:30 p.m. and 8:00–10:30 p.m.); culminates with a Party Set T with Alx Kawakami and The Marksmen, carrying guests into the final moments before midnight.
The Velvet Monkey speakeasy, at Kapono at The Lounge,
  • The Velvet Monkey (upstairs) — A hidden, artfully designed speakeasy with just 17 seats and a private waterfront lanai, crafted by Hollywood set designers for a vintage-meets-chic atmosphere. Opening night features two exclusive performances by powerhouse musician Tavana (5 to 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.), paired with a gourmet dinner and a curated speakeasy experience.
  • Studio B (upstairs) — A rare opportunity to celebrate inside the same recording room that has welcomed global icons including Rihanna, Jay-Z, and Alicia Keys. Normally reserved for professional sessions, this storied studio opens only for select, extraordinary occasions. For New Year’s Eve, Studio B comes alive from 10:30 p.m. to midnight with electrifying jazz saxophonist Ambrose and his three-piece band in a rare after-hours experience found nowhere else in Hawaii.
  • VIP Party— 10:30 p.m. till closing. Secure an all-access pass to roam in The Lounge, The Velvet Monkey, and Studio B; with live bands, dancing, cocktails, and all the midnight magic. Tickets limited but necessary; details and reservations at www.KaponosAtTheLounge.com

And that’s Show Biz…

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‘TWAS THE MORN OF CHRISTMAS

‘Twas the morning of Christmas

And all through the ‘aina;

Santa’s gifts were delivered

To malihini, kamaaina.

The presents were sought

With the utmost care;

No re-gifting, just the best

Of the yuletide fare.

Mayor Rick.Blandgiardi and Gov. Josh Green.

An idea for Mayor Rick Blangiardi

Involving  Gov. Josh Green:

A Swap-Your-Job Day

Might be productive and keen.

For Nicole Scherzinger

A new hit Broadway show;

One for Darren Criss, too,

Tony winners do glow.

The usual Kailua rental?

Or the new Waimanalo lair?

Barack and Michelle

Will select with great care.

An extended Vegas contract

For superstar Bruno Mars;

Plus a Super Bowl return

For the greatest of all stars.

Bruno Mars and Bette Midler

Do you constantly wish that

Bette Midler would perform here?

Not gonna happen since

The Divine one has hometown fear.

A Na Hoku nomination

For singer Kevin I;

And healthy isle snacks

He can buy and try.

For Melveen Leed, a budget

For her from-home show;

To tighten and heighten

And brighten the flow.

A new golden baton

For bandmaster Clarke Bright;

To conduct the Royal Hawaiian Band

And demonstrate his might.

For Karen Keawehawai‘i

Plenty faux flower;

To “plant” in her hair

Like one floral Aloha Tower.

A case of  Louis Vitton’s Clicquot

For Robert Cazimero;

Would fuel his club magic,

Make him a jolly good feller.

Robert Cazimero and Loretta Ables Sayre.

For Loretta Ables Sayre

A new restaurant-size oven

For her lavish cookie-fests

Which invitees are loving.

For Shari and Mary

Another Delightful TAG show;

A Broadway -Christmas menu

With the yuletide glow.

For Raiatea Helm

Christmas jazz now;

Jawaiian next?

Could be a wow!

For harmonic Na Leo

The three-gal act

New hits, new garb

Will bring chart life back.

For luminary opera star

Baritone Quinn Kelsey?

Old and new operas

And Met billing! What else-y?

Quinn Kelsey and Martin Nievera.

A return path home

For star Martin Nievera;

If not now, or soon,

It just might be never.

For the TV-film community?

A flock of series and films.

It’s been frightfully dark

No jobs means the light dims.

A new isle TV script

For Daniel Dae Kim;

He could end the drought

Plus folks just love him.

For Jason Momoa

A new Hollywood flick;

Less history, more Aquaman

With a box office kick.

Plenty Niihau shells

For lei maker Kuana Torres Kahele;

For his pal Kealii Reichel

A stash of chants and new mele.

For Marlene Sai

The First Lady of Song?

A re-born “Waikiki”

Would rule the charts—strong!

For Chef Chai Chaowasaree

Something simple, just prayers;

His hasty exit to Thailand

Has worrisome layers.

For Lee Cataluna

Standing ovations galore;

Her plays are da kine fun

Her fame will soar, soar, soar.

Lee Cataluna and Amy Hanaiali’i

For Amy Hanaiali‘i,

More theatrical creds;

As Pele in “Hi‘iaka”

She wowed ‘em, turned heads.

A fun ‘ukulele duel

With Shimabukuruo and Tolentino;

And a prize of golden strings

Plus a bottle of vino.

For Frank DeLima,

The Las Vegas retiree:

A frequent comic gig

Would be joyful. Whee!

Ho‘okena has welcomed

A new singing star;

Thus dancer Nani Dudoit

Merits a raise, or a new car?

Wonder why Olomana, Makaha Sons

Rarely perform here?

Waikiki’s simply not hiring

Pilikia, time to fear.  

For Frances Kakugawa

An author-poet pal:

“Outhouse: 2, 3” sequels

Will surely chime like hell.

For Carole Kai Onouye,

The retired fundraising gal;

She oughtta pen an autobiography

With her star power, it’ll sell.

Dr. Glenn Medeiros

Turned author this year;

He’s a man for all seasons

Merely warrants a cheer!

New and  treasured old recipes

For chef Alan Wong;

His presence at the Kahala

Will be expectedly strong.

Alan Wong and Roy Yamaguchi.

And arigato to Roy Yamaguchi

Who always has a table;

But if by chance I can’t score one?

Robbyn Shim’s able.

For Sheila Donnely Theroux,

Good health, good cheer;

Her generosity’s unchallenged

So a toast… wine or beer!

A snow storm atop Mauna Kea

Would charm that Larrin dude Jay,

So order a blizzard, Lord,

On this Christmas day.

For Audy Kimura,

Kitty litter, dog food;

He’s the pet world’s best friend

And that’s pretty darn good.

For Kika Matsumoto

A kitty named Grizabella;

And partner with a kitty

Named Most Happy Fella.

And speaking of Kitty,

There’s one named Hello;

‘Tis reserved for Rick Ornellas

And cool like red Jello.

For Jonathan Masaki

Hawaii News Now’s traffic guy;

A huge walk-in closet

For his aloha shirts. Sigh!

And speaking of Guy,

Weather/”Cheap Eats” dude;

Hagi-san provides temperatures

But no “Cheap” costs. Rude?

Kudos to Greg Zane,

Actor-choreographer-director;

His  MVT and DHT creds

Make him a true arts connector.

Greg Zane and Iam Tongi.

For ”Idol” Iam Tongi

A Grammy would be cool;

But Kalani Pe‘a’s absence

Would have to be the rule.

And finally, gratitude,

For you Mr. and Ms.

May your holiday be joyous…

And that’s Christmas Show Biz…

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ROBERT’S RED FINALE: A PICTORIAL

Robert Cazimero did his final Christmas concerts last night  (Dec. 20) at Chef Chai’s.

Several audience members – plus the performers, including Cazimero’s hula dancers Sky Perkins Gora and Keala “Bully” Makaiau – were decked in red attire. “Code Red” was the motif of Cazimero’s final performance till next year.

Robert Cazimero

I asked Bully where he found his red trousers, and he remarked “I think I got it someplace like Gap (or Old Navy) 20 years ago…and it still fits.”

Since I reviewed Cazimero’s Tuesday’s performance, I’ll bypass the usual commentary and simply share a pictorial and say the evening was a little bit of this and a little bit of that.

Sky Perkins Gora, left, and Keola “Bully” Makaiau

All week, Cazimero was testing the jingle the water glasses sing-and-chime novelty, and had Saturday’s audience tingling to “Sleigh Ride” and “J-I-N-G-L-E Bells” plus the original “Jingle Bells,” and clearly will repeat this in his next series of holiday shows.

John, Robert, me, and Vi — red–dy for Christmas.

The Haradas had red gear, too; so did our grand nephew John Rhoades.

Guest hula dancer.

There were guest hula dancers and some show biz folks like Marlene Sai and Brandy Lee in the house. ‘Twas a nice way to start a Merry Christmas around the corner,

A pictorial is shared here…

And that’s Show Biz…

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WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE YULE TUNE?

Christmas crooners, from left, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Angela Lansbury and Willie K.

Do you have a favorite Christmas song?

With so many Christmas melodies recorded years ago but annually srevived and shared  on radio during the holiday season, the choices are varied and plentiful.

Just asking…

So I’ll start the ball rolling.

For a holly jolly mood, I love “J-I-N-G-L-E Bells,” an increasingly popular December number, was recorded by both Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra (separately, of course). Its jingle is easy to remember, adorable and charming, and it’s a contagious sing-along that’s hard to resist. In my book, it surpasses the traditional “Jingle Bells,” and the spelling version is a novelty spin-off of the original number.

For solemnity and a pause from the hectic holiday rhythm, I turn to Willie K’s “O Holy Night.”  Beats any other version available. No contest, hometown loyalty aside.

For the essence of the Christmas spirit, I vote for “We Need a Little Christmas,” performed by Angela Lansbury, in Jerry Herman’s hit Broadway musical, “Mame.”  The tune establishes the holiday mood in the play’s storytelling, and has since jumped out of the soundtrack with a life and identity of its own.

A close second in the mood-maker would be “Sleigh Ride,” by Johnny Mathis,  a legendary singer, with pipes had that ring-ting-jingling mood.

Sorry, Mariah Carey:  I love “All I Want for Christmas” and you dominate the pop charts this time of year, so congrats.

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CAZIMERO’S ‘OUR LITTLE PARTY’

Robert Cazimero’s Christmas shows at Chef Chai’s will be a five-night shindig his year; the first evening was last night (Tuesday, Dec. 16) and the run continues nightly through Saturday (Dec. 20).

Already, a Christmas tree is up and decorated, and yes, ’tis the season to be jolly. No holly, but the prevailing mood is ho-ho-ho. And heightening.

If you’ve been a Cazimero/Chai’s regular, you’ll discover a few updates but mostly familiar protocols in what the kumu hula describes as “our little party.”

Robert Cazimero, right, with a familiar face/fan, Vi, aka Mrs. Harada.

Highlights and summaries:

  • The show: Standard Cazimero fare with relaxed fun; a blend of Christmas titles, local and traditional, beginning with a savvy opening: “Christmas Island,” with pauses (for no particular reason) on the Garden Island, with “Kauai, Island of Love” and “Hanohano Hanalei.” A sweet touch: “Rainbow Connection,” the Kermit classic from “Sesame Street,” with Hawaiian lyrics midway. He’s the mixologist in charge, so “White Christmas” featured solo hula by Sky Perkins Gora, segueing into “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” Keola Makaiau, aka Bully had a bouncy hula midway through the evening, but I wasn’t familiar with the title. There’s casual glee on “Jingle Bells,” or a variation thereof, which Cazimero happily discovered; it’s the infectious “J-I-N-G-L-E Bells” version, a radio favorite made fashionable annually by Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, and now parlayed into a sing-along.  Audience participation seldom fails, but a suggestion here: get the dining audience to lift a spoon and tingle their water glasses to evoke jingling joy. This chiming effect works equally well on “Silver Bells,” if Cazimero is willing to give it a try.
Cazimero, with his bubbly.
  • The tradition prevails: Cazimero’s favorite bubbly, Louis Vitton Veuve Clicquot, is the potion that fuels his engine and keeps his stamina and momentum flowing. The myth is real; Cazimero was a few moments behind his grand piano, when a waiter delivered a glass with this magical power; and whatever he’s doing or performing, he bursts into “Drinking Champagne,” his alma mater (popularized here by Myra English) for much of the evening.

A new entree at Chai’s: a prime rib option with mashed potato and veggies.
  • The menu: There are adjustments awaiting exploration. A starter appetizer is included but not necessary – the familiar chicken sate with Thai peanut sauce, plus Asian flat bread, and cucumber salad; and an elective combination pupu platter will be easier to savor than solo choices that now include butternut squash and lobster bisque and sauteed escargot and prawns with a garlic chili ginger cream sauce. Entree? My favorite and usual choice, the Mongolian style lamb chops, is still available, but now has glided to standby. I decided to try the new prime rib entrée. Splendid option for the holidays, and the waiter brought a steak knife. New dessert offering? a 30-layer green tea crepe, which I opted to have packed to take home. Advisory: Look around the room as you exit; darn nearly every table had multiple take-home bags.
  • Reservations: (808) 585-0011; cost: $125; dinner service from 5:30 p.m., show at 6:30 p.m. Validated parking available.
  • The Chai question: Chef Chai Chaowasaree relocated to Thailand, to care for his aging mother, and likely won’t return in the foreseeable future.  So Pomaikai Shishido has valiantly stepped up to carry on and replicate the flavors and finery a la Chai.
  • The future: I asked Shishido if he and Cazimero have already put their heads together for playdates in 2026. They both want to continue the serenades, but playdates have not yet been confirmed. Shishido said that Cazimero can select a suitable agenda, but these little parties likely won’t be set on Mondays and Tuesdays, because these are dark nights to give the kitchen and serving staffs nights off, per Shishido…

And that’s Show Biz…