Category: Show Biz

Posted on

UP THERE IN THE SKIES, IT’S STITCH

Images of Stitch, from “Lilo and Stitch,” will fly Hawaiian now through summer.

Stich, the sometimes-naughty blue alien from Disney’s “Lilo and Stitch” film, is hitching a ride on Hawaiian Airlines’ plane, receiving aerial exposure, now through summer.

The first aircraft  with a Stitch image, is an Airbus A330, released earlier this week. It is the first of a trio of specially designed HAL planes depicting Stitch, whose image is highly visible on the exterior of the design, all part of a partnership with Disney, whose live-action, filmed-in-Hawaii  “Lilo and Stitch” film will be released May 23.

Next week, a second aircraft, an A331, will  be painted with another Stitch image, followed with a third Stitch on a Boeing 717 debuts next month.

The second Stitch plane will arrive next week, joining Hawaiian’s iconic Pualani on the tail.

Clearly, Stitch will be a vital companion for Pualani, the steadfast woman, depicted on the tail of all Hawaiian planes.

In announcing the Disney promotion with Stitch, Hawaiian – the state’s flagship carrier – referred in a media release to Stitch’s much-quoted notion that ‘ohana (Hawaiian for family) is important, so Hawaiian noted that the Stitch presence is one form of the spirit of aloha and hospitality in the friendly skies


“At Hawaiian Airlines, Hawai‘i is our home, and we consider our guests to be our ‘ohana,” said Alisa Onishi, director of brand and culture at Hawaiian Airlines. “Our hope is that all who visit our islands feel welcomed from the moment they step onboard, just as Lilo welcomed Stitch. We’re also excited to have Stitch be our new Travel Pono ambassador through an AR experience and as the star of our in-flight video, where he learns valuable lessons on how to be a mindful visitor.”

Further, Stitch’s visibility will be inside the cabin, too, interfering with the Travel Pono in-flight video, the focus of a search-for-Stitch game, the star in several in-flight video streaming of his past TV and movie credits.  And Disney being Disney, there will be Lilo and Stitch merch to order onboard select flights and online at LogoStore.HawaiianAirlines.com …

And that’s Show Biz…

Posted on

FOX AXES ‘RESCUE,’ LAST OF SERIES

Fox’s “Rescue: HI-Surf” has been canceled after 19 episodes filmed here.

And then there were none.

With Fox cancelling the first-responder drama, “Rescue: HI-Surf,” set in the North Shore of Oahu, there no longer will be a Hawaii-based, Hawaii-shot TV series.

The series survived a one-season run – a total of 19 episodes — which concluded in March. An order for a second season is not forthcoming.

Fox picked up the show, originally destined for HBO Max, which brought life to a sinking and shrinking number of Island drama and trauma. “Rescue” tracked the life and tempo of lifeguards, who saved lives while and providing thin story lines on land. It provided some local jobs for the film industry here, since the last of the procedurals – CBS’ “NCIS: Hawaii —ceased filming last year.

Ariellle Kebbel

The “Rescue” squad featured Arielle Kebbel, Adam Demos, Robbie Magasiva, Kekoa Kekumano, Alex Aiono and Zoe Cipres. Matt Kester created the series, filmed in the famous rough waters often described as one of the world’s most treacherous turf, also served as an executive producer alongside co-showrunners John Wells and Daniel Nathanson…

Clooney is the first $4 million winner!

George Clooney

By, George, he’s done it again. George Clooney, in his Broadway debut with the drama, “Good Night, and Good Luck,” keeps breaking his (and his show’s) record again!

The show has logged an unprecedent $4 million at the box office, for the week ending May 4.

The Top 10:

1—”Good Night, and Good Luck,” $4.000 million

 2—”Othello,” $3.065 million

 3—“”Glengarry Glen Ross,” $2.336 million

4— Wicked,” $2.232 million

5—”The Lion King,” $1.999 million

6—”Hamilton,” $1.674 million

 7—”The Picture of Dorian Gray, $1.344 million

 8—”Aladdin,” $1.283 million

9—”MJ the Musical,” $1.227 million

10—”Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” $1.178 million

The entire list, courtesy the Broadway League:

And that’s Show Biz…

Posted on

JASMINE AT BLUE NOTE BREAKFAST

KSSK Radio will stage a Mother’s Day Morning Show, at 9 a.m.  Saturday (May 10) at Blue Note Hawaii at the Outrigger Waikiki resort.

The Perry & The Posse event will feature Jasmine Trias, who placed third in the third season  of “American Idol” back in 2004. Trias, who was a marquee star during her campaign to the top, is making her Blue Note debut.

Jasmine Trias, with her trademark plumeria blossom , was a marquee fave during her “American Idol” quest. She wound up in third place, and will share stories at Saturday’s KSSK Radio event.

The breakfast show, hosted by Michael W. Perry, will mix radio chit-chat with music and comedy, with in-attendance mothers celebrating Mother’s Day one day earlier (May 11) in the spotlight, too.

The program will air live on KSSK FM and AM with a roster of guest artists, including Henry Kapono, the Hawaiian Style Band with core members Bryan Kessler, Wade Cambern, and Robi Kahakalau,  comedian Andy Bumatai, Irie Love, Mindy Smokestack and Ryan Hooley.

Trias, a 17-year-old Maryknoll High School senior while seeking the “Idol” trophy, was both an early favorite and then a dubious contender, seesawing through the weekly competition. She was Hawaii’s sweetheart for much of her tenure, with island fans watching religiously and casting votes for  Trias as she weathered her rise and fall, from top of the bunch to the cellar, in a mix of exhilaration and depression.

You’d recognize Trias for the plumeria blossom regularly tucked behind her right ear; it was her on-air trademark.

 “I’m trying to make it fun here on out,” she told me in an interview as the tension was building.

As it finally turned out, Trias was third, Diana DeGardo was second, and Fantasia Barrino finished first. And curiously, this was the year that Jennifer Hudson was a competitor and placed 7th–but is the only Idol wannabe to join the elitist EGOT honoree. Hmmmm….

———————————————-

Perry and The Posse Mother’s Day Morning Show

Who: Jasmine Trias, with Henry Kapono, the Hawaiian Style Band, Andy Bumatai, Irie Love, Mindy Smokestack and Ryan Hooley; also, with KSSK’s Michael W. Perry, Karen Keawehawaii and Mandy Suganuma

When: 9 a.m. Saturday (May 10); doors open at 8 a.m. for breakfast and beverage service

Where: Blue Note Hawaii at the Outrigger Waikiki resort

Tickets: $125, premium seating; $99, loge seating; $89, bar area

Tickets: www.bluenotehawaii.com or (808) 777-4890

————————————————

Andy, Augie salute moms, too

Woooo hoooo, comics Andy Bumatai and Augie T will be back at Blue Note Hawaii at the Outrigger Waikiki resort.

Augie T, left, and Andy Bumata are titans of island comedy; they’ll do a Mother’s Day show, too.

One missing ingredient: Frank DeLima, who relocated to Las Vegas. Actually, he would have been a solo attraction, if he still lived here.

Not to worry, though, Andy and Augie are  combining their bag of gags to make moms laugh at a Mother’s Day event at 1 p.m. Mother’s Day (May 11).

Visitors who don’t “speak” pidgin might not understand the lingo, but not to worry again: the comics may haves good-natured fun with visitors…

———————————————————-

Mother’s Day with Andy Bumatai and Augie T

What: A Sunday brunch show with the pair of titans of laughter

When: 1 p..m. Sunday (May 11); doors open at 11 a.m.

Where: Blue Note Hawaii  at the Outrigger Waikiki resort

Tickets: $45, premium seating; $35, loge seating bar area, at www.bluenotehawaii.com or (808) 777-4890.

And that’s Show Biz…

Posted on

AFTER-PARTY FLAVOR AT LEI DAY

Billed as the Hawaiian Airlines May Day Concert, last night’s Lei Day extravaganza at Bishop Museum was sort of an after-party for core performers at the recent Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo.

Indeed, Robert Cazimero and his hui of kane dancers in his Halau Na Kamalei O Lililehua  swept the ‘auana and kahiko categories in the prestigious hula competition last weekend. A few numbers were repackaged for the Lei Day audience to examine and experience HNKOL’s signature choreography.

Robert Cazimero, at his white grand piano, festooned with yellow plumeria.

Clearly, some of the memorable Merrie moments still were swirling in the audience and it was Zachary Lum, Keauhou member, who wisely opined that Lei Day felt more like an “after -party” following Na Kamalei’s victories in Hilo.

Halau Na Kamalei O Lililehua, doing hula kahiko at Lei Day “after party.”

For kumu hula Cazimero, this year marks the 50th anniversary of his leadership in training hula gents, and nostalgia was part of an unstated ingredient of Lei Day. Thus, appreciation and gratitude of his own kumu way back in the day — Maiki Aiu Lake—  still resonated, even if he has potential  to become his generation’s Maiki in theory and in practice.

Cazimero, on pahu.

At 76, Cazimero’s leadership and integrity have shaped his mission in life –  he lives and breathes hula to the max, teaching men to tell stories of life through song and dance—for more than half his life. Na Kamalei always has been a rarity, boasting men who not only dance, but sing mele and chants in Hawaiian.

But a new breeze of teamwork has been evolving in recent years.

Keauhou, the trio comprising brothers Zachary Alaka‘i Lum, his brother Nicholas Keali‘i Lum, and their Kamehameha Schools classmate Jonah Kahanuola Solatorio, have   become Cazimero’s “house band,” providing splendid vocals and instrumentals. In select instances, the Lum bros dance, too – they are Na Kamalei regulars and versatility is in their DNA. Keauhou’s excellence in traditional Hawaiian mele is admirable. And Zach’s leadership and performance traits could make him a kumu over the coming years.

Zach Lum and Nick Lum: Keauhou members who also do hula.
Kuana Torres Kahele

The death of Roland Cazimero, Robert’s inventive brother whose guitar skills and harmonics were key to the duo’s sound, left a void for several years. But for several months now, Kuana Torres Kahele  — himself a prolific trouper, who sings, composes songs, and plays ukulele and guitar, and fashions lei in-between — has enriched  the Caz sound. Kahele, a guest artist,  soared in his segment with Keauhou, rendering  beautiful mele like “Ke Anu O Waimea” and “’Ohu ‘ohu O ‘ahu,” two place songs, plus “E Ku‘u Lei,” with Cazimero joining in to fortify and punctuate the duet format.

Kaipo Hale

For special events like Lei Day, Cazimero tapped his  lifetime best-buddy Kaipo Hale,   to continue to join the Caz brand, as he previously has done. He brings the riches of a robust baritone voice and composing vibrancy to the party. Hale shared “Pauoa Hula,”  about his home community; his “Pua Melia ‘Ala Onaona” brought the Royal Dance Company  to the limelight; and his “Huapala Maka Onaona” featured Na  Kamalei. Natch, Keauhou, Cazimero and  Kahele provided support.

Alin “Gunny” Hanzawa

Two halau gents had solo dance moments.  Alvin “Gunny” Hanzawa, no longer a regular but still savvy of the skills he learned, flew in from California to participate,  a rare Japanese hula dancer. And veteran Keola “Bully” Makaiau, clad in the silver-grey  hinahina, had a solo moment with power and grace, unlike his often comedic participation in the monthly Full Moon concert gig with his kumu at Chef Chai’s.

Keola “Bully” MakaiU

Other guest dancers were Kina and Kalani, so there was no shortage of kane hula, and four veteran kumu including Vicky Holt Takamine, showed the audience how the old-timers swished and sashayed with traditional decorum to share their artistry.

On a tune entitled “Ka Lehua I Milia,” Cazimero reached upper-register notes to provide his, and the evening’s, most melodic and trusty tones, belting lyrics while at his grand piano.  It was the peak — the high point — of the evening’s cadence between ‘auana and kahiko gymnastics.

The finale, “Lei Puakenikeni,” tapped everyone in the cast, combining singers and dancers and musicians in uniformed bonding, like threading puakenikeni blossoms to create an immense, fragrant lei.

And that’s Show Biz…

Posted on

OH, LEI! IT’S MAY DAY IN HAWAII!

Halau Na Kamalei O Lililehua earned Merrie Monarch hula laurels last week.

Make a lei, wear a lei, give a lei!

That’s the May Day mantra, established some time ago by The Brothers Cazimero, when they made lei, donned lei, and shared lei to celebrate Lei Day.

 Robert Uluwehionāpuaikawēkiuokalani Cazimero, the surviving brother, has been carrying on the tradition, and he’s assembling his usual roster of singers and hula dancers, to stage the Hawaiian Airlines May Day Concert, at 7 p.m. tomorrow (May 1) at the Great Lawn at Bishop Museum.

Robert Cazimero, singer-kumu hula.

Show-goers will reflect a garden of blooms, wearing lei they’ve sewn, , they’ve purchased, or braided if it’s faux lei (hey, some are gorgeous!) The dude to look for on stage is entertainer and lei-maker extraordinare Kuana Torres Kahele, who grows flowers in his yard and creates the most exquisite lei imaginable. He’ll be in the cast, so zoom in on his superative leis.

Doors open at 5 p.m. for dinner and beverage service. VIP guests will be privy to premier seating and a Hawaiian meal curated by the Highway Inn restaurant, with service terminating at 7 p.m., when the show begins. VIPs will get a drink ticket, assigned to their table number, with a Hawaiian Air lei greeting upon arrival. Other amenities will be provided by participating sponsors. Hawaiian Host, Hawaiian pie Company, and NOHO Home.

Another image of Halau Na Kamalei O Lililehua, at Merrie Monarch.

Supplementary food vendors will provide additional cravings and drinks; outside food and beverages are not allowed, so leave your ice chests and munchies at home.

Led by Cazimero, the concert also features  Keauhou, 19-time-Na Hoku Hanohano Award winners, and Cazimero’s Halau Na Kamalei O Lililehua, his dancing and singing corps of male hula dancers, which copped laurels at last week’s Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, including Kane Overall Winner, Kane Kahiko Winner and Kane  ‘Auana Winner.

Keauhou’s Zach Lum is hosting the event, and will be joined by fellow group members Nick Lum (Zach’s brother) and Jonah Solatorio.

Kuana Torres Kahele, lei-maker extraordinaire.

Other participants include Kaipo Hale, the aforementioned Kuana Torres Kahele, Keola Maka’iau, Gunnie Hanzawa, the Ladies of the Royal Dance Company and co-hosts Billy V (TV host)  and Debbie Nakanelua-Richards (director of community and cultural relations at title sponsors Hawaiian Airlines).

Expect a few surprises, too.

The Hawaiian Airlines May Day concert will be broadcast live on mele.com and KFVE. Those attending the show – and others unable to be at the live performance — may watch the telecast afterwards via abroadcast-on-demand on mele.com

Tickets: visit mele.com …

———————————————–

Kalani Pea’s May Day will be belated

Kalani Pe’a

Kalani Pe‘a, three-time Grammy Award winner, will stage his May Day concert belatedly, at 6 p.m. Saturday (May 3) at the Hawaii Theatre. Doors open at 5 p.m.

Guest artists include Sean Na‘auao, Sonny Ching, Lopaka Igarta-De Vera. Ka‘ilihiwa Vaughn-Darval, Kau‘I Kamana‘o, Kunewa Mook, Shelsea Lilia Ai, Carolee Nishi, Krystal Yamamura,  Antonio “Akoni”  Robles and five hula halau. Mele Apana will host.

Tickets $57.50 to $162.50, at www.hawaiitheatre.com 

And that’s Show Biz…