ALOHA, YOU FOUND ME…
10 TIHATI SHOWS OPEN ON 3 ISLANDS
Tihati Productions, idle since last year’s statewide pandemic closure, has reopened a total of 10 shows on three islands – an indication that tourism finally is jamming again.
“We have become increasingly busy, and we can’t be more elated to be back in business,” said Afatia Thompson, Tihati president.
“To feel the volume of work increase weekly is such a tremendous blessing for us and all of our Tihati people. Feels good to be jamming again.”
The visitor industry still is struggling to back to levels before the coronavirus forced hotels, showrooms, and restaurants to close, but the sparks of life continue to brighten and widen in the hospitality. The airlines are shuttling visitors here daily and more routes and carriers — notably Hawaiian, United and Southwest — are increasing flights, a huge boost in visitor arrivals and departures.
“We are eager to continue to enlighten visitors with the vibrant stories of our people and our islands, through the highest caliber of Polynesian performing arts,” said Thompson.
Indeed, all Tihati shows are written by Misty Thompson Tufono, with the concepts, mele and dances linked to Hawaii culture, in many instances embracing the history of the areas where the spectacles are ensconced.
Current shows in production:
Oahu
“Waikiki Starlight Lu’au,” at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
Shows on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
Information: 808-941-5828
“Ka Wa’a Lu’au,” Aulani Resort & Spa
Shows on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays
Information: 1-866-443-4763
“Aha Aina a Royal Hawaiian Experience,” at Royal Hawaiian Hotel
Shows on Mondays and Thurdays
Information: (808) 921-4600.
Maui
“Te Au Moana,” at Marriott Maui, Wailea Beach Resort
Shows on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
Information: 877-827-2740
“Feast at Mokapu,” at Andaz Maui
Shows on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays
Information: 808-573-1234
“Drums of the Pacific,” at Hyatt Regency Maui
Shows on Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays
Information: 808-667-4727
“Maui Nui Lu’au,” Sheraton Maui
Shows on Wednesdays
Information: 808-877-4852
Hawaii Island
“Voyagers of the Pacific,” Royal Kona Resort
Shows on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays
Information: 808-672-2520
“Waikoloa Sunset Luau,” Waikoloa Beach Marriott
Shows on Mondays and Wednesdays
Information: 808-886-6789
“Legends of Hawaii,” Hilton Waikoloa
Shows on Sundays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays
Information: 808-886-1234
The performances may fluctuate and are subject to change.
Trip to Mars
Yes, Bruno Mars‘s six shows in July at the Park Theater at Park MGM in Las Vegas are officially sold out.
But with beaucoup bucks, you can get tickets and entrée to see and hear him. Call it a dream vacation – “Trip to Mars” is how the resort is billing this promotion – but it’s costly.
For performances on July 3 and July 24, you have three booking options, according to the Las Vegas Review Journal.
Have your platinum charge card ready. Or simply drool and dream.
The options are keyed to Bruno’s hits:
- The 24 Karat Gold package for four includes a three-night stay a luxurious suite, a Bruno bag of swag, a $500 food/beverage credit and other perks…with prices that started at $6,529. But whoa, it’s already sold out.
- The Upscale Funk deal includes a three-night stay for two, a luxurious suite, two tickets, a $200 meal/drink credit…with a tab starting at $3,199.
- The When I Was Young suite option includes a two-night visit, two tickets, a $200 credit, starting at $2,499.
Details: https://www.mgmresorts.com/en/offers/bruno-mars-package.html …
The mask-erade
So now, the CDC has decreed that face masks are not required, under most circumstances, and social distancing is out the window. If you’re vaxxed to the max (one Johnson & Johnson shot, two from Pfizer and Moderna), you’re able to heave the mask in public spaces. There will be issues, maybe confrontations, in the entertainment and dining communities.
But wait: Gov. David Ige has decreed that Hawaii law will continue to require face masks, despite the national change-of-rules. Only 40 per cent of Hawaii’s population has had vaccinations and youngsters 12 and older now are eligible ro be vaxxed.
There are caveats: no official word from the airlines, where mask-wearing might still be prudent; restaurants and private places likely still can maintain their own protocols. So far, so good. It’s still advisable for kids under 12 should wear masks. But can families resolve their own issues — parents unmasked, young kids still protected with masks?
But since you don’ know who got their pokes vs. those who didn’t, for your own safety, maybe masks are still safer to wear. Vaccinations now mean you’ve earned the right to lift the masks; perhaps those who’ve dodged the needles should reconsider and join the crowd doing the right thing. And if you’re still queasy, would you finally attend a mass event like a stadium concert or a filled arena show? Questions abound. What say you? ….
And that’s “Show Biz.” …
MVT NEW HOME FOR HORSE, ANGEL
Comedian Frank DeLima has donated a horse and an angel to Manoa Valley Theatre.
Well, yes… and no.
DeLima discovered he had costumes of a horse and angel amid his collection, storage for which had become an issue. So he wanted the items to reach a good home, and called MVT to donate the rare gear. And the theater accepted. Now it owns a horse and an angel.
“The horse has a front and a back end,” DeLima said. It was a costume intended for a Japanese show with samurai, which never reached fruition.
“The angel is huge – 8 feet – and since I can’t stand for a long time, I can’t use it any longer,” he said.
The horse never was in a show of his. But the angel made one Christmas appearance, in a Christmas production co-starring Glenn Medeiros at the Polynesian Palace years ago.
So there are warm memories of both costumes.
“I think I bought the horse, but the angel was designed by Kathe James,” DeLima recalled.F
So who knows? Some day the horse may trot out onto the MVT stage. The angel’s fate is not known, but she already is a blessing no matter the season…
A celebrity couple
Vanessa Lachey, tapped to portray Jane Tennant in CBS’s “NCIS: Hawai’i,” is married to boy band singer Nick Lachey of 98 Degrees. Which begs the question: will his celebrity factor in on hers?
Vanessa Lachey is making history in the “NCIS” orbit as the first and so far only female to lead an NCIS task force. In the mothership original, Mark Harmon is chief; in the Los Angeles version, LL Cool J and Chris O’Connell share the leadership; in the outgoing New Orleans rendering, Scott Bakula is honcho.
Besides singing, Nick Lachey also has been an actor/host on TV, co-hosting Netflix’s “Love Is Blind” with the missus, and appeared in The WB’s “Charmed.” Will he appear as an actor in “NCIS” here? He’s certain to have a SAG membership. Will he corral his 98 Degrees buddies to concertize here? The possibilities are unlimited. …
Moonlight serenade
Robert Cazimero is gearing up for yet another Moonlight Concert, at 7 p.m. May 27 at Chef Chai’s on Kapiolani Boulevard. A sit-down feast is served from 6 p.m.
The monthly performance features hula, too, but the joy is the unknown factor about Cazimero’s songlist. Hawaiian? Hapa-haole? Standards? He does ‘em all, a key reason the moonlight serenades work for him and for restaurateur Chai Chaowasaree.
Next one: June 24. …
Tickets: $95 at https://chefchai.com …
*. *. *
And that’s “Show Biz.” …
DANIEL DAE KIM, MAN OF ALL REASONS
Daniel Dae Kim, 52, has emerged as one of show business’ most active players, at unimaginable tiers both on screen and off.
We locals best know him from his role as Jin-Soo Kwon in ABC’s “Lost” and more recently as Chin Ho Kelly in CBS’ “Hawaii Five-0.” Both were filmed in Hawaii, establishing Kim as a powerhouse figure, and giving him island roots in the process.
Since then, he’s been all over the map –a man of all reasons.
I saw him several years ago, portraying the King of Siam, in Lincoln Theatre’s award-winning Broadway musical, the beloved “King and I.” He also did a stint in London.
After “Five-0,” he distinguished himself as a TV producer-actor via his 3AD production company, tapping a Korean drama and retrofitting the storyline to America in ABC’s “The Good Doctor,” still on the air.
He’s been a TV figure for an incredible 35 years now, a rarity among Asian Americans in an industry favoring mostly white, and more recently black, thanks to the Black Lives Matter movement.
Of Korean descent, he’s become perhaps the most visible face and voice of the current Asian American hate front, speaking with clarity and earnest about the hate crimes that have targeted innocent Asians in racially motivated physical attacks.
No wonder he’s been tagged as The Diplomat, in an April interview in New York magazine’s The Culture Pages, where he discussed his zeal to combat inequities in salaries. Perhaps the most successful alumni of the “Five-0” cast, he (joined by colleague Grace Park, who played Kono Kalakaua) walked away from the show in protest of paychecks smaller than their two other white leads, Alex McLoughlin and Scott Caan, in a situation where the four actors were, in reality, an ensemble.
As a producer, Kim is quoted, “Now, whenever I develop a show, I specify right off the top what ethnicity the lead is,” making salaries tantamount to intention.
He will have the lead role of Matthew Ryker in National Geographic Channel’s “The Hot Zone: Anthrax.”
His credits are vast and varied. He played Ben Daimio in “Hellboy,” has a recurring role in NBC’s “New Amsterdam” as Dr. Cassian Shin.
He was heard but not seen in the animated “She-Ra and the Princess of Power” and “Raya and the Last Dragon.” And he’s been filming episodes—not yet released — of the animated “Pantheon,” portraying David. Gamers may know him from a series of video games.
And that’s “Show Biz.” …
‘AND THAT’S ‘SHOW BIZ’ IS HERE
