Category: Show Biz

A celebration for life will be held for the late Al Harrington from 10 a.m. March 25 at the Church of the Latter Day Saints, at 1560 S. Beretania St.

He died of a stroke last Sept. 21 at the age of 85. An American Samoan, he was best known as an entertainer, starring in his own Polynesian revue back in the day, and also co-starred on the original CBS-TV series, “Hawaii Five-0,” alongside Jack Lord.

His appearance as Ben Kokua on “Five-0” made him a household name. In the “FIVE-0” reboot starring Alex O’Loughlin, Harrington had a different recurring role as Mamo Kahike.

But as the Polynesian Man, Harrington won fame as a Waikiki celebrity in a show that featured his vocal and storytelling talents. Earlier in his show biz life, he also was a Samoan fire knife dancer.

His last TV appearance as was an elderly uncle, a recurring role,on the Disney+  sitcom, “Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.,” last year.

Rosa Harrington, his widow, has shared the details of the remembrance event to honor and bid aloha to the former actor, educator, football star, coach, businessman, husband, father, and grandfather.

The agenda:

• Family gathering and visitation, from 10 to 11 a.m.
• Service from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Due to pandemic protocols that limit attendance at a funeral , the event is not open to the public. …

The forecast is Rain

Crossing Rain, the six-member singing-dancing boy band from Hawaii, will give a concert at 7 p.m. Feb. 26 Blaisdell Concert Hall, a prelude to an upcoming tour.

The lads, inspired by the legendary K-pop band from Korea, BTS, will feature tunes from their first album.

Members include Wyatt “Monarch” Kaneshiro, Asher Morgado, Jorden Kealoha-Yamanaka, Shotaro Takasaka, Evan “Haru” Doria and Devin Teruya, who were assembled by agents eager to put an island spin to the K-pop phenom. The troupers range in age from 12 to 21.

The event is themed “Nice to Meet You,” alluding to the group’s introductory concert. And the band also has adopted a short-hand name tapping two alphabets,  XR, meant to reflect Crossing Rain. …

Tickets are $55 to $85, available at:
https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0A005C24F0D01E9E …

And that’s Show Biz. …

Manoa Valley Theatre just launched a 2022 “Music & Comedy Series” with a comedy show on Jan. 26.

It’s sort of a “dark night” project, with most shows programmed during
off nights when MVT season productions are dark, but a few are scheduled on weekends.

The remaining slate:

• Feb. 14 and 15 – Ron Artis II.
• Feb. 25 and 26 – Black Voices Matter, featuring Brandon Leake.
• March 28 and 29 – Amy Hanaiali‘i.
• April 16 and 17 – Shari Lynn and Kip Wilborn.
• June 25 – Rolando Sanchez.

Showtimes will be at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. if second shows are slated, with normal seating unless pandemic protocols change. Facemasks and proof of vaccinations will be required.

For information/ticketing, visit www.manoavalleytheatre.com or call (808) 988-6131…

Welcoming the tiger

The Hawaiii Theatre will stage a free lunar year program to welcome the Year of the Tiger,

at 6 p.m. Tuesday (Feb, 1).

The Phoenix Dance Chamber will provide the cultural music, followed by a screening of “Picture Bride.”

For information, visit www.hawaiitheatre.com or call (808) 528-0506.

‘Murder,’ continued

Adam Sandler has been filming “Murder Mystery 2” in January, a comedy destined for Netflix. Not sure when the filming winds up.

The 2019 original was a hit with streamers but a miss with critics.

No matter, “MM” was a top title for viewers, so a sequel was a no-brainer.

Kyle Newacheck is directing James Vanderbilt’s script, with headliner Sandler joined by Jennifer Aniston and Luke Evans.

The plot involves a married couple invited to a billionaire’s party aboard a yacht in Europe and they become immersed in a murder investigation. …

Obama watch

Former president Barack Obama and wife Michelle have lingered in Hawaii this month.

Michelle marked her 58^th birthday (Jan. 17) but how she celebrated has not been mentioned.

No. 44, not surprisingly, has been hitting the golf greens, spotted by some residents, but iPhone videos were not allowed to capture his swings. …

And that’s Show Biz. …

Henry Kapono is revisiting his popular Artist 2 Artist Concert Series, in which the prolific singer-guitarist-composer partners with fellow island talent sharing patter and music at Blue Note Hawaii, the venue at the Outrigger Waikiki resort.

The 2022 series – fifth in the ongoing bookings – is themed the “Hawaiian Legends Edition,” and will be held as follows:

• March 15 – Kapono with  Keola Beamer and his wife Moanalani.
• March 31 – Kapono with Jerry Santos.
• April 28 – Kapono with the Makaha Sons.
• May 26 – Kapono with Ledward Kaapana.

Showtime for all concerts will be at 6:30 p.m., with doors opening at 5 p.m., with dinner and beverage service available.

Beamer is the composer of “Honolulu City Lights,” his signature tune, and other classic island hits; Moanalani Beamer is hula stylist wife. He also is a respected ki ho’alu (slack key guitar) pioneer. Earlier, he was part of the brother act, Keola and Kapono Beamer.

Santos formerly was featured with Olomana, the duo that is best known for “E Ku’u Home O Kahaluu.” Mixing traditional Hawaiian with contemporary elements, Santos is a prolific artist still performing in selected venues. He is a Lifetime Achievement Award recipient from the Hawai`i Academy of Recording Arts, and has been inducted into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame.

The Makaha Sons is led by surviving member Jerome Koko; his late brother John Koko and the late Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole were former colleagues, along with Louis “Moon” Kauakahi, who exited the group. The Sons continue to be a versatile, harmonic act that also has been a Lifetime Achievement winner and inductee in the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame.

Kaapana is a legendary slack key guitartist formerly with Hui Ohana and Ikona; his trademark baritone tones are matched by his extraordinary leo ki`eki`e (falsetto) voice. …

Remembering Frannie

Mufi Hannemann recalled her never-give-up mantra, her unending support and guidance, and her enduring friendship.

Marlene Sai sang “I Love You,” one of her signature tunes, which resonated not as romantic love but an endearing friendship anthem, notably weaving in “Frannie” in the final lines of the song with tearfuil eyes. It was an aloha ia oe moment.

Frank DeLima was grateful for the opportunity to work a larger Waikiki venue, with her vision and leadership in fusing Glenn Medeiros as part of a revue following a Don Ho dinner show at the old Polynesian Palace. ‘Twas a concept no one ever imagined.

Linda Coble, an avid showgoer, appreciated the mutual fellowship she received over the decades … as a friend, not a broadcast personality.

Ron Lee, onetime manager of the Outrigger Waikiki showroom, said it simply: She was a great boss, firm but friendly, who occasionally gave him scoldings.

That’s the way the late Frances Kirk, aka Frannie, was remembered and applauded, in a small but warm celebration of her life at the Nuuanu Memorial Park under pandemic protocols, with facemasks and a 25-only headcount.

Kirk was best known as the manager of the Society of Seven group who helped put the Outrigger Waikiki resort’s Main Showroom on the map; notably, Kirk eventually served as the hotel’s entertainment director and secured other talent in the chain’s other venues.  She was embraced as a guiding light for her honesty, savvy and fairness as a hospitality industry leader, but also an admirable example of a good mother to two sons and daughter who always included her mom and dad in her life. Clearly, she wrote her own handbook in dealing with life’s challenges and opportunities.  Rest in peace, Frannie …

And that’s Show Biz. …

Friends will have a chance to say goodbye to the beloved Frances Kirk, the former Outrigger Waikiki entertainment director and one-time manager of the Society of Seven, in a celebration of life memorial set for 1:30 p.m. Friday (Jan. 28) at Nuuanu Mortuary.

Kirk, who moved from Honolulu to Las Vegas, died Nov. 29.

She was a pivotal force in establishing and launching the career of the SOS show band, earlier known as the Fabulous Echoes, as a manager of the group, but also helped shaped and booked acts at the Main Showroom of the Outrigger Waikiki, which since has become the home of Blue Note Hawaii.

Because of pandemic protocols, there is a limit of 25 to attend the service, according to Mike Kirk, son of Frannie. He is attempting to work with the mortuary to perhaps schedule a second around of mourners after the initial services, but that has not yet been confirmed.

Folks who were close to the legendary entertainment icon – from former Mayor Mufi Hannemann, who will emcee the services, to performers such as Marlene Sai and Glenn Medeiros —  are expected to share their recollections of Kirk, with a few others yet to be named.

While she was best known as mentor to the SOS, she also was a published author with a passion for storytelling, who wrote a biography of the Tony Ruivivar-led group from the Philippines and Hong Kong, sharing indelible memories of her alliance with the act back in the day when they performed on the Ed Sullivan Show, to more current times, when the band mounted lavish nightclub revues with costumed tributes to Broadway shows, from “The Phantom of the Opera” to “A Chorus Line.”

At the time of her death, Kirk also had been scribbling a novel or two with the hopes of getting them published.

She also was an avid golfer and a realtor, who also enjoyed a good meal and a side order of show biz gossip.

Mike Kirk also is planning an invitational post-service gathering later in the day, with fellowship and kaukau …

Another Kolivas musician

Kainalu Kolivas’ group, Dreams of Future Machines, is appearing in a string of New York-area gigs this week, at Pianos in NYC on Wednesday (Jan. 26), The Locker Room in Brooklyn  on Friday (Jan. 28) and at East Berlin in NYC Saturday (Jan.29).  Yes, if the Kolivas name rings a bell, he’s the son of John and Deanna Kolivas, dad being the leader of a jazz group here….

One exit, one new arrival

Because Jason Taglianetti is departing our islands, his “Applause in a Small Room” weekly radio show, which features live shows originating from Hawaii Public Radio’s Atherton Studio, is terminating this Sunday (Jan. 30).

Taglianetti is an accomplished sound engineer who hosted the radio series, and he’s assembled a mixed bag of performers for the finale: Amy Hanaiali‘i, Alx Kawakami, Peter Rowan and Booker T. Airtime will be from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday on HPR-1…

Beginning Feb. 6, a new program will launch, “Mauka to Makai,” hosted by Roger Bong, creator of the Aloha Got Soul, a record label that also is a vinyl record shop on King Street. …

And that’s Show Biz. …