CAZIMERO SETS CHAI DATES

Entertainer  Robert Cazimero has revealed his initial 2026 monthly show dates at Chef Chai, where his Hawaiian music with hula is accompanied by a gourmet meal..

The schedule for the first six months:

  • Sunday, Jan. 11
  • Sunday, Feb. 15
  • Sunday, March 8
  • Thursday, March 19
  • Sunday, April 19
  • Wednesday May 13
  • Sunday, June 7
Robert Cazimero

Dinner service begins at 5 p.m. and Cazimero gets behind his grand piano for performances beginning at 6:30 p.m.  His shows feature two long-time hula dancers, Sky Perkins Gora and Keola “Bully” Makaiau.

The gigs used to be called Full Moon Concerts, a theme no longer applicable since the shows are scheduled with flexibility, determined by Cazimero’s other commitments rather than the lunar calendar. Thus the days of the week varies, and he has slated two programs in March.

Cazimero is working with Pomaikai Shishido, who has taken over the kitchen and day-to-day operations since veteran Chef Chai Chaowasaree departed to Thailand last year.

Reservations: (808) 585-0011 or Open Table.

Musical notes elsewhere:

Jerry Santos
  • Jerry Santos and Kamuela Kimikeo will be featured from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 22 at Plumeria Beach House at the Kahala Hotel & Resort. Reservations may be made online via Open Table. The Hawaiian Music Perpetuation Society is the presenter.
Josh Tatufi
  • Josh Tatofi, the Honolulu vocalist, musician and composer, returns to Blue Note Hawaii at the Outrigger Waikiki resort, to celebrate the club’s 10th anniversary this month. Playdates are at
  • 6:30 and 9 p.m. Jan. 16 and 17. Doors open at 5 and 8:30 p.m. for meal and beverage service.

Premium seating is $75, loge and bar seating is $55.

Tatofi is known as the “Polynesian Luther Vandross, and his music is a fusion of traditional and contemporary elements. He also advocates the preservation of Hawaii culture and promotes Hawaiian language and tradition  and the aloha spirit to a global audience.

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

Iam Tongi
  • Iam Tongi, the “American Idol” from Laie, completes a two-night gig at 6:30 and 9 p.m. today (Jan. 2) at Blue Note Hawaii.

Tickets (all ages) are $102.82.

Doors open at 5 and 8:30 p.m. for meal and beverage service

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

Wicked’ regains No.1 spot on Broadway

“Wicked” grossed $4.8 million and reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the weekly grosses, topping “Harry Potter and the Curse Child,” which ruled the tallies for two weeks.

It was an uncommon week, since six Broadway shows had a nine-performance week ending Dec. 28, instead of the usual eight weekly shows.

The shows staging the extra performance were “Wicked,” “The Lion King,” “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,”  “Stranger Things: The First Shadow,”  “Alladin,” and “The Great Gatsby.”

When the dust settled and box office takes counted, “Wicked” was the big winner, grossing $4.8 million.

The Top 10:

1—”Wicked,” $4.401 million

2—”The Lion King,” $3.915 million

3—”Hamilton,” $3.768 million

4—”Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” $3,768 million

5—”Stranger Things: The First Shadow,” $3.510. million

6—”Aladdin,” $2.443 million

7—” MJ,” $2.221 million

8—”Mamma Mia!,” $2.072 million

9—”Chess,” $1.863 million

10—“The Great Gatsby,” $1.809 million

The complete ranking, courtesy the Broadway Guild:

And that’s Show Biz…

SAYING ALOHA TO A WHIMSY YULE

As I put away the remnants and reminders of crafty things from this Christmas past, I can’t help reminiscing about a bunch of mini holiday creations with a whole bunch of kitty cats, a few dogs, and some random animal critters like little piggies and penguins.

These motley animal figures weren’t Christmas-oriented. No sirree!  But I was doing mini craft gifts that required tons of imagination and a slew of Santas, a range of bottle brush Christmas trees in hues ranging from customary green plus red, pink and yellow. Oh, metallic gold trees, too!

Most of the “characters” were mail-ordered via Temu and a few had precise atmospheric traits or were clad in obvious costumes, as bakers, ukulele strummer, librarians, sushi-makers, pianists and even a cat chatting on an iPhone and another at an Apple laptop. Honest!

So sheer imagination and will power were key to  creating the vibes of a specific Christmas which became the was the season of funky gifts with an operative word and a theme and  sense of whimsy.

I didn’t photograph every one of the scenes but did snap a few, shared here as I say goodbye to Christmas 2025.  If you received one, lemme know your reactions.

‘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…

COMING TOMORROW…

Our annual Christmas column

Always written in verse

Will arrive tomorrow morning

For better or worse.

‘Twas written with cheer

In the spirit of thanks

With many bold-faced names

From usual show biz ranks.

So mahalo in advance

And do take a peep

It was challenging and fun

Need to catch up with sleep.

Feedback is welcome,

So check me out, yes!

And have a mele, have a merry

Well, you know what’s bes’.

 Mele Kalikimaka!