I was able to secure a bunch of Lilo and Stitch decals a few weeks ago, just prior to the launch of the summer’s live-action blockbuster film, “Lilo & Stitch.”
The images were all over the map – dark, funny, illusional, whimsical – and I wasn’t certain how best to utilize these images as lapel pins. Each pin tells a story, but you have to create and shape the tale; the collection had attitude, if you know what I mean; Stitch and his cohorts reflect a range of emotion.
Not a Disney product, I surmised. Some pins had Japanese katakana words, perhaps embracing and reflecting anime motifs.
So, what to do?
Decided to mount each image to create a pin. But who should be the recipients?
There are slogans like “‘Ohana Means Family,” “Alien Encounter,” and “Out of This World..” Hmmm, sounded like fodder for T-shirts.
I had nearly 50 images and decided to save several for a friend with two sons, and saved a couple for myself. I wound up packageing a gift bag with the bulk of the pins, destined to the Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus, whose voices are heard – lovely and reflecting pride — in Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch” film. There aren’t enough pins for all the keiki, but choir director Linell Bright will find a way to distribute these pins.
Turns out there were two Tony Award winners with Hawaii roots in Sunday’s telecast from Radio City Music Hall in New York.
We knew and applauded one, Nicole Scherzinger, who picked up the trophy for Leading Actress in a Musical, for her powerful portrayal of Norma Desmond in “Sunset Blvd.,” which also was the coveted winner of the Best Revival of a Musical.
Nicole Schwerzinger
Scherzinger, of Hawaiian, Ukrainian and Filipino ancestry, also earned the unofficial Tony for being the first bare-footed singer to perform her featured tune, “As If We’ve Never Said Goodbye.”
What we didn’t know, until this morning, that Hawaii can claim another Tony winner in Darren Criss, who earned Tony as Leading Male in a Musical, for his role of Oliver in “Maybe Happy Ending.” He claims Filipino roots, since his family lived here when he was young.
The media in the Philippine have been pouring out the hurrahs for Schwerzinger and Criss.
Call this response Pinoy Pride.
Darren Criss
Schwerzinger has long mentioned her multi-racial roots while being the leader of the Pussycat Dolls. She mentioned her mixed- blood extractions when excepting her Tony, revealing that the win made “a little girl from Hawaiian, Ukrainian and Filipino roots see her dream come true.”
She added, “Growing up, I always felt like I didn’t belong, but you all have made me feel like I belong, and I have come home, at last.”
Criss credits his Filipino heritage in shaping his foundation. Criss is Filipino on his mother’s side; his mom, Cerina Bru, was born in Cebu, in the Philippines, and is of Filipino, Chinese, and Spanish descent. Although Criss was born and raised in the U.S., he has embraced his multicultural background and is proud of his connection to his Filipino roots, especially through family and food. His family resided in Honolulu from 1988 to 1992, and colleagues recall he attended St. Clement’s School for pre-school/kindergarten, but his primary education was in schools in the San Francisco area.
Criss also is the first islander to pick up two trophies the same night – one for Leading Actor and a second for being a producer of “Maybe Happy Ending,” voted Best Musical. which was judged 2025’s Best New Musical. No ifs or maybes here, since the show was the evening’s big winner of six awards, including best director (Michael Arden), Best Score (Will Aronson and Hue Park), Best Book (Aronson and Park) and Best Scenic Design (Dane Laffrey and George Reeve)…
The scoop on Clooney play
George Clooney’s’ “Good Night, and Good Luck” closed Sunday, with two performances – a matinee and evening show – prior to the Tony Awards June 8. The finale was that taped performance
Some factoids:
Clooney was paid $1 each for writing, directing, and acting in ‘”Good Night, and Good Luck.”
He took a pay cut; originally, his fee was $3 each for writing, directing and acting.
It cost $7.5 million to make.
George Clooney
Due to a spinal injury he received on the set of his film “Syriana” a few months earlier, Clooney could not pass the tests to be insured. So he mortgaged his own house in Los Angeles to make the film.
The play recouped its $9.5 million capitalization in just over seven weeks.
The play broke Broadway gross records, posting $4 million-plus figures each week.
It played to 100 per cent capacity, at the Winter Garden Theatre, which has a capacity of 1,508 seats— 1,001 orchestra seats and 507 mezzanine seats.. .
Average ticket price was $339.
A CNN telecast of the play had viewership of 7.34 million – and setting a record in the process, of being the first live performance of a play on TV.
Clooney was nominated in the Best Actor category, but did not win…
The Top 10, for the week ending June 8:
1—”Good Night, And Good Luck,” $4.331 million
2—“Othello,” $3.807million
3—“Wicked,” $2.413 million
4—“Glengarry Glen Ross,” $2.358 million
5—”The Lion King,” $2.002 million
6—“Hamilton,” $$1.983 million
7—”The Picture of Dorian Gray,” $1.367 million
8—“Death Becomes Her”, $1.347 million
9—“Aladdin,” $1.286 million
10—“Sunset Blvd.,” $1.261 million
The complete list of the grosses, for the week ending June 8:
There’s joy and jubilation aplenty, in Disney’s live-action “Lilo & Stitch” summertime hit.
Islanders flocking back to the cinema, to enjoy a bona fide treasure and pleasure, will realize this isn’t a kiddie film. It’s a dramady with laughs, with a positive script and appealing cartoon characters coming to life.
Surely, you must know someone in the film – a relative, a neighbor down the street, a hula dancer you’ve seen –so there’s plenty to applaud. Further, “L&S” appear to be this year’s smash hit, so clap like crazy. With its opening weekend gross last week topping $183 million domestically, it’s almost certain that a Disney sequel will be in the works in the distant future.
Stitch with Lilo (Maia Kealoha): Skipping streaming for the big screen.
For the record, Disney earlier pegged “Lilo & Stitch” as a streaming film via its Disney+. Luckily, somebody saw gold and plans swiftly changed. “L&S’s” performance – a live-action flick with cartoon roots — was No. 2 for the Mouse House for the first weekend — with “The Lion King” checking in at No. 1 with $171 million” in 2019 and “Beauty & the Beast” garnering $174 million in 2017.
Maia Kealoha
Clearly, the blue alien from the cartoon original is back and steals the picture. Stitch was naughty, two decades again, and he’s still unabashedly eager to create havoc, and he’s the key non-human (also known as 626, in his earlier life) we still adore. The cutie who steals the film is newcomer Maia Kealoha, who brings Lilo to life, but she’s still searching for a friend, still loving Elvis Presley on vinyl, and is unafraid to shove her hula halau smartie off the stage. She needs a companion badly, and this turns out to be Stitch, who resembles a dog or a koala bear, who’s blue, with a lot of teeth, has special powers, and well, becomes a pet and a companion in escapades that put both in trouble. Lilo names him Stitch, and he arrives from the heavens and they become best buddies. Message here: you take the friend that crashes in your troubled life.
Tia Carrere
Her sister Nani (Sydney Agudon) still frets about holding a job, finding another one, caring for Lilo, and dodges the social worker Mrs. Kekoa (Tia Carrere) who wants to split the family. But yes, Lilo and Stitch both know – family means ‘ohana, and no one gets left behind.
‘Twas the mantra then, and it still works now. If you don’t abandon hope.
Ksipo Dudoit
Kaipo Dudoit, appearing as David Kawena in his feature film debut, has a crush on Nani, and is a neighbor of Lilo and Nani. Off camera, he dances hula with Robert Cazimero’s Merrie Monarch-winning Halau Na Kamalei O Lililehua, occasionally sings with his father’s group Ho‘okena, plays the violin, and is a massage therapist. Reviewers are calling him a hunk! He boasts a fit body, and he’s got trendy, Hawaiian tattoos.
Amy Hill
And how can you resist Tutu (Amy Hill), the caring surrogate grandmother to Lilo and Stitch and a neighborhood pal anyone would want and comes to your rescue. She voiced a fruit seller in the animated cartoon, but in the flesh, she’s precious. Looks the part, talks the part, and has the heart of a beloved tutu wahine.
Heard, but not seen – the enthusiastic and engaging Kamehameha Schools Children Chorus (directed by Lynette K. Bright – performing the charismatic “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride,” this time with American Idol winner Iam Tongi plus Mark Keali‘i Ho‘omalu joining in. That tune, plus “He Mele No Lilo,” are back for another serenade, with links to the first animated “Lilo & Stitch” film. They were good luck charms then, and lovely sounds of aloha now, like great friends reunited again.
Chris Kekaniokalani Bright
There’s more off-camera camaraderie in the screenwriter role. Chris KekaniokalaniBright co-wrote the movie with Mike Van Waes. Chris’s mom is Lynelle Bright, Kamehameha Schools Children Chorus, and as a child, Chris became friends with Dean Dubois and Chris Sanders, original screenplay writers of the first “L&S” cartoon feature, sharing cultural and island history then. Sanders directed the cartoon and voiced Stitch, and leaves everyone in stitches in the live-action update. However, the director here is Dean Fleischer Camp, known for his precious “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On,” who masterly nurtured the spirit of Hawaii and delivered the right touches and sentiments dealing with woman/female issues of life challenges. Lilo is a little princess, but this is not your customary princess adventure.
Locals also know that Chris’ father Clarke Bright is now bandmaster of the Royal Hawaiian Band, and conductor of the orchestra at all I’m a Bright Kid Foundation musicals, and his grandmother is Mo Bright and late grandfather was Ronald B. Bright, legendary director and drama teacher at Castle High School.
Clooney drama will air live before Tonys
George Clooney’s “Good Night and Good Luck” continues to sit atop Broadway’s weekly box office grosses, for the week ending May 25. The play has set records, now in the lofty $4 million club; it is vying for five Tony Awards, including Clooney’s Best Actor in a Drama nomination in the June 8 event. The show will air live in an unprecedented screening at 7 p.m. ET (1 p.m. Hawaii time) the day before, June 7.
Disney’s live-action “Lilo & Stitch,” now in the multi-plex theaters over the Memorial Day weekend, is anticipated to break box office records by Monday, a holiday.
The Hawaii-filmed project is surely to draw a family audience, whose patronage will probably boost the film with a $175 to $180 million gross, besting the Paramount-Tom Cruise “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning” summertime powerhouse.
“Lilo & Stitch” will be driven by the popularity of the naughty-but-nice blue alien, who is the lone cartoonish character in the film, and an obvious scene-stealer. And sorry, Lilo, the most popular figure from the movie.
You know a film is hot, hot, hot, when it is accompanied by a swarm of merchandise to accompany the buzz from the movie. And while Lilo has a few entries in the buyables, Stitch is going to be the character to fuel the jingling cash registers.
Stitch talking plush.
Parents, get your charge cards ready. The merch looks wonderful, and the kid on the block to be the first to get one of the items will be the king or queen of the summer. But several items are for adults, so parents won’t be left out. But because of the prices of the products, moms and dads mahy prefer to save the purchases as Christmas gifts. But knowing Disney, there will be more stuff later that Santa will deliver to the young ones.
Stitch canvas tote,
Since Disney Stores have vanished in Hawaii, the easiest way to buy merch will be via online. So let me share a preview, with prices, of some of the best gifts available while stocks are plentiful.
The cool finds:
A basic Stitch “talking” plush, $39,99.His eyes light up and shows many moods.
Stitch sweatshirt.
An oversized vinyl Stitch, $24.99.
A puppetronic Stitch plush, $49.99. A hand inserted into a cutout on the back of Stitch’s head makes the doll’s mouth open to “talk.”
A Lego house, presumably where Stitch lives with Lilo, $89.99.
An adult sweatshirt, with ‘Ohana lettering on the back, $79.99.
A canvas tote, depicting a surfing Stitch, $19.99.
Stitch crocs.
An adult blue pair of Cros, festooned with Stitch images, $64.99
Go to www.disneystore.com to purchase and see more official Stitch buyables. Other sites, like Etsy and Target, may carry some of these items, or variations thereof.
Of course, you know that the cast includes many local actors, including:
Maia Kealoha, as Lilo.
Kaipo Dudoit, as David Kawena.
Jason Scott Lee, as the luau manager.
Sydney Agudong, as Nani Kelekai.
Amy Hill, as Tutu.
Tia Carrere, as Mrs. Kekoa.
Celia Kaleialoha Kenney, as AJ.
Another local notable, with an esteemed credit: Chris Kekaniokalani Bright, one of the screenplay writers for “Lilo & Stitch.”
For his 80th birthday celebration, Jack “Tihati” Thompson received the gift of love, adoration, respect, hugs, handshakes and accolades for being the best Papa on the planet.
Last night (May 18), the Waialae Country Club was converted into a makeshift showroom, alive and active with South Seas rhythms, staged by astounding family members – grandkids galore, all talented and capable to render Samoan and Tahitian songs and dances and even a trademark haka number with body-slamming and rigorous voicing. In other words, a brand of passionate enterprise, normally displayed night after night at in showrooms and on lawns statewide, where Tihati Productions earn applause and appreciation as the world’s most prolific producers of Polynesian luau extravaganzas.
An ensemble of singers and drummers provided the syncopation and heartbeat to replicate the Tihati trademark…expressly for Papa.
There’s no shortage of dancing family members.
This was no ordinary performance, but an extraordinary salute to the co-founder (now retired) and creator of Tihati Productions. The evening reflected the values of faith and family, which have always been part of Tihati’s journey, coupled with the mission to uphold the roots and the culture he adores.
Afatia Thompson and Misty Tufono, who now share the helm of Tihati Productions, were the creative minds behind Papa’s birthday blast. They shored up snippets of Tihati’s specialties — like the haka dance — and the cast of willing Tihati troupers provided the vigor and the momentum. The littlest performer – Tihati Thompson, one of Afatia’s children – was a scene stealer. FYI, he’s the young fire knife dancer on the Waikiki strip, but fire marshal rules forbid the flaming knife dance in enclosed structures.
Tihati troupers provided the sounds and syncopation of the South Seas.
Some observations:
Cha and Jack Thompson unite in dance.
Jack and spouse Cha Thompson seldom take to the dance floor, but were united in dance. They seemed to enjoy the two or three brief moments in motion, especially on “Unchained Melody.”.
The audience included a lone, legitimate Hawaiian songbird, Nina Keali‘iwahama, a family friend who rarely basks in the limelight. Coaxed to sing, she did “only if Cha dances.” So, this was a double treat a pair of reluctant Incredibles.
The Thompson grandkids are devoted to their Papa, and he shares inspirational Biblical thoughts; you know they bond when it comes to faith.
The Johnny Valentine quartet provided a splendid musical show during dinner, and Valentine had the smarts to research the hit songs of the era of the ‘60s when Jack and Cha were Farrington High School students. Tunes like “Moon River,” “Beyond the Sea,” and “Dream Lover” prevailed. He has the makings to become a showroom headliner.
The foundation of the guest list was family first; then folks who’ve made a difference in the Tihati growth and success, like Jerry Gibson, longtime Hilton Hawaiian Village general manager and now a Marriott corporate official, and Keith Vieira, former Starwood Hotels executive and now a hospitality industry consultant, and Kalo Mataele Soukop, former producer of a competitive Tongan show at the Hawaiian Hut.
A former politician was in the house, too. But Mufi Hannemann not only has mayoral roots but he’s family – Thompson’s cousin.
Little Tihati
A historical video of snapshots Tihati featured voiceover by little Tihati. Someday, when he’s 80, he’ll reminisce about the time Papa had a swanky birthday party.
Afatia said that the night’s proceedings were filmed so that video release of sorts will be available. For Papa, for sure…
