Month: December 2024

For this last day of 2024, I’m listing The Waynies Award winners, which salute folks and events that mattered this past year, here and elsewhere.

Many positives, a few negative nudges in this  special Show Biz countdown… 

1—Cirque du Soleil’s launching of “‘Auana,” its Hawaii-aimed spectacle of nightlife entertainment, surely will be a major attraction at the showroom at the Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel. Welcome to the future:  It looks and feels like Waikiki’s show  spectrum is being rewritten, making the traditional luau show for visitors somewhat obsolete.

2—The Kilohana Hula Show, replicating the long-gone Kodak Hula Show at the same locale at the Tom Moffatt  Waikiki Shell, came and went in a blink. Lesson learned: a title sponsor is vital in longevity, if it’s a freebie. (A scaled-down version is at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki).

3—Network TV shows from CBS  disappeared  (bye, “NCIS: Hawaii” and “Hawaii Five-O” and “Magnum P.I.”) but kudos to Fox, which launched “Rescue: HI-Surf,” even with a few locals in the ensemble. First responders (lifesavers) to the rescue, retiring the procedural crime drama format.

4—Ezekiel Kekuna played Young Simba in Broadway’s “The Lion King,” from late last year till August.  Can you feel the love tonight? He did.

5—The best Broadway musical I saw this year was “Merrily We Roll Along,” a Stephen Sondheim original that was a flop in 1934. It became a sell-out sensation, this and last year, even earning a few Tonys, thanks to  having Harry Potter  (Daniel Radcliffe) in the ranks.

6—I travel to New York usually once a year,  via Hawaiian or United because of their earlier direct non-stop routes. But both have had occasional one-stop hops (L.A. via Hawaiian, Houston via United) that extend travel time for those who value no stopovers. Think I may try Delta’s HNL/JFK run in the future. And there’s vigorous buzz that Hawaiian ain’t what it used to be since its merger with Alaska.

7—Merci, Celine Dion. Her contribution to this year’s Summer Olympics –”Hymne À L’Amour,” sung in darkness  from the balcony of the  Eiffel Tower – resonated to spectators world-wide, earning glowing applause. Hereon out, her future residency, wherever it is, will include the  enchanting tune.

8—And now you can’t ignore the pommel horse dude, Stephen Nedoroscik, who earned a bronze medal in the Summer Olympics, but beamed as if it was gold. Got him onto  ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars,” where he was a finalist.

9—Unless you saw Manoa Valley Theatre’s “Tenderly,” a musical biography of Rosemary Clooney, you won’t know Jennifer Cleve Sojet, portraying Rosie. She sang every one of the 13 tunes in the production. The entire score!

10—“Aloha Oe” isn’t performed often anymore, but after former Honolulan Ruthie Ann Miles sang it, like no other, on a Memorial Day PBS telecast.  Queen Liliuokalani composed it while she was still a princess in the Kingdom of Hawaii. And Miles, a Tony winner, delivered it like a queen.

11—Carpenter Media Group bought the Honolulu Star-Advertiser from Black Press in March, and its publisher Dennis Francis pledged an improved publication with enhanced coverage including new content at the time. Change is slow to come, however, and tapping Journalism 101 wonderment: Who? What? Where? Why? When?  The morning paper also cut staff (supposedly 15, including some retirees, some not) without disclosure to the public this fall and the newsroom is virtually kaput, since most reporters work from home. Bad news ways.

12—Comedian Frank DeLima, who staged a Christmas finale at Blue Note Hawaii Dec. 15  at the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel, has retired after a 50-year career doing stand-up.  But he’ll do infrequent gigs with his buds Augie T and Andy Bumatai.

13—The best play locally — I’m a Bright Kid Foundation’s musical “Newsies” at Paliku Theatre — was remarkably luminous with a mostly a youthful cast singing and dancing, with an abundance of gleeful energy.  The scene stealer was the two-piece, multi-purpose, maxi-moving set designed by DeAnne Kennedy. Our set designer community should deliver this calibre of scenery.

14—Did this year’s election spook you? Donald Trump surprised everyone, didn’t he? Number 47’s sequel will be Trump becoming the oldest of the POTUS, with a cabinet to watch. And that’s no lie.

15—“My Hawaii,” a hit song by The Rascals, historically has been a fave for those who grew up in the 1960s and ‘70s. An updated version, with The Rascals’ Felix Cavaliere and  Dolly Parton taking turns soloing and dueting, boasts star power and lots of aloha, in a reboot in mid-October to benefit the Lahaina fire vicitms.

16—Taylor Swift undoubtedly is the world’s No. 1 entertainer, thanks to her Eras Tour that has circled the globe and staged in mammoth stadium venues, which was  made into a film special aired on theater screens and utilized as a promo for her tour, which finally ended Dec. 8. She played to 10 million fans and grossed more than $2 billion! A book on the tour is out, too, and  surely, a DVD will be released some day, meaning more pocket change for her. And she’s also had a global romance with Travis Kelsey, the tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, and gained appearances from videocam shots in NFL skyboxes.

17—Robert Cazimero perhaps is Hawaii’s busiest trouper  –  deservedly. He’s a favored kumu hula here and in Japan, where he goes frequently; a monthly attraction at Chef Chai’s; a featured performer among some legendary acts depicted in videos on Hawaiian Airlines.

18–  Jack Cione, legendary entrepreneur, died Oct. 2 at 96.  From strip show mogul to “Follies” show director-producer at Arcadia, he proved he could make anyone dance with costumed Arcadians lip-lynching to musical classics.

19—Hawaii, or rightfully her Lawai hometown of Kauai, has another local in Kaliko Kauahi, who co-stars as Val on NBC’s comedy hit, “St. Denis Medical.”  She surely helps the medicine go down.

20— “Moana” has been a gold mine for Disney, beginning with an early animated TV series, then a big-screen feature, then a movie sequel …all with the voices of Auli‘i Cravalho as Moana and Dwayne Johnson as Maui. A live-action feature is in the works, and a currently running live-actor musical developed expressly for a Disney cruise ship. Question: Is Moana destined to evolve as a  Broadway musical, to complete the cycle of life a la “The Lion King”?

21— Jade Stice, a beloved stage actor, died in a hiking accident on June 6, leaving a gaping hole in the lives of her surviving family, in the theatrical spectrum of her stage roles, and in the operations of I’m a Bright Kid Foundation, where she touched the lives of future actors (kids) in a summer program. The heavens must have SRO musicals with her eminence.

22—  Emme Tominbang, long-time TV personality who died Feb. 19 at 73, will be remembered for her “Emme Island Moments.” With her archival interviews of hundreds of celebrities over the decades, wonder who has access to these gems.

23—Two historical NFL football games  we’ll never forget: The Denver Broncos missed a field goal against the Kansas City Chiefs, handing QB Patrick Mahomes a surprising win, maintaining a 9-0 undefeated sked at the time,  and the Washington Commanders’ Jayden Daniels’ Hail Mary pass that landed in the hands of Noah Brown  against  the Chicago Bears. Pigskin drama doesn’t get better than these unforgettable gems.

24—Speaking of football: who’ll be MVP after this season and who’ll be Super Bowl champs? Last thing first: if luck continues for the Chiefs, Mahomes could make it as a three-peat Super Bowl champ. MVP? We like Josh Allen, QB of the Buffalo Bills, who’s cool, consistent, and confident and fits the MVP bill…and he’s engaged to actress Hailee Steinfeld…

And that’s The Waynies for 2024…

‘Twas the morning of Christmas … And all through the hale

Santa was reviewing … His holiday hoomalimali.

His gifts were delivered …With items majah and minah

To worthy islanders… Malihini and kamaaina.

For Gov. Josh Green …A good-leadership pin;

And big-budget state funding …With a positive spin.

For Mayor Rick Blangiardi … Fewer delays for the rail;

Plus a savvy ridership plan … Otherwise it will fail.

A vacation in Kailua…For Barack and Michelle;

With poke and shave ice…That’ll jingle the bell.

For POTUS 46…A smooth exit glide

For # 47, constraint…Less Elon-gated slide.

For Auli‘i Cravalho … “Moana” and “Cabaret” star:

Incredible show biz  voyages …Taking her near and far.

For Cirque du Soleil … And its new “‘Auana” show;

May your sunrises and sunsets… Radiate special glow.

Being an “American Idol” …Certainly ain’t a picnic.

So Iam Tongi still struggles …To find the insider’s trick.

For stand-up Frank DeLima... Retirement means rest;

No mo’ Christmas tree costume… Or Imelda Marcos‘ dress.

For dudes Andy and Augie...A new series of the funnies;

Alone or together …They’ll hop to it like bunnies.

For Robert Cazimero …A healthy new year;

He battled the shingles… Yes, with pain and fear.

For singer Audy Kimura … Dog and cat chow,

He’s a perennial pet lover …A rescuer with know-how.

For Shari Lynn and Rachel … Steady jazz gigs would be great;

With John Kolivas’ back-up …Now that would be first rate.

A hot second season … For Fox’s “Rescue: Hi-Surf;”

ABC’s impending “9-1-1: Hawaii” … Should be on first-responder turf.

For Hawaii’s Nicole Scherzinger … A Tony Award next season;

She’s starring in “Sunset Blvd.” … And a loss would be treason.

Dwayne Johnson’s a hottie … With film and TV acclaim;

So wouldn’t it be stupendous … If he’s tapped to a Hall of Fame?

A “Jurassic Park” sequel … Should be filming here soon;

It certainly would rev up …The local industry’s blah tune.

For Jack and Cha Thompson … Something basic: less pain.

Like all other seniors… Aches are tough to contain.

For the isle theater folks … DHT, MVT, IABK, HTY;

Hit titles, full houses… Just reach for the sky.

An] extra special wish…for DHT:

Set design upgrades would bring glee!

To the Ron Bright ‘ohana…With more members doing shows;

You’re all True Believers….How the tradition glows.

For Henry Kapono…good times at multi-venues

He showcases budding talent…Elevating revenues.

Wish there were more clubs …With an all-Hawaii theme,

Think Outrigger Reef’s Kanikapila …And its aloha spirit scheme.

For Na Leo Pilimehana … Why not 40 more years?

They’ve got the verve … The music; what fears?

For ukulele legends Jake …Bryan, Herb, Taimane… please…

Unbreakable finger nails … To strum “My Dog Has Fleas.”

For saxophonist Michael Paulo …Yet another sax gig

With mellow “name” acts …Who are pals, peers. Big!

For Jason Momoa, more TV ads … Even if he doesn’t need the dough;

He delivers with nutty vigor … And viewers chuckle ho-ho-ho.

Poet-author Fran Kakugawa … Is retiring her book tour;

With crowded flights, stress … There’s no more allure.

But for Kevin Iwamoto … He of the Bizly brand;

The trips, the chat-fests … The reunions are grand.

For Glenn Medeiros … And the Saint Louis teams

More championships, yes! To. bring Crusaders beams.

For Lahaina fire victims…Auwe, smooth home returns;

For water-tainted zones? No mo’ worries, with faucet turns.

For Karen Keawehawaii … Plenty florals for her hair.

Can be real, can be faux … She can handle, with flair.

A comeback, stability … For the Kilohana hula gang;

Only a Waikiki title sponsor … Can ensure  the vital bang.

Could 2025 be the next wave … To ring the Hawaiian music renaissance bell?

The leaders could be Jerry Santos, Amy Hanaiali‘i, Keali‘i Reichel.

A sweet round of applause ..For Ho‘okena, Makaha Sons;

They’re a tough, strong breed …So share the hurrahs: Tons!

For visionary Judy Murata…”Today’s thought” is easy.

It’s “Mahalo and Aloha”…With your responses so breezy.

To Dennis Mahaffay and June Yago … My frequent breakfast buds;

As Zippy’s Kahala loyalists … We meet through winds and floods.

To you, loyal readers …Yes, Mr. and Ms.;

Mele Kalikimaka, cheerful tidings…And that’s Christmas Show Biz…