Author: Wayne Harada

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HALLMARK WILL DEBUT ISLE-FILMED ROM-COM ‘YOU HAD ME AT ALOHA’

“You Had Me at Aloha,” a rom-com filmed in Hawaii, will premiere June 5 on the Hallmark Channels.

It features Hallmark regulars Pascale Hutton as Paige and Kavan Smith as Ben in a familiar template of the collision of romantic and occupational friction before a happy ending.

When a popular travel show host resigns, the network taps Paige (Hutton) as the replacement host for the coming season in Hawaii. But she doesn’t know that the network also hired Ben (Smith)  who becomes a thorn in the picture. The two co-hosts clash with each other over opposing ideas but eventually learn – in Hallmark tradition – that co-existence in side-by-side jobs can wind up happily.

Hutton and Smith, in “You Had Me at Aloha.”

Other actors include Jennifer Asplund as Millie, Valen Ahlo as Luis, Sebastian Siegal as Todd, and Marysa Carr as Leimomi.

The production is directed by John Putch with screenplay by Rick Garman, and the Hawaii landscapes – the falls at Waimea, the tropical turf of Kualoa Ranch, the frolicking beach moments, the charm of a farmer’s market and the resort glamor of the Kahala resort – are visual postcards that will connect with viewers.

In online promos, Sutton rightfully opines, “Hawai’i is the most beautiful place on Earth.”

Looks like a hot summer run for Hallmark fans. …

Knock, knock, who’s there?

Who knew there’d be a portentous reality in “Leave the Door Open,” the hit song by Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, DBA as Silk Sonic.

The door was ajar, indeed, for the tune to rebound to  sneak into the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Top 100 this week, after earlier slipping to No.2. It previously was perched at No. 1 for the first time on April 17.

It’s not that common for a song to reign atop the charts, then zoom back up a month later.

Good job, dudes! Silky sonics work! …

Name dropping

Henry Kapono and the Honolulu Jazz Quartet will prevail at “A Tribute to Jimmy Borges,” at 6p.m. May 27 at Blue Note Hawaii at the Outrigger Waikiki. Tickets: $35 at bluenotehawaii.com.  Live screen option $20 at bluenotehawaii.com …

Jimmy. Borges

And Johnny Helm & Friends take the spotlight at 6 and 8:30 p.m. May 28 at Blue Note Hawaii. Also featuring Nic Kalei and John Cruz. Tickets: $30 premium, $20 loge, at bluenotehawaii.com …

And that’s “Show Biz.” …

‘NCIS: Hawai‘i’ lands Monday slot

According to CBS, the “NCIS: Hawai‘i” spinoff will be screened at 9 p.m. Mondays, piggybacking with the mothership show, “NCIS” (starring Mark Harmon), this fall.

That’s an indication that someone at the network – perhaps Harmon himself – wanted to kokua the newbie production, which likely will follow the lead-in Harmon show, which has been a Tuesday staple for years—as well as being the No. 1 procedural and a ratings blockbuster for most of its livelihood on CBS …

And that’s “Show Biz.” …

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DATEBOOK

STAGE

“E Ho‘omau – Endure–In Their Own Words,” at 7 p.m. May 22, Kumu Kahua Theatre.Two playwrights and actors —  Jackie Pualani Johnson and Peter Charlot – will be featured in the live, digital evening, focusing on the words of  Queen Lili‘uokalani and Lorrin Thurston. Tickets are free at  https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=kumu

“Forever Plaid,” a nostalgic and heavenly off-Broadway musical comedy by Stuart Ross, with loads of harmony, old-school charm, and scores of familiar boy-group hits, opens Friday (May 28) at Diamond Theatre. Shows Thursdays through Sundays (times vary), through June 6. Tickets: $22, at diamondheadtheatre.com..”

“Tiny Beautiful Things,” a dramatic comedy by Nia Vardalos, based on the book by Cheryl Strayed, continues Thursdays through Sundays, May 6 through May 23, at Manoa Valley Theatre. Extended playdates at 7:30 p.m. May 27 and 28 and at 3 p.m. May 29. About Sugar, an advice columnists, stalled in her own problems. Tickets: $40 adults, $35 seniors and military, $22 those 25, at  manoavalleytheatre.com.

NIGHTCLUBS

Shari Lynn, at 6:30 p.m. Friday May 21, Medici’s at Manoa Marketplace. Doors open at 6 p.m. for dinner. Tickets: $59, includes show and dinner, at medicismanoamarketplace.com  www.tix.com.

Henry Kapono stages “A Tribute to Jimmy Borges,”  at 6 p.m. May 27, Blue Note Hawaii.  With the Honolulu Jazz Quartet. Tickets: $35 at bluenotehawaii.com.  Live screen option available, $20. Visit bluenotehawaii.com.

Johnny Helm & Friends, at 6 and 8:30 p.m. May 28, Blue Note Hawaii. Also featuring Nic Kalei and John Cruz. Tickets: $30 premium, $20 loge, at bluenotehawaii.com

TELEVISION

“Rap’s Hawaii,” featuring comedian. Rap Reiplinger, at 9 p.m. May 22 on KHNL, and at 10:30 p.m. May 30 on KGMB.

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DO YOU SUBSCRIBE TO THE DAILY NEWSPAPER?

Just asking…

Do you subscribe to the daily morning paper?

If so, what do you like about the ritual of reading the news with your coffee?

If not, why?

And where and how do you get most of your news? The paper’s online website?

Television? Your news alerts on your cell phone?

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HOW MUCH IS TOO MANY WHEN IT COMES TO TV STREAMING SERVICES?

Just asking…

How much is too many, when it comes to subscriptions to streaming service

I subscribe to four sources now: Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime. And pretty much happy with the range of content, old and new.

I’m eligible to screen HBO Max, too, since I’ve had HBO (the qualifier) along with the likes of Showtime, Discovery, National Geographic, TBS, TCM, Food Network, Cartoon Network, History, Lifetime, Hallmark, Nickelodeon, etc.…from yesteryear’s bundling.

About HBO Max: I can get it via computer, but not on TV. Mine is a Smart TV, but not smart enough—requires an Amazon fire stick, which I have, but there’s a lack of ports to plug it in.

But I digress. How many is too much?

Of the many other options, I’d like to acquire Apple TV, even Discovery Plus.

But it’s expensive and there’s no way you can watch what’s available now.

I remember the days where you had only three TV options – NBC, CBS, ABC – which made choices easier.

Are you caught in the tornado of streaming services?

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RAP WITH REIPLINGER — AND POGS, TOO!

So Hawaii News Now is airing Rap Reiplinger’s classic “Rap’s Hawaii,” at 9 p.m. Saturday (May 22) on KHNL. A hana hou screening will be at 10:30 p.m. May 30 on KGMB.

According to the station, the vintage show is marking its 40th anniversary this year, hence the revival on the small tube.

And coincidentally, as I was clearing out some of the craft supplies yesterday, three circular items fell out of a box.

They turned out to be three milk cover souvenirs – the covers also are known as pogs, alluding to bottles of passion orange juice back in the day when paper caps topped the bottling. These  pogs were promotional keepsakes that say “Barry get da Ukus!,” a routine from Reiplinger’s  “Poi Dog with Crabs” viny comedyl album.

Four decades of raps from Rap! Miss him dearly, but clearly, his punchlines are still alive today. “Not too sweet, not too rancid, but just right.” “Russell, you get pen?” “No go out with Mits Funai.”

If you’re foreign to the quotes – part of the kamaaina lexicon – you better watch the show.

NOTE: The airdates are updated from the original post.