Author: Wayne Harada

Kaliko Kauahi, an actress originally from Lawai, Kauai, is co-starring in her  second NBC comedy, “St. Denis Medical,” which premiered on Nov. 12.

Kauahi portrays Val, a nurse administrator of the front desk overseeing incoming patients  in the  workplace comedy. So happens that the workplace is a hospital, where the injured or ill seek treatment and relief, where some people die.

Happily, Kauahi is portraying a Hawaiian character, just as she did in “Superstore.” But so far, Val hasn’t been assigned an island surname; at least none shows up In research.

The notion of securing a stage name instead of keeping  her real name as an actor never was an issue. “My family would be livid if I ever changed my name and what would I change it to, Kaliko Smith,” she told Hawaii News Now. “There’s only so much you can do with a name like Kaliko Kauahi.” 

If she was going to be a somebody, she was going to be known as a somebody with her given Hawaiian name and heritage. 

An actress wannabe, she had a slow start in her late 20s and after graduating from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. So, she had to play catchup.

But with two series to her credit, she must make her family proud and surely, she has the support of her fellow Kauaians

Though the show is set in a fictional Oregon community, it is filmed in L.A.…

Broadway grosses, for week ending Nov. 10:

“Sunset Blvd.,” the revival from London, is still on an upward move on the weekly list of Broadway shows. Its third place ranking is admirable, with “Wicked” still poised at No. 1 and likely will remain at the top since the first half of the film version opens at the end of November.

The Top 10:

1—“Wicked,” $2.541 million

2—“The Lion King,” $1.963 million

3—“Sunset Blvd,” $1.857 million

4—“Hamilton,” $1.772 million

5—“Hell’s Kitchen,” $1.436 million
6—“McNeal,” $1.423 million

7—“The Outsiders,” $1.408 million

8—“MJ the Musical,” $1.368 million

9—“The Great Gatsby,” $1.200 million

10—“Aladdin,” $1.179 million

The full list, courtesy the Broadway League:

And that’s Show Biz…

Vicki Bergeron Borges, widow of the esteemed jazz singer Jimmy Borges, died peacefully in her sleep on Nov. 10. She was 68.

Her passing was confirmed by Rick Ornellas, her companion and trusty Care-Angel, who has been her supportive partner and caregiver since July 2023, amid her battle with cancer.

During her final moments, Ornellas played Borges’ music, which soothed and comforted her, and she even appeared to be lip-synching to the songs till her final breath.

Vicki was born in Biloxi, Mississippi on Oct. 28, 1956.

The family relocated to San Francisco when she was a toddler, and she attended Pleasanton Elementary School, and graduated from Amador Valley High School, both in Pleasanton. California.

When she was 24 years old, she travelled with her girlfriend to Hawaii — and she never left.

At 26, she met her future soul mate, “Gorgeous Borges” (Jimmy) at Trappers, a “happening” place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Waikiki. And she quickly became a regular patron at the night spot, for obvious reasons.

At 31, she and Jimmy got married in Las Vegas and were together for 34 years until his passing on May 30, 2016, two days shy of his 81^st birthday on June 1.

Vicki had a prominent career, as an executive assistant to the CEO of the Outrigger Hotels in Waikiki, an executive assistant to Mayor Jeremy Harris, and a scheduler for Gov. Neil Abercrombie.

Vicki and Ricky became a couple four and a half years ago. “Vicki is a strong wahine, sweet and pretty, and we had our first date when I invited Jack and Cha Thompson to Miro Kaimuki for dinner and Cha asked if she could bring a friend and that friend was Vicki Borges. For the record, I met Jimmy before Vicki when he was playing at Keone’s Lounge on Lewers Street in Waikiki.”

Vicki and Ricky were compatible for the most part, enjoying fine, sit-down dinners, and “she loved a chilled vodka martini dirty, her drink of choice. And her champagne of choice was the Veuve Clicquot yellow label, the same choice of Robert Cazimero,” said Ricky.

Cha Thompson suspected that Vicki’s cancer and the related pain affected her in recent weeks. “When she last called me, she wasn’t her usual positive self,” said Cha. “She always used to say, ‘I’m going to lick this’ (her cancer), but she seemed depressed. She was succumbing to the inevitable.” 

Navian Hawaii Hospice provided support, and Oahu Cemetery is the arranging  mortuary.

Vicki is survived by her attack parakeets,  Pupu, Lan Lan and Bun Bun, plus her aforementioned Care-Angel Ricky.

She is also survived by two brothers, Mark Bergeron (and wife Irma), of Martinez, Calif., and Farley Bergeron (and wife Kim), of Belton, Missouri. 

Per her choice, there will be no service, but her ashes will be scattered in the ocean fronting the Elks Club in Waikiki, reuniting her with hubby Jimmy,  whose remains also were scattered in the same location…

And that’s Show Biz…

Hawaii’s Bruno Mars and K-POP star Rosé are No. 1 on Spotify, the music industry’s streaming service. Their first collaboration, “APT,” has captured a global audience to rocket the song on the Global and US Spotify charts.

Mars, the megastar and his Hooligans group, has been a steady hitmaker for years, and Rosé, from the Korean girl group Blackpink, making her global debut on the streaming list ahead of her first album due out shortly.

The tune’s title is a Korean term, pronounced “apateu,” referring to an apartment drinking game.

The track has amassed an extraordinary 11,580,358 streams world-wide on a single Sunday; in the US alone, it garnered 1,579,405 streams, rocketing it to the top of the national chart

Mars, a previous Grammy winner, is not likely going to lasso a trophy in this year’s award fest, considering the stiff competition. He is paired with Lady Gaga in two categories, Song of the Year and Pop Duo/Group, for their bluesy duet, “Die With a Smile.”

The competish includes industry giants, like Beyonce and Taylor Swift.

The Grammys are set for Feb. 2 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles…

Christmas jazz concert Dec. 15 at Mango Street Grill

Singer-composer-musician Gail Mack has assembled a roster of jazz musician pals and will stage Christmas jazz concert Dec. 15 at the Mango Street Grill, also known as the Central Oahu Event Center.

Upon arriving, diners will be served a prix fixe dinner while Steve Lucas, jazz guitarist, will serenade with the Mango Street Grill Jazz band serenading.

The main attraction will include an ensemble comprising Gail Mack (vocalist), Allen Won (saxophone), Abe Lagrimas (drums and ukulele), Michael Grande (piano), Mark Tanouye (bass), and Robert Shinoda (guitar), in a two-hour holiday jazz concert.

Surely, singer Mack will dust off her annual holiday hit, “It’s Christmas Once More in Hawaii Nei,” considering its tiimeliness on the date of the concert.

Doors open at 5 p.m., and food and drink service will begin after guests arrive. Pre-sale dinner reservations must be made by noon Dec. 12, with entrée orders ($59) made by calling (808) 627-5451. Walk-ins will not be allowed and selected entrees cannot be changed after the pre-sale window closes.

Mango Street Grill is located at 130 Mango St., in Wahiawa…

And that’s Show Biz…