One reason I’m extra thankful this Thanksgiving today.
It’s our 55th anniversary for Vi and me.
We customarily have been celebrating Nov. 23 — for the past few decades, anyway — with a dinner for two at Roy’s in Hawaii Kai.
But being Thanksgiving day, and my recent health issues, we’ll toast with a quiet dinner at home.
I am particularly grateful for Vi’s comforting support following my health challenges in early August when I was hospitalized for 10 days in Queen’s. She has been nursing me 24/7 since, and the journey continues. Love you, Vi. And mahalo plenty.
‘Tis the season, for sure. The turkey’s not yet in the oven, but the Christmas surge already is on, in many stores.
So: My annual Christmas pins are mostly done, and some folks already have received ’em in the mail. Many more will be sent, in the next few weeks, but here’ a peek at a sampling of the pins.
It’s been a while since I’ve dined at Panya, at Ward Village, so when my pal Kevin Iwamoto was visiting – and our Soldier Boy nephew, John Rhoades, was on vacation from Army duties at Fort Liberty, N.C. – Vi and I ventured to Panya for lunch.
Vi opted for the lup cheong friend rice, John chose the oyako donburi, and Kevin and I chopsticked our way through the Shanghai-style udon, upon my suggestion.
For dessert, Kevin had the bread pudding; I chose the crème brulee.
We all loved our choices; Kevin even returned the next evening to have the fried rice. Too much of a good thing? Not really.
Can’t go wrong with the Asian dishes, but if you’re the burger-with-fries type, that’s on the menu, too.
Panya’s menu is ‘wonderfull and dependable.!
Vi, Kevin, me and John, at Panya; below, Kevin and me.
Two of Hawaii’s finest entertainers bring their special Christmas repertoire to Chef Chai’s in December.
Robert Cazimero’s (pictured below) Full Moon concert, usually a one-nighter, will be staged for five evenings, from Dec. 13 to 17, and yes, he’ll mix Hawaiian and holiday tunes from his keyboard to suit the yuletide spirit. Dinner at 5:30 p.m., show at 6:30 p.m. Tickets: $99, including dinner. Reservations at https://chefchai.com/monthly-full-moon-concert/
Amy Hanaiali‘i (pictured below) also will stage a Christmas show Dec. 20 and 21 — not certain the logistics of her event, since there’s no formal stage at Chai’s. But she’s bringing along bottles of her signature Hanaiali‘i wine. Tickets: $195, including dinner. Dinner at 5:30 p.m., show at 6:30 p.m. Reservations: https://chefchai.com/chai-reservations/
Meanwhile, at the Hawaii Theatre…
The Hawaii Theatre has assembled several shows of interest over the next few weeks. A select list:
The Platters’ “Very Merry Christmas Show” plays a tad early, at 7 p.m. Nov. 25 at the Hawaii. Tickets: $65 to $85, at www.hawaiitheatre.com
Comedian Margaret Cho’s (pictured left) got a date at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30 at the Hawaii. Tickets: $74 to to $94, at www.hawaiitheatre.com
The Makaha Sons unveil their Christmas show at 7 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Hawaii. Guest stars include John Cruz and Melveen Leed. Tickets: $40 to $75, at www.hawaiitheatre.com
Na Leo Pilimehana joins the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra in “Hapa Harmony,” offering a yuletide agenda at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2. Tickets: $27 to $99, at www.hawaiitheatre.com
Kalani Pe‘a will be in a Hawaiian Christmas mood, at 7 p.m. Dec. 23 at the Hawaii. Tickets: $45 to $100, at www.hawaiitheatre.com
The Clairvoyants’ Holiday Special takes the spotlight at 8 p.m. Dec. 30 at the Hawaii. Tickets: $55 to $75, at www.hawaiitheatre.com …
Why Audy missed the Lifetime Achievement event
Audy Kimura (pictured right), a previous Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner was a no-show at the recent Na Hoku Lifetime Achievement at the Royal Hawaiian’s Monarch because he had a previous engagement out of town.
As he said in an email, “I’ve been in LA for a little work and a reunion of people who worked at the legendary Ocean Way recording studio before it closes. It’s where Frank Sinatra, The Beach Boys, Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, and countless others recorded. I recorded my last two albums there and was mentored by the owner since 1977. One of the most iconic studios in the world.”
He provided an acceptance speech because he couldn’t change his travel dates due to the imminent closure of the recording studio. …
Broadway grosses, week ending Nov. 5
There has been for $2 million club winner among the Broadway shows in production, thus “The Lion King” – which has been a $2 million winner – remains the king of the jungle.’
The Top 10:
1—“The Lion King,” $1,983 million.
2 – “Wicked,” $1,834 million.
3 – “Merrily We Roll Along,” $1,811 million.
4—“Hamilton,” $1.768 million.
5 – “MJ the Musical,” $1,539 million.
6 – “Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” $1,459 million.
7 – “Moulin Rouge the Musical,” $1,230 million.
8 – “Aladdin,: $1,212 million.
9 – “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” $1,190 million.
10 – “Back to the Future the Musical,”$1,063 million.
