Category: Updates

Posted on

HULA SHOW: HISTORY REPEATING

Something old is new again.

Several generations ago, the Kodak Hula Show was a must-see, must-do freebie attraction for tourists at the amphitheater adjoining the Waikiki Shell. The sponsor for 65 years  (from 1937 to 2002) was Kodak, the film- and camera-making company, which logically presented a mid-day hula attraction for visitors to catch a “Kodak” moment.

Remember, back then, when everyone eager to shoot photos needed a camera, plus film, making Kodak a logical player in this endeavor. When Kodak shut down, so did the hula show.

But nowadays, few tote a camera when taking pictures; an iPhone has become the camera of choice. And a new edition of the milestone hula show is expected to attract a new generation of fans, beginning Feb. 15, at the same amphitheater of the renamed Tom Moffatt Waikiki Shell, staged by the non-profit Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement., in partnership with the City and County of Honolulu.

Hooray, history is repeating itself, and for the better. The show will be staged from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays, with veteran announcer Kimo Kahoano as host. He was the emcee of the original show in its later years.

Producers are CNHA and Roy Tokujo of Hawai‘i Entertainment Productions; Kipe Ebana will co-direct with Nā Kumu Hula  and Merrie Monarch winners Tracie and Keawe Lopes.

The show will embrace traditional and new mele that honor Waikīkī, featuring hula dancers from six award-winning hālau from across the state. And the historic cut-out letters will be returning, too, an update of the photo-moments of yesteryear.

Surely, there will be some fresh faces and newbies amid the cast. Perhaps a couple of recognizable tutu and kupuna types would embellish the roster and find appeal for the visitors. One name that ought to be considered, who brings a lot of personality, vocal dynamics and even humor to the plate, is Karen Keawehawai‘i. Just an opinion, from this corner. …

A touch of Hawaiiana at the Grammys

Island performers Kawika Kahiapo and Bobby Moderow are participating in a Grammys weekend showcase that began yesterday (Feb. 1) and continues today (Feb. 2) and tomorrow (Feb. 3) at Duke’s restaurants in  Southern California.

Kawika Kahiapo and Bobby Moderow

The events are a benefit for the Grammy Museum and TS Restaurants’ Legacy of Aloha. TS Restaurants operates Duke’s in Waikiki and the participating L.A. sites.

Yesterday’s event was at Duke’s Malibu, where Kainani Kahaunaele was guest performer.

Today’s show, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Duke’s Huntington Beach, and tomorrow’s, from 4 to 6 p.m., will be at Duke’s La Jolla.

Entrepreneur Alan Yamamoto organized the gigs…

‘Hamilton’ regains No. 1 slot

“Hamiton,”Lin-Manuel Miranda’s mega-hit, has bounced back to reclaim the No. 1 slot of Broadway grosses. It was a pioneering production that reigned as the enduring and first $1 million dollar attraction, and for a spell, was also a regular $2 million dollar blockbuster.

The Top 10:

1 –”Hamilton,” $1,725 million

2 –“The Lion King,” $1,1701 million

3—“Wicked,” $,163 million

4—”Merrily We Roll Along,” $1,598 million

5—”MJ The Musical,” $1,349 million

6—“Gutenberg! The Musical!,” $1,462 million

 7—“Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” $1,120 million

8—“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” $1,145 million

 9— “Aladdin,” $1,120 million

10—”& Juliet,” $1,058 million

The complete list of grosses, courtesy the Broadway Guild:

And that’s Show Biz…

Posted on

HAUPIA + KULOLO = HAULOLO PUDDING

If you like haupia and kulolo, two popular Hawaiian desserts, you should enjoy the hybrid product called Haulolo, produced by a Kailua company and sold locally in select stores. I have some reservations, however.

The “hau” refers to haupia, the pudding-like white treat made from coconut milk. The “lolo” refers to kulolo, the healthy and tasty purple-ish dessert made from taro.

I found and bought the Haulolo at Foodland Farms. Times Supermarkets should have it, too, and perhaps a few 7-Elevens. You’ll find it where poi, the Hawaiian staple, is sold in a refrigerated  (not freezer) shelf.  At Foodland, seek Haulolo next to the poke counter.

So, how’s the taste? Sweet and  delightful. But you’ll find more haupia than kulolo, and the kulolo sticks to the bottom of the plastic bento-type tray, and there’s perhaps a quarter inch of the purple treat, beneath about an inch of haupia. When you cut the product, you can’t get the kulolo to stay  ‘neath the  haupia, so I spooned the kulolo and placed it atop the white haupia. In the accompanying photo, you’ll see traces of kulolo on top of the haupia — not pretty, but it (sorta) works.

 It’s a bit messy to serve, but it’s ono –  too bad the kulolo can’t be firmer to serve as a crust…like a graham cracker bottom of a chocolate pudding pie. Perhaps the better notion would be to purchase haupia and kulollo separately, in portions to your liking.

Posted on

SHARI LYNN: ACTING SKILLS, STORYTELLING THRILLS

Vocalist Shari Lynn, whose artistry embraces a wide spectrum of musical styles, shared a mixed bag of gems last night (Jan. 27) at the Paradise Lounge of the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Backed by keyboarder Jim Howard, Shari embraced pop hits (The Beatles’ “In My Life” and Mary Hopkins’ “Those Were the Days”), bluesy ballads (Robert Flack’s “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”), a parody (Steven Sondheim’s “The Boy From,” with Hispanic hilarity) infusing her acting skills and storytelling thrill in the process.

 Natch, there were selections from the Great American Songbook and Broadway ditties. Alas, this was her closing night, as the Hilton is terminating its jazz-flavored format  in favor of relaunching Hawaiian music in the venue. An ending means a new beginning; Shari anticipates returning March 2 to Medici’s at Manoa Marketplace, with Howard and bassist John Kolivas.  Wherever she goes, her flock follow.

Posted on

MY FIRST DINNER OUT AFTER SURGERY

I had my first dinner outing last night, since my recent gall bladder removal surgery Jan. 5, and it was a joyous occasion.

The destination was Gyotaku, the Japanese restaurant at the Niu Valley Shopping Center,  and my entrée choice was one of my favorites: misoyaki butterfish teishoku.

Familiar turf + familiar meal = a happy camper.

I had been having mini meals at home, comprising the likes of miso soup with soda crackers, beef broth with cone sushi, chicken noodle and chicken vegetable soup, and chazuke with broiled salmon, vegetable salad with tofu and imitation crab,  and my tummy was agreeable to these.

So, the misoyaki butterfish – and the accompanying bowls of rice, miso soup and salad – were within my palate choices.

Because Gyotaku regularly serves its butterfish in a tiny plate with a yellow border, it looked like any other pic I’ve shot at the restaurant over the years.

But this ol’ friend was a something I relished and cherished.

No more fried chicken, Korean kalbi or traditional steak for me till I know my diet regimen can handle ‘em. For now, I got no complains.

Posted on

WOODEN HEARTS PART OF 2024 PINS

My annual creative output, to make Valentine’s lapel pins for Valentine’s Day. was blessed with generous contributions of wooden pins this year.

My former work colleague, Lynne Chang, was diligent in painting these hand-crafted wooden hearts, shown here, all shaped by her woodworking husband Dale Chang, in two sizes, small and large. So recipients should notice the new addition — easily 150 in the mix of the traditional stock. I embellished a number of the pins.

So thanks, Lynne and Dale.

The V-Day pins are all in the mail now.