Category: Updates

What’s the role of a deejay these days?

Referring to the elite crew of hosts on radio, some who chat a lot, some not so much.

Perhaps some of radio personalities can share tidbits can shed light on how deejay roles have changed over the decades.

Some things haven’t changed radically; there’s still patter and chatter, frequently following newscasts, where discussion is necessary. Some still accept phone calls from listeners. Does anyone do dedications of a particular tune, aimed to a special person?

Many things have changed. Like, no one “plays records” anymore. The music source used to be those vinyl discs, 45s or LPs, where tracks were played from turntables. Not anymore. The recordings are virtual, readily accessible. I suppose occasionally, a vintage tune not available in the vast library of resources, might be played.

As a listener, what occasionally bothers me is that I hear a song and wonder who was singing. (Can’t always recall the name of the voice). A deejay will frequently drop a name, but most often not. Back in the day, a song title was impeccably uttered, so credit would be paid to the singer, or band. Further, a deejay used to even mention the label – in case you wanted to go out and buy the disc.

Talk shows are different – many discussions on a myriad of topics. Folks can react and respond with phone reactions.

Also, radio ratings used to be a big thing, with stations topping the polls earning bragging rights. Those were the days; key deejays had swarms of rooters and boosters, and some jocks became superstars. Remember the K-POI poi boys? The papers used to report the Arbitron numbers, the way Nielsens used to rank TV shows. Nada now. Heck, the papers used to print radio logs daily, the way TV primetime programming is there for the looking.

The stations with a live body delivering live news and traffic reports earn bonus points for these services; the pre-programmed ones, without a friendly, live host, lack personality and appeal.

So, the Akus, Tom Moffatts , Ron Jacobs and Ron Wileys all ruled the radio waves. Listeners used to know the station’s call letters, like KGMB, KSSK, KIKI, KPOI,  KCCN. Today, the most-listened-to morning drive dude is Michael W. Perry, on KSSK (formerly KGMB), cherished for its posse following. Radio has evolved as a friend of the commuter.  I seldom listen to radio at home, but almost always tune in while driving. And you?

Keali‘i  Reichel will bring his legendary award-winning mele and hula to Blue Note Hawaii in a six-show, four-night engagement at Blue Note Hawaii at the Outrigger Waikiki resort in November.

Reichel is a prolific and inspirational kumu hula, who also is a dancer, director, choreographer, singer and recording artist known for his exquisite storytelling music and his vast knowledge of Hawaiiana. His newest wrinkle is a link to the ‘aina and Halau Ke‘alaokamaile and Friends.

Performances will be at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Nov. 18 and 20 and 8 p.m. Nov. 19 and 21, and will include both traditional and contemporary mele and hula featuring Halau Ke‘alaokamaile and Friends.

The event will benefit the Maui-based hula halau, whose mission is to perpetuate the Hawaiian tradition, culture and heritage through its arts, beliefs, dance, language, and agriculture. The contention is that there is a strong connection to the ‘aina, an essential link to the hula tradition.

To that end, Halau Ke‘alaokamaile and Hokunui Farms LLC are establishing the Halau Ke‘alaokamaile Resource Center, the first halau facility permitted to operate on agricultural land on Maui.

Under the tutelage of kumu Reichel, the halau already conducts five hula classes each week and anticipates expanding the riches of cultural programming including music and language instruction.

Further, three grants have been awarded to Halau Ke‘alaokamaile to implement agroforestry programs as they relate to Hawaiian culture and hula:

•  A two-year Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) grant of $250,000 to plant and maintain a six-acre native habitat which restores the endemic forest, enhances the watershed, perpetuates cultural practices and creates a template for sustainable agroforestry.
•  A three-year USDA Beginner Farmers and Ranchers grant of $750,000 to  enhance the success of Native Hawaiian agroforesters by increasing economic opportunity, food security and the cultural connection to the forest through traditional Hawaiian protocols.
• A three-year Administration for Native Americans grant of $850,000 to perpetuate Native Hawaiian cultural practices through native plants.

The enterprising partnership between cultural and historical practitioners with agencies providing funds to enable fulfill the vision of saving tradition with contemporary vision, appears to be a model for the future. …

Presale ticket sales begin  today (Aug. 18), with general public reservations beginning Friday (Aug. 20). But it won’t be cheap; premium seats are $125, loge and bar seats are $85. Use pre-sale code PUNAHELE for ticket access. Details at www.bluenotehawaii.com

Ballet Hawaii moving the barre

Ballet Hawaii, which has been temporarily ensconced at the Hawaii Suites at Blaisdell Center, is relocating its offices and studio to Dole Cannery in Iwilei. It will be located at second floor facilities above the Regal movie theaters, at the mauka end of the film screens.

The move will still be temporary, as a search continues for more permanent quarters, but the relocation – no date has been announced – will be kind of a homecoming for the ballet pupils and teachers in a new partnership with Castle & Cooke. Several decades ago, however, Ballet Hawaii conducted dance classes in quarters in the old cannery facilities in Iwilei.

And that’s Show Biz. …

When Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Hamilton” reopens Sept. 14 at the Richards Rodgers Theatre on Broadway, local boy Marc delaCruz will be part of the ensemble, as he was prior to the show’s shutdown due to the pandemic.

The principals in the award-winning mega-hit again will be led by Miguel Cervantes, in the title role, with key roles featuring Krystal Joy Brown (Eliza Hamilton), Mandy Gonzalez (Angelica Schuyer), Tamar Greene (George Washington) Jin Ha (Aaron Burr), James Monroe Iglehart (Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson), Euan Morton (King George III), Fergie L. Philippe (Hercules/James Madison), Aubin Wise (Peggy Schulyer/Maria Reynolds) and Daniel Yearwood (John Laurens/Philip Hamilton).

For the record, Hawaii’s delaCruz had been understudying the title role and did perform Hamilton in at least one Sunday matinee. Thus, he became the first Asian American actor to do the role on Broadway. No updated word on his status beyond the ensemble.

The show’s box office opens Aug. 2, and a Hamilton store reopens Aug. 12 across the street from the Richard Rodgers Theatre; another store will open in Los Angeles, too, so the show is poised to relaunch in a big way. …

Halekulani reopening Oct. 1, but…

The good news: the Halekulani Hotel finally has set Oct. 1 as its reopening date, following the closure due to the pandemic. The public environs will boast a new look, the rooms refreshed with expected elegance becoming a first-rate establishment.

The not-so-good news: The House Without a Key will welcome diners in November, again with exciting transformation befitting its beachfront location with vistas of the sea and the mountains. What locals want to know is when the main dining rooms will resume business, especially the fabled Sunday brunch buffets – a key destination for locals, who will stroll through the lobby and exteriors, but not likely to book a room.

Granted, buffet protocols will change (food items served, rather than self-served) but I’m in as long as the popular popovers prevail.

So: I’ll anticipate an announcement of restaurant reopenings, with particular emphasis on the Orchids Sunday brunch. …

At last: NCIS’ ‘okina in place

CBS finally has added an ‘okina – a diacritical mark – in the promotional visuals for “NCIS: Hawai‘i.” Generally speaking, it’s not a big deal to be “right” but the show made a promise to do what is traditionally correct. As you may know, it’s largely an optional inclusion in print media.

That said, the show and its cast led by Vanessa Lachey, continues to film episodes around town, and with its Pearl Harbor orientation, some filming has been on base but numerous sightings have been reported from communities across Oahu. The clue, if you’re wondering, would be a collection of vans and trucks required for equipment as well as cast dressing rooms. Or this cluster of vehicles could perhaps be “Magnum P.I.,” the other CBS filmed in Hawaii, starring Jay Hernandez.

“NCIS: Hawai‘i” will premiere at 9 p.m. Sept. 20, with the mothership original “NCIS” starring Mark Harmon preceding the island version, enabling the newbie a powerful lead-in edge. …

And that’s “Show Biz.” …