EVERY now and then a memorable event occurs on stage, a show that flows beautifully and gracefully, stirs nostalgic memories and warms the audience to the core. Such a concert took place at the sold-out Hawaii Theatre Tuesday night. "Memories" was a benefit for the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame and Museum. It takes an exceptional individual such as Kahauanu Lake to put a concert of this magnitude together. His trio, Kahauanu on uke, his brother Tommy on bass and Al Machida on guitar, came out of retirement for this. The trio sometimes was joined by men and women singers, Kahauanu's proteges, as many hula maidens performed. The concert honored 1996 Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame inductees Mekia Kealakai, Albert "Sonny" Cunha, Haunani Kahalewai, Sol Hoopii and Alvin Kaleolani Isaacs. But the biggest tribute was to Lake's late wife, Maiki Aiu Lake, a royal figure in the realm of hula. Before intermission, Kahauanu asked all of Maiki's faithful to get out of their seats and hula in the aisles as the trio played his "Pua 'Ahihi." It brought the house down ... Lake’s tribute
to Maiki is a smashVOCALS BY Emma Veary with Mahi Beamer at the piano were priceless. The Pualeilani Chorale with Anuhea Brown, her son, Kimo, and Manu Boyd was magnificent. The large group included such stars as Irmgard Farden Aluli, Nalani Olds Napoleon and Luana McKenney. The fabulous voices of Nina Kealiiwahamana and Genoa Keawe filled the theater as more hula was performed. Robert Cazimero added his vocal magic. So did Bill Kaiwa. John Lake and George Maile danced as Bill sang his signature tune, "Boy From Laupahoehoe." Solo hula dancers Gordean Bailey, Momi Kepilino and April Chock excelled. There was so much wonderful hula by so many dancers. The costuming throughout was superb. Emcee Harry Soria said at the start that the show was so good it would be over before we knew it. He was so right ...
A "SALUTE to Gabby" will be held next Saturday at the Honolulu Zoo, 4:30 to 9:30 p.m., to help pay for a bust of Gabby Pahinui that will be placed at Blaisdell Center. Performing are Gabby's sons, Martin, Cyril and Bla, Eddie Kamae & the Sons of Hawaii, Dennis Kamakahi, Ray Kane, George Kuo, Brother Noland, Kuuipo Kumukahi and more. Tickets are only $5 ...
THE crowd at Gordon Biersch was jumping to the music of Nueva Vida Big Thang Wednesday. The seven-piece band and two singers are thoroughly professional. David Choy on sax, trombonist Brien Matson, DeShannon Higa on trumpet, keyboarder Ed Weber, bassist Alex Ikehara, drummer Phil Bennett and guitarist Robert Shinoda make up the band. Vocalists are Carla Young and Darryl LeVance. Besides jazz and R&B, the band also tosses in ballads. The band will be back at Biersch Thursday, 8:30 p.m. ... Nueva Vida is hot
SuANN BAMER has been named Hawaii special projects director for Passions Par Excellence magazine, which covers, among other things, top hotels and resorts. Call her at 732-5774. Bamer is also the coordinator for Women of Style, a best-dressed list. Joan Andersen, Jean Ariyoshi, Ruth Ann Becker, Joan Bickson, Dicey Brinck, Momi Cazimero, Louise Ing, Violet Loo, Susan Page and Patricia Tam are this year's Women of Style ...
THEY aren't exactly Hawaiian Open material, but Kaimuki Class of '51 buddies Allen Ono, Richard Lee, Ray Narahara and David Morishige enjoy their weekly golf outings. On the Par 3, 160-yard, 2nd hole at Leilehua, Morishige sent his tee shot toward the green and the foursome, with its "mature" eyesight, lost sight of it. It was overcast, former three-star Army general Ono explained lamely. The ball went over the green, they thought. But when they reached the green, they found that Morishige had made a hole-in-one. Cheers! ... Morishige's hole-in-one
