By Dennis Oda, Star-Bulletin
Frank DeLima has Elena Contemprato, left,
her daughter Leilani and husband Mario, in hysterics.
By John Berger
Special to the Star-BulletinThree months after quietly checking out at the Hula Hut, Frank DeLima has checked in at the Captain Table's Lounge in the Hawaiian Waikiki Beach Hotel. DeLima has never been better.
There's a bit of deja vu here. It's the first time in years DeLima has played a room small enough that the bartender's blender and waitresses' drink orders can be heard during the show.
"Welcome to the Noodle Shop," he told the opening night crowd in reference to the small and narrow coffee shop where he launched his Waikiki career 20 years ago.
Some of his material is almost that old, although most of it is of more recent vintage. The important thing is
that it all works, even when DeLima forgets his scripted lines or has problems with his costume. DeLima is at his best when he goes blank and has to improvise. He was hilarious on opening night.
One of the show's newer bits is an audience advisory announcement allegedly required by City Councilman John Henry Felix. DeLima warns that persons of Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Portuguese, Caucasian, Korean and or Hawaiian ancestry may find something in the show offensive in some way. He then gives examples of what those "offensive" jokes might be. The crowd goes crazy.
DeLima also announces that he will not make jokes about Milton Holt, Haunani Kay Trask, Clayton Hee, Bumpy Kanahele, Frenchy DeSoto or Abigail Kawananakoa. That's good for another burst of laughter.
DeLima is joined by his faithful sidemen -- Robert Nishida (guitar) and David Kauahikaua (all other instruments).
Meet Kahuna No. 9, a new character for Frank DeLima.
He first appears on stage wearing a bed sheet and Santa Claus wig as Kahuna No. 9. The "kahuna" fields odd questions from Nishida ("How much does Sam Choy weigh?"). The Clovers' classic song "Love Potion No. 9" provides the musical theme. Bits and pieces of older DeLima song parodies add variety. DeLima's problems keeping his long white beard from falling off add a visual dimension that makes the bit funnier than it would be otherwise.Other segments bring back popular DeLima characters:
Chinese magician Fu Ling Yu again surpasses Franz Harary with dazzlingly obvious feats of mystery and illusion.
Delima also appears in costume as hostess of "The Tita Improvement Show" and shares tips on how resourceful titas can prepare Waianae Pie using Pennzoil and Budweiser, use Raid as a substitute for deodorant and firm up those "buns of poi."
He closes the show as himself, sings a verse of his Bishop Estate trustee song and introduces a new Patrick Downes song parody. Skeeter Davis' "The End of the World" has been redone as a statement that "locals can take local jokes." DeLima closed the opening night show with his trousers inside out. The final "costume problem" ended the show on a fine note.
Frank DeLima
