JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Mayor Mufi Hannemann, center, congratulated the final eight singers in the Hawaii State Finals of the National Talent Quest Karaoke Contest: Arnold Pontillas, left, Brenda Garcia, Derrick Vaughans, Amado Cacho, single-monickered Tianna, Janel Akana, Eldon Delos Santos and Johnessa Salavea. Jeff Coelho, behind the singers, was co-emcee during the competition in the Manoa Grand Ballroom on Aug. 5. Garcia and Vaughans took top honors and will represent Hawaii in the national finals in Laughlin, Nev., next month. CLICK FOR LARGE

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Captain Andy Tourell, third from left, and crew members Will Palmer, left, Beccy Lock and Laim Cole enjoyed a few minutes of downtime aboard the "Hugo Boss II" Volvo 60 racing yacht dockside at the Waikiki Yacht Club Aug. 6. Palmer and his crew spent much of the afternoon and early evening giving small groups of VIPs a taste of the yacht's capabilities offshore. They are now crossing the Pacific en route to races in Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia. CLICK FOR LARGE

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Andy Bumatai, right, got a "surprise" visit from high-energy comedian Rip Taylor during the taping of "Nighttime with Andy Bumatai" on Thursday. Taylor hit the set with a blizzard of colorful confetti and a rapid-fire barrage of vaudeville-vintage jokes. By the time Taylor was finished, confetti was everywhere -- even in his eyebrows. CLICK FOR LARGE

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Glenn Mercante and gal pal Chihana Onozeki celebrated his birthday Aug. 6 with an early evening dim sum party for more than 100 "hip and fabulous" friends and acquaintances at Li May Tang's Shanghai Bistro. CLICK FOR LARGE

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Eddie Kamae, left, and his wife, Myrna, welcomed Dennis Kamakahi, in black, and Kaupena Wong to his birthday party at the Elks' Club last Tuesday. The invitation had made it clear that Eddie Kamae did not want a lot of fuss, but a couple of "friends" could not keep the secret and the place was jammed. Wong opened the party with three chants honoring "Brother Ed." Kamakahi sat in later in the evening. CLICK FOR LARGE