NOZUKA PLAYS THE MUSIC HALL: Justin Nozuka talked with emcee Maleko of Star 101.9 after his midafternoon concert Thursday at Clear Channel Hawaii's Road Runner Music Hall. Nozuka entertained an audience of contest winners with solo renditions of six songs from his debut album, "Holly," and a surprisingly soulful reworking of "(Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay," then posed for fans' photos and autographed posters.

UNWRITTEN LAW ROCKS THE PIPE: Nighttime was the right time for high-impact mainstream rock as Unwritten Law - Steve Morris, left, Dylan Howard, Scott Russo and Pat "PK" Kim - played a powerful 90-minute show Wednesday at Pipeline Cafe. The show was a preview of the group's next CD/DVD, "Live & Lawless," and it included most of the group's singles, "Seein' Red" and "Save Me (Wake Up Call)" among them, plus high-profile music video hits ("California Sky") and video game themes ("Celebration"). The closer, "C.P.K.," took the crowd back to the band's early days as SoCal alt-rock punkers. "Live & Lawless" hits Sept. 28.

"DA MAYAH" IS BACK!: Jaedee-Kae Vergara partied with cast members Troy Apostol (Stanton), Eddy Gudoy (Lester Perez) and Stu Hirayama (Big Al) Thursday at the opening-night party for Kumu Kahua's revival of "Da Mayah." Gudoy is superb in the title role, but with the character of Sandralene Ferreira now rewritten as a stereotypical abrasive tita, his co-star, Anna-Marie Love, is the most repellent female lead since Yvonne Filius starred in "Kiss of the Spider Woman" at Manoa Valley Theatre in 1999.

Reno David, top left, caught up with cast member Karen Kuioka Hironaga (Jazzmin) and her husband, Denny Hironaga, after the show. Karen demonstrated her skill, hosting 15 minutes of interactive improv comedy before the play. David, a former "American Idol" contestant, was drafted to sing karaoke.

"Da Mayah" cast member Jarod C. Bailon (Dukie), left, enjoyed a plate of pasteles as he talked with Ginger M. Gohier and MJ Gonzalvo. Bailon projects the menace and mana of a local crime boss perfectly in every scene. Watch for Gonzalvo and some other Kumu veterans in the music videos that are part of the show. "Da Mayah" continues through Sept. 28. Call 536-4441.