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Britney Spears
the centerpiece of
a mock luau
The pop star danced a
little hula, and smiled her
way through a TV tapingCatch the star tonight
By Tim Ryan
Star-BulletinThere she was, shiny belly-button ring and all, in a teeny, tummy-baring sarong and matching top, turquoise bead anklet, all smiles and giggles.
Britney Spears, America's pop flavor of the last several months, took a seat up front at one of several tables alongside her dancers and back-up singers Saturday night with about 100 lucky fans and a Star-Bulletin photographer and reporter.
Some 36 call-in winners from three Honolulu radio stations, including Spears' Jive Records contact here KQMQ 93.1, occupied 10 tables just makai of the Hilton Hawaiian Village's lagoon. Dozens of security guards kept uninvited guests and other news media a football field away from the taping location.
The mock "luau" at the Hilton Hawaiian Village will be part of Spears' hourlong, Fox television special, "Britney in Hawaii" which will air June 8.
Although the tables were set for a full luau, including bowls of poi, fresh fruit, lomilomi salmon, and haupia cake, production executives advised the audience the food, though real, was scenery, not for eating. Plates, silverware, glasses and napkins sat unused during the 90-minute taping.
"No mai tais and nothing to eat?" was one disappointed guest's reaction.
Although taping was scheduled to start at 6 p.m., cameras rolled an hour late when Spears and her massive bodyguard -- introduced as "Big Ralph, of Virginia" -- slipped in unnoticed.
A video cameraman sat on the sand a few feet in front of the 18-year-old Spears, photographing her every toothy smile, clapping and animated screams of "whew!" After a few sips of a Coke, Spears, who had arrived in Hawaii earlier that day, switched to coffee.
The "luau" switched into high gear when more than 150 members of Hula 'O Hokulani, of Mililani -- ages 3 to 25 years -- danced for Spears and buddies.
"How cute," she yelled at the keiki.
The luau show was emceed by Tony Silva, who also brought a half-dozen Royal Polynesian Dancers, and a male fire dancer who "Moon Danced," ate a bit of fire then shook Spears' hand.Then, requisite for any Hawaii television special, a boy half Spears' age and height asked the somewhat reluctant singer to dance. Spears played along, feigning surprise. The crowd screamed encouragement.
After a lengthy hula in which Spears teetered in the sand on her high-soled, hand painted beach sandals, she switched to more familiar moves: the kind she performs on stage.
Before Spears could retreat to her seat, she was rushed by keiki dancers who wanted their picture taken with her, followed by a picture with a halau member confined to a wheel chair.
"This is so awesome," said Charissa Seaman, one of Spears's backup dancers.
"Here we are in Hawaii working, but it's so much fun!"
After a vigorous Tahitian dance by the Royal Polynesian Dancers, the group selected audience members to join them, including -- surprise! -- Spears and members of her entourage.
Spears seemed shy as center of attention, spending most of the time with her back to the audience, struggling to keep her skirt from riding up, and twisting an ankle. Emcee Silva, with cues from producers, gently pushed Spears to the front line to face the audience.
As taping dragged on, and audience members got hungrier and thirstier, many ignored earlier admonitions and sampled warm pineapple, gushy grapes and ripening bananas.
Then it was over.
Spears, to the audience's disappointment, didn't sing or mingle or sign autographs or have her picture taken with fans. One woman sitting across from her jumped up as Spears started to leave, asking to take a picture of her daughter and the singer. A startled Spears agreed, flashing that "crazy" smile for a few seconds.
Then "Big Ralph" entered the picture and the former Disney Mouseketeer --her smile gone -- disappeared into the night.
Catch the star tonight
By Tim Ryan
Star-BulletinBritney Spears will be strutting her stuff again on Waikiki Beach tonight on what's reportedly the largest stage ever built along this famous stretch of sand.
The structure is 120 feet wide, including the end towers, and stands six stories, about 60 feet, high.
Spears arrived in Honolulu Saturday for the taping of an hourlong "Britney in Hawaii" concert for the Fox Network. The special, which also will feature opening act Destiny's Child, will be broadcast June 8. Tonight's free concert is set for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Some local radio stations, in cooperation with Spears's record label, Jive, have been issuing VIP tickets to allow audience members to get close to the 18-year-old pop star for the taping.
But anyone who wants to watch the concert from outside the relatively small VIP area is welcome, said promoter Tom Moffatt, one of the event organizers.
"There is no charge to watch this concert. The beach is open and free," he said.
Meanwhile, Spears will travel around Oahu tomorrow to film several segments for the show. Stops will include a visit to a Central Oahu elementary school and several North Shore attractions.
The singer also is expected to make a surprise visit to the home of a North Shore "super fan" for an autograph session. Tomorrow night, Spears will head to Don Ho's Island Grill at the Aloha Tower Marketplace for more taping.
The production unit staging the concert show is the same one used to put on the 'N Sync concerts in December and January.
Producer Tom Bolls has produced several American Music Award shows and a birthday party for President Clinton.
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