‘Lilo & Stitch’ sets VIP
showing on Oahu

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By Tim Ryan
tryan@starbulletin.com

"Lilo & Stitch," Walt Disney Pictures' most promoted summer movie, kicks off tomorrow with a world premiere in Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre, featuring the film's "star" voices, including Hawaii's own Jason Scott Lee and Tia Carrere, and 41 members of the Kamehameha Children's Chorus. The chorus sings two songs in the film, which also are on the just-released compact disc.

On Tuesday, Honolulu will be the scene of its own special 6:30 p.m. screening at the Waikiki Twins. The screening -- to be attended by Disney dignitaries, local celebrities and many of the film's "voices" -- will be followed by a VIP party at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, featuring a 9 p.m. performance by the chorus.

The screening will mark a homecoming for Carrere. Daveigh Chase, 11, who provides the voice of Lilo, will also attend. (Lee will not attend because of a scheduling conflict in Los Angeles.)

Of special note is Hawaii's partnership with Disney in promoting and marketing "Lilo & Stitch," whose storyline is set on Kauai.

The Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau is finalizing an agreement with Disney in marketing the film while promoting Hawaii at the same time on the official Web site, film trailers, and DVD to be released in December. The HVCB, according to Disney officials, made the decision "to partner up," after seeing a rough cut of the film last December.

"They wanted to be a part of this wonderful film," said Thomas Schumacher, Disney's president of animation.

Hawaiian Airlines flew 41 members of the Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus and eight chaperones, director Lynell Bright and co-director Clarke Bright to Los Angeles on Wednesday for a five-day stay.

The chorus will arrive two hours early at the El Capitan for the first of two performances at 1 and 6 p.m. tomorrow. ABC's "Wonderful World of Disney," also airing tomorrow, will feature several "Lilo & Stitch" segments.

"Lilo & Stitch: Aloha from Hollywood," will also air at 8 p.m. Friday on KITV/ABC. Viewers will follow Lilo on her home movie tour as she visits locations that inspired the film. Along the way, they'll meet six-time world champion surfer Kelly Slater and learn the significance of the Elvis Presley songs featured in the film.

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