TIM RYAN / TRYAN@STARBULLETIN.COM
A plastic palm tree was put in place outside Disney's El Capitan Theater on Hollywood Boulevard yesterday in preparation for the premiere of "Lilo & Stitch."
A shaka celebration HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. -- The entertainment capital of the world looked more like Kalakaua Avenue when a section of famed Hollywood Boulevard was transformed into a tropical set for the world premiere of Disney's major animated summer release, "Lilo & Stitch." Dozens of stars and all the film's voiceover actors walked down a 100-yard red carpet at the company's El Capitan Theater before a few thousand fans and more than 200 news media.
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tryan@starbulletin.comHawaii's own Tia Carrere, the voice of Nani, received the most cheers and pleas for autographs. The actor, the last celeb to walk the carpet in temperatures that hovered near 90, was cool in a pink, knee-length dress and matching shoes.
Fans gathered on the bleachers chanted "Tia, Tia, Tia," as she approached. Carrere accommodated virtually every request for an autograph and gave the shaka sign during several television interviews.
"I am so sweaty," Carrere joked with fans, then seeing someone from Hawaii yelled, "Eh, where's da poke?"
Jason Scott Lee, the voice of the surfer David, was one of the first down the carpet in his green palaka shirt, gray slacks and slippers.
"Can you believe I'm actually walking down a red carpet?" he said. "I've done it before, but they're never the same."
It was a homecoming of sorts for Lee, who reunited with longtime friend Denny Moynahan, hired to play an ukulele as the character King Kukulele in front of the theater at the premiere. (The two men met some 18 years ago when both were studying acting in Southern California.)
Lee's mom, Sylvia, of Pearl City, joined her son inside the theater to see the film, but declined a walk down the red carpet.
Most of the celebs donned aloha wear, except for Disney CEO Michael Eisner, who wore a suit and open-collared shirt.
DISNEY
Jason Scott Lee, Daveigh Chase and Tia Carrere posed for photos in front of the El Capitan Theater.
Eleven-year-old Daveigh Case, the voice of Lilo, wore a blue muumuu. "I've been to premieres before, but this is the first one where I'm the star," she said.
Her mom, Cathy, egged on the bleacher crowd with the cheer, "Lilo, Lilo, Lilo!"
Jodie Foster (sans children), Lisa Marie Presley (with her three kids) joined Kelli Ripa of the "Regis & Kelli Show" conducting celebrity interviews in a closed tent area.
The Judds were out in full force -- a conservatively dressed Ashley, mom Naomi and colorful Wynonna. Wynonna performs Elvis Presley's "Burnin' Love" in the movie and sang it on stage following the screening.
Also getting the red-carpet treatment were Patricia Arquette, Michael Clarke Duncan, Dave Winfield, Joanne Worley, Fred Williard, Alan Thicke, Eric Stoltz, Katey Sagal and Gregory Hines.
Many of the other celebs attending the premiere have starred in previous Disney films or will in the future, including singer/songwriter Phil Collins, Dave Foley, Queen Latifah and Estelle Harris.
Once VIPs got inside the El Capitan Theater, they were treated to "Lilo & Stitch" popcorn and live Hawaiian music. Just before the film began, the Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus performed the chant and song they sing in "Lilo & Stitch," alongside singer-songwriter Mark Hoomalu.
Los Angeles-based Hula Halau O Kamuela Elua, under the direction of kumu hula Kanewa Mook, also performed.
Afterward, Lee and Carrere led a standing ovation for the proud performers. And somewhere in the farthest reaches of the theater someone yelled "Hana hou!"
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