On the Scene

By John Berger

GOOD MORNING, JAPAN!: Japanese television show hosts Chikako Takase, left, and Amigo Ito, right, welcomed celebrity guests Nobutero Maeda, leader of the Japanese rock band Tube, and local ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro for a live broadcast of the "Mezamashi Telebi" morning show on the beach at the Sheraton Moana Surfrider on Thursday. Maeda and Shimabukuro closed the show with "Aloha 'Oe."

THANKS, MIKE!: Carolyn Morrison congratulated honoree Michael W. Perry at the Pohai Nani Staff Recognition/Customer Service awards on Thursday. Perry didn't know that he was going to be honored for his support until he was called to the podium.

BIG UP TO BIG MOUNTAIN!: Big Mountain members Quino McWhinney, left, and his brother James, center, partied backstage with Benny, of Natural Vibes, Henry Kapono and Baba B just before their group played a 2 1/2-hour concert at Kapono's on Saturday. Kapono and Baba sat in on the final songs; Jeff Rasmussen sat in earlier. Jason Lent, reggae masters Isis and Binghi T, and KITV's Jill Kuramoto were in the audience.

John Berger has covered the local
entertainment scene since 1972. Contact
him at jberger@starbulletin.com.