On the Scene John Berger

---

Jack's Back!: Local show business legend Jack Cione celebrated the "soft opening" of his new nightclub, Panama Hattie's, with Tavia Perallon, left, Rebecca Cuellar Han and Natasha McKenzie on Friday. Cione, 78, says that -- more than 40 years after he opened his first nightclub here -- he still loves the challenges involved in launching a new club. He and his partners plan on featuring live entertainment at Panama Hattie's.

---

Makana Rocks!: Makana, left, celebrated the success of his recent "Curbside Prophets" tour with a one-nighter at the Hard Rock Cafe Friday, getting solid support from bassist Lono Kaumeheiwa. During a break, Makana turned the stage over to a fellow troubadour, guitarist Stephen Inglis, then invited Inglis to stay on, creating an impromptu, high-energy trio. (Inglis plays solo at the Hard Rock July 16. To learn more about him, visit www.steveinglis.com.) Hawaiian music fans got an unexpected extra when "Uncle Bobby" Mederow Jr. came up with his guitar to jam with Makana and Kaumeheiwa.

---

Gripping: Skateboarding legend Christian Hosoi, third from left, and his wife, Jennifer, stepped behind the turntables on Thursday with DJ Gary O, left, DJ Manifest (a k a Jeff Hartsel) and G-Dog to kick off "Gripp Tape," a monthly party by skateboarders for skateboarders at Mercury Bar. Hartsel is a former pro skateboarder, and Gary O and G-Dog have been major players on the skateboard scene since the '80s. G-Dog says each multimedia "Gripp Tape" party will celebrate a different aspect of skateboarding "kulture." The theme for July is "'Aala Park."

---

"I'm Their Photographer": Leolani DeLima brought a camera in her bag when she attended the "Hawaii's Best 2004" party at the Waikiki Aquarium on Thursday with her husband, Kelly DeLima, left, and their son, Kapena. Kapena (the band) was voted Hawaii's Best Band of 2004.

---

A Great Party: Sharlene Aoki Oshiro greeted Cary Hiroyuki Tagawa, left, and Henry Kapono at the "Hawaii's Best 2004" party. Kapono, whose nightclub, Kapono's, was voted Best Place to Hear Live Music, played a short set that included "Friends" and "Sailin'."

---

See the Columnists section for some past articles.

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