Sam the Man
wants foodies

HE'S NO Eddie Flores, but Sam the Man hopes his influence over the radio will get UH students and nearby residents to check out his new restaurant.

While Flores concentrates on finding new locations on the mainland for L&L Hawaiian Barbeque, the 102.7 Da Bomb afternoon jock just opened Sam the Man's BBQ Express with partner Cody Li on the corner of University Avenue and South King Street, in the same complex as Blimpie and Bank of Hawaii.

Huge helpings of food, a trademark of Sam's other restaurants in Kalihi and Aiea, carries over to the new location -- most plates are in the $5.50 to $6.75 range, and each comes with a free 32-ounce drink in celebration of the grand opening ...

SPEAKING OF good food, did you see Sushi Supreme's Grant Kawasaki on "Local Kine Grindz" last week? If you haven't heard by now, Kawasaki operates the sushi bar inside Club Queen Bee, where a buzz is building over the $20 all-you-can-eat sushi special offered on Tuesday and Thursday nights.

I got a kick out of watching the cameras catch him as he made sushi, cracked jokes and even sang some karaoke for home viewers. His impression of Jim Leahey and Artie Wilson had me falling off the couch ...

TOMORROW night at the Hard Rock Cafe, the new oceansports publication Heavywater Magazine celebrates its launch with a party from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. for the 18-and-over crowd.

Former Star-Bulletin staffer Brandon Lee serves as editor of the new magazine, partnering with high school classmate Rob Alston and surf contest promoter Reid Inouye to bring readers in-depth coverage of the hottest action in the water.

In addition to free surfboards and other giveaways, Ooklah the Moc will perform during the party; call 955-7383 for info ...

OVER AT the Honolulu Zoo, Jake Shimabukuro wraps up this summer's "Wildest Show" concert series with a family-friendly CD release party tomorrow night.

It will only cost you a buck to get into the zoo and hear the ukulele virtuoso perform songs off his third solo album, "Walking Down Rainhill," and $1 from every CD sold during the concert will be donated to the zoo as well. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. tomorrow; Shimabukuro will perform at 6 p.m.

A second, "adult-oriented" release party is also scheduled for this Sunday from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Gordon Biersch ...

AND IF you missed the last one, local "security hottie" Elaine Codilla is holding another fund-raiser at the Wave Waikiki on Thursday night.

Codilla hopes to participate in this year's Miss Palms competition in Las Vegas, but she needs your help to pay for airfare and other expenses. The Wave's Flash Hansen and Island 98.5's Tati will host the party, with Emirc and MC Trace and Kimo James also signed up to perform live. Call 941-0424, ext. 12 ...