NO COMPLAINTS!: Jeff Portnoy, standing center, president of the board of directors of the Hawaii International Film Festival, welcomed ukulele vistuoso Bill Tapia, seated, and filmmakers S. Leo Chiang and Mercedes Coats to a HIFF reception at Gordon Biersch on Sunday. Tapia, 96, enjoyed a hearty bowl of soup before they all left the party to attend an evening screening of "To You Sweetheart, Aloha," the documentary film Chiang and Coats made about Tapia's life, his music, and his controversial relationship with a 28-year-old woman. Tapia is scheduled to return for the 3rd Annual Ukulele Guild of Hawaii Conference in November.

VIVA, "CUBA LIBRE"!: Roger Wilco, standing right, and long-time girlfriend Margaret Jones, standing, shared a table at Gordon Biersch with Juan Gerard and Letvia Arza-Goderich. Gerard and Arza-Goderich had one of this year's biggest HIFF hits with the Hawaii premiere of their film, "Cuba Libre."

GINA'S BACK!: Gina Hiraizumi, back in Hawaii to promote the HIFF screening of "Day of Independence," enjoyed the Sunday party with Vince Keala Lucero, left, and Bret Bajema of Mad Lab Productions. Lecero and Bajema were wearing t-shirts promoting "public access: EPISODE 04 of 05."

TIME OUT!: Timothy Albrecht, left, talked with Greg Zane, Paul Ogata and HIFF executive director Chuck Bowler during the HIFF reception at Washington Place on Monday. Ogata is the star of "Amasian: The Amazing Asian." Albrecht choreographed HIFF entry "Pretty Dead Girl" and is working with Zane on Diamond Head Theatre's production of "Suessical."

A BUSY WEEK FOR BOLLER!: HIFF executive director Chuck Boller talked with Maori entertainer Rhonda, left, and Alison Quinn at the pre-screening reception for "Gettin' Square," hosted by Quinn's husband, Australian Consul General John Quinn, and John Fyfe, president of Lincolne Scott, at the Hawaii Theatre on Tuesday.