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Mihana Souza sings at
Vegas’ California Hotel
on Lei Day

Mihana Souza is in Las Vegas for the first time to sing in a Lei Day program tomorrow at the California Hotel. "I'm going to bring the islands to Las Vegas by singing songs of each Hawaiian island," Mihana said, over a bite to eat at OnJin's Wednesday. Mihana said she wants to honor all the islands of former Hawaii residents who live in Las Vegas. "Mommy has written songs from every island and I will sing them," she said. Mihana's "Mommy" is the late, great singer-composer Irmgard Farden Aluli, originally from Maui ... Irmgard's sister, Edna Bekeart, Mihana and other Farden relatives are featured in a nine-page spread in the April issue of "Coastal Living," a national magazine. The "Come to Kapalua" feature is about a luncheon at Kapalua, Maui, at which Edna's songs were performed by the family group Puamana and others. One of Edna's songs, "Come to Kapalua," was adopted by the Kapalua Bay Hotel as its official anthem. Farden family recipes are among those printed in the feature ...

Texas Roadhouse restaurant chain conventioneers at the JW Marriott Ihilani had great entertainment during their stay this week. Willie Nelson and the Charlie Daniels Band; the Doobie Brothers; Earth Wind and Fire, and Counting Crows performed during the week ... Vivien Gan has departed as Kahala Mandarin public relations chief to join the Ritz Carlton in Bahrain. Marie Cazaux is handling the resort's P.R. until a replacement is named ... A.Testoni shoes held a reception at its Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center store April 21 to show its 2005 spring collection. Store manager is Tom Kenney ...

Kumu hula looking forward to entertaining troops

This is one trip Kumu Hula Kahalepuna Richardson-Naki is really looking forward to making. Kahalepuna and five of her dancers from Kuhai Halau O Kahalepuna Pa Olapa Kahiko will make a trip to the Balkans and Mideast, including Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait, May 3-26, to entertain U.S. troops. The kumu's husband, Capt. John Naki, is with Hawaii National Guard's 29th Brigade in Kuwait. Dancers making the trip with Kahalepuna are: Kananiola Kihoi, Alohanani Yacavone, Kamaliiwahine Sakaguchi, Piilani Klein and Uilani Dement. The halau will perfume poolside at the Sheraton Waikiki on Lei Day tomorrow, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. ...

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