HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MEL!: Kimo Kahoano didn't come empty-handed to Melveen Leed's birthday party Friday aboard the Hawaiian Rainbow in Kewalo Basin. Kahoano, a serious golfer, knew that Leed enjoys the game, too, and decided a new black bag for her clubs would be a perfect gift. One of the other guests told Leed she should "check the pockets (of the bag)," and she quipped that she "had plenty of experience doing that with my ex-husbands!" Leed, center, believes in celebrating her birthday by throwing her own party, and invited a short list of family and friends to party with her dockside before embarking on a leisurely two-hour cruise off Waikiki. She chose the Hawaiian Rainbow because her daughter, Kaula Naluai, right, is the vessel's captain. Kahoano later joined Leed and Glenn "Hana Boy" Pinho in entertaining the other guests on the upper deck while the ship idled off Waikiki. Leed and Pinho are a proven team. Kahoano fit into the act perfectly.

CELEBRATING WITH MEL: Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, left, talked with Iwalani Tseu and Fred Anawati near the stern of the Hawaiian Rainbow while some of the other party guests were going through the buffet line below decks. Leed had everyone disembark for the formal blessing of the ship and the party, then personally announced each person individually over the loudspeaker as they re-boarded; Tagawa let the other guests go first, but Leed didn't let him slip aboard unannounced. Joe and Shirley Recca, Jeff Apaka, Linda Coble and Kirk Matthews, Mike Kaawa, David Kauahikaua, Danny Lopez and O'Brien Eselu were among the other public figures who joined members of Leed's family, and a friend or two from her school days, for the oceangoing party. Audrey Fu, a longtime friend and clothing sponsor, helped with the preparations. Dr. Sol Naluai, Kaula's father and Leed's third ex-husband, was also aboard to make sure the party was a success.

A SPLIT DECISION: Janice Miike, left, Audrey Vasconcellos, Bryce Fukunaga and Jessica Ebisu compared notes after previewing "The Island" Tuesday at Dole Cannery. Vasconcellos found it too loud and violent. Fukunaga liked the story and the intense action but said some of the stunts were needlessly unrealistic.

HE'S YOUNGER THAN HE LOOKS, FOLKS!: David C. Farmer, second from left, was still in makeup when he met Brad Coates, left, Sachi Braden and Howard Bishop after "Comic Potential" opened Wednesday at Manoa Valley Theatre. Farmer plays a very old and powerful executive in the slow, offbeat comedy.

MEET OUR 'ACTOID': "Comic Potential" actors Leslie Bartels, left, Richard Aadland and Melinda Maltby celebrated at the post-show party. Bartels carries the show as Jacie, an android with a sense of humor. Maltby plays a lesbian, but her character's sexual orientation turns out to have no bearing on the story.