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The opera and Punahou
connection comes home

Honolulu-born Leslie Goldman has been in New York, where she earned her degree in opera from the prestigious Manhattan School of Music. The Punahou graduate is home now with her Golden Key Opera Company, made up of friends from the Big Apple, including the talented Carrington Vilmont, who has been seen on Broadway in "The Phantom of the Opera." They'll be performing two contemporary operas at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Hawaii Theatre. "The Telephone" is a charming, 26-minute comical "curtain-raiser" that will be followed by "The Medium," a spine-tingling tale about a fraudulent fortune teller haunted by spirits of the underworld. This is the perfect way to catch opera, whether you're already a fan or just want an introduction. Plus there's a special $20 "rush" ticket price for unreserved seats as part of "First Friday." For reserved seats, which cost $25 to $35, call the Hawaii Theatre at 528-0506. ... Another Punahou graduate continues forging ahead. Blaine Saito, son of Anthony Saito and Carmen Ikehara-Saito, was selected as one of 22 interns for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. While attending Harvard University, from which he graduated magna cum laude with a degree in chemistry last year, Saito sang in the Glee Club. He hopes to have a career in arts management, especially with a symphony orchestra. ...

Local boy Jake Shimabukuro is pleasing fans away from home. Former Hawaii residents John and Barbara Rybczyk, who now live in Florida, caught Shimabukuro's two-hour performance at the 2005 Florida International Festival last month and in an e-mail said, Shimabukuro's performance was "fantastic ... outstanding. It was a full house at the Club." ... Entertainer Matt Yee continues his worldwind performances aboard the Celebrity Cruiseline's Millennium ship. After his short vacation in Honolulu, Yee was off to Europe, docking in several ports in Italy, France and Spain last month. This month he continues to Greece and Turkey. ... Local writer Kirby Wright has another novel out. The coming-of-age story follows a Punahou School student during the '60s and '70s. Readers may find delight in the nostalgic figures of J. Akuhead Pupule, Cecilio & Kapono, Bobo Olson and Duke Kahanamoku. ...