On the Scene
John Berger



‘SOS Fever’ at the Hawaii Theatre

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'THIS ONE'S FOR GARY!': Martin Nievera, fourth from left, joined the Society of Seven and Lani Misalucha for a moment backstage last Friday before they all went out to meet the audience after their show at the Hawaii Theatre. Nievera flew in from the Philippines to emcee the two-day, three-show homecoming engagement and joined the group for several numbers. A lengthy video segment honoring the late Gary Bautista, an SOS member for more than 20 years, was the emotional finale to the first half of the show. "Little Albert" Maligmat's 10-minute rendition of "Try a Little Tenderness" was a highlight in Act 2, although every member of the group had impressive showcase moments in the show. With Maligmat, second from right, rejoining the SOS for the time being, the group's members are Randy Abellar, left, Roy Guerzo, Tony Ruivivar, Wayne Wakai, Bert Sagum, Maligmat and Hoku Low.

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YOUNG SOS FANS: Esmond and Vivian Chung took their sons, Landon, left, and Keenan, to the show. The boys said they've seen the SOS "many times."

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RENE AND RENE: Rene Paulo, right, and his son, Rene Jr., talked during intermission.

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REMEMBERING THE '60S: Jimmy Borges, center, greeted Eddie Inouye and Carole Kai before the show. Kai met the SOS in the 1960s, when the group's name was the Fabulous Echoes.

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ALOHA FROM DANNY: Danny Kaleikini and Linda Wong welcomed the group home. Kaleikini opened at the old Kahala Hilton a few years before the SOS debuted at the Outrigger Waikiki.

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WHEN DIRK MET GAIL: Dirk Fukushima talked story with Gail Paulo. Although he is busier than ever with "Hawaii Stars," Fukushima worked on the SOS video tribute to Gary Bautista.

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TIME FLIES: Karen Ruivivar, left, wife of SOS leader Tony Ruivivar, celebrated with Frances Kirk after the show. Kirk introduced the group as the headliners of the Outrigger Main Showroom in 1969.



John Berger has covered the local entertainment scene since 1972. Contact him at jberger@starbulletin.com.



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