JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
TAPIA CLOSES THE ROYAL: Ukulele virtuoso Bill Tapia, center, got excellent instrumental support from Ernie Provencher, left, and Jeff Peterson as he played Friday evening in the Monarch Room at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. Tapia, who celebrated his 100th birthday on New Year's Day, was a member of the band that played at the Royal when it opened in 1927, and that made him the perfect choice to headline an aloha 'oe concert as the hotel prepared to shut down for six months of renovations. Tapia was in top form as he played and sang an assortment of hapa-haole classics and jazz standards, told some of his favorite jokes and stories, and welcomed guest vocalist Mihana Souza and storyteller Pat Enos.

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
CONGRATULATIONS, NOBU: Celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa, center, was both host and guest of honor at a lavish reception last Thursday commemorating the first anniversary of Nobu Waikiki in the Waikiki Parc Hotel. General manager Wanloe Konyak-Schock, left, joined chef Matsuhisa in welcoming the guests. Kevin Aoki of Doraku Sushi was one of many industry figures who stopped by to congratulate them.

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
MAUNALUA CELEBRATES "NEW" ALBUM: Maunalua bassist Kahi Kaonohi faked a few hula moves backstage Sunday during the group's "CD Celebration Party" for its album "Ho'okanaka" at Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant. The group got some kidding about the party's timing -- the album was released in October!

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
It was mix-and-match when the members of Maunalua welcomed their counterparts from Pilioha before the younger group took the stage and played a beautiful set of modern Hawaiian music for its hosts. That's guitarist Bruce Spencer of Maunalua, left, Gary Kalehua Krug Jr. of Pilioha, "Uncle Bobby" Moderow Jr., Kamuela Kimokeo, Kahi Kaonohi and Glenn Mayeda Jr. And, yes, Krug now has three lines of ancestral tattoos on his face.

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Jamie Hightower, center, talked backstage with the men of Kaukahi: Dean Wilhelm, left, Kawika Kahiapo, Barrett Awai and Walt Keale.