DECADES AFTER their only concert appearance here, the mere presence of Iron Maiden in Honolulu earlier this week was enough to get generations of rock fans buzzing.

Just after midnight on Monday, a Boeing 757 with customized logos from the band's “;Somewhere Back in Time”; world tour taxied into an area at Honolulu Airport reserved for charter flights.

A source reports lead vocalist Bruce Dickinson and his five bandmates were then transported to the Moana Surfrider, although a hotel spokesperson would not confirm they were guests. Dozens of roadies and other crew members reportedly spent the night elsewhere in Waikiki.

According to airport spokeswoman Tammy Mori, the Iron Maiden jet departed late Monday. The band is scheduled to perform in Mexico City tomorrow, following concerts in Monterrey and Guadalajara .

Too bad Hawaii fans don't rate high enough for a tour stop here ...

HAS KAPAHULU turned into a new hot spot for local media types? If so, I didn't get the memo.

Hanging out at Zen Shu and Uncle Bo's on Friday was supposed to be a reunion of sorts for former Oahu resident and Double-K Country jock Gina Lynn Cusumano. She returned from the Big Island to hang out with former co-workers from New Wave Broadcasting, among them this columnist (I was an intern at the station when she worked there).

As I walked into Zen Shu, I knew I'd see Cusumano, KHON's Justin Cruz and KCCN FM-100's Bryan “;Bruddah Bryan”; Min, but I totally didn't expect to run into Jake Shimabukuro noshing at the sushi bar with film producer Stacey Hayashi. It was also a pleasant surprise to see that Cruz had brought KHON co-worker Marisa Yamane with him.

The television connections continued at Uncle Bo's, where we ran into KHON sports anchor Kanoa Leahey at the bar and KGMB production director Jay Park at yet another table. Talk about a small island ...

CONCERT NEWS: Hip-hop fans have got to be excited about Grammy Award-winning rapper Lil Wayne's upcoming visit. An April 4 concert at the Blaisdell Arena was announced this week, with tickets going on sale at 9 a.m. Saturday at all Ticketmaster outlets. Prices range from $59.75 to $125.75 ... If Weezy F. Baby doesn't do it for you, then how about Nas? A source at Pipeline Cafe tells me there's a “;60 percent probability”; that the May 23 show will happen, after promoters paid a deposit for the venue earlier this week ... Journey fans on Oahu are hoping promoter Tom Moffatt will add a second night here, after tickets for the band's March 26 concert sold out in less than two hours last weekend. At press time, tickets were still available for the band's March 24 Maui concert and March 28 Big Island show ...

FRIDAY'S PICKS: Former Hawaii rockers Pacifica return to Oahu this weekend. They'll play an all ages show at The Spot at 6 p.m. Friday, with local openers All Heart, Fittedoar and Dub Phylum. They follow up Saturday at The Loft alongside Satellite Grey, The Jump Offs and Stillborn Skies, starting at 9 p.m. ... If you haven't witnessed the turntable wizardry of Murder Mainstream yet, the DJ tag team will execute an aural assault at The Loft on Friday starting at 10 p.m. They'll be joined by DJs Logoe and Packo ... Ill Valley continues their series of release parties with a trip to Haleiwa Joe's. First set is at 10:30 p.m. Friday, with a $10 cover charge at the door ...

SATURDAY'S PICKS: Help raise money for the Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language and skank the night away at Andrews Amphitheatre during the “;Kulia Roots Fest,”; with live performances by Ooklah the Moc, Inna Vision, Ai Pohaku and Jamaica's Rootz Underground. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Saturday; tickets are $20 at the door ... Head to The Spot for an evening of live rock to benefit the Hawaii Food Bank. The all-ages concert starts at 7 p.m. Saturday, with live sets by Amity Street, My Sleep Therapy, Phoenix Rose, Bari Bari 13, Busekrus and Emke. Cover is $10 ... Electronic music fans will want to check out “;Rapture,”; a new 16-and-over weekly at 831 Queen St. Doors open at 9 p.m. Saturday, and this one is BYOB for those old enough to drink ...

Check out Jason Genegabus' blog: www.sonecessary.tv