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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, May 16, 2010

Celebrity pairings add some spice to Nā Hōkū show


By Wayne Harada

Four pairings — two popular acts, who don't usually work together — should be just the savory flavor to bring zest to this year's Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards show at 7:30 p.m. May 30 at the Hawai'i Convention Center. It's the nightcap of the first Nā Hōkū O Hawai'i Music Festival beginning May 27 in Waikīkī.

The buzz is that Henry Kapono and his band will be joined by Mick Fleetwood, the Fleetwood Mac leader who lives on Maui. Amy Hānaiali'i and her crew will host John Cruz. Hapa (Barry Flanagan and Nathan Aweau) will host Kenny Loggins. And in the evening's hot ticket pairing, Ho'okena (Manu Boyd, Horace K. Dudoit III, Chris Kamaka and Glen H.K. Smith) will harmonize with The Mākaha Sons (Louis "Moon" Kauakahi, John Koko and Jerome Koko).

The Ho'okena-Mākaha Sons teaming will be complemented by the hula stylings of Nani Dudoit, wife of Horace Dudoit, Jeri-Lynn Ke'alo Koko, daughter of Jerome Koko, and Kyoko Kauakahi, spouse of Moon Kauakahi. Chicken skin time. ...

WHEE, THE PEOPLE: The Bright kids will celebrate the 50th anniversary of parents Ron and Moira Bright's wedding with a party at 6 p.m. July 9 at the Hale Koa hotel's Banyan Showroom. Though long retired from the Department of Education (he, as the indefatigable drama director at Castle High School, she as a superintendent's office veteran), both Brights continue to be very active in school and church endeavors. Congrats are in order. ...

After a mention here last Sunday that Eddie Kamae would finally receive his Farrington High School diploma this Saturday — 65 years tardy — folks meeting up with him on the streets have been offering congratulatory wishes. When he appeared with his music bros at his usual Sunday gig (3:30 to 7 p.m.) at Honey's at Ko'olau Golf Course, musician Paul Kim read the item to the crowd, yielding cheers, applause and hurrahs. "It was really fun," said Eddie's wife, Myrna. ...

THE LOCAL ANGLE: Notables sighted at Wolfgang's Steakhouse by Wolfgrang Zwiener at the Royal Hawaiian Center: Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, Mayor Mufi Hannemann, Al and Charlyn Masini, and Jack and Cha Thompson with Sāmoa's deputy prime minister Misa Telefoni Retzlaff. Handsomest diner? "The Descendants" star George Clooney. ...

Singer-actor-author Byron Nease, who played Raoul in two visiting "Phantom of the Opera" visits here and the Phantom elsewhere, will be at a book-signing for his "Behind the Mask ... No More" from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Borders, Ward Centre. He'll also sign his CDs. He joins local fave Robert Cazimero and jazz man John Proulx in "Barefoot Broadway" at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Hawai'i Theatre. ...

HITHER 'N' YON: The Pritchett clan from ABC's "Modern Family" had quite a five-star welcome when it filmed a segment at the luxe Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea (it aired Wednesday night). Hotel folks had to be mum about the filming, which showcased the plethora of family-friendly activities (watersports, games, fitness) for kids and moms and dads. "We figure if this modern family could have so much fun, then think how great it would be when viewers (10 million) bring their own 'modern families' to Maui," said Thomas Steihauer, the resort's VP and GM. ...

Singer Danny Couch is touring Texas, playing at military bases for Military Spouse Appreciation Month. ...

Comedian Rip Taylor's autobiographical one-man play, "It Ain't All Confetti!" has been in previews at El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood, premiering this Friday night, and continueing through May 30. This is the script he's been touting to his local pals. ...

And that's Show Biz. ...