Actor's grinning driver's license mug causes problems

FACES OUT FRONT: A report that "Lost" star Dominic Monaghan, has been caught esceeding the speed limit — and flashing a beaming identification card — is making the rounds. According to this piece, Monaghan wears a big smile on his California driver's license, and police who pulled him over didn't recognize his mug. (They probably didn't see "Lord of the Rings," either.) According to the report, an officer asked him, "What's this all about?" (referring to his smiley face). "That's my smile," Monaghan said, and the officer retorted, "Is this a joke?" To which he responded, "No, it's very serious; it's gonna cost me money." ...

Monaghan, 29, and his main squeeze, "Lost" co-star Evangeline Lilly, 26, are photographed in the just-out Inside TV magazine, strolling on Waikiki Beach, no longer hiding their relationship. They tell their friends that they want to keep their relationship off the radar to "avoid being the new Brad and Angelina." Apparently, he calls her Evie. ...

A contingent of "Lost" personnel took in Diamond Head Theatre's "The Full Monty" (extended through Sunday), thanks to Jim Triplett, the TV show's location manager (who is the spouse of Stefanie Smart, one of the "Monty" cast members). The gang included Jim Spencer, production designer; Pat Churchill, unit production manager; Steve Cainas, production coordinator; Shelly Stevens, assistant production coordinator; Dayne Johnson, office production assistant; Doug Madison, property manager; Brian Costa, property assistant; and Sherwin Shilati, assistant to executive producer Jack Bender. ...

WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Hapa — that's Barry Flanagan and Nathan Aweau — will bring Hawaiian music to a mainstream audience when the group performs at the Hollywood Reporter/Billboard Film & TV Music Conference in Beverly Hills Nov. 15. It'll mark the first time an Island act gets such a boost. Flanagan and Aweau will be joined by chanter Charles Ka'upu and a hula dancer. ...

Kirk Hammett of the rock band Metallica dined at Sam Choy's Diamond Head the other night, rather enjoying the new Jazz Saturdays with New Jass Quartet. ...

With the baseball playoffs in full swing, actor Owen Wilson (in town for filming of "You, Me and Dupree" with Kate Hudson and Matt Dillon), watched and rooted for Houston (when it played Atlanta) on TV at Compadres recently. He sipped margaritas and chomped on enchiladas, and certainly is no stranger to Hawai'i, having filmed "The Big Bounce" here earlier. His recent film hits include "Wedding Crashers" and "Starsky and Hutch." ...

Kareem Abdul Jabar towered over the rest of the diners and servers in Keo's Waikiki restaurant when he chilled out with friends — until L.A. Laker legend James Worthy stopped by join his former teammate. ...

Other Lakers opted for Morton's The Steak House at Ala Moana Center for dinner, including Lamar Odom, forward; Kwame Brown, forward-center; and Aaron McKie, guard. ...

TRADE WINDS: We missed Karen Keawehawai'i's Hana Hou! concert recently at the Hawai'i Theatre, but we heard it was hot — literally. OK, she was in top form, but the theater's air-conditioning was on the fritz, so concert-goers got bottled water upon entering the facility, a rare instance when drinks were permitted. ...

FINALLY: Tong-Il Han, a pianist from South Korea, gives a recital at 4 p.m. Sunday at Orvis Auditorium, University of Hawai'i-Manoa campus. Tickets: $18 and $12 (seniors and students), on sale through the sponsoring organizations — Mozart House (537-3441), the Ernest Chang Piano Studio (536-0218) and the UH College of Arts & Humanities and Music Department (tickets at Campus Center, 956-7236). ...

And that's Show Biz. ...

Show Biz is published Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 525-8055.