Karen Keawehawai'i's biggest hope is that she doesn't mix up her shows when she basks in the Hawai'i Theatre limelight tonight, launching the 2005-06 Hana Hou! Hawaiian Music Series.

"I gotta remember that this is not Jim Nabors' Christmas show," she said. "No holly in the hair; no 'It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas' song."

Indeed, Keawehawai'i is one of the dependable tinsels in the holiday extravaganza. But for Hana Hou! — which is truly a hana hou for her, having been featured in a solo show in 1999 — it's mostly a Hawaiian evening surrounded by family and friends.

And, of course, it's an opportunity for her to flutter her fake lashes and dish out the aloha, minus the Christmas cheer.

"Doing this show is my exercise, my relaxation," said Keawehawai'i, who hasn't been on the regular show circuit for years. "It's also my therapy. I get to put on my face (makeup and all) and do the hair (laden with blooms)."

Best of all, it's her big chance to prance. "I have this opportunity to keep up on my Hawaiian music, on a larger scale. So I'm tapping my friends."

She has enlisted the services of her two sidekick aunties, Flo and Mapu (Florence Koanui and Mapuana Yasue). Her musicians will include Bernard Kalua on bass, Bryan Tolentino on 'ukulele, Greg Sardinha on steel guitar, Mel Amina on guitar, and son-in-law Keawe Lopes on piano. O'Brian Eselu's Halau Ke Kai O Kahiki will also add syncopation to the evening, as will Keawehawai'i's dancing sister, Johnette Keawehawai'i, and daughter Tracie Farias Lopes.

"There may be some surprises," she said, with grandmotherly pride. Her mo'opuna, Pi'ikea, 5, and Ka'onohi, 3, may earn some stage time. "I've been telling them that cute going work only when they're young," she laughed. "After that, they have to be reasonably good to get on stage, to be next to "puna" (short for kupuna wahine, grandmother)."

Keawehawai'i also has been working out a country tune, "Teddy Bear," not to be confused with "Me and My Teddy Bear," which The Brothers Cazimero have recorded. Hers is accidental and sentimental.

"I ... came across this cassette tape of a country song with my mom's voice and me and Johnette singing," she said. " 'Oh, my God, I have to include this in the show,' I said, and it will be part of a medley. The tape's pretty rough, but I wish I could use my mom's voice in the show."

When she learned that she would kick off the new Hana Hou! season, she researched songs at Harry's Music and hustled to enlist her all-star band.

"Bernard works with a Hilton Polynesian revue, Bryan often performs with Jerry Santos, and Mel and Greg both had something — but with advance notice, they could get subs, so I'm lucky. Having these musicians ... creates a comfort zone."

She worried if the budget would allow her to hire 'em all. "The good thing is, I don't have to pay my family," said Keawehawai'i. Consequently, daughter Tracie and her husband, Keawe, will dance for the love of it.

"Keawe was so cute, you know," said Keawehawai'i. "He told me, 'No need use me,' and I told him, 'This is not a request, this is an order — you dance with your wife.' "

Rehearsals, like her onstage show, are always fun. "Sometimes I think people should pay to come to the rehearsals," she said.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.