HO BIZ: Marlene Sai, who got her start in show biz singing with Don Ho at his mom's club Honey's in Kane'ohe, has been largely overlooked in all the tributes and remembrances of Ho, who died Saturday of heart failure. Upon learning of his death, Sai managed to tend to quiet prayer time for Ho and his 'ohana, but shared some cherished memories.

"I've known him most of my life, and he always knew of my aloha for him," said Sai, best known for her rendering of "Waikiki," her uncle Andy Cummings' composition. "Throughout our careers, we were always in touch. Donald also knew of my appreciation for my start in entertainment at Honey's in Kane'ohe, so often he would tell everyone how I was his first female singer and how he never knew I was 'underage' while singing at Honey's.

"Often in a joking mood, he would kid me, saying, 'Don't forget that I'm the one who gave you your start' and my comeback would be, 'If people weren't coming to hear me at Honey's, they wouldn't know who this Don Ho is. So don't you forget who gave you your start!' "

The last time Ho reminded Sai was a couple of months ago, when they encountered each other over noodles in Kaimuki. "He was with Haumea and mo'opuna (grandkids) and I was with Bev Noa," said Sai.

"He had a deep passion for most things Hawaiian (and) was also compassionate of our entertainment industry," said Sai, who is president of the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts. ...

AROUND TOWN: Michael Emerson, Ben of "Lost," took in the matinee performance of Kennedy Theatre's "As You Like It" Sunday. Nice to know classical theater still attracts him. The play continues for two more weekends, and you never know who'll be in the house. ...

And "Lost" producers are securing the services of Tihati Productions to stage a "wrap" lu'au later this month in Mokule'ia. Filming will be pau shortly. ...

No sooner had the cast and crew of "Altar Boyz" arrived in town Monday from Phoenix than they checked into the Embassy Suites in Waikiki and immediately checked out the beer at the Yard House at Waikiki Beach Walk, running into show presenter Andrew Meader, who had stopped at Ruth's Chris Steak House above it for a nightcap. Also on the Boyz agenda: an opening-night party at Compadres and activities such as sky diving, if all goes as planned. The show runs through Sunday at the Hawai'i Theatre — with Ryan Strand replacing Nick Blaemire as Abraham. ...

ROLE-PLAYING: Mary Gutzi, heading back this way for Manoa Marquee, the Manoa Valley Theatre's fundraiser at 4 p.m. April 29 on the grounds of the Hawai'i State Art Museum, will portray Madame Ther-nardier in "Les Miserables," July 10-22 at the Sacramento Music Circus. "It will be nice to see the show from a different perspective, having played Fantine," she said in a phone call. ...

OK, NOW IT CAN BE TOLD: Al Waterson, the king of karaoke (Sundays at Don Ho's Island Grill), will take on the Teen Angel role in the Army Community Theatre's "Grease," starting May 10 at Richardson Theatre. His big song is the tongue-in-cheek "Beauty School Drop-Out." ...

RANDOM NOTES: No. 1 album at Borders Ward Centre? Hoku Zuttermeister's " 'Aina Kupuna." Hear him live with The Makaha Sons in the Hana Hou concert April 27 at the Hawai'i Theatre. And Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's "Facing Future," which has been see-sawing on the Top 10, is No. 2. ...

Tori Richard CEO Josh Feldman was part of the Hawaii Public Radio pledge drive last week, on air with station g.m. Michael Titterton and arts and culture reporter Noe Tanigawa. Phones weren't ringing until Feldman offered $100 Tori Richard gift certificates to the first 10 callers pledging $150 or more. In an instant, $1,500 was raised — and it's likely you'll see 10 folks donning TR garb. ...

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.