PBS Hawaii is in the midst of a “New Home” campaign to raise funds to acquire the former headquarters of KHNL-KFVE on Sand Island Access Road. After 40 years at studio space on the University of Hawaii at Manoa campus, PBS is forced to find a permanent home because UH plans to recover the facility space.
Broadway Tony nominee and island singer-actress Loretta Ables Sayre will host a special entertainment-laden PBS show at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 18 to pitch for financial kokua.
Performers and personalities include Marlene Sai, Paula Fuga, Jimmy Borges, Danny Kaleikini, Keola Beamer, Kawika Kahiapo, Roy Sakuma, Neva Rego, Kealoha, Pono Shim, Pegge Hopper, Candy Suiso and Ryan Higa. They’ll bring a diverse perspective when they assemble to sing, talk story and raise awareness of the $30 million capital fund drive under way so PBS can continue to program its staples ranging from “Sesame Street” and Leslie Wilcox’s “Long Story Short” to the student-produced “Hiki No” and “Na Mele” music specials. PBS is halfway toward making its goal. …
MONEY MATTERS: That New York “Hulaween” Halloween fundraiser, headed by another from-Hawaii diva, Bette Midler, raised $1.8 million amid the recent devastation of superstorm Sandy in the region. The campaign funds the New York Restoration Project, which reclaims and restores NYC parks, community gardens and open spaces throughout the five boroughs.
Ironically, Blondie sang “The Tide Is High” as if to punctuate the disastrous flooding and destruction.
Al Gore had an inconvenient truth: The storm prevented him from making it to the benefit. Midler said, “These extreme weather events are happening more and more, and there’s a pattern to them. The quicker everybody wakes up and smells the flooding, the quicker we will all be able to work together to do something about this.” And now it’s snow, too. …
AROUND TOWN: Kailua folks are wondering whether President Barack Obama, Michelle and the ohana will continue their Christmas tradition of holidaying in Kailua. Betcha it’ll happen — valid re-election R&R. …
The Rascals, aka The Young Rascals, are reuniting Dec. 13-15 at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, N.Y. If you’re of that era, the 1960s, you’ll still remember that beloved “My Hawaii” anthem written and recorded by the group, a classic evolved from their love of the Islands. Well, Eddie Brigati, Felix Cavaliere, Gene Cornish and Dino Danelli and their handlers are seeking Hawaii-related photos, audio, video or souvenirs for this reunion. If you have a treasured memento to share, write therascalsarchives@yahoo.com or go to www.therascalsarchives.com for info. …
Steven Van Zandt, a producer and guitarist with Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, is a lifelong fan of The Rascals and is spearheading the reunion, which is leaning on archival stuff to validate nostalgia and good times. The act played here at the height of its career and is known for “How Can I Be Sure,” “A Beautiful Morning,” “Good Lovin’,” “A Girl Like You” and “Groovin’.” But “My Hawaii” (penned by Brigati and Cavaliere) was the No. 1 fave in Hawaii. Remember? …
WEATHER REPORT: Remember the Oct. 27 tsunami warning alert?
“Spooky” storyteller Jeff Gere had just finished his Hawaii Theatre for Youth pre-show Department of Health sponsor message about emergency preparedness and was 20 minutes into his ghostly spiel when the Civil Defense sirens sounded, forcing HTY artistic director Eric Johnson to halt the production for evacuation. Everyone got a free ticket to take in “Christmas Talk Story,” starting Nov. 23 at Tenney Theatre, featuring Chelsey Cannon, Alvin Chan, Maile Holck, Kala‘i Stern and Junior Tesoro. …
And that’s “Show Biz.” …
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Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist; reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com; read his Show and Tell Hawaii blog at www.staradvertiser.com.
