English-born celebrity reporter Robin Leach, who made a name for himself in the U.S. as host for the late Al Masini‘s show, "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," was in town from Las Vegas last week and stayed at The Royal Hawaiian.

Leach first worked as a writer for "Entertainment Tonight," another of Masini’s shows. In those days, he told Masini he wanted to do a show in which he would be the next Barbara Walters. Masini told him that "Barbara Walters is Barbara Walters," according to Masini’s widow, Charlyn Honda Masini. But out of that conversation, "Lifestyles" was developed.

While here last week, Leach and his friend, Glynda Rhodes, got together with Charlyn. Leach gave a humorous speech at the lavish wedding of Al and Charlyn when they married at The Royal Hawaiian on June 2, 2001. Al died Nov. 29, 2010. Leach gave Masini’s eulogy Jan. 8, 2011, at a memorial hosted here by Jim Nabors at his home.

Leach is a longtime friend of restaurateur Roy Yama­guchi, so dinner at Roy’s Waikiki last Friday was a must. Besides Leach, Rhodes and Charlyn, others attending were owner Yamaguchi and wife Denise, and DuWayne Uyehara.

"The meal and wine were very special," Charlyn said. She added that the dinner could have easily been featured on "Lifestyles." The dinner was followed Sunday by brunch at the Halekulani. The Yama­guchis didn’t make that one but the others did, along with Carole Kai Inouye and Dirk and Dale Fukushima …

ACTOR Jason Momoa, a star of movies and TV, was in town this week and had lunch at Zippy’s on South King Street with Takeo Kobayashi, Eric Chandler and Yu Shing Ting Monday. The big, muscular Hawaiian must dig his local grinds …

Momoa got his break in 1999 on "Baywatch Hawaii" and Masini played a role in his success, Charlyn said. "Al was heavily involved with ‘Baywatch’ and was instrumental in bringing the show to the islands in 1998," she added. "Al, along with Greg Bonann and others, cast Jason in his first big break. I distinctly remember Al saying, ‘One day Jason will be a big star. He’s got talent, great presence, he’s tall, good-looking, with a great voice. Jason has a look that will allow him to play different characters and an acting range that will showcase his talents in diverse roles.’ Al definitely would be proud of Jason’s growth and accomplishments" …

HAWAII-BORN Maggie Q, 34, is not the star of "Divergent," but she was the hottest actress on the red carpet at the picture’s Los Angeles premiere Tuesday. She wore a sexy black dress with skin-revealing cutouts on the side. The "Nikita" actress from Mililani High stole red-carpet honors from Kate Winslet, 38, and star Shailene Woodley, 22, who played the older daughter of George Clooney‘s character in "The Descendants" …

Ben Wood, who sold newspapers on Honolulu streets in World War II, writes of people, places and things. Email him at bwood@staradvertiser.com.