Thompsons welcome new little Tihati to ohana

There’s literally a new Tihati in the Tihati Productions ohana, with the arrival of Tihati James Mataientena Thompson, born May 29 at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children.

The toddler is the son of Tihati Productions president Afatia Thompson and his wife Nicole, a regular performer in Tihati shows. He is named after both of his grandfathers. Proud puna Cha Thompson said “he’s a little guy,” checking in at 6 pounds, 10 ounces, and grandpapa Jack “Tihati” Thompson is gleefully sharing iPhone pics.

Tihati is the Thompsons’ fifth child, and the number five looms significant in Dad’s life: It was Afa’s jersey number when he was quarterbacking for June Jones’ University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors in 1996. Thus, he so wanted a fifth keiki.

“Thank God his number wasn’t eight,” said Cha, who expects to tackle baby-sitting duties soon. No word yet if li’l Tihati shows performing skills. …

LALA LAND

“Comic relief is provided by Loretta Ables Sayre, scowling and howling as the evil hotel landlady Mrs. Meers,” said the Hartford (Conn.) Courant of Ables Sayre, a hilarious hit in “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” at the Goodspeed Theatre in Connecticut through July 2. She “has some of the funniest moments of the night,” according to Broadway World.

There were romantic moments offstage, too, when Loretta and hubby David Sayre marked their 17th wedding anniversary on June 18. He heralded the milestone with a Facebook photo post of their wedding party outside Central Union Church on Father’s Day 2000. It was publicist Deborah Sharkey who introduced him to “Lala,” as she is called, one April night at Lewers Lounge.

“Woo-hoo, yee-hah!” he proclaimed. …

THE LOCAL ANGLE

>> Willie does Israel: ’Twas a meeting of giants, when Willie K paid tribute to the late Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole June 14 at Blue Note Hawaii at the Outrigger Waikiki Resort. Sticking to his ukulele for most of the evening, Willie’s tribute was personal and profound, and his treatment of Iz’s music respectful and reverent. One take-away: Willie updated Iz’s “Hawaii ’78,” that sweet lament that has become the anthem of the Hawaiian movement, but Willie’s take included solid rhetoric during an instrumental riff, about the need for Hawaiians to bond and unite, not fight and challenge each other. He should record it, complete with the call for harmony, for a new generation of fans and activists. …

>> Together again: New Orleans blues legend Davell Crawford will guest-gig with the aforementioned Willie, thanks to Suzanne Koga, Crawford’s manager, who used frequent-flier miles for a birthday gift: a trek to California to join Willie and his brand of blues at a venue in Berkeley on Thursday. Koga noted, “As improbable as the pairing of Hawaii’s music is with New Orleans, they challenge and nurture each other artistically in ways they can’t find in their own home states because of how different they are. … They source from the same place, a deep-rooted soulful creativity.” …

>> Hy there: Singer-composer Audy Kimura marked 30 years on Friday as resident performer at Hy’s Steak House in Waikiki. No big fanfare or celebration, but Kimura recalled when original Hy’s owner, the late restaurateur Rod Gardiner, asked him, “Why don’t you play for us a few nights a week?” Said Kimura, “Thirty years later, here I am and I’m grateful beyond words.” And restaurant g.m. Marc Nezu said “a Hy’s without Audy wouldn’t be Hy’s.” …

And that’s “Show Biz.” …

Wayne Harada is a veteran Honolulu entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or email wayneharada@gmail.com.