On the Scene

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARADVERTISER.COM
A BIG NIGHT FOR JALEE Producer/director Ray Abregano conferred backstage with Jalee Fuselier, left, Miss Hawaii 2009 Raeceen Woolford and Noelani Kau‘i moments before show time at the 2010 Miss Hawaii pageant Saturday at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. Two hours later Fuselier had been crowned Miss Hawaii 2010, won two service awards and been named Miss Photogenic. Kau‘i was voted Miss Congeniality.

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARADVERTISER.COM
Kainani Kahaunaele introduced songs from her new album, “Ohai Ula,” with support from “Alika Boy” Kalauli (electric bass), left, and her producer, Shawn Pimental (guitar). It was a welcome return to the Wai- kiki stage by Kahaunaele, whose debut album won three Hoku Awards in 2004.

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARADVERTISER.COM
“MAHALO, PUAKEA” Kupaoa — Kellen Paik, left, and Lihau Hannahs — welcomed Puakea Nogelmeier to the CD release party for their new album, “English Rose,” June 9 at Chai’s Island Bistro. The duo included two of his compositions on the CD and thanked him in the liner notes for his advice.

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARADVERTISER.COM
LUNCH AT THE GRILLE Bill “Billy V” Van Osdol of Hawaiian 105KINE and AM940 talked backstage with Mailani Makainai at the Kamehameha Day “Aloha Friday Luncheon Show” last week at the Kani Ka Pilla Grille. Playing the luncheon show was one of Makainai’s first public performances since she won Female Vocalist of the Year at the 2010 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards last month, and her short but sweet set left no doubt of her star status. Shawn Ishimoto (lap bass), Dr. Trey (ukulele) and Seann Carrol (percussion) provided excellent support.

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARADVERTISER.COM
LED OPENS MELE SERIES Ledward Kaapana played exquisite slack key as Bishop Museum president Tim Johns opened the museum’s 2010 “Moonlite Mele” series June 5 with a private reception at the Cafe Pulama. It was the first time many of Johns’ guests had sampled the food there. The five varieties of panini grilled sandwiches were very popular.