Amy Hanaiali’i, the islands’ best-selling female vocalist, perhaps has found a way to woo Grammy voters who traditionally have given the nod in the Hawaiian music category to compilations of slack-key guitarists. Due Sept. 28, the "Amy Hanaiali’i and Slack Key Masters of Hawaii" album not only features her Hawaiian vocal licks but also capitalizes on the ki hoalu kingpins assembled: Jeff Peterson, Cyril Pahinui, Dennis Kamakahi and Sonny Lim. All are slack-key aces on earlier Grammy CDs that aced out Hanaiali’i four times. …

…But don’t discount producer Daniel Ho‘s latest, "Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar, Vol. III," which assuredly will be in the running, too. It’s another live-from-Maui compilation that continues his Grammy-winning journey, and features the aforementioned Kamakahi and Lim, along with Ho and previous Grammy luminaries (on Vol. I and II) George Kahumoku Jr., Keoki Kahumoku, Owana Salazar and Kawika Kahiapo. …

…Let the competition begin. …

…SIGHT ‘EMS: "Iron Man" and "Sherlock Holmes" has been in our midst — that is to say, actor Robert Downey Jr. has been vacationing in Hawaii, but pretty much under the radar. …

…Other celebs recently having fun on Maui: Zac Efron and g.f. Vanessa Hudgens, and Britney Spears and b.f. Jason Trawick. …

…HERE ‘N’ THERE: Didya catch this Oprah Winfrey quote in People mag recently about her fave exercise? "I enjoy hiking the hills of Hawaii with my rambunctious dogs." …

…Sen. Daniel K. Inouye celebrated his 86th birthday recently at the Aha Aina beachfront luau at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, where the cast sang "Happy Birthday." With wife Irene at his side, the senator was visibly pleased and so were his 10 Secret Service agents, who are on security watch 24/7. OHA’s Haunani Apoliona was summoned to the stage to share her "Alu Like" tune, while show emcee Joe Recca danced — a dazzling bonus for the sell-out crowd. Mike McCartney, Hawaii Tourism Authority honcho, plus veteran show impresario Jack Cione were there, too, and were charmed by the genuine Hawaiian warmth of the production, laced with history and culture. …

…The aforementioned Inouyes really get around. They dined at Roy’s Waikiki, where actor George Takei ("Star Trek") also was spotted. And hoopster Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic was at Roy’s Hawaii Kai. …

…Stupendous choreography, rhapsodic vocals, imaginative sets and lighting — just three reasons to catch Paliku Theatre’s Ron Bright-directed "Once on This Island" musical, through Oct. 3. …

…Local theater fave Shawna Masuda and ex-islander Willy Falk took part in the Augusta Players’ concert version of "Miss Saigon" this weekend — she, as Kim, a role she has done at Army Community Theatre; he as Chris, the Broadway role he originated that earned him a Tony Award nomination. …

…DATES TO CIRCLE: Sometimes it pays to be in the middle of the Pacific. Because Oscar-winning actor-comedian Robin Williams ("Good Will Hunting") will be touring his "Weapons of Self Destruction" in Australia and New Zealand Nov. 4 through 20, he’s pausing in Hawaii en route home with a lone stand-up gig at 8 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Blaisdell Arena. Lucky for us. Tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. Saturday. …

…The Brothers Cazimero‘s Christmas concerts are set for Dec. 10, 11 and 12 at the Hawaii Theatre. …

…Augie T stages his "I Was Left Behind" concert at 8 p.m. Friday at the Hawaii Theatre. His brother Michael Tulba of One Night Stand and Kolohe Kai are opening acts; Frank De Lima emcees. Tickets: $30, $25, $20, at 528-0506. …

…Reminder: "Beauty and the Beast" opens a two-week run Tuesday at the Blaisdell Concert Hall," part of the Broadway in Hawaii series that includes "Cats" Dec. 28 through Jan. 2. …

…And that’s "Show Biz." …

…Wayne Harada’s "Show Biz," a fixture for more than 40 years in the Honolulu Advertiser, appears Sundays in the Star-Advertiser. Reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com. Read his Show and Tell Hawaii blog at staradvertiser.com.