HAWAII’S “Voice Coach to the Stars” Neva Rego and PBS Hawaii President and CEO Leslie Wilcox will tie in the station’s live pledge program at 8 p.m. Sunday with the premiere of a PBS “Great Performances” special, “Jackie Evancho: Dream With Me In Concert.” The tiny 11-year-old with the big voice has been wowing audiences ever since her appearance on “America’s Got Talent.” An encore of “Long Story Short” with Leslie interviewing Neva will air Sunday at 4 p.m. Neva has coached some of Hawaii’s heavy hitters, including Robert Cazimero, Carole Kai, Shari Lynn, Tony Conjugacion, Jordan Segundo, Jasmine Trias and Jimmy Borges. Jimmy, a PBS Hawaii board member who also has worked pledge programs, says he’s doing fine after liver cancer surgery and is walking laps in his condo’s long hallway …

A PBS HAWAII production crew is with a group of Nanakuli students who traveled to Scotland to compete this week in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe as part of the American High School Theatre Festival. The Nanakuli High and Intermediate School Performing Arts Center contingent includes 10 student performers and eight alumni staff members serving as technicians and chaperones. En route, the group stopped in London and met with Loretta Ables Sayre, who is playing Bloody Mary in “South Pacific” at the Barbicon Theatre …

DOWNTOWN was hopping Saturday night as Pacific Office Properties, Bishop Street Commercial and Davies Pacific Center played host to more than 500 guests who came to celebrate ProjectFocus Hawaii’s 2011 exhibit reception for “Shine: Inspiring Joy Through Their Eyes.” Fourteen youngsters receiving services through Down Syndrome Ohana of Hawaii participated in this year’s photographic internship spearheaded by professional photographers and PFH co-founders Laurie Callies and Lisa Uesugi. After learning that the participants’ role model was Lauren Potter (seen at right at the Golden Globe Awards), the Down syndrome actress on the award-winning series “Glee,” Callies and Uesugi arranged for Potter to surprise the kids for four days of activities in June. Saturday’s entertainers included Tahiti Rey, Augie Rey’s talented daughter; Jason Alan; and a surprise visit by Cecilio & Kapono. Miss Hawaii 2011 Lauren Cheape and others danced with the kids. Food was by Ola, the Poke Stop, Chai’s Island Bistro and Chef Eric Leterc of the Pacific Club. The exhibit runs at Davies’ ground level through Aug. 19. For info and other exhibit locations visit www.projectfocushawaii.com …

RANDY SCHOCH and his Romano’s Macaroni Grill Ala Moana team were hosts for a fundraising dinner July 25 that topped $6,500 for Charlie Beck III, 29. Charlie, an employee since the restaurant opened in 2005, has leukemia. Anyone wishing to make a donation to help with Charlie’s medical bills should email to ckbeck05@msn.com … Huy Vo’s name was misspelled under his picture in last week’s Wood Craft …