Sai adds to résumé with role on ‘Five-0,’ voice-over work

Marlene Sai, the singer-actress, continues to expand her show biz portfolio. Long known for her "Kainoa" and "I Love You" vocals and portrayals of Queen Liliuokalani on stage and TV and Bloody Mary in "South Pacific," Sai has a bundle of new creds in the days ahead.

On Monday’s "Hawaii Five-0," titled "Ka Iwi Kapu (Sacred Bones)," she surfaces with a speaking part as Mrs. Kekoa, an apparition who lived in an apartment building where a murder occurred. "Danno (Scott Caan) is investigating and I had fun doing it," she said of the Halloween-themed segment filmed at the Kahala Apartments near the Kahala Resort. In context, a young couple is doing a documentary on the murder, with unexpected twists. …

Local actor Rob Chiong also has a role in the new "Five-0," playing amid Officer Lori Weston (portrayed by Lauren German) and Dr. Gabrielle Asano (Autumn Reeser), "two bombshells who are not only hot, but consummate professionals and really, really fun," said a gleeful Chiong. He doesn’t want to spoil the suspense, but he plays an expert in a GPS technology that helps Steve McGarrett (Alex O’Loughlin) and company get through a fabricated heiau scene filmed at Kualoa Ranch that looked like the real McCoy, a credit to the set decoration/art department/construction team. …

Butch Helemano, portraying a kahu (priest), provided a chicken-skin moment when cast and crew held hands while he delivered a Hawaiian blessing. Then again, with Robert Englund (Freddy Krueger from the "Nightmare on Elm Street" franchise, portraying Samuel Lee) on board, prayer never hurts. …

MORE ON SAI: She does voice-overs on Monday for a PBS documentary with Robert Pennybacker and Roy Kimura on the Nanakuli Performing Arts troupe’s Scotland visit for a performance at the Fringe Festival during the summer, led by their director Robin Kitsu, who has changed the lives of many of these Hawaiian actors. The kids got a backstage visit with our Loretta Ables Sayre when she was re-creating her Bloody Mary "South Pacific" experience for Londoners at the Barbican Theatre. …

If that’s not enough, Sai leaves Tuesday for a busman’s visit to Japan. …

Last week she completed her speaking role as a kumu hula in Keo Woolford‘s "Under the Hula," which has been in production this fall, with Robert Cazimero and Lanakila Casupang choreographing. …

And speaking of Robert C., with brother Roland Cazimero, they’ll do "A Cazimero Christmas" concerts at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10 and 2 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Hawaii Theatre. Hawaii Theatre members got first dibs at tickets; the general public sale begins Tuesday. Also performing, Leinaala Kalama Heine, Halau Na Kamalei and the Royal Dance Company; guests will be Sheyla Ballesteros, Miss Keiki Hula 2011, and Rahstan Benavides, Master Keiki Hula 2011. …

RANDOM NOTES: Kani Ka Pila Grille, at the Outrigger Reef Hotel, has announced its November show slate. Look for Mailani Makainai on Sundays (with LiiNui on Nov. 20), Sean Naauao on Mondays, Weldon Kekauoha on Tuesdays, Cyril Pahinui on Wednesdays, Kawika Kahiapo and Del Beazley on Thursdays, Kaukahi on Fridays, with Saturdays alternating with Ike Pono on Nov. 5, Waipuna on Nov. 12, Manoa Madness on Nov. 19 and Manoa DNA on Nov. 26. …

Jesse Kuhaulua, the retired sumotori, and Kristi Yamaguchi, the Olympic gold medalist, led a delegation of islanders (including Brother Noland and Manoa DNA, along with the trio’s dancers, Kamalei Noyle, Tilo Vitale and Chantelle Sua) to help Iwaki city in Fukushima reopen the Spa Resorts Hawaiian. The facility was damaged by the March tsunami and nuclear disaster; the site was the inspiration for the movie "Hula Girl." The Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California hosted the visit to Iwaki, along with stops in Ishinomaki, Kesennuma, and Sendai in Miyagi prefecture. …

Borne, the band comprising Steve Min, Jim Weander and Mel Mendoca, performs from 4 to 6 p.m. today at Cha Cha Cha Salsaria in Hawaii Kai. …

And that’s "Show Biz." …

Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist; reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com; read his Show and Tell Hawaii blog at www.staradvertiser.com.