Audy Kimura, the singer-guitarist-composer, put on his writer-producer cap to produce a touching military tribute for one of his clients, Charley’s Taxi. The spot, created by Kimura and filmed at Hy’s Steak House where Kimura entertains, pays tribute to active-duty military men and women as well as veterans, and was photographed by Gene Kois, directed by Ted Jung and edited by Daniel Bernardoni.
With music by Kimura, the spot is wordless and features Vietnam vet Lt. Col. Howard Lavy saluting a uniformed soldier at dinner; at the end it flashes a catchy "Thank you for your service" message, along with Charley’s name and familiar 233-3333 phone number. Its release was timed to Memorial Day.
Charley’s chairman Dale Evans played it for one of her consultants; she was told, "I have to wipe the tears from my eyes."
Kimura dedicated the 16-second spot to the memory of Pfc. Kevin S.K. Wessel, who was killed in action in Iraq at age 20 on April 19, 2005. "He’s the son of my dear friends Paul and Lori," said Kimura. "I took him to Koko Head range to learn to shoot as a 17-year-old Boy Scout; he came to Hy’s to visit me before leaving for Iraq." He lost his life in the war when he and another soldier, instead of taking cover, fired at a suicide car bomber headed toward them and a police station. "They continued to shoot the driver as he detonated the bomb, killing them both but saving a lot of others in the police station," said Kimura.
To see the patriotic commercial, go to youtu.be/ x8CmqnYZwSw. …
AROUND TOWN: Alex O’Loughlin (with hiatus stubble and a short-cropped hairstyle) and g.f. Malia Jones attended the Hoaloha Kai Montessori School fundraiser May 5 at the Kahala Hotel & Resort. The school’s first dinner and auction included a "Five-0" pilot script signed by the cast. And though O’Loughlin’s Steve McGarrett gets little respect in those favorite-cast surveys and shows, Grace Park (who is Kono Kalakaua) and Daniel Dae Kim (Chin Ho Kelly) are vying for Choice TV actress and actor, respectively, in the Teen Choice Awards airing July 20 on Fox. …
Author Frances Kakugawa ("Kapoho: Memoir of a Modern Pompeii"), in town last month for the Hawai‘i Book & Music Festival, has been practicing the only hula she knows, "My Yellow Ginger Lei," and has decided on a Makaha Sons version as her soundtrack. The ex-islander lives in Sacramento and often gives talks at senior care homes and for other agencies. "My rhythm is still off, but they won’t know the difference," she admits about her geriatric audience. "I’m also working on ‘Lovely Hula Hands,’ just in case they ask for an encore." Even bought a $13 muumuu on sale at Kahala Macy’s. …
TIME WARP: "Xanadu," the roller-skating musical now at Diamond Head Theatre, is a classic of the 1980s — hair, music, duds including leg warmers popularized by "Flashdance." So for most of the cast, who were either not yet born or just a twinkle in their parents’ eyes, guest director-choreographer Tammy Colucci has had a lot of ‘splaining to do, according to DHT’s artistic director John Rampage, in his "Backstage Bits" column for the theater’s e-listers. "The first look of confusion from the cast came with the line, ‘I could use a Fresca,’" said Rampage, referring to the citrus soft drink from a bygone era (although still available today). "The great smell of Brut" was another puzzler; guys, remember that green bottle with the silver ornamental? Ah, memories. …
DATEBOOK: That Kenny Logginspops concert with the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra, set for 7 p.m. June 10 at the Waikiki Shell, will instead be held at Blaisdell Concert Hall due to logistical concerns. Maestro Matt Catingub still conducts, but a venue change means re-ticketing/reseating issues. Tickets: 593-9468. …
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.
