On the Scene

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARADVERTSER.COM
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE UKULELE, PART 1
1. Author and ukulele fan Jim Tranquada, left, was congratulated by Nuni Walsh, president of the Ukulele Hall of Fame Museum, ukulele virtuoso Byron Yasui and Walsh's husband, Tom Walsh, at the book-signing party for Tranquada's new book, "The Ukulele: A History," July 21 at Native Books/Na Mea Hawai'i. Tranquada, a descendent of pioneer ukulele maker Augusto Dias, partnered with the late John King to write a comprehensive history of the iconic instrument

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARADVERTSER.COM
'UNCLE TOM' HOSTS A PARTY
5. Haumea Hebenstreit Ho, left, television producer Glen Larson, center, Larson's wife, Jeanie Larson, fourth from left, and Johnny Frisbie were "Uncle Tom" Moffatt's guests at a backstage dinner party before the Melissa Etheridge concert July 23 at Blaisdell Concert Hall. Moffatt and Larson have been friends ever since Larson visited Hawaii as a member of the Four Preps in the 1950s.

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARADVERTSER.COM
MAKANA MAKES A STATEMENT
3. Hand-pounded paiai with smoked fish was one of the delicacies served when avant-garde slack-key master Makana, center, introduced songs from his next album -- some of them played on piano rather than guitar -- at a sunset lawn party July 22 at his East Oahu residence. Trevor LaTorre, left, and Daniel Anthony wore traditional Hawaiian attire in preparing and serving the hard-to-find dish. Makana, sharp and stylish, entertained his guests with a moonlit concert after dinner.

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARADVERTSER.COM
TADAAKI MEETS LAUREN
4. Q-pot. designer Tadaaki Wakamatsu welcomed Q-pot. fan Lauren Lee, second from left, her mother, Lynn Lee, and sister, Erin, to the second-anniversary party for his Ala Moana store July 29 at Ala Moana. Wakamatsu posed for photos with fans of the Japa nese "positive accessory brand" and autographed commemorative cards for them.

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARADVERTSER.COM
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE UKULELE, PART 2
2. Thai ukulele player Singto Numchok, left, celebrated backstage with festival producer Roy Sakuma before going out to play for the crowd at Sakuma's 42nd Annual Ukulele Festival on July 22 at the Kapiolani Park Bandstand. Numchok made his Hawaii festival debut at the bandstand last year.