‘Twas the night before Christmas

And throughout the aina,

Santa Claus was feeling

Like one generous kamaaina.

He had presents to share

For the young and the old;

Some gifts were plain fun,

A few precious, like gold.

For President Obama,

Our most famous local-born,

A Kailua family vacation

After fiscal-cliffing night and morn.

For Peter Carlisle, a dance studio

To teach "Gangnam Style";

He’ll need a job after losing

The primary vote by a mile.

For Mayor-elect Kirk Caldwell, faith

In the challenge called rail;

For Ben Cayetano, hope;

Is it the end of his trail?

For poor former governor

And candidate Linda Lingle,

A tip: Avoid "You know me"

In your next election jingle.

For Senator Inouye, final aloha, mahalo

For his long reign in Congress;

For Colleen, Tulsi, Mazie?

Go geev ’em — and God bless.

For Manti Te’o,

A football cast in gold.

His life on and off the gridiron

Should be all sport heroes’ mold.

For "Five-0"s" Alex O’Loughlin,

A savvy script-writing crew,

To fix the troubled procedural

With a zestier, savory brew.

A return pass to Hawaii

For the "Hunger Games" crew;

Hey, Jennifer Lawrence and cast:

A work-free vacation is due.

A thunderous hurrah

For Kailua’s Cliffton Hall;

He’s an asset in "Wicked"

Judging from his curtain call.

For those boosters, like moi,

Of the musical "Les Miz,"

Since the movie is here,

Santa, bring back the play, please?

For Chai Chaowasaree,

A state-of-the-art stove,

To keep the kaukau coming

From his culinary trove.

For Robert and Roland

AKA The Brothers Caz,

A showroom or a lounge

To share their razz-ma-tazz.

A bill of clean health

For Kit Samson, Jimmy Borges;

On keyboard, in vocals

One’s nimble, one’s gorgeous.

For Hapa a new album

And more concerts abroad;

For Manoa DNA, ditto,

And why not a Hoku reward?

Another "Kawaipunahele"

For Maui’s Keali‘i Reichel;

That would trigger airplay, sales

To help ring that Grammy bell.

Something simple and joyous

For Kuana Torres Kahele;

More raves, more conquests

And, of course, mele.

For pop dude Bruno Mars,

A glide into movies;

His fans adore his videos,

So why not screen groovies?

Nothing like a touring hit

For Mary Gutzi, Cathy Foy;

And a role for Jason Tam

Would bring him real joy!

A Broadway return, too,

For Loretta Ables Sayre;

For Greg Powell, Randy Hongo,

Something divine, like prayer.

For Amy Hanaiali‘i?

A stage musical role; Whee!

More strength, speedy recovery

For "Moments’" Emme T.

A Hall of Fame recognition

For Nabors and Bright;

Might as well add Sakuma;

All have indelible artistic might.For Jack and Cha Thompson,

Who trekked to New York, Hong Kong this year;

More restful vacation trips

To keep the mind clear.

For Taimane Gardner,

A sliver of international fame.

If not the show circuit

Perhaps the commercial game?

For young whiz Aidan James,

A gold-crusted ukulele;

And statewide bookings

Via Hawaiian and Mokulele.

For Jake Shimabukuro,

(he’s a new father this year),

May he strum more gentle ditties,

Sans weeping, just cheer.

For M.R.C. Greenwood,

What else, a Stevie Wonder ticket!

Not here! Mainland!

Or should she see "Wicked"?

For author Fran Kakugawa

And her fictional mouse Wordsworth,

More tree-planting, real and in fiction,

Would yield a greener Earth.

A selfish wish to relocate

To Oahu, please, Willie K?

So he can readily serenade us

All night and all day.

Exclusive comedy fraternity

Inauguration for Andy,

For Frank, Jim and Mel,

For Augie, that’s dandy!

For the Arcadia’s Ciones,

That’s Jack and Maydelle:

Another neighbor isle cruise

Would surely be swell.

To all faithful readers,

You Mr. and Ms.,

Good wishes, glad tidings

And that’s Christmas "Show Biz."

———

Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist; reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@ gmail.com. For an expanded version of his annual Christmas column, see his "Show and Tell Hawaii" blog at www.staradvertiser.com.