Momoa apparently cast as Aquaman in new movie

He hasn’t officially confirmed (or denied) the casting, but Jason Momoa, the actor from Hawaii, will almost certainly portray Aquaman in an upcoming movie. The Hollywood Reporter and Variety, along with online fanboys, have shared tales of Momoa as the King of the Atlantis action hero, but here’s where it gets a little interesting: Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment, prepping "Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice," could give viewers a sneak peek of the aquatic superhero before the stand-alone "Aquaman" feature. Two separate writers, Will Beall ("Gangster Squad," "Castle") and Kurt Johnstad ("300," "300: Rise of an Empire"), are creating scripts with the best version getting the green light for the Aquaman feature.

Momoa ("Conan the Barbarian" and Khal Drogo in "Game of Thrones") surely has the physique for Aquaman, who is a member of the Justice League. Not sure if his watery credit (the Hawaii-filmed "Baywatch Hawaii") would be a factor in his Aquaman quest. …

WHAT’S COOKIN’: That was splendid TV exposure for award-winning island chef Roy Yamaguchi on "CBS This Morning Saturday"Aug. 16. His smiling demeanor was a slice of genuine aloha. Advocating sustainability in his cooking, Yamaguchi presented a table full of goodies for co-hosts Jeff Glor and Vinita Nair: misoyaki butterfish, lemongrass chicken, fried rice and namasu — the last dish rooted in the chef’s childhood, when his mom prepared the Japanese pickled dish for his father for a pau hana treat before dinner.

Yamaguchi — a culinary sensation for 25 years, complete with salt-and-pepper coif — credited his dad, who did most of the family’s meals, for his keen interest in cooking. While his Pacific Rim flavors and fusion of local ethnic inspirations accentuate his ongoing success, Yamaguchi said Spanish and Portuguese flavors will be part of Roy’s new menu options in December.

The appearance was to promote the Hawaii Food and Wine Festival, Friday to Sept. 7, a culinary feast he co-founded with Alan Wong that now attracts leading chefs from the mainland and abroad.

And, yes, Yamaguchi autographed the customary white plate, which joined the gallery in the studio. …

TALK ABOUT PEOPLE: Haumea Ho, widow of entertainer Don Ho, winds up her consultation with Jimmy Buffett‘s Aug. 31, so she is looking for a job. Meantime, several options loom: an International Market Place book that will re-create the Ho era at Duke Kahanamoku’s, both now gone; another book that will explore her journey with Ho with a focus on her family (she’s the daughter of Carl Hebenstreit, aka Kini Popo); and a role in a planned Ho fan club embracing fans, family, celebrities and entertainerswith a high social media presence. …

Lee Cataluna, who departed the ranks of journalism for teaching at ‘Iolani, still is immersed in theater. She’s back from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where ‘Iolani students performed. "I also saw a production of ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time’ in London," she said. "OMG, one of the best shows I’ve ever seen in my life." It’s Mark Haddon‘s novel adapted by Olivier-winning Simon Stephens and Tony-winning Marianne Elliott, about a 15-year-old boy with an extraordinary brain who is suspected of killing a neighbor’s dog. It previews Sept. 10 and opens Oct. 5 at the Barrymore Theatre in New York.

IN MEMORIAM: Sorry to learn of the death of longtime Kahala Hilton publicist Kay Ahearn. Details of her recent passing have not yet been revealed, but services will be held Sept. 6 at Star of the Sea church. Visitation from 9:30 a.m. will precede a memorial service at 10 a.m.Kit Samson, the veteran Sound Advice leader at the Kahala’s Maile restaurant lounge, will provide keyboard serenades. Stay tuned for updates. …

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.