KoAloha Ukulele, one of the state’s prolific producers of the four-string instrument, will be on the move — from Kalihi to Kakaako — as the company heads into its second decade of operations.
Led by Alan Okami, KoAloha is relocating its factory and showroom from a tucked-away facility off Kohou Street to a larger 4,000-square-foot space in a section of the Iolani Sportswear Kona Street headquarters — a stone’s throw from the construction boom in Kakaako and renovations at Ala Moana Center.
Okami is the eldest son of KoAloha co-founders Alvin and Patricia Okami. Paul Okami, younger brother of Alan, also is actively involved in the family business.
"We are looking forward to planting new roots and beginning another successful 20 years, and more, in our new location," says Alan.
Paul adds, "Being closer to the hub of Honolulu and the new developments surrounding the Kakaako neighborhood is great because we will be in walking distance for many visitors who stay in the Waikiki area."
It’s a perfect match; the Okamis are allies of the Kawakami clan band, ManoaDNA (father Lloyd and sons Alx and Nick), so expect cross-promotions. …
ALSO RELOCATING: Bonnie Friedman, Maui-based foodie, restaurant publicist, author and media adviser for 30 years, is settling in New York at the end of the month. She will be pulling back her Grapevine Productions PR company, still handling some Hawaii clients while joining Adrian Kamali‘i‘s Pae ‘Aina Communications to form a new firm, The Island Agency, in New York. It’s a savvy collaborative that will serve HNL and NYC. …
"An opportunity fell into my lap," says Friedman of the partnership. Kamali‘i had been contemplating an office in the Big Apple. "The bottom line is I want to be near my family, and as fantastic as Maui has been, I want to go home." Friedman will have long-distance ties to her agency team that includes state Sen. J. Kalani English, Avy Chan and John Garcia. …
THE LOCAL ANGLE: Sarah Wayne Callies, a former Honolulan, and Josh Holloway, who owns a home in Hawaii Kai, will co-star in USA network’s "Colony," exec-produced by former "Lost" producer Carlton Cuse.
Callies is the Hawaii native whose parents are University of Hawaii professors. She was a regular on AMC’s "Walking Dead," where she fought zombies before her character’s demise. Now she’ll play Katie Bowman, who battles aliens to safeguard her three children, in a futuristic show set in a Los Angeles occupied by unknown outsiders.
Holloway played Sawyer on ABC’s "Lost" and last starred on CBS’ short-lived "Intelligence." He’s yet to find his post-"Lost" hit and portrays Katie’s husband, Will, a former FBI agent whose mission is to protect his family amid a complicated occupational government and a resistance movement inside L.A. …
WHO’S NEWS: Keali‘i Reichel has a new CD, "Kawaiokalena," due for release Tuesday, and his movie debut follows in "The Fishing Club," which premieres at the Hawaii International Film Festival. Screenings will be at 1:45 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Dole Cannery Stadium 18 and at 8 p.m. Nov. 7 at Consolidated’s Koko Marina theater. The Hawaii-based film, directed by Dave Rosen, also features singer-actress Mary Gutzi and KITV sports anchor Robert Kekaula, and is about a group of friends who attempt to save a favorite beach spot from resort development, jeopardizing their jobs and friendships. …
Gutzi will perform at the March of Dimes Governor’s Ball on Nov. 1 at the Sheraton Waikiki. …
SHOW BITS: John Rowles joins the Elvis Presley TCB Band at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Blaisdell Concert Hall, and the Tony Ruivivar-led classic Society of Seven concertize (with Lhey Bella guest-starring) at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Saturday at the Ala Moana Hotel. It’s the ’70s-’80s all over again. …
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.
