Lloyd Kawakami, who wears two distinct hats in the community, is a current cover boy on Japan Airlines’ quarterly in-flight magazine, ‘Eheu.
The honor comes when his family musical group, ManoaDNA (Lloyd is dad to Alx and NickKawakami), begins yet another tour of Japan this week. The ManoaDNA Ohana Tour will stop in Yokohama, Tokyo, Nagoya and Sapporo, with a twist: "For the first time, a group of our local pals will be traveling with us," said Lloyd Kawakami. "We thought it might be a fun experience for Hawaii guys to party with our Japan fans."
On another note, Kawakami is president of the ‘Iolani Sportswear label and oversees, with wife Carla as chief operating officer, the ‘Iolani on Kona Street boutique. ‘Iolani just was named the Oahu retailer of the year by the Retail Merchants of Hawaii. Meanwhile, the clothier is embracing a new tenant, KoAloha Ukulele, at its Kona Street headquarters. …
WEEKEND WRAPUP: ‘Twas quite a weekend, when John Rowles performed with the Elvis Presley TCB Band Oct. 24 at the Blaisdell Concert Hall; Cha Thompson and Ben Aipa (who did not appear) were honored Oct. 25 in a "Malama Palama" benefit at The Royal Hawaiian hotel’s Monarch Room; and the Society of Seven gigged Oct. 25 at the Ala Moana Hotel’s Hibiscus Room. …
At the Palama Settlement fundraiser, New Zealand singer Rowles was a surprise guest star, delivering four songs. He was visibly moved being on that Pink Palace stage where he ruled decades ago. He mentioned where his dressing room was located and remembered Coronado Aquino as the longtime Monarch Room maitre d’. Palama raised at least $200,000, with silent auction proceeds yet to be tallied. …
During Rowles’ Blaisdell show, Haumea Ho, widow of entertainer Don Ho, danced hula when he interpreted "I’ll Remember You" as a tribute to Mr. Waikiki. Of course, "Cheryl Moana Marie" was the expected biggie, though an unexpected treasure turned out to be a poignant "Love Me Tender" vocal with Rowles strumming his own guitar. Now 67, he has matured gracefully, and his white mane was a suitable visual when he dusted off Jay Larrin‘s composition, "The Snows of Mauna Kea," with his deep baritone rising to new altitudes of bliss.
Alas, Larrin was in Canada and not present to enjoy the stroll down memory lane. With the TCB providing backup, Rowles delivered titles associated with the King, from "Heartbreak Hotel" to "That’s All Right," from "Hound Dog" to "How Great Thou Art." …
Tony Ruivivar and his classic Society of Seven unveiled a dynamo in Lhey Bella, a Filipina guest star, in the group’s homecoming concerts. As the latest centerpiece in the reconstructed SOS, Bella brought pipes like Whitney Houston, and her work on an a cappella "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" with the guys was a standout. Ruivivar, the master in the reinvention and rebuilding of the SOS brand for five decades, also enlisted a sizzling power-rock balladeer in Michael Laygo. Bert Sagum, of course, remained the comedy link with his Little Richard flirtations. And a community of local rooters, including Jimmy and Vicki Borges, Ben and Vicky Cayetano, Mufi Hannemann and wife Gail Mukaihata, Ginny Tiu, Kimo Kahoano, Rene Paulo Jr., Harry B. Soria, Milton Lau, Jack Cione, Charlyn Honda Masini and members of the Society of Seven LV, cheered on SOS. …
NAME-DROPPING: Hawaii’s Bruno Mars joins Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Metallica, Joss Stone and No Doubt in the Rock in Rio USA festival lineup, set for May 8-9 and May 15-16 at the MGM Resort in Las Vegas. The new outdoor show space will be able to accommodate nearly 90,000 on a 37-acre site next to Circus Circus, with a new Ferris wheel and a 64-foot-high zip line among other attractions. …
For the second straight year, local boy Kevin Iwamoto has been named by Successful Meetings magazine as one of the top 25 influential people in the meetings industry. Iwamoto, who was singer Kevin I. before venturing into the travel genre, is vice president of industry for Lanyon, which creates software for managing corporate meetings and events. He’s visiting home this week to attend pal Carole Kai‘s 70th birthday celebration. …
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.
