Thanks to the devoted efforts of entertainer Audy Kimura, Hawaii’s largest animal shelter — one with a “no-kill” promise — is being built in Kaneohe. The first phase is expected to be completed soon.
Kimura, the award-winning singer-composer-guitarist of “Lovers and Friends” fame, is the resident performer at Hy’s Steak House in Waikiki. Offstage he was the catalyst in a drive to build an Oahu Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals shelter and park on a 2.2-acre parcel surrounded by 18 acres of preservation-zoned land in Kahaluu. The shelter will house 300 pets.
“This is the most challenging and important accomplishment in my life,” said Kimura, sounding like man’s best friend. “I’ve never worked so hard in my life, but I sleep better at night for it.”
Kimura, a board member of the Oahu SPCA, partnered with Realtor Kay Mukaigawa to meet with state Rep. Scott Sakai, House majority leader, to advocate for a no-kill shelter. Sakai, with support from state Reps. Ty Cullen and Sylvia Luke, obtained $535,000 in state grants for the project.
For the past 18 months, shelter supporters have dealt with complex state and federal requirements concerning budget, permitting and licensing, plus had conversations with private groups eager to support the shelter. A dream is becoming a reality. …
WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Daniel Boland, a Hawaii lighting designer who got his theatrical training under the late director Ronald E. Bright at Castle High School’s performing arts program (class of ’87), just earned a technical Emmy Award — his second — for his lighting work on NBC’s “The Voice,” which also won an Emmy for Best Reality Series. Boland earned a 2013 Emmy, too. …
Anthony Ruivivar, the isle TV and film actor, did the pilot episode of ABC’s “Quantico” drama, premiering tonight (see review, Page F10). The series stars Priyanka Chopra as Alex Parris, an FBI trainee. It’s set against a post-9/11 terrorist threat and features a diverse group of recruits, including one who just might be a suspect. …
BOOK ’EM: “The Book of Mormon,” the politically incorrect Broadway musical from the creators of “South Park,” is destined for a run at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. Performance dates will be announced Oct. 6, but the Tony-winning musical will post prices here far cheaper than on Broadway where it merrily racks up grosses with its gross hilarity. …
PASSING NOTES: Sorry to report that David Nagaishi, the consummate restaurateur, died Sept. 20 of a heart attack. He upped the standard for many restaurants — Il Lupino, Ocean House, Shorebird, Nick’s Fishmarket and most recently Pounders — and was a bona fide culinary industry pro. Nagaishi was 57. Services are set for 10 a.m. Oct. 7 at the Kalihi Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of LDS. …
Friends and family will remember kumu hula Leinaala Kalama Heine, who was resident hula stylist (serious and comedic) with the Brothers Cazimero for decades, at noon services Friday at Magic Island. She died Sept. 9. …
NAME-DROPPING: Bob Hampton (whose surname we messed up here last week) partnered with Ed Green in Territorial Tavern to help boost the inevitable Hawaiian music renaissance, including the launch of Booga Booga, back in the day. Hampton now is president of Waikiki Beach Activities at the Hilton Hawaiian Village; he and his entertainer wife, the former Kay Zaharis, were honored Friday night at the Hilton Coral Ballroom in a Waikiki Community Center fundraiser that also saluted Peter Shandlin, chief operating officer of the Halekulani Corp., and George Szigeti, president and chief executive officer of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, for their contributions to the Waikiki visitor industry. The Hamptons elevated the Duke Kahanamoku Beach Challenge to international levels; they double as musicians (harmonica, accordion), so provided entertainment for the gala. …
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.
