Leesa Clark Stone, widow of Rap Reiplinger, says her book on the comic genius won’t be out before Christmas as planned. Reason: She’s still conducting research interviews to probe the shadows of his brief life, and she doesn’t want to rush it.
En route to publication, Stone plans to complete a promotional online blog/video before the biography is released.
“I believe he went to heaven,” Stone said of Reiplinger in a recent phone chat. Thus, the book title, “Paradise to Paradise: The Rap Reiplinger Story.” The paradise connection alludes to his life in our island paradise and his passage to the haven beyond the pearly gates.
Stone lives with her husband, Rich Stone, in the Nashville, Tenn., area. …
DATE BOOK: Hiroshima, the jazz fave with a new album, “Songs with Words,” will do a six-night gig April 26 to May 1 at the Blue Note Hawaii club at the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel. Local girl Yvette Nii will be a featured vocalist. …
If you want to make today a fun and leisurely Sunday, take in the Vintage Collectibles & Hawaiiana Show from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Blaisdell Center Hawaii Suites. The show, in its 13th season, is a trove of aloha shirts, Orientalia, ukulele, antiques, kitsch and kitchenware. …
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Six music-industry veterans, representing both behind-the-scenes and frontline pioneers, will receive Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts in a luncheon program April 30 at the Hibiscus Ballroom of the Ala Moana Hotel.
Additionally, three deceased entertainers will be honored with Lifetime Achievement Legacy Recognition.
This year’s honorees are:
>> Jon de Mello, founder of Mountain Apple Co., whose galaxy of island stars over the decades include Reiplinger, the Brothers Cazimero, Raiatea Helm, Amy Hanaialii, Willie K and Jimmy Borges.
>> Neva Rego and Betty Grierson, vocal coaches of the Bel Canto School of Singing, who have coached scores of singers in all realms of performance styles: jazz, Hawaiian, opera and more.
>> Roy Sakuma, founder of the Roy Sakuma Ukulele Studios, who also has produced long-running summertime music events like the annual Ukulele Festival Hawaii and the Wildest Show in Town at the Honolulu Zoo.
>> Elaine Ako Spencer, veteran entertainer and recording artist, whose voice has charmed visitors and locals alike.
>> Hiram Olson, a noted steel guitar wizard, who has performed in live shows in Waikiki and on recordings with some of Hawaii’s top troupers.
The Lifetime Legacy honorees are:
>> Joe Keawe, veteran falsetto singer.
>> Augie Colon, distinguished performer on congas, revered as Hawaii’s grandfather of percussion.
>> Sterling Mossman, often dubbed “the Hula Cop,” best remembered for his stint at the now-gone Queen’s Surf destination.
No-host cocktails and a silent auction will begin at 10 a.m., with a luncheon buffet served at 11:15 a.m., followed by the awards ceremony.
Cost is $75. Call HARA at 593-9424. …
PIZZA POWER: New pizza parlors are trending in East Oahu. Pieology, a weeks-old pizza emporium at the Aina Haina Shopping Center that lets customers select their own sauces and toppings, is great for families. The place takes pride in offering Spam along with kalua pork and pineapple combos for local palates. I tried a combo with mushrooms, spinach, Canadian bacon, Spam and pepperoni. …
Sophie’s, another pizza joint, is prepping for a launch at Koko Marina Shopping Center, between Moena Cafe and Zippy’s. …
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 staradvertiser.com.
