Roy Sakuma, easily one of the names most associated with the ukulele (alongside the likes of Jake Shimabukuro and Herb “Ohta-san” Ohta), is one of 56 honorees from across the nation earning the FBI Directors Community Leadership Award this month in Washington, D.C.
Sakuma, who operates and still teaches at his Roy Sakuma Ukulele Studios, not only is the most active ukulele instructor here, but also is the reassuring wind beneath the wings of two soaring community summertime events: the annual Ukulele Festival at the Kapiolani Park Bandstand and the weekly twilight Wildest Show in Town at dusk at
Honolulu Zoo.
The FBI recognizes “outstanding leadership and tireless efforts in addressing the needs of the community,” and Sakuma and other honorees will receive the award from FBI Director James Comey in the nation’s capital, date to be announced.
The leadership laurel complements the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts Lifetime Achievement Award to be given to Sakuma and five other honorees April 30 in a noontime program at Ala Moana Hotel. …
MOM’S THE WORD: “A Mother’s Love,” Ho‘okena’s Mother’s Day luncheon buffet concert May 8 at Ala Moana Hotel’s Hibiscus Ballroom, will assemble Keauhou, Robert Cazimero, Albert Maligmat and Ben &Maila. Doors open at 10 a.m., with show at 11 a.m. Ho‘okena marks its 30th anniversary in September. Spokesman Horace Dudoit says the group will be recording a new CD this summer — something to look forward to. …
BLUE NOTES: The Blue Note Hawaii club at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort is in full bloom, with a promising, varied roster ahead. Local acts like Melveen Leed are earning slots — and bravo, Leed returns April 23! — and Kalapana and The Rough Riders (with Henry Kapono, John Cruz and Brother Noland) both finished separate three-night gigs last week.
Watch for debuts by Ginai on April 11, Natalie Ai Kamauu on April 18, Willie K on April 19 and May 3, Shari Lynn on April 22, the Mike Lewis Band on May 2, G-rado (pronounced Gerardo) on May 23 and John Kolivas on May 30. And here’s one to flag: Robert Cazimero turns on his jazz faucet, manning the piano and sharing a profile beyond Hawaiiana, in his first Blue Note gig May 6. …
‘KING’ AND QUEEN: There was quite a buzz outside of the Vivian Beaumont Theatre at New York’s Lincoln Center — and also inside, where Kelli O’Hara reunited with Ken Watanabe in the Tony-winning “The King and I.” Reason: Meryl Streep, the Oscar-winning queen of an actress, took in a performance one recent Saturday night and then posed for a group selfie backstage with the cast, including Hawaii’s Ruthie Ann Miles, who picked up a Tony last year for her portrayal of the king’s chief wife, Lady Thiang. Tony winner O’Hara as the British teacher Anna Leonowens Owen and Watanabe as the King are winding up their run (he after a recent surgery) April 17. Remember, Daniel Dae Kim assumes the king’s role beginning May 3. …
HERE ’N’ THERE: Tony Ruivivar and his Society of Seven’s shows at the Suquamish Clearwater Indian Casino in Washington state were sold out recently, and consequently, negotiations are under way for a return visit to the Puget Sound casino. …
Despite mixed reviews (some horridly bad), Zack Snyder’s “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” has surpassed the $500 million mark in global box-office grosses — a hit! Turns out the smackdown between Batman (Ben Affleck) and Superman (Henry Cavill), though overly dark and dreary, had spark and surprisingly broad audience appeal. And a save-the-day Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot). Plus a brief teaser of a cameo for the solo flick in the works for islander Jason Momoa as Aquaman, as the Justice League ramps up more cinematic fire. …
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.
