Wow! Everyone who saw the “White Hawaiian” one-man show at the MACC’s McCoy Studio Theater last weekend is still raving about Eric Gilliom’s transcendent performance. The revealing tell-all about his entertainment family’s colorful history involved him dressing in drag as his grandmother, mother and sister and in muscle-guy outfits to portray the patriarchs, including his dad, the late Lloyd Gilliom, whom he honored at the end.
Hilarious and moving, “White Hawaiian” dished up nonstop snippets of Broadway and Polynesian singing and dancing, rapid costume changes and historic film clips that kept the audience entertained and engaged with ear-to-ear grins the whole 75 minutes. Gilliom plans to take a revised “White Hawaiian” show on the road across the state in 2020.
“We’re going to add, subtract and multiply a few things for the next round,” Gilliom said in a post-show phone interview. “Just now we videotaped it, and we’re putting together a whole marketing package.”
In the meantime, catch Gilliom and Barry Flanagan of Hapa from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Saturdays at Nalu’s South Shore Grill. The dinner show includes a three-course meal, with seating by 6:15 p.m. The amazing Anthony Fluke, a mere 18, is the opening act.
Cost is $65 per person, not including drinks or gratuities. Reservations are required. Visit nalusmaui.com or call 891-8650.
Gilliom will go his own way as a featured singer and guitarist with legendary drummer Mick Fleetwood and the Island Rumours Band at 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve at Fleetwood’s on Front St. in Lahaina. Also rockin’ the house down will be Gretchen Rhodes, Mark Johnstone and the House Shakers. Mix it up further at the rooftop cocktail reception that includes a welcome beverage, tray-passed appetizers by executive chef Eric Morrissette and a Q&A with Mick. Tickets are at a premium starting at $415 per person; VIP tables are available. Call 669-6425.
HiTideNation is presenting some comedy shows now through the new year. Yuk it up with Pauly Shore and goofy guests Justine Smith and Ted Anderson on Jan. 4 at Iao Theater in Wailuku. HiTideNation will also present Drake Bell at Casanova in Makawao on Saturday; JP Sears at the MACC on Dec. 28; and D.O.A. at Mulligans on the Blue in Wailea on Jan. 10. For prices at various venues and tickets, visit hitidenation.com.
The MACC is also hosting the 46th annual Na Mele o Maui Song & Art Competition from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday. Sponsored by Kaanapali Beach Resort Association, it is dedicated to cultural preservation and perpetuation through song, language and the arts.
“We invite family, friends and the general public to attend this free event; however, donations are encouraged and accepted at the door,” said Shelley Kekuna, sponsor and vice president of Na Mele o Maui.
FOR FOODIES ONLY
Renowned Maui restaurateur Ann Carpenter is at it again. Many thought she had retired when she sold her successful Vietnamese Cuisine at Azeka Makai in Kihei after 17 years, but she has decided to come back full circle to her original location in Wailuku.
“I bought Miko’s Cuisine in the Wailuku Millyard on Nov. 1,” says the quiet and gracious native of Vietnam. “I used to have this same location before I moved to Kihei. Our main lunch and dinner foods are Japanese, Korean and Chinese,” she said. “We also have a sushi bar. I’ve already added some Vietnamese phos, ‘burritos’ and noodle bowls. After the holidays I’ll add more.”
Leading up to the holidays, Miko’s Cuisine is proving to be an expansive restaurant in which to host company and family parties. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Miko’s does takeout catering for up 300 people. On Christmas Day it will remain open, serving two specials for $27.95 each.
“We will do Christmas Day specials of steamed opakapaka filet and Oriental-style meatloaf with brown gravy or sauce, both with rice or mashed potatoes, salad and corn,” she said. For reservations, call 868-2914.
HoiHoi Hawaiian Bakery in Wailuku is known for its sweet, upscale confections, such as matcha cream puffs and pain au chocolate (croissants), but now it’s putting out savory sandwiches on freshly baked breads.
“We just started these sandwiches a couple weeks ago and are partnering up with Bitesquad to provide delivery in the Wailuku/ Kahului area, so it’s only available at the Wailuku (flagship) location at the moment,” said family member Bo Kim, general manager of sister restaurant HoiHoi Patisserie in Kaanapali. “We have collaborated with Bap Paia to showcase their marinated and/or prepared meats and our bread to bring you these sandwiches.”
Served only from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays, the sandwiches include the Chicken Katsu Pocket Sando ($13) with Bap’s breaded chicken cutlet, HoiHoi milk bread pocket, house katsu sauce and shredded cabbage; the Bulgogi Bap ($17) with teriyaki sliced rib eye, caramelized onions and bell peppers on HoiHoi classic baguette with medium-hot gochujang (sweet Korean chili sauce) aioli and crisp romaine lettuce added for crunch; and the Piggy Bap Mi ($15) with marinated spicy pork, classic baguette, pickled carrots and daikon, and fresh cilantro. All are served with a side of either coleslaw, mashed potato salad or corn cheese mac salad. To order, call 244-4442.
Restaurant food is on the suggested agenda for Hawaii residents who take advantage of the Four Seasons Resort Maui’s Kama‘aina Season, offering the lowest room rates of the year now through Dec. 22. The special rate of $369 includes overnight parking, with no resort fees. Stay over and get two-for-one entrees at Ferraro’s Bar e Ristorante and the newly renovated Wolfgang Puck’s Spago. Receive 20% off the entire bill at DUO Steak and Seafood as well as on signature cocktails at the Lobby Lounge, which features nightly live entertainment. The spa, retail outlets and some activities are also discounted for those with a Hawaii ID. Last but not least are complimentary cabanas and oceanfront sanctuaries providing Evian spritzes and gourmet nibbles, and free Kids for All Seasons activities such as gecko hunting and tide pool exploration. Call 874-8000.
Veteran journalist Carla Tracy pops the cork on Maui’s dining and entertainment scene in her weekly column. Email her at carlatracy808@gmail.com.
