Archive

'Kaleidoscope' shifts to draw in crowds

There was a time when you could find me at the same Chinatown nightspot at least three times a week. Back in 2005, the undisputed late-night champion in the neighborhood was NextDoor. With limited competition, local scenesters flocked to the club.


Gowalla plots new points in Hawaii

It's part scavenger hunt, part social media -- and totally addicting for those with iPhones or other Web-enabled cell phones.


Cameras jiggle Joe's nerves

Even though he has years of radio and live event experience, Island 98.5's Phat Joe still gets nervous working on his latest project, "Live at the Reggae Cafe."


Paparazzi's presence lackluster

It was a madhouse last Friday at the Ward Entertainment Complex, with packed parking lots and crowds on the sidewalks, outside Starbucks and inside Menchie's. The frenzy continued at Paparazzi, a new nightclub by George Kail that opened in the space formerly occupied by Brew Moon.


Living Room to close Nov. 1

Contrary to what you may have heard or read elsewhere in recent weeks, the Living Room at Fisherman's Wharf isn't closed for business -- yet.


New York's siren song beckons DJ

A week after hosting a farewell party for Mark Chittom, Chinatown's thirtyninehotel is the spot to say aloha to another talented local turntablist.


Hawaii hip-hop artists partner up




Kapu ends midday run at KINE-FM

After more than four decades on Hawaii's radio airwaves, the man known as "The Kapahulu Common Mango" and "The Menehune on the Microphone" has decided to hang up his headphones -- for now.


Aerosmith performs next month

Looks like Aerosmith fans won't have to wait until 2010 for the band to make good on postponed concerts in Honolulu and on Maui.


V Lounge introduces Neapolitan-style pizzas

After months of planning and a few weeks of heavy buzz via the Internet, the V Lounge introduced its new line of kiawe wood-fired pizzas with a series of VIP tastings last week.


DJ Keoki welcomed home at Hush

It was a family affair at HUSH Boutique Nightclub and Ultralounge last weekend, when Hawaii-based brothers DJ Maleko and Miko Franconi welcomed Superstar DJ Keoki back to the islands for his first gig here in nearly four years.


Augie popping into prime time

HE'S PERFORMED in front of sold-out audiences at the Hawaii Theatre and Blaisdell Arena. This year, he's spent months traveling from island to island on his own personal "Comedy Crusade."


Downtown goes stale for 'Get Fresh!'

THE CHANGES keep coming in Chinatown: After nearly seven years of Friday night parties downtown, the promoters behind Indigo's "Get Fresh!" weekly are calling it quits.


Hansen, Hazelgrove and Jewitt open Apartm3nt

AFTER YEARS of working with local nightclubs and restaurants to host their parties, Flash Hansen and Matty Hazelgrove are making the leap from promoters to owners with this weekend's grand opening of a new lounge concept at the Century Center.


Primo brews for state's golden anniversary

As we get closer to the 50th anniversary of Hawaii's statehood, a number of businesses have launched marketing campaigns in honor of the big day.


King of cheesecake holds court in Chinatown store

Last Friday, Otto opened Otto Cake at 1160 Smith St. to a First Friday crowd that went crazy for his cheesecake.


Nishizawa closes The Spot before it closes in on him

After less than a year in business, local all-ages music venue The Spot closed its doors for good last weekend.


Anna Bannana's to celebrate 40 years, but maybe not 41

One local watering hole will celebrate 40 years in business next month, but the news is somewhat bittersweet.


Isle-born Scherzinger shines as Dolls dominate stage

Sometimes it's hard to tell how much influence Hawaii has on those who move away from our shores at a young age.


Maui singer Jenkins' career gets boost from iTunes

Maui's Anuhea Jenkins appears to be on the right path with her burgeoning music career, thanks to a push from Apple's iTunes Music Store and faithful fans who know how to utilize social media on the Internet.


Kanye West pays a visit to the 'Aloha Music Festival'

If Kanye West continues to spend more time on Oahu, we're going to have to start calling him a part-time Hawaii resident.


Surgeon pumps 'Heartbeat' in Waikiki showroom

The final nail was driven into the coffin of "Waikiki Nei" last week, when a Denver-based director-producer arrived in Honolulu to start promoting its replacement at the newly renamed Royal Hawaiian Theater.


Clubland veteran to open SoHo Mixed Media Bar

After spending much of the last five years working with others to raise the bar in downtown Honolulu's nightlife scene, Daniel Gray has found the means to open his own establishment.


Former Journey frontman a near miss for Pipeline Cafe

It was the concert that almost was -- Steve Perry on stage at Pipeline Cafe next month. I'd heard the gripes from friends and co-workers when Journey played the Blaisdell Arena with new lead singer Arnel Pineda in March.


'Timing is perfect' for return of Jimmy 'Da Geek'

Former Hawaii resident Jimmy "Da Geek" Bender might not live here anymore, but that hasn't stopped him from creating new parody songs based on local customs and stereotypes.


Isle teens get another crack at hitting the big time

Hawaii's teenage musicians are getting plenty of opportunities to shine in 2009. First it was "Brown Bags to Stardom" at Blaisdell Arena, followed shortly thereafter by the first "Band Champ" competition. Now a national recording artist and producer will be in town to evaluate our local talent.


Nakagawa takes bartender title

Judging a bar-tending competition isn't just about drinking -- at least not at the annual "Iron Bartender Competition" at Ryan's Grill. Sure, tasting a cocktail here and there is part of the job, but what I like about "Iron Bartender" is that it also places a premium on how fast -- and accurately -- a bartender can make those drinks.


New DVD offers inside look at MMA superstar BJ Penn

BIG ISLAND MMA superstar BJ Penn has a big weekend planned on Oahu in conjunction with the release of "BJ Penn: 90 Days," an inside look at the mindset and training regimen of the current UFC lightweight champ.


Best 'Beat Root' battlers to throw down at finals

THE LOFT will host some of Honolulu's most creative minds this weekend, when Lightsleepers Hawaii hosts the "Beat Root" grand championships on Saturday.


Maui students win over audience at 'Band Champ'

WHEN THE winners of the first-ever "Band Champ" youth band competition were named last week, the members of Maui's Why Bother were apparently living up to their name.


Pimpbot enjoys the neon lights of a Las Vegas night

THE saying might be a little different in Las Vegas, but what happens in Hawaii doesn't always have to stay in paradise.


Young singers launch dreams of stardom on arena stage

NO MATTER your age, getting to perform on stage at the Blaisdell Arena is a pretty big deal. Thanks to Johnny Kai and his efforts to revive Brown Bags to Stardom, dozens of elementary, middle- and high-school students showed off their talents for a vocal audience of family and friends last weekend.


Iron Maiden makes a pit stop in Honolulu

DECADES AFTER their only concert appearance here, the mere presence of Iron Maiden in Honolulu earlier this week was enough to get generations of rock fans buzzing.


Pepper rides 'Good Vibrations' from isle to isle to isle

IT'S NICE to see the guys from Pepper coming back to Hawaii for more than one day.


Honolulu nightlife will be less lively without Pro Bowl

YOU DON'T need to be a football fan to recognize what kind of impact the NFL's decision to move the Pro Bowl will have on Honolulu.


Punahou grad lands CNN reporter job in China

THE NEXT time you turn on CNN and see a story about China, don't be surprised if the reporter on your television screen looks familiar.


Pimpbot will have Hawaii company at SXSW

LOOKS LIKE the guys from Pimpbot aren't the only Hawaii-based musicians heading to the South By Southwest Music Conference this year.


One Right Turn makes ambitious trip to play 50 in 50

WHAT STARTED as a regional tour to begin 2009 has turned into a yearlong adventure for the members of One Right Turn as they attempt to play 50 concerts in all 50 states.


Upscale SKYLiNE ends 5-year run at Hanohano Room

AFTER five years of catering to the Beautiful People at the Sheraton Waikiki's Hanohano Room, promoters Flash Hansen and Matty Hazelgrove say goodbye to SKYLiNE this weekend.


Jack Johnson's Kokua Festival quietly bows out

THE NEWS arrived via the Internet like a lump of coal, just two days before Christmas. Five years after getting its start at Kualoa Ranch, the annual Kokua Festival will not take place in 2009.


Concert, club scenes active through down economy

IF THERE'S one underlying message I got from covering Clubland in 2008, it's that local residents still like to have a good time despite the weaker economic situation in Hawaii.


Top DJs spin their stuff at Mai Tai Bar

LIVE music is a staple at the Mai Tai Bar, with various bands scheduled to play every day above the hustle and bustle of Ala Moana Center. What most people don't know, however, is the bar also hires DJs to spin on select nights. Every Sunday in December, the bar hosts the first-ever "Hot Island DJ Spin-Off," modeled after the successful "Mai Tai Rumble" band competition also held at Mai Tai's.


In The Mix returns Dec. 25




Fortuitous connections yield new lifestyle magazine

Contrast Magazine is already up and running online at www.contrastmagazine.com, and publisher Race Skelton expects inaugural copies to be available at Aloha Army, Fitted Hawaii and In4mation by the end of December.


Pipeline pumps up volume with new lunch menu

BEFORE THE RECENT ownership change at Pipeline Cafe, I had a difficult time convincing people that decent grinds could be found at the nightclub. Sure, most items were deep-fried and skewed heavily toward the "bar food" stereotype, but prices were reasonable and you could order a meal after midnight without problems.


Mixed martial arts promoters step up to fill EliteXC void

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS in Hawaii took a hit last month when national fight promotion EliteXC announced it was shutting down after less than two years in business, but several alternatives exist for those who enjoy watching the action.


Tanking economy delays opening of new Ocean club

DESPITE assurances it would open in time for Halloween, the popular nightspot formerly known as Ocean Club wasn't ready to welcome revelers two weeks ago. When I talked to Oceans 808 co-owner Gary Derks in April, he couldn't have anticipated how badly the economy would tank over the next six months.


Contest gives aspiring local bands chance to shine

HAWAII'S NEXT GENERATION of musicians have a new opportunity for stardom, thanks to a partnership between promoter Tom Moffatt and nonprofit organization Musical Youth of Hawaii.


Clubs go all out with Halloween parties

IT'S BEEN five years since Clubland got the chance to celebrate Halloween on a Friday, and local promoters are pulling out all the stops to make sure 2008 is memorable for everyone who wants to party.


Bonsai offers hidden gem for lounge aficionados

AMID THE CARNAGE caused by a faltering economy and changing tastes, there are still a few brave individuals attempting to bring something new to Clubland.


Pioneering local comics still wield crowd-drawing power

WITH all the additions to the local comedy scene, it's good to see that people continue to support those who laid the groundwork in recent years.


Camile Velasco rubs it 'pon her belly with new debut album

FIVE YEARS AGO, Hawaii residents were overcome by the hype surrounding "American Idol" when two of their own became finalists in the televised popularity contest disguised as a singing competition.


Film festival caters to stay-at-home movie buffs

THE 2008 Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival returns for its 28th year, with 150 films from 36 countries to be screened from Oct. 9 to 19.


In The Mix returns Oct. 2