Mariska Hargitay, who has played NYPD Detective Olivia Benson in the “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” franchise for 18 seasons, recently visited La Pietra: Hawaii School for Girls.
During a 45-minute session in the school gym, Hargitay discussed the role of the Joyful Heart Foundation, which she founded, linking parallels in her career on the hit NBC show.
The Emmy winner reportedly told the students: “Our mission is to transform society’s response to sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse, support the survivors’ healing and end this violence forever.” As an investigating detective on the TV show, her character has been a victim of sexual assault and violence, wrestling with the recovery process.
Her advice to the young girls: “Listen to your heart” to avoid abusive relationships.
The chat was arranged by Maile Zambuto, a 1990 graduate of La Pietra and the foundation’s chief executive officer. …
STREET TALK: Streetlight Cadence, the alt-folk/pop foursome, recently marked the first anniversary of its relocation to Los Angeles. “It has been a wild ride so far; we’ve met new friends, played some fantastic venues and discovered great sidewalks to perform on,” the group says in its newsletter.
Streetlighters Jonathon Franklin (violin), Brian Webb (cello), Chaz Imamoto (guitar) and Jesse Shiroma (accordion and foot percussion) are heading back home to Hawaii for what the group calls a “Christmas Tour” for the holidays, including a pivotal debut Dec. 19 at Blue Note Hawaii at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort. Shiroma’s infectious smile, a hit on Facebook, is getting a lot of smileage. …
Maggie Herron, the singer-pianist, gets her Blue Note debut Sept. 27, with bassist Dean Taba, drummer Donny B and saxophonist Paul Lindberg sitting in. …
HELLO, KITTY: When he’s not performing with his family group Manoa DNA (with sons Nick Kawakami and Alx Kawakami), dad Lloyd Kawakami is chief executive officer of ‘Iolani Sportswear, the Hawaiian clothing manufacturer. The elder Kawakami is happy to say hello to Hello Kitty, the Sanrio icon, with which ‘Iolani has a global marketing agreement of newly minted tropical Kitty sportswear, toy dolls, makeup and canvas totes with a summery island theme. “Hello Kitty gives us a chance to showcase ‘Iolani products not only in Hawaii, but to a worldwide audience,” said Kawakami in a statement. It’s the second major promotional partnership for the local firm to link up with a leading Japanese manufacturer; Uniqlo was the first, two years ago. …
HONORABLE MENTION: Ron Lee, popular football coach and an alumnus of Willamette University in Salem, Ore., is one of the inductees in the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2016. He will be honored in ceremonies Sept. 22 at the Cat Cavern on the Willamette campus — decades after he graduated in 1967. Longtime fans of the Society of Seven might know him as the cordial manager of what used to be the Main Showroom of the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort. …
And speaking of the SOS: Tony Ruivivar and Bert Sagum bring their cohorts to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Castle Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21. Tickets: $59, $49, $39 and $15, at 242-SHOW or mauiarts.org. …
ISLE FILE: “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” will be shown at 6 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Honoka‘a People’s Theatre to mark a Peace Day celebration. It’s free, but donations can be made at the door. Those attending may don “Star War” costumes, with prizes to be offered.
“Star Wars” was selected because of its connections with Buddhist themes (meditation, mindfulness) and the Force’s parallels to the dharma. Kiyoshi Najita will speak and introduce the movie. Numerous activities — a poster contest, a parade — are slated on the Big Island, through Oct. 1. …
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
