Karen Keawehawai‘i — a singer by trade — has become a magnet on KSSK’s live broadcasts, promotional treks to Las Vegas and ocean cruises. Fans simply adore her.
While she’s not officially the designated successor to retired Larry Price, Michael W. Perry’s on-air morning drive partner for more than three decades, Keawehawai‘i has emerged as a popular solution to fill the void.
“I was asked to sit in, whenever Mike’s or Larry’s work schedule called them away from their Saturday broadcasts,” said Keawehawai‘i, also known as Madame Flower because of the ever-present bloom in her hair. Though a temporary stint, she’s a good fit.
“Radio is another stage that I share with old friends,” she said recently after amassing a string of shows — at the Jade Dynasty Saturday brunches, in Las Vegas broadcasts at the California Hotel, at the launch of the Four Seasons in Ko Olina, and aboard Perry & the Posse’s cruise to Alaska in June.
Her role at the mike has become visible — OK, audible, since we’re talking radio — with more cruises in the months ahead.
“It was a challenge,” said Keawehawai‘i, because Melody Wheeler, her youngest daughter with hubby Jackie Farias, had given birth to their first grandson, Kenshin, their fifth moopuna (grandchild), when prospects of her first cruise was on her plate.
“Like all families with children and grandchildren, we are pulled in many directions at the same time,” she said.
“There really was only one choice to join our live-audience shows,” said Perry, accustomed to her style and manner after earlier fill-ins. “So (show producer) Sweetie (Pacarro) and I sat down with Karen and Jackie at Zippy’s and were greatly relieved she said yes.”
Keawehawai‘i has been a dedicated trouper from the get-go, developing chat skills and doing background checks to enhance interviews.
“I call it color, or it just might be because of my being a little niele — literally, inquisitive, but locally known as nosy,” she said.
“Karen is such a great performer, so at ease with an audience,” said Perry. “And so funny that the buzz goes out wherever we are: ‘You gotta see that lady with the flowers in her hair!’”
She shares on-air Hawaiian songs periodically, an homage to her club and recording past, and performs with the Royal Hawaiian Band when she’s in port. She’s being wooed to do a Blue Note Hawaii gig, too, which would restore her Waikiki presence. …
AROUND TOWN
>> Brunch bunch: Frank De Lima’s “Holiday Brunch & Show,” a Christmas tradition at the Pagoda Hotel, unfolds Dec. 18 at the International Ballroom. Doors open at 10 a.m., brunch is from 10:45 a.m., show’s at noon. Expect De Lima’s classic “Filipino Christmas” number, plus his “Black Friday/Cyber Monday” parody. …
>> Condolences: Keo Woolford, who died Nov. 25, was tapped last August as a kumu hula with mentor Robert Cazimero’s Halau Na Kamalei o Lililehua — yet another benchmark in his brilliant career. Sympathy and prayers to his ohana. …
And that’s “Show Biz.” …
Wayne Harada is a veteran Honolulu entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or email wayneharada@gmail.com.
