’Twas the morning of Christmas
And all through the aina,
Santa double-checked his gift deliveries
For the majah and the minah.
For Barack and Michelle
A final Kailua yule retreat;
As POTUS and FLOTUS
They’ve been hard to beat.
For Hillary Clinton,
Who missed becoming Lady Prez,
A Hawaii vacation is relaxing
So tell Bill to make the rez.
A sequel with more singing
For “Moana’s” Auli‘i Cravalho;
For Jacob “Spider-Man” Batalon
Perhaps a Marvel hana hou?
A divine “Hello, Dolly!” reboot
For homegrown star Bette Midler;
May your March Broadway return
Earn mazel tovs like your “Fiddler.”
And what, for Bruno Mars
Who has everything he needs?
A “$24K Magic” hug
For all his good deeds.
For Titans QB Marcus Mariota
A winning season next year,
To match his esteem
Like his GoLow TV cheer.
For Jimmy Borges in heaven
Eagerly awaiting the news,
Unveil his scholarship winner
Part of his legacy cues;
For showman Tom Moffatt
A fond aloha, a prayer;
You’ve brought us shows galore
So continue ’em Up There.
For Kirk Caldwell more moolah
To see rail go the distance;
The battles have been monumental
With plenty of resistance.
For Charles Djou, a query:
Where you goin’ from here?
The governorship? The Senate?
The goal’s still unclear?
For Gov. Ige, a second term?
With fewer confrontations?
Or a private-sector post
Without so many complications?
For Frank De Lima, new muu
For his “422” cab spots;
For Augie T, the other local comic,
Fresh one-liners — lots.
For “Honu by the Sea,”
The Johnson Enos creation,
A splash of ocean awareness
As it seals its global reputation.
For Amy Hanaiali‘i, sure, mele,
But also bottles of new wine;
Cabernet, merlot, chardonnay
Now, wouldn’t that be divine?
For endearing Audy Kimura
A formal Waikiki commendation;
His 30-year-run at Hy’s Steak House
Merits a celebratory proclamation.
Multiple strands of pikake
For charm-filled Robert Cazimero;
In hula, Hawaiian, even jazz
He’s a Blue Note jolly good fellow.
For his bro Roland,
Who struggles with health issues;
A return to strumming guitar?
Then pass out the tissues.
For Shari Lynn, achievement
In all that she does;
As teacher, as actress,
As singer, she’s always Da Buzz.
For Willie K, it’s plain
He adores all his work;
But less travel, more home gigs,
Would be a grand perk.
For Alex O’Loughlin
And his “Hawaii Five-0” gang,
Season 7? Season 8?
Just go out with a bang!
A return to the circuit
For hilarious Andy Bumatai;
Please, Santa, a request:
Send a get-well pill, try?
For all his good strumming,
A Grammy for Jake;
A Broadway return for Loretta,
Plus a Tony, for goodness’ sake.
For Jack and Cha Thompson,
A restful vacation would entice;
Like a Broadway rendezvous
With “Hamilton” tickets, nice?
A pau-retirement pass
For Keali‘i Reichel;
It’s time he starts ringing
Another “Kawaipunahele” bell.
And Melveen Leed, the tita,
Who’s at her career best;
Help jump-start the bookings
And she’ll pass that test.
For Streetlight Cadence,
An annual visit home;
For Joe Moore? Eventually,
A news anchor’s tome?
For entrepreneur Jack Cione,
No more on-and-off retirements;
Plus thrice-annually cruises
With uncharted environments.
For author Frances Kakugawa,
A book of fresh poems;
For new novelist Frannie Kirk,
Vegas and Honolulu homes?
For inspirational Roy Sakuma
A global ukulele tour;
For Karen, more hair flowers,
For Jerry Santos, just joy — pure.
For Phil Arnone, Emme Tomimbang
A new year means new shows;
Looking back, looking forward
TV directors see what glows.
And finally, faithful followers,
All you Mr. and Ms.,
Mele Kalikimaka, Hauoli Makahiki Hou!
And that’s Christmas “Show Biz.” …
Wayne Harada is a veteran Honolulu entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or email wayneharada@gmail.com.
