Honu the sea turtle, the centerpiece of Johnson Enos’ environmental musical, “Honu by the Sea,” has a new buddy: Tokyo’s Hello Kitty.
The mascot figures, popular among children, had a first meeting — holding hands — in Tokyo recently and will reunite when the cast of the island-originated show returns for a splashdown July 15 and 16 at Sanrio Puroland, an indoor theme park in Tama, Japan, a 30-minute subway ride from Tokyo.
The show, with its message of ocean pollution threatening sea creatures, will be part of a Marine Day celebration, and Kitty, the prime icon from the popular Japanese franchise, will join her new friend Honu in the show’s finale number, “Imagine,” according to show creator Enos.
“The show will be done entirely in Japanese,” said Enos. “We hope someday to have our new friend (Kitty) come to Honolulu, too.”
The Kitty inclusion is new, part of a widening collaboration with Japan resources.
“The cast is learning to sing in Japanese, and the Sea Star (a character in the musical) will do voice-overs in Japanese,” said Enos. “It’s more than a $1 million promotion.”
The Honu mascot is becoming an ocean ambassador here and abroad. …
Meanwhile, “Honu by the Sea” also is partnering with Pearl City High School in “Malama Honua,” a project of social studies teacher Jaclynn Gora-Aina, librarian Audrey Okemura and Pearl City students. Enos brought costumed cast members Miguel Cadoy III, Kainoa Johnson, Nickey Leigh and Bryce-William Irvin to share songs like “Common Sense” about ocean pollution as depicted in the musical for a select group of 20 seniors.
The students have been engaged in raising ocean awareness, like curbing plastic bottles that litter the ocean and hurt marine life, so adding an entertainment component to their research was a new dimension of enlightenment “in a unique and creative way,” as one senior said. …
PASSING MENTIONS
Condolences to Jack Cione, the longtime “Follies” producer, whose wife Maydelle died April 27 at age 94. She had been hospitalized for four years in Arcadia’s second-floor care unit.
“We were married for 61 years — we shared a good life,” said Cione, the former nightclub operator.
No services planned; Maydelle requested her remains be donated to the John A. Burns School of Medicine for research. …
Entertainer Nephi Hannemann, fondly remembered as “The Polynesian Man” and “Mr. Excitement” in his prime, will be buried Friday at Laie Cemetery.
A celebration of life unfolds from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Ala Moana Hotel’s Garden Lanai, where he once headlined. He died March 31 in Los Angeles, at age 73. …
MOM’S THE WORD
Mother’s Day is May 13, and show options are mounting:
>> Frank DeLima’s brunch event is at 11:30 a.m. at the Pagoda; doors open 9:30 a.m., brunch 10 a.m.; $65 adults, $35 keiki (age 5 to 8); 948-8370, pagodahawaii.com. …
>> Anuhea and Kapena team up from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Pomaikai Ballroom, Dole Cannery; Gold Circle, $94 adults, $47 children; standard, $74 and $37; 695-4496 or 695-4379, pomaikaiballrooms.com. …
>> The Makaha Sons convene from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Waikiki Resort Hotel; $64.99 adults, $24.99 keiki (age 6 to 12); 921-8624 or 921-8685, waikikiresort.com/mom18. …
>> Augie T does brunch with Kanoa Kukaua and Kristian Lei, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Manoa Grand Ballroom, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii; $60 adults, $40 kids; 371-1928. Augie also does a pre-mom’s day gig at 8 p.m. Saturday at E Komo Mai Lounge, 340 Kuawe St., Hilo; $20 presale, $25 door; augiet.com. …
And that’s “Show Biz.” …
Wayne Harada is a veteran Honolulu entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or email wayneharada@gmail.com.
