By Jason Genegabus

MTV photo

My little sister spent a lot of her free time growing up as a member of Drill Team Hawaii, so I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised about the following MTV’s “America’s Best Dance Crew” has here in the islands.

In recent months, the Jabbawockeez and Kaba Modern have visited Honolulu, as have SuperCr3w and Supreme Soul.

Now, it’s Fanny Pak and SoulReal Cru who have announced plans to perform on two islands in January. I heard about this earlier in the week and broke the news on Twitter yesterday.

Of course, this is an even bigger deal than earler ABDC-related events, since Hawaii’s own Cara Horibe (pictured at right) is an integral part of the Fanny Pak experience. You’ve got to be happy for someone who, just a few years ago, hung out at a lot of the same spots in Clubland as the rest of us.

The two crews will start with a show at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center on Jan. 2 at 6 p.m. They’ll head to Oahu the next day for a second show at the Blaisdell Arena that starts at 7 p.m.

Tickets for the Maui performance are available for purchase online at www.mauiarts.org or in person at the MACC Box Office; visit any Ticketmaster outlet on Oahu to purchase tickets for the Jan. 3 show.

By Jason Genegabus

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By Jason Genegabus

Jason Genegabus video

The Lokahi Giving Project held its annual “Lokahi Day” at locations on Oahu and Maui last weekend, collecting cash and toy donations to benefit local families in need this holiday season.

I was at Ala Moana Center on Saturday, where KHON’s Trini Kaopuiki and KINE’s Bruddah Wade co-hosted performances by Maunalua, Darren Benitez and Jasmine Trias (in the video above). I also shot video of John Cruz singing his signature hit, “Island Style,” during his set at Centerstage.

Around the same time, Mailani Makainai, Jeff Rasmussen and Raiatea Helm performed at Windward Mall, while Leokane Pryor headlined “Lokahi Day” on Maui.

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Da Kine

By Jason Genegabus

Da Lion of Judah with import model Kat Gutierrez. (Photo courtesy Judah Oschner)

Judah “Da Lion of Judah” Oschner, staunch supporter of the local Latin scene and self-described originator of Hawaii’s “longest-running Latin night,” isn’t the only industry type worried about the current economic situation in Honolulu.

But while other club owners and party promoters try to remain optimistic – at least on the record – Oschner wasn’t afraid to voice his opinion when he announced “Martes Caliente” would be taking an indefinite hiatus. The weekly party moved to Fashion45 earlier this year after an extended run at Zanzabar.

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By Jason Genegabus

KITV’s Jill Kuramoto, third from left, stopped by Senor Frog’s Waikiki last week. (Star-Bulletin file)

Very few – if any – Hawaii residents can lay claim to having a cameo on a Queen record.

KITV weekend anchor Jill Kuramoto, however, is one of those people. And she had no clue her voice appears on the new Queen + Paul Rodgers single, “Surf’s Up … School’s Out.”

The Star-Bulletin’s Erika Engle broke the story on Sunday in her column, where she got a label representative to admit Kuramoto’s voice was lifted without her permission.

“Hearst-Argyle’s attorneys are looking into (the situation),” Kuramoto said last week Tuesday when I spoke to her at Senor Frog’s Waikiki. “One of our cameramen at our station bought the album and was listening to it, and then he let everyone else in the newsroom listen to it.

“And then I heard it, and I thought, ‘Oh yeah, that does sound like me.’”

According to Kuramoto, the sample in question was taken from a Dec. 1, 2007 newscast on KITV. While Erika’s column mentions Queen’s people found said clip of the newscast on YouTube, she couldn’t find it during an online search.

“I’m trying to think how they got it,” said Kuromoto last week. “Maybe one of them was on vacation out here and they heard it then?”

You can listen to Kuramoto’s cameo after the break.

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By Jason Genegabus

New York Times photo

Covering the local concert scene means that I hear a lot of rumors about upcoming shows.

It’s a tricky situation at times, especially when I hear from everyone but the promoter involved that an artist or band is scheduled to come to Hawaii. That was the case earlier this year, when I kept hearing rumblings about Ne-Yo making an appearance here.

The concert didn’t happen then, but promoter Tom Moffatt announced this morning that Ne-Yo will kick off his 2009 concert schedule with a performance at the Blaisdell Arena on Jan. 5.

Tickets, priced at $35, $45 and $55, go on sale at 9 a.m. Saturday at all Ticketmaster outlets.

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By Jason Genegabus

Associated Press photo

Haven’t finished your holiday shopping yet? Loking for something that friends on the mainland will love?

Duane “Dog” Chapman (pictured), Hawaii’s most visible bail bondsman and star of “Dog the Bounty Hunter” on A&E, will be joined by family members during an autograph session on Wednesday.

Chapman, his wife Beth and children Duane Lee and Lyssa will sign items and take pictures from noon to 2 p.m. with any purchase from Da Dog House, located just mauka of Da Kine Bail Bonds on Queen Emma Street.

According to publicist Mona Wood, Leland Chapman may also make an appearance if his schedule allows.

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