Jason Genegabus photos

It was quite a walk down memory lane at the Waikiki Shell last weekend, as two living legends from the local recording industry celebrated 35 years of making music together.

Cecilio Rodrigues and Henry Kapono Kaaihue have weathered their share of ups and downs over the decades – including a dwindling tour schedule at one point, and even a temporary split to pursue their own solo projects.

But thanks to the efforts of Kaaihue’s wife, Lezlee, in recent years, they’ve returned to the studio and gone back out on the road to perform for loyal fans around the world.

There are more pictures from Sunday’s “Back in the Day” anniversary concert after the jump; you can also check out my Flickr page for another 20 images that didn’t make it into the blog.

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Star-Bulletin file

Star-Bulletin business columnist Erika Engle tipped me off to a report in this week’s Pacific Business News that longtime Waikiki eatery Eggs ‘n Things will close its doors on Aug. 31.

A quick check of their Web site confirms the closure, but fans of the restaurant shouldn’t worry too much. They’ll reopen by Nov. 1 in a two-story building across the street from the Waikiki Post Office on Saratoga Rd.

This isn’t the first time Eggs ‘n Things has changed its address. After opening in 1974, the restaurant relocated in 1986 from Ena Rd. to its current home on Kalakaua Ave.

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Courtesy photo

I’ve never been a fan of the television show America’s Next Top Model, but it looks like I’ll be tuning in when new episodes are broadcast next month.

According to multiple sources online, former Hawaii resident Sheena Sakai has been selected as one of 14 finalists this season. She’ll make her first appearance on Sept. 3, when a two-hour casting special kicks things off on the CW network (channel 93 on Oceanic digital cable).

Wait a minute… the CW is on a digital channel?

I’ve got analog cable at home. Lose money!

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Jason Genegabus photos

It was a recurring problem all last week.

I’d sit down in front of the computer in an attempt to do some serious work, only to be distracted by the seemingly endless Olympic coverage on TV.

Tonight? Blame my procrastination on women’s synchronized swimming. And the Redeem Team.

I mention the Olympics because staying up late to watch on Friday made it tough to wake up Saturday for Band Camp VI at the Waikiki Shell.

Make no mistake, the guys from BAMP Project do a fantastic job of getting top mainland talent to perform in Hawaii. But after last year’s headlining set by Matisyahu, this year’s concert fell a little flat despite the return of Jason Mraz.

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Star-Bulletin file

If you can, please take a moment and think of Uncle John Koko (left) from The Makaha Sons.

While I was in the audience at the Hawaii Theatre for Augie Tulba’s concert on Saturday, former KHNL anchor Angela Keen was at the Hilton Hawaiian Village for “Malama Na Kama’aina,” a fundraiser for the Lokahi Giving Project.

The Sons were among the scheduled lineup of entertainers, but didn’t show, according to a Twitter post from Keen. Late Sunday night, the following statement was released by a representative for the trio:

“John Koko from the Makaha Sons had to be admitted to Kaiser for a procedure concerning his heart.

The Makaha Sons and the Koko ‘ohana would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support.”

According to the statement, no visitors are allowed at the hospital. Also, upcoming gigs at Bishop Museum and on the Big Island will both be rescheduled to later dates.

I’m relieved to hear that Uncle John will make a full recovery. And while the Sons will have to postpone a few shows, I’m amazed they’ll be able to return to the stage in just a few weeks.

Star-Bulletin file photo

When I was assigned to write about Augie Tulba’s performance in the round at Blaisdell Arena last year, there was only one place to take the picture that would accompany my story.

Talking to him on the phone, we both agreed one of the biggest accolades one can receive is to have your name up on the electronic sign at the corner of Kapiolani and Ward.

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Looks like Laugh Factory Hawaii has found a new home, after plans to renovate and reopen the former Varsity Theaters last year failed.

A new partnership with Cirque Hawaii provides the comedy promoters with an alternative to some of the more expensive venues in Honolulu.

The first comic to benefit from the new arrangement is Mike Epps (pictured), who arrives this month for five performances of his Mike Epps on the Edge Tour from Aug. 20 through Aug. 24.

According to the announcement from LFH, Epps will perform at 8 p.m. on Aug. 20. The rest of his shows will start at 10 p.m.

The Indiana native got his start in comedy 13 years ago on HBO’s Def Comedy Jam, but his claim to fame came five years later when he replaced Chris Tucker in the movies “Next Friday” and “Friday After Next.” His first Hawaii performance was two years ago at the Blaisdell Concert Hall.

Most recently, Epps finished production on the movie “Janky Promoters” and is set to star in the upcoming film “Next Day Air.” He’s also been tapped to star in an upcoming Richard Pryor biography based on a book written by Pryor’s daughter.

Tickets, priced at $20, $25 and $30, are available now at the Cirque Hawaii box office. Call (808) 922-0017 to order by phone.

Photo Credit: Laugh Factory Hawaii

Jason Genegabus photo

Stand-up comedy, like baseball, mixed martial arts or a swimsuit contest, is an activity best observed in a live setting.

You can stay home and watch it on TV – even on one of those big screen deals that broadcast in high definition. But there’s something special about sitting behind the first base dugout at Murakami Stadium, or watching punches fly at ringside in the same building Chris Rock performed at on Saturday.

And believe me, sitting just feet from a dozen (or more) beautiful women in bikinis beats watching the Hooters girls on cable any day.

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Dennis Oda photo

Ten years after getting its start at Climber’s Paradise in Kalihi, “Love Festival Hawaii” celebrates a decade of success tomorrow night at Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park.

G “G-Spot” Dehnert (pictured) is one-half of the team responsible for bringing the world’s top electronic DJ talent to the islands. Along with Los Angeles-based DJ Reza, G-Spot parlayed years of contacts made via relentless global touring to launch his own destination event here in Hawaii.

Read more about G-Spot and his party here. And don’t forget about the official afterparty at The Shop, starting at 2 a.m. Sunday, or the official Love Fest Radio broadcast at 3 a.m. Sunday on KIKI-FM (Hot 93.9).

Jason Genegabus photo

Looks like the cooling economy has claimed another local business. Less than three years after opening in Chinatown, the owners of the rRed Elephant Cafe and LIVE @ The rRed Elephant have announced plans to leave the neighborhood.

Paul Kreiling and Joey Wolpert opened the cafe in Oct. 2005, followed by the recording studio/live performance space about three months later. They also established a new label, Elepani Productions, with plans to find and recruit promising local musicians for work on upcoming projects.

But when I drove by Monday night, I saw a number of signs posted on the front door and windows of the cafe.

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