Week of Friday, December 14, 2018 | Vol. 6, No. 50
Grinds & Da Kines For Your Weekend Check da Scene
SATURDAYS 9:30am –1pm
On the Kauai Community College Campus
Featuring Punana Leo’s HoLiday WreatHs and KeiKi They will be selling Holiday wreaths and the keiki will be performing holiday songs
troPiCaL FLoWer eXPress
From our Farm to your Door. We ship tropical flowers to your ohana on the Mainland.
Kaua‘i
From Farmers Market to Farm Fair The Kauai County Farm Bureau Supports Agriculture | facebook.com/KauaiCountyFarmBureau
2 | TGIFR!DAY | Friday, December 14, 2018
TOP PICKS FOR THE WEEK FRIDAY
KAUAI CHORALE CONCERT 7:30 p.m., Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall, Lihue DRIVE-THROUGH LIVE NATIVITY SCENE 6:30 to 8 p.m. Crossroads Christian Fellowship on the Kapaa bypass road COMMUNITY CELEBRATION 3 to 5 p.m. Kekaha Credit Union Free refreshments, entertainment, games, prizes. KAUAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE JAZZ ENSEMBLE AND WIND SYMPHONY WINTER CONCERT 7 p.m., KCC Performing Arts Center Featuring everything from jazz to classical music. Highlights from the program include music from every “Harry Potter” movie, jazz standards, and holiday music. Free. SATURDAY
CKTV HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School cafeteria Handmade gifts, jewelry, books, clothing, hand bags and more. Potential vendors may contact Kevin Matsunaga at 645-0019. WAIMEA CHRISTMAS LIGHT PARADE 6:15 p.m. With pre and post-parade entertainment. DRIVE-THROUGH LIVE NATIVITY SCENE 6:30 to 8 p.m. Crossroads Christian Fellowship on the Kapaa bypass road CELEBRATE AT WAIMEA PUBLIC LIBRARY 2 to 6 p.m. special holiday hours
Free children’s programs and a snack. Used book sale. SUNDAY
WOMEN IN THEATRE AUDITIONS 1 p.m. WIT’s End in Kukui Grove Center Seeking two male and two female actors for drama, “Proof.” Info: Nell, nellie613@gmail. com, 212-4050 KANJI CALLIGRAPHY CLASS 10:30 a.m. Koloa Jodo Mission Beginners welcome, materials provided, donations appreciated. Info: 742-6735 MONDAY
WOMEN IN THEATRE AUDITIONS 1 p.m. WIT’s End in Kukui Grove Center Seeking two male and two female actors for “Proof.” Info: Nell, nellie613@gmail.com, 212-4050. TUESDAY
KAUAI AARP CHAPTER 654 LAST LUNCHEON 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. WB’s Restaurant on Umi Street, Lihue Donations presented to nonprofits. Info: Janice, 639-9201 CHIEFESS KAMAKAHELEI MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND WINTER CONCERT 6:30 p.m. Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School Kilohana Playcourt Featuring students in the second- and thirdyear bands and the CKMS Jazz Band. Free. THURSDAY
KAUAI VOICES OHANA HOLIDAY CONCERT 8 p.m. St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, Lihue Free.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Bill Buley | bbuley@thegardenisland.com | 245-0457 ADVERTISING: displayads@thegardenisland.com | 245-0425 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING: tgiclassified@thegardenisland.com | 246-0325
AUGIE T’S ‘LAST STAND’ (UP)
Comedian brings special brand of laughter to Kauai JESSICA ELSE TGIFR!DAY
M
ore than 20 years ago, Augie “T” Tulba took the stage at Vidinha Stadium as a young standup comedian, a gig that triggered a decades-long career and the release of nine comedy DVDs. “I was this young comedian Andy Bumatai brought along. Nobody knew who I was and nobody laughed,” Tulba said. “I remember walking off stage saying ‘this sucks’ and Andy said ‘brah, you get ‘em, don’t quit’.” Now, Tulba’s getting ready to tour the country with his new show: “Augie T—Last Stand,” which he is filming as a special for Netflix and Amazon Prime. The show is made up of new material, with some of his funniest bits sprinkled in — some of which was first aired out on the stage at the Waimea Theatre, where Tulba spends occasional weekends working on new bits. “It’s a best of with some new stuff and I call it ‘Last Stand’ because I don’t know what’s next,” he said. The show marks a change
Photo contributed by Jose Figueras
Augie “T” Tulba has a morning radio show on 95.9 FM Da Paina, and will headline a comedy show Friday, Dec. 21, at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall in Lihue. ON THE COVER: Augie T in his holiday finery.
in Tulba’s comedy career, which has been 27 years of regular shows throughout Hawaii and hosting the Augie Radio Show on 95.9 FM Da Pa’ina. During his time on the comedy scene, Tulba has also
worked for marketing companies, for the mayor’s office on Hawaii Island and for Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui. Tulba said he’s not necessarily going to quit his current SEE AUGIE, PAGE 3
Ready to Get Fit? Join Puakea’s Fit Club. Just $59 a month. Unlimited daily walking golf after 4pm! 4150 Nuhou Street • Lihue HI 96766 • 808.245.8756 • www.puakea.golf
TGIFR!DAY | Friday, December 14, 2018 | 3
Augie Continued from Page 2
gigs on radio and touring Hawaii, but he’s focusing on a nationwide tour and on supporting his daughter Mahealani’s foundation, “Brave Hawaii,” which focuses on anti-bullying messaging to schools. Some of the money generated from his shows supports the foundation, and Tulba helps the foundation with skits that teach kids how to identify bullies and how to respond to bullying. “She (Mahealani Tulba) was bullied in school. Instead of letting it keep her down she created something that has now reached over 70,000 students,” Tulba said.
He’s is also considering running for office. “I love serving the community and helping out,” he said. “I feel making people laugh is doing that in a way, but there’s a side of me that might run for office and it’s something I’m totally interested in.” But, while he’s filming Last Stand he plans to show the mainland what Hawaii comedians have to offer — shows that are peppered with plenty pidgin and jokes about current events, with antics to sew it all together. “We’re unique. You wanna watch a regular comic do standup comedy you can go to Comedy Central and see something similar to everyone else,” Tulba said. “Wanna see something
that’s unique, than braddah I’ve been doing it for 27 years.” Hawaii has a list of Heisman finalists and baseball players that have won the World Series, and President Barack Obama hails from Hawaii — Tulba said he plans to help put Hawaii comedy on the map, as well. “There’s some funny people in Hawaii and we have a unique perspective,” Tulba said. “I wanna bring that unique brand of comedy to the Mainland and say hey, look, we’re doing something out here in the middle of the ocean.” “Augie T – Last Stand” is coming to Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall with special guests Jose Dynamite and Daryl Bonilla on
LP, DIMINUTIVE SINGER WITH BIG VOICE, LAYS IT OUT SCOTT STROUD ASSOCIATED PRESS
T
sideration for 2018. On “Dreamcatcher,” close your eyes and hear Stevie Nicks. On “Girls Go Wild,” the playfully bouncing bass line
echoes early Madonna, but with better singing. And the show-stopping heartbreak ballad, “Recovery,” suggests Adele at her pour-it-on best.
here’s a reference to shape-shifting tucked into the lyrics of “When I’m Over You,” the second song on LP’s new album, “Heart to Mouth,” and it didn’t get there by accident. Over the course of a dozen new songs, the diminutive singer works in enough different styles to draw comparisons to some of the world’s greats — and yet she doesn’t sound quite like any of them. It works because LP is an enormous talent. Her heart-baring vulnerability makes this a rock-solid follow-up to the widely-praised “Lost on You” — and arrives BMG / Vagrant via AP in time to earn best-of con- This is the cover of the new album by LP, “Heart to Mouth.”
the day of the show. Presale tickets are available at Hawaiian Artisans in the Coconut MarketPlace, Rob’s Good Times Grill, Kalaheo Cafe & Coffee and online at
Friday, Dec. 21. Doors open at 7 p.m. with the show starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets in advance are $20 or $35 with a $5 increase on those prices
Brown Paper Tickets. ••• Jessica Else, staff writer, can be reached at 245-0452 or jelse@ thegardenisland.com.-
Shops, Restaurants & Services at Ching Young Village: Activity Shack
Hanalei River Healing
Na Pali Properties
Aloha from Hanalei
Hanalei Surf Backdoor
Northside Grill
Aloha Juice Bar
Hanalei Strings
Ohana Shop
Alo La‘a Yoga & Dance
Honua Engineering
On the Road to Hanalei
Banandi Creperie
Hot Rocket
Pat’s Taqueria
Big Save
Hula Moon Gifts of Hanalei
Pedal and Paddle
Billabong
Infinite Arts
Reside Kauai LLC
Blue Tiki Tattoo
Jo-Jo Shave Ice
Spinning Dolphin
Chocolat Hanalei
Kalypso Restaurant
Styles Studio Hanalei
DeCamp Construction
Kauai Vacation Rentals
Sunrise Emporium
Divine Planet
Kokonut Kids
Three Brothers Gourmet Market
Chicken in a Barrel BBQ
L&L Hawaiian BBQ
Timeshare Resales
Hanalei Bay Pizzeria
Lee Acupuncture
Tresor Rare
Hanalei Poke
Na Pali Catamaran
Village Snack & Bakery
You’ll find us in the Heart of Hanalei... Jane F. Abramo
PRINCIPAL BROKER
808-639-3773 P.O. Box 475, Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii 96714 Bus: 808-826-7272 • Fax: 808-826-7665 jane@napaliprop.com • napaliprop.com
4 | TGIFR!DAY | Friday, December 14, 2018
IN ‘THE MULE,’ CLINT REFLECTS ON A LONG LIFE ON THE ROAD JAKE COYLE ASSOCIATED PRESS
B
oth tender apologia and vigorous justification, Clint Eastwood’s “The Mule” (three stars out of four) is a deeply, fascinatingly personal meditation from the 88-yearold director who, like his aged drug mule protagonist, has spent a long time on the road. “The Mule” is the indefatigable Eastwood’s second film just this year, following “The 15:17 to Paris,” a distinctly undramatic dramatization of the thwarted 2015 train attack, starring the real-life heroes. Eastwood isn’t playing himself in “The Mule” — far from it — but it’s hard not to appreciate, and be moved by, the film’s many echoes for the filmmaker, acting for the first time in one of his own since 2008’s similarly self-reflective “Gran Torino.” That he finds such intimate dimensions in the story of Leo
Sharp is a testament to both Eastwood’s knack for pareddown elegy and to the lean script by Nick Schenk that envisions larger American themes within its geriatric drug courier. Sharp was arrested at age 87 with 104 kilos of cocaine in the back of his pickup while en route to Detroit. Little in the World War II veteran’s appearance suggested his secret identity. Sharp, it was discovered, was among the most prolific regional smugglers for the Sinoloa cartel. The hardto-believe tale was recounted by The New York Times’ Sam Dolnick, an article that’s been adapted here. “The Mule” takes plenty of liberties with Sharp’s story — Eastwood’s smuggler is named Earl Stone, and is a Korean War vet — just as it has found curious parallels for its star. Stone’s farm runs into hard times. Dolling out cash to his Hispanic workers, he mutters,
“Damned internet. It ruins everything.” To help pay for his daughter’s wedding, Stone follows a tip that leads him to a non-descript auto shop. Cartel members put a bag of drugs in his beat-up Ford pickup, hand him a phone and tell him to respond to any call or text. “Text?” he replies. After reaching his destination, Stone finds a wad of cash in the glove compartment. Many more trips and more kilos follow, and the legend of the smuggler known as “Tata” (grandpa) begins to grow, attracting the attention of the cartel kingpin (Andy Garcia). At the same time, a DEA investigation (Bradley Cooper and Michael Pena co-star as agents) is closing in. But they, too, aren’t immune to the superficial ways of the modern world, and are pressed to make “a splash” for politicians and press.
two locations! Enjoy a complimentary basket of fresh hot chips and a cup of salsa per table.
Happy Hour Daily 2 - 5 p.m.
11-10pm • Sun-Wed and 11-1am thurs-Sat
(808) 826-6277 5-5134 Kuhio Hwy, Hanalei tHenui.com
In addition to Authentic Mexican Cuisine our menu also features Omelettes, Pancakes, and French Toasts as well as Club and Santa Fe Sandwiches, Vegetarian Burger and Mahi Mahi Sandwich.
Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
www.mariachishawaii.com
Kapaa 4-1387 Kuhio Hwy.
Lihue Harbor Mall, 3501 Rice St.
808-822-1612
808-246-1570
Open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Daily (Friday and Saturday til 10 p.m. at Harbor Mall location)
TGIFR!DAY | Friday, December 14, 2018 | 5
MANY SINGERS, ONE VOICE Photo courtesy Melissa Mojo
The Kauai Voices Holiday Ensemble performs recently at Timbers Resort. The group is giving a free holiday concert from 7 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 20, at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Lihue.
Kauai Voices offers free Ohana Holiday Concert TGIFR!DAY
The holiday season starts with gratitude at Thanksgiving, sharing and joy at Christmas, and anticipation he Kauai Voices’ Holiof a new start and new posday Ensemble invites sibilities for the New Year. the community to a Kauai Voices in the new free Ohana Holiday Concert on Thursday, Dec. 20 from 7 year will present “Broadway, Baby!,” an evening of timeto 8 p.m. at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church less and cherished songs from Broadway musicals, in Lihue. This delightful evening of this January and February in song and cheer will include venues across the island. Kauai’s popular, 50-plusbeautiful choral numbers, solos and carols celebrating voice auditioned choral love, hope, family and music, ensemble will perform all-time showstoppers from along with a few surprises musicals such as “Fiddler On that will make you smile. The Roof,” “Sunset Boulevard,” “This is our gift to our “Hello Dolly!”, “Phantom of community, our families, the Opera,” “Wicked,” “Evita,” friends and supporters,” “Hairspray” and many more. said Randy Leonard, artistic “This season, due to director. overwhelming demand and “We look forward to attendance at past sell-out sharing our love of seasonal music with our island ohana.” concerts, we will expand our performances from three to If you are able to share five shows — offering the your aloha with those additional two concerts on in need, please bring a non-perishable food item for the north and west shores of the island,” Leonard said. the church’s food pantry.
T
The choir will kick off its 16th season at the Porter Pavilion at Anaina Hou Community Park in Kilauea, on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 6 p.m., then perform its usual concerts at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 27 at 3 p.m. Kauai Voices will wrap up its final performance on the Westside with a 3 p.m. matinee on Saturday, Feb. 2 at the Waimea Theatre. “Everyone loves a great Broadway musical — and we all love the songs that tell the many stories within these productions. Who can forget such beloved songs as ‘All That Jazz,’ ‘Hello Dolly!’, ‘Beauty and the Beast’ or ‘The Impossible Dream?’” observed Leonard, who noted that the choral powerhouse will also feature individual vocalists singing moving solo selections from various shows.
6 | TGIFR!DAY | Friday, December 14, 2018
AUTHOR TOBY NEAL RELEASES MEMOIR OF GROWING UP ON KAUAI BILL BULEY TGIFR!DAY
T
oby (Wilson) Neal grew up on laid-back Kauai, but her memoir, “Freckled: A Memoir of Growing Up Wild in Hawaii,” is a fast-paced story of growing up a homeless surfer kid and making her way to college at Boston University. The book covers a period from 1965-1983 on Kauai, and
contains a foreword by John Wehrheim, documentarian and creator of the Taylor Camp photos and film. Neal earned degrees in psychology, human services and social work after leaving Kauai. She returned to Hawaii in 1999, settling on Maui, where she worked for the state Department of Education as a counselor for 12 years before beginning a full-time writing career.
She’s written more than 30 mystery, thriller and romance novels and sold more than a million copies Neal worldwide, most of them mysteries that take place in Hawaii. Neal’s work has won numerous awards, and Kirkus Reviews calls her prose “effortless and elegant.”
Book research for “Freckled” took Neal back to the North Shore of Oahu, where her family lived in a beach cottage from 1967–1970, and then out to Ke‘e Beach on Kauai where the family lived near the famous Taylor Camp. She witnessed the landing of the Hokulea in 1976 and lived through several natural disasters as she grew up in a family that struggled with poverty, mental health and substance abuse.
Living on Kauai an era before TV came to the island, and frequently homeless, Neal entertained herself by reading and making up stories. “Everything that happens in our lives is the stuff of story,” Neal says, “and sometimes the best stories are true.” ••• Bill Buley, editor-in-chief, can be reached at 245-0457 or bbuley@thegardenisland.com.
SPIT SPOT! BLUNT’S A PRACTICALLY PERFECT POPPINS JOCELYN NOVECK ASSOCIATED PRESS
I
n the half-century since the original “Mary Poppins” debuted, we’ve learned a lot about refined sugar, frankly none of it good. Doctors tell us it can lead to obesity, heart disease and all sorts of other detriments to our health. But let’s face it, there are times when a little sugar — oh what the heck, let’s say a spoonful — is just what we need, if not for health then for happiness. So it’s sweet news indeed that “Mary Poppins Returns” (three and a half stars out of four), a sequel 54 years in coming, provides just that spoonful of happiness in the form of Emily Blunt, practically perfect in every way as the heir to Julie Andrews. “Spit spot!”‘’Pish Posh!”‘’Jigetty Jog!” (Did we spell that right?) These Poppins-isms slip effortlessly off Blunt’s tongue. It’s also no simple feat to gaze at one’s reflection and say “practically perfect in every way” and not seem egotistical, but Blunt’s easy
Jay Maidment / Disney via AP
Taking a leap of faith are, from left, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Pixie Davies, Joel Dawson, Nathanael Saleh and Emily Blunt, in a scene from “Mary Poppins Returns.”
warmth and charm shine through. Of course she can also sing, and dance, with partners both live and animated. There’s further happy news here: It’s not just Blunt that’s at the top of her game in this thoroughly delightful enterprise by director Rob Marshall and a crack team of artists devoted to both honoring a time-
worn classic and finding something new to say. The visuals are lovely, from the oil paintings in the opening credits to the balloon-filled spring fair at the end. And Sandy Powell’s costumes are fabulous, especially the reds and blues and stripes and polka dots that adorn Mary, from her straw-hatted head to her turned-out feet And
those candy-hued clothes that Mary, Jack and the Banks kids wear in the centerpiece scene mixing live action and animation? They’re literally hand-painted, to delectable effect. Blunt’s star power is complemented here by appealing turns from Lin-Manuel Miranda as the afore-mentioned Jack, a kind-hearted lamplighter who once worked for Bert the chimney sweep (aka Dick Van Dyke); Ben Whisham and Emily Mortimer as the elder Banks children, a slimy Colin Firth as the bank chief, and, for icing on the cake, a flamehaired Meryl Streep as Mary’s vaguely Eastern European cousin Topsy (“Vat do you VANT?”). Then there’s the icing on the icing: a cameo by Van Dyke himself, still spry at 92, that is hands-down the emotional peak of the film — even before he starts to twinkle those toes. The setting is Depression-era London, where widowed Michael lives with his three young children at 17 Cherry Tree Lane, struggling to stay afloat. As we begin, Michael learns he’s
behind on loan payments, and the bank wants to take his house. He’s given five days to find proof that his father owned shares there, which could save the home. Searching desperately, he comes across an old kite but tosses it in the trash. Luckily it’s a windy day, and who flies in with that kite? Yep, Mary, emerging from the sky with her bottomless bag and umbrella (If you’re crying already here, and you might be, you’re in trouble). “It’s wonderful to see you,” exclaim a shocked Michael and Jane. “Yes it is, isn’t it,” Mary replies. “Can You Imagine That?” Mary sings, one of the catchy original songs by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. There’s also the mournful “The Place Where Lost Things Go,” about loss, and Streep’s tour de force, “Turning Turtle,” and the brassy performance number “A Cover is Not the Book.” Each song has its spiritual antecedent in the original film, including the lamplighters’ dance number “Trip a Little Light Fantastic,” a nod to “Step in Time.”
CHECK DA SCENE
TGIFR!DAY | Friday, December 14, 2018 | 7
DENNIS FUJIMOTO TGIFR!DAY
Aries Rivera, Rayn Snay, Ryan Snay, Cyane Snay, Christopher Snay, Charlene Snay
Faith Andres, Flo Casticimo
Emily Melchor, Joshua Melchor, Noli Melchor, Kim Melchor
THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS BECKONS
A Solie Negrillo, Ellen Cadiz
Rafael Esteves, Krystal Esteves, Tessa Esteves
William Morales, Anna Morales - California
Sandra Honl
Cecelia Silva, the Rev. Arlan Intal, Craig Martin, and Alice Hanley, Kevin Hanley - Maryland
Jeanette Liberato, Brenda Sameshima, Mercedes Casticimo, Joanne Mocilnikar
dmission is free to view The Joy of Christmas holiday lights display at St. Raphael Church in Koloa. It is open Saturday and Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. through December. The display is a fundraiser for the church’s Laulima Campaign, which is addressing work on the church’s roof and windows. All monies raised by the sale of food, drink and gift shop items as well as contributions from these evening viewings will go toward the Laulima Campaign. “Come once, come twice, come often,” said the Rev. Arlan Intal, the church pastor, who is excited about the illuminated displays. “We have new items being added every week.” These include the illumination of the bells at the display entrance, and a pair of nutcracker guards created out of buckets, planting pots and piping. “Wait until next year,” said Andy Honl, the sparkplug behind the displays. “We don’t know how many lights we used, but it’s going to be bigger and better.”
Andy Honl, Perfecto Labrador, the Rev. Arlan Intal, Leonard Vierra
8 | TGIFR!DAY | Friday, December 14, 2018