By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
The Mrs. Hawaii Filipina contestants, from left, Melanie Koehler, Leonida Cameros (1st runner up), title winner Jema Geronimo, Cathie Long (2nd runner up) and Nicole Perez, with Mayor Mufi Hannemann.

The United Filipino Council of Hawaii chose its Mrs. Hawaii Filipina 2009 Saturday night at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Tapa Ballroom.

I was there to help judge the pageant. This one was fairly easy because there were only five contestants who were judged on talent, terno and speech, and ticket sales.

The terno is the butterfly-sleeve gown that is the national costume of the Philippines and it was interesting to see the variations, some with trains, some with bustles and fishtail hems.

A few of the women spoke of their history as battered women as reason to enter the pageant, which gives them a platform to be heard. Cathie Long’s story became her talent as she performed a stirring skit recounting her transition from abuse to empowerment. Her experience led to a doctoral degree in counseling psychology and master’s degree in marriage and family. She is now a member of the Maui Domestic Violence Task Force, counseling women who are in the same position she once found herself.

She won the talent and speech portions of the contest, memorably answering a question that went something like, “What was the strangest stereotype you heard about Filipinos and how did you correct it?”

She said she’s confronted the stereotype that all Filipinos carry bolo knives by saying something like, “I’m Filipino and I don’t carry a bolo knife, but I do have a pocket knife, and sometimes we carry mace.” The well-spoken counselor went on at length to say that Filipinos have come far and are great contributors to Hawaii’s modern society, and drew rousing cheers from the crowd. I wouldn’t be surprised to see her in Maui politics some day.

Also drawing roars from the men in the audience was winner Jema Geronimo’s belly dance. Some things never change.

Jema Geronimo performs her belly dance, and below, models her terno.

Melanie Koehler in a terno with train, and covered with lace and embellishments.

Nicole Perez in a turquoise terno.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photo
Freida Hulse shows a portrait of her done by one of her fans.

This time Freida Hulse, who’s been trying to leave Hawaii for New York for about 18 years, is really leaving. She closed her Urban Nomad shop’s doors on May 30, but will be hosting one last sale on First Friday, tonight.

She’s cried “wolf” many times in the past, hosting closing sales many times since 2006. By this time, few believe she’s actually leaving, and she said many people ignored her when she said she would be closing the boutique on the 30th.

She may end up being in town through September, but if you don’t want to take chances and want to say goodbye, head to 1023 Smith St.

Maybe you’ll finally convince her to part with one of her vintage or designer treasures. I’m a terrible actor but usually have to muster the limited ability I have to buy things from her. A typical early exchange would go like this, until I learned to feign lack of interest:

Me (with eager expression, eyeing a size 2 dress): “Ooh, how much is this?”

Freida (with wary expression, at size 6): “Let me look at that.” (Long pause to study object.) “Oh, you like this … hmmm. I’m thinking maybe I should keep it. I can wear it in New York.”

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By Nadine Kam

Kristian Lei and the Honolulu Broadway Babies opened their “Broadway Fashion Rock Revue” last night at Leeward Community College, with nearly three hours of song, dance and costumes.

Songs from such musicals as “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “West Side Story,” “Miss Saigon,” “Mamma Mia,” The Beatles’ “Love,” “A Chorus Line,” and much more were presented, tied together with the idea of the singers preparing for the show with visits to the 2Couture studio of Takeo and Eric Chandler.

Some highlights included Yvette Umi Suaava performing the Jennifer Hudson star-maker “And I Am Telling You” from “Dreamgirls,” young Haley Kagimoto and a youth ensemble performing “Let Me Entertain You,” from “Gypsy,” and Pamela Young joining the youth ensemble for “The Hard Knock Life” from “Annie.”

I hear actors are told never to share a scene with kids or animals because they’ll always steal the show, but Young — a dancer in a past life — has a lot of stage presence and is quite the scene stealer herself, as you’ll see in the accompanying video.

This being “community” theater in every sense of the word, in addition to the hundreds on stage, there were hundreds more behind the scenes, from choreographers to marketers and costume assistants. Advertisers also played a big part in the show going on, so segments are interspersed with advertising skits that could have been annoying, but somehow, they made it work, especially a funny segment involving Menehune Water.

You can still catch performances at 7:30 p.m. today and tomorrow, with tickets running $26, $36, $46 and $56 general; $15 for 12 and younger. Call 953-5788 or visit www.honolulubroadwaybabies.com.

The event is a fundraiser toward building a school for the developmentally disabled, inspired by Kristian’s brother Joshua Hegwood, who has cerebral palsy. Her program is a gift to the community as well, offering a rare public showcase for young performers. In the age of “So You Think You Can Dance” I have to admit feeling some pain in seeing a ragged line, but the only way to grow is through practice, being reviewed, viewing resulting videotapes and improving on one’s last performance. The youth ensemble’s efforts now should pay off in five to eight years. Who knows who we’ll be seeing on “American Idol” or “SYTYCD” in a few years?

Speaking of “So You Think You Can Dance,” Hawaii’s Kupono Aweau made it into the Season 5 top 20 after the grueling preliminaries. Watch for the 23-year-old Kamehameha Schools graduate next Wednesday night.

And tune in to the Tony Awards broadcast at 7 p.m. Sunday night on KGMB/CBS for more of a taste of Broadway.

But wait, there’s more! Just got word that Kahala Theatres will be opening “Every Little Step” next Friday July 31. The documentary takes a look behind the scenes of the auditions for 2006 revival of “A Chorus Line,” following 17 actors auditioning for spots, including Hawaii’s Jason Tam, shown above and below at the front of the chorus line.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
When in Vegas, look for me at the nearest craps table. This one, however, was at Bonsai Restaurantat Restaurant Row Sunday night, part of the Dental Samaritans “Denim & Diamonds” fundraiser. I don’t think they’d allow a photo like this in Vegas.

Bonsai restaurant was transformed into a casino for the Denim & Diamonds fundraiser, Casino Heaven, on Sunday night. The annual event benefits the Hawaii Dental Association Dental Samaritans, a group that aims to fill unmet dental needs through outreach programs such as Give Kids a Smile, and educational and dental clinics like the Aloha Medical Mission Dental facility.

Thanks to Flash and Matty Productions and countless sponsors and supporters, there was plenty going on, from a silent auction to music by Anita Hall and the New Jass Quartet, to a little burlesque by Violetta Baretta of the Cherry Blossom Cabaret, to a fashion show by Bamboo Sky, and boutiques featuring Jade by Nikolai, Bamboo Sky and So Good Jewelry.

And of course there was food. Bonsai’s Luscious Bites menu lived up to the bill with pupu-style spicy tempura sushi, ichimi scallops, chicken karaage, garlic shrimp and teppanyaki sirloin with onions, bell peppers and mushrooms. Those who purchased VIP tickets also enjoyed crab cakes and ahi carpaccio.\

Casino bucks!

Guests paid $100 to a high-roller $400 for the privilege of gambling in Hawaii for one night. Don’t worry, it was all play money. I’d wager that most of the people at the gamling tables upstairs had no idea most of the other activities were going on. Just as in Vegas, the games were all-engrossing and there was just as much enthusiasm tossing the play money here as the real thing in Vegas.

Well, I’m kind of addicted to craps, so when I saw an open space at a table upstairs, I figured I’d slip in and practice various theories of hedging. But, it didn’t really work out. By the time I got there, the table was fairly unlucky, with everyone crapping out after about three rolls of the dice.

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By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
The Broadway Babies special guests, from left, Brian Caplan, Marc Dalio, Jay Pierce, and Christina Caplan, front, were welcomed by show organizer Kristian Lei, Eric Chandler, Takeo and singer Anita Hall.

Designers Takeo and Eric Chandler and Kristian Lei’s Broadway Babies hosted a fundraiser at the designers’ 2Couture studio May 30. The event brought together local performers, as well as visiting guest stars Brian and Christina Caplan, Marc Dalio and Jay Pierce for a night of food, wine and song.

The event offered a preview of costumes and music the Broadway Fashion Rock Revue taking place 7:30 p.m. June 4 to 6 at the Leeward Community College Theatre. The events will raise funds to construct a school for the developmentally disabled, a project Kristian undertook with inspiration from her brother Joshua Earl T. Hegwood, who, on party day had won three medals at the Special Olympics.

Here are videos of the Broadway Babies performing “Season of Love” from “Rent,” and Kristian singing “A New Life” from “Jekyll and Hyde.” If you want to catch the shows, tickets are $26, $36, $46 and $56 general, and $15 for ages 12 and younger. Call the box office at 953-5788 or visit www.honolulubroadwaybabies.com

Party guests were able to examine some of the show’s costumes.

Kristian Lei with Aureana Tseu, who’ll be performing a hula with her mom Iwalani Tseu.

Pamela Young will be dancing in this costume.

Iwalani Tseu accessorized with an abalone shell. It can’t be pinned so it’s held in place with combs inside the shell.

Don Brown, left, with Edgy Lee and Johann Bouit.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
From left, Alexandrina Cambra and Zandrina Cambra, with Elizabeth Kampher, picked pieces of jewelry, including a small tiara.

So Good Jewelry owners Alen Kaneshiro and Christopher Otto celebrated the store’s second anniversary in Hawaii at Waikiki Trade Center May 29 with an ’80s-themed party that included generous discounts on its accessories and costume jewelry in every style imaginable.

The amount of the discounts was a mystery unveiled at the cash registers, when shoppers drew pieces of Starburst candy for discounts of anything from 40 to 75 percent off. A pink wrapper was worth a 50 percent discount to me, which I used on a batch of headbands I need for hair control. (It’s summer, it’s growing out.)

With the discounts, it was like a shopping spree as guests loaded up their trays with pieces for themselves and gifts for friends.

Happy anniversary!

From left, Camia Frank, Jeremy Banta and Kasey Stephensonpino in colorful ’80s mode, though Jeremy says those are his normal clothes; he wears color all the time. A brave man.

Owners Christopher Otto and Alen Kaneshiro welcomed Alan Urie, left, Raylynn Mendes and Dean Park, right.

Reiko Tokushige Rogers and Shiho Komura show floral and star pieces they like. For those who like drama, there were plenty of playful statement rings available.

These cell-phone leashes are $12.99.

The Mother Lode of feathered headbands.