By Craig Gima, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Sunday 8/29/10

The only time Joshua Manuma was on television was as a high school football player for the Mililani Trojans.

“On OC 16,” he said.

But if he has the right look and is available when the call comes, Manuma could be a face in the crowd as an extra in the upcoming “Hawaii Five-0″ television series on CBS.

Manuma was one of about 2,000 people who showed up yesterday for an open casting call for extras at Aloha Tower Marketplace.

It would be cool, he said, to be in a murder scene, or maybe hanging out in the background at the beach.

“Hawaii Five-0″ casting director Rachel Sutton said she needs to find 200 to 400 extras for each episode — “all shapes, colors, sizes, ages, ethnicities.”

Extras help “paint the picture” of the scene, she said, be it at the beach, a Waikiki hotel or downtown bank.

Because the show is set in Hawaii, even people in the background need to reflect the state’s ethnic diversity, she said.

Yesterday’s open casting call drew a variety of people, from lawyers to students to workers from the Star of Honolulu dinner cruise who stopped by before reporting to work.

Each filled out a form and had their picture taken to be filed away until someone with their look is needed.

If they are called, they will get $65 to $200 a day, plus lunch.

Elyssa Turnbull, 12, her sister Analei, 7, and mother Kim have already been filmed in Episode 2 during a scene at a football stadium in which they had to hide when bullets started flying.

Elyssa said she has wanted to be an actress since age 10 and has gotten roles in local projects.

She said an ideal extra role would be “a scene without too many other extras, so you can be seen.”

Veteran local extra Alec Cooke, a big-wave surfer and promoter, has been in more television shows and movies than he can remember.

Cooke, who also goes by the name Ace Cool, had speaking roles in “Jake and the Fatman,” in which he played a dockworker, and the television miniseries “And the Sea Will Tell,” in which he played a “hippie drug dude.”

With his blond hair, rubber slippers, shorts and T-shirt, Cooke apparently has a look that casting directors remember.

“Ace Cool, where have you been?” Sutton exclaimed when she saw him. “I’ve been trying to track you down for days.”

Cooke said he got his start in the original “Hawaii Five-0″ series when he and other classmates at Punahou School appeared as extras in several episodes. A classmate, he said, even got a speaking role as a kidnapping victim.

• Fri., Sept. 17:  Breast Cancer Fundraiser–Waterfront TIME: 4pm–2am
• Sat., Sept. 18: Aloha Laulea–Waterfront, Don Ho’s, Gordon Biersch TIME: 5pm–2am
• Sat., Sept. 25: Nemesis Concert—Aloha Lounge TIME:  7pm–12am
• Fri., Oct. 1: First Friday begins including Aloha Tower TIME: 6pm–12am
• Sat., Oct. 2: EMKE in concert—Center Atrium TIME: 5pm–7pm
• Sat., Oct. 16: Hawaii Theatre Fundraiser @ Aloha Lounge TIME:  5pm–1am
• Wed., Oct. 20: Paramore in concert (All Ages)—Waterfront TIME:  7pm–11pm      
• Fri., Oct. 22: VIP Halloween Party @ Aloha Lounge TIME:  6pm–1am
• Sat., Oct. 30: Keiki Haunted Halloween Event TIME:  3pm–9pm     
• November: Boat Days Charity Event
• November: Miss Aloha Tower Event—Center Atrium
• December: Casino Charity Event “Toys for Tots”
• December: Triple Crown Surf Event

Sunday, August 29, 2010, 10 am to 3 pm at the Aloha Tower Marketplace Atrium

• Donate your long hair
• Haircuts for $10
• Hair braiding by Braids Hawaii
• Add color foil strands to your hair

Featuring Miss Aloha Tower Shawlea Aona, Hui O’Kamalei, Face painting and balloons by Lavender Lolly, music by Ho’olono and the Washington Middle School band.

Sponsored by Kathy Cares, Inc., Kathy Full Service Salon, The Kleeman Corp., Aloha Tower Marketplace, Hawaiian Beauty Products, Akamai Mall.com and Radio Station Star 101.

Presented by BAMP Project

The Waterfront at Aloha Tower Marketplace
Friday, August 27, 2010
Doors open at 7:00 PM
Show starts at 9:00 PM
Prices: $45 General Admission,
$85 VIP

Black Star will be performing live in Honolulu for one night only at Aloha Tower Marketplace.  Hip-hop legends Mos Def and Talib Kweli emerged onto the Underground scene as Black Star in 1998 with their one and only self-titled album.  Since then both have gone onto create very successful solo careers.

Mos Def has grown into a multi-talented MC, rapper, singer, actor and poet with the launch of four solo albums including Black on Both Sides, The New Danger, True Magic, and The Ecstatic. He’s also appeared in several of Hollywood hits; Be Kind Rewind, The Chappelle Show, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and The italian Job.

Talib Kweli has also launched four solo albums including Quality, The Beautiful Struggle, Right About Now, and Eardrum, which debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 charts.  He’s appeared on several hit shows like MTV’s “Made” and “Wild ‘N Out”, and The Chappelle Show.  Most recently he’s formed his own record label called Blacksmith Records.
Nearly 12 years later Mos Def and Talib Kweli are back together to re-create a night of profound poetry that may never be heard together again. Special guests include Tasho, Creed Chameleon and Goapele.

Tickets on sale at:   www.groovetickets.com /   www.bampproject.com /  Local Motion Stores  /  Pipeline Box Office  /  Navy ITT Offices  /  UH Campus Center

Text the world “CONCERTS” to 38714 for Hawaii Concert info.

This expansive space is used for special events and entertainment.

Location: Upper level, Building 2

Aloha Tower celebrated 4th of July, 2010, a day early with fun for the whole family!

Festivities included:

• Keiki food and fun including bounce houses, face painting, games and prizes
• Keiki performances by Emke
• The Aloha Tower Marketplace “Jewels of Paradise Dancers”
• FREE admission to the grand opening of the Aloha Lounge and Gallery
• Live local jazz featuring AIR at 6 pm
• Live local rock featuring Prevail and I Digress at 9 pm
• And of course… Hawaii’s ultimate fireworks display at 8:45 pm.

Be sure to join us next year!

.

.

.

.

.

Hawaii’s first reality poker tournament filmed for charity will be taking place at Aloha Tower Marketplace in July and August, 2010. Check the Aloha Tower event calendar for tournament dates. Although there is no gambling involved, contestants will be having a fun and exciting time as they vie to win the chance to be a part of an official poker tournament in Las Vegas.

The tournament is open to contestants 21 years of age and older. Fifty contestants will be randomly selected from the applications received on the Hawaii’s Big Deal website.  Professional dealers as well as all gaming equipment will be provided by “Just Like Vegas”.

All second round winners receive a three day stay for two at the Golden Nugget Resort and Casino. Second round winners progress to third and final round to play winners of other show seasons in a “Best of the Best” showcase. During this final round  previous winners showcased during this season’s episodes will play against each other for the grand prize.

Grand Prize “Poker After Dark” tournament

Contestants will be playing to win the grand prize of an entry into the Golden Nugget “Poker After Dark” tournament scheduled for July, 2011.  This Grand prize winner is selected in the third and final round of tournament.

The grand prize winner receives a four day stay for two in a luxury suite at the Golden Nugget Resort and Casino in Las Vegas Nevada along with limo transportation to and from airport, VIP show tickets for two, spa entry passes for two, one entry to the Poker After Dark tournament and one  entry to private game with acclaimed poker champion.

Come on down to the Aloha Tower Marketplace atrium, watch the matches and see who has the best “poker face”!

Location: Upper level, Building 4