Augie T, the deejay-comedian, is prepping for an Aug. 9 return to Hawai'i Theatre, a show that Tom Moffatt will produce. Augie is making a series of Neighbor Island visits to make good on his Speak the Dream Foundation scholarships.

The first of five recipients is Lauren Esaki, a Kapa'a High student, who won $1,000, a laptop and a crystal award in a recent gathering at the Kilohana Lu'au Pavilion.

NEXT UP: Jamie Poliahu of Kohala High will receive a Dream nod Aug. 2; Vincent Carabeo of Farrington High and Shalom Bacos of Nanakuli High will be honored at the Aug. 9 Hawai'i Theatre event, and Kiana Avelino of Maui will be honored on June 12 at Maui Beach Hotel because she leaves for college in July; the Maui scholarship show will be held Sept. 6 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.

Augie and his wife, Kim, working with sponsors on each Island, tap proceeds from concerts for these scholarships that recognize students in need to help fulfill their dreams. ...

THE PARTY LINE: Last week's "Evening of Fine Pairings" at the Sub-Zero/Wolf showroom gathered supporters of Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children and KMC at Pali Momi, including Gulab and Indru Watumull and Stanford and Kathy Carr (two of their three keiki were preemies at Kapi'olani), who witnessed a chef's challenge with Donato Loperfido and Philippe Padovani of 'Elua facing off to each create a dish that would best pair with Raptor Ridge's wines. Raptor Ridge owners/winemakers Scott and Annie Shull traveled all the way from Willamette, but they also helped celebrate the first anniversary of 'Elua.

Also in attendance were Jeff Arcy (MacNaughton Group) and wife Loan (their oldest daughter was a preemie at KMC) and Dr. Joseph Nishimoto, one of the founders of KMC Pali Momi. Donato made fresh mozzarella — stretching and pulling like taffy. KGMB 9's Kim Gennaula and Guy Hagi (co-anchor and weather wizard, respectively) popped in between newscasts (their Aliya and Luke arrived at Kapi'olani). And all left on a sweet note — valets tucked a box of Padovani's chocolates into each car as a parting gift. ...

Got a call the other day from Tavana, the Polynesian show icon from yesteryear, and he is very serious about doing a summertime show here with Jack Cione.

"I'll be there in July," he said from Tahiti, his home for many years. "I want to do another show." Tavana, onetime mainstay at the old Moana Hotel, said rumors about his relocation decades ago are false; "I always paid my taxes, I never stole money, and I've never been part of the mafia," he said. "My enemies made up the rumors." ...

Author Charlotte Kandel has been making the rounds, reading from her new book "The Scarlet Stockings" that draws on her own childhood in London and Paris, and meeting new and old friends. Dined with Cherye and Jim Pierce, Eddie and Patty Sherman, Lisa Josephsohn and Steve Harmon at Compadres Bar & Grill; had drinks with attorney Rich Turbin and his wife, Rae Saint Chu, after her husband, Stanley, played tennis with Turbin; checked out the new Ruth's Chris Steak House at Waikiki Beach Walk; discovered neighborhood eateries like 12th Avenue Grill and town; and visited the PACT Community Teen Center at Kuhio Park Terrace for a reading, getting the kokua of Tai Masuda, 9, in a craft activity. ...

WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Add a music video for The Jonas Brothers to the list of projects ahead for Islander Nito Larioza, the stuntman-dancer-choreographer, who has two roles in "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." ...

Stafford Hunter, the international jazz trombonist, surprised his longtime girlfriend Michelle Sonoda, a Japan Airlines service manager visiting from Japan, with a proposal of marriage at his recent The Dragon Upstairs appearance. She accepted, and got a chunk of diamond in the deal, according to Hank Taufaasau, of The Dragon Upstairs. ...

FINALLY: Don't delay any further — get your tickets to "The Producers," the riotous Diamond Head Theatre hit, extended for two more performances at 8 p.m. June 7 and 4 p.m. June 8. The production scores a 10 on every aspect: acting, directing, choreography, costuming, music, lighting, scenic design. With Dennis Proulx and Don Nahaku (as Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom, respectively) drawing from their considerable death of acting experience to lead the grand parade of farce and fanciful fun, and drawing considerable magic in the supporting ranks (take a bow, Douglas Scheer, Renee Noveck, Daniel Kunkel, Twan Matthews, Lisa Konove and James Price plus everyone involved in that incredible dance with the walkers), DHT has a blockbuster. ...

And that's Show Biz. ...

Show Biz is published Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 525-8055.