THE LOCAL ANGLE: Peter Rockford Espiritu's ambitious "Naupaka: A Hawaiian Love Story" has a world premiere Oct. 7 at Leeward Community College, and a more formal debut Nov. 3 at the Hawai'i Theatre. It should be a cultural milestone. Staged nearly entirely in 'olelo Hawai'i (with opera-style supertitles), the production is blessed with translations by Puakea Nogelmeier and input by Kaupena Wong. Director and dancer Espiritu even does some chanting. Spoken English portions are contributed by retired University of Hawai'i professor Terence Knapp, whose dialogue will be translated into Hawaiian and shown in the supertitles. ...

PERSONALITIES: Jack Johnson did show up at the Mana Maoli concert Saturday at Andrews Amphitheater, joining John Cruz first, then hauling up the likes of Guy Cruz, Paula Fuga and Candy Diaz from The Girlas. "It was just great," said Keola Nakanishi, principal of the Halau Ku Mana Public Charter School. He added that the event raised valuable awareness of the school as well as its plight — to find a new location before year's end. ...

Pals have been ribbing keyboardist Don Conover ever since chemotherapy left him hairless — even suggesting he turn out for the Daddy Warbucks role in Army Community Theatre's forthcoming "Annie." Conover's spirits remain high; he's doing his weekly Hawai'i Theatre gig as one of the docents — still manning the 1922 Robert Morton Organ. He'll team up with Broadway veteran Richard Vida to offer an "Annie" workshop at Ballet Hawaii. Call 732-7733. ...

SIGHT 'EMS: Mekhi Phifer, clad in a pink shirt, was spotted poolside at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki's "South Beach" party last Friday. He's Gregory Pratt on NBC's "ER" and a recurring character on HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm." ...

Ashley Lelie, the former UH standout and an NFL star, may get his football fuel from local food. He recently stopped at the L&L Hawaiian Barbecue in Aurora, Colo.,, awaiting news of his trade to the Atlanta Falcons. He was met and greeted by Eddie Flores Jr., president and CEO of Honolulu-based L&L, and Sy Feliciano, general manager of the Denver L&L, along with owner Sai Yamagata. ...

The youngest guest at the Melveen Leed-Albert Dacascos wedding had to be the 2-week-old third child of Mark and Julie Dacascos. Mark is the groom's son and a martial-arts actor, who also is The Chairman of "Iron Chef America" on Food Network. ...

HERE 'N' THERE: A new lineup of pianists starts Tuesday at the Kahala Resort's Veranda. Betty Lou Taylor goes solo Mondays and Tuesdays, David Swanson debuts Wednesday (anchoring Wednesdays through Saturdays) and Kit Samson will be the Sunday performer. ...

Ballet Hawaii launched its 30th anniversary season last weekend with "Sleeping Beauty" at Blaisdell Concert Hall. The company has roots in the Honolulu City Ballet founded by former Mayor Frank F. Fasi, so there were historical links when Joyce Fasi was in the audience and original company member WillieDean Ige danced in the Magaly Suarez-staged spectacle. A post-show backstage reception recreated the floral garden from the "Aurora's Wedding" scene, with the Spinning Web doing the magical transformation. ...

FINALLY: Matsudaira Ken performs at 8 p.m. Sept. 16 and 2 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Hawai'i Theatre. He's the singer who dons samurai attire on stage. ...

And that's Show Biz. ...