HOLIDAY BUZZ: Keali'i Reichel's first Christmas CD, "Maluhia," due to be released Nov. 21, features a peaceful roster of tunes, including a new one by Puakea Nogelmeier, titled "Ke Au Maluhia." Possibly one of the biggies will be non-Hawaiian: an update of The Carpenters' "Merry Christmas, Darling," which features the vocal group Ho'okena, slack-key highlights by Grammy-winning Jeff Peterson, with string arrangement by Matt Catingub. Plus Reichel's take on the world's most popular holiday ditty, "Silent Night," which is often called "Maluhia" in Hawaiian. Sounds like warm and cozy stuff galore — plus a gallery of small-kid-time pics of Reichel that grace the liner graphics. ...

No sooner did Reichel return from a trek to Indiana than he left for San Francisco for a couple of days. As for a live rendering of his new yuletide songs, fans may have to wait 'til Christmas 2007, since none is planned this year. ...

Also due Nov. 21: "Christmas with the Royal Hawaiian Band and Friends," with vocals by Mufi Hannemann, Nephi Hannemann, Iva Kinimaka, Nina Keali'iwahamana, Penny Silva, Pali, Nalani Olds, Karen Keawehawai'i and more. ...

Keahiwai's "Merry Christmas" CD drops today, with Mailani Makainai and Lei Melket in a decided jazz flavor. ...

Willie K, who practically owns the performing rights to "O Holy Night," does a tri-Island tour dubbed "Willie Kalikimaka's Island Tour," named after his earlier Christmas CD. He'll perform Dec. 15 at Kahilu Theatre in Waimea, Dec. 17 at Paliku Theatre at Windward Community College in Kane'ohe, and Dec. 19 at Kaua'i Community College. For O'ahu tickets, call 235-7310. ...

OUT TO LAUNCH: Barry Flanagan and Nathan Aweau of Hapa will launch their first DVD project, "Hapa Maui," and a newly-released, self-produced slack-key guitar album, "It's a Slack Key World," in a tie-in with restaurateur Chai Chaowasaree at 7 p.m. Nov. 24 and 25 at Chai's Island Bistro at Aloha Tower Marketplace.

"It only seems fitting for us to celebrate the release of our two new projects at Chai's ... as Chai has been so supportive of Hapa and all the touring acts in contemporary Hawaiian music for the last seven years," said Flanagan. Each table will receive autographed copies of both the DVD and the CD. The DVD was televised on PBS Hawai'i, with actor Peter Fonda as host, and also has been seen on PBS affiliates in San Francisco and Las Vegas. The ki ho'alu CD is in stores. ...

SHORTS OF SORTS: "Oklahoma" star Michael Bright, playing Curly in the musical at Paliku Theatre at Windward Community College, will make director-dad Ron Bright a grandpa again. His wife, Jade, is hapai with their second child, due in May. Extended performances, by demand and also due to two blackout nights, are Saturday (sold out) and Sunday (seats may remain), so call 235-7433 to inquire. ...

At D.K. Kodama's Sansei in Kapalua, Maui, Dennis Franz, longtime Detective Andy Sipowicz on "NYPD Blue," enjoyed the innovative sushi. ...

GOOD SPORTS: For their roles in the Honolulu Theatre for Youth's "Sport" show, playing for the final times this Saturday at Tenney Theatre, actors BullDog, Reb Beau Allen and Alvin Chan meet before curtain to do 30-minute workouts (stretching, calisthenics, aerobics, etc.) in anticipation of the rigors of the performance, which include dance. BullDog, consequently, has shed 10 pounds in two months since rehearsals began; his motivation was that giant diaper costume. Allen maintains additional two-hour workouts five days a week, Chan does 30-minute daily jogs and weight-lifting three times a week, even chowing down on five servings of fruit and veggies for meals. With a tie-in to the state's "Start. Living. Healthy." campaign, the trio is living the slogan. Even director Eric Johnson is aboard, eating healthier fare. But he did break down for a piece of candy on Halloween, proving he's human. ...

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.