NAMES 'N' FACES: Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's "Facing Future" CD continues to face a bright future. It will be explored in Continuum Press' 33 1/3 Book Series, with New York-based writer Dan Kois (a former Honolulu resident who has contributed to The Advertiser and Honolulu magazine) zooming in on the late Island entertainer's "Rainbow" connection, thanks to "Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World." The book will be released in December 2008, along with 20 other projects that examine the content and success of specific albums, chosen from a field of 450 proposals. Other new volumes — with each author waxing poetic and passionate about his choice —will spotlight Fleetwood Mac's "Tusk," Steely Dan's "Aja," and Public Enemy's "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back." They join a roster that already includes Bob Dylan's "Highway 61 Revisited," Prince's "Sign O' the Times," Stevie Wonder's "Songs in the Key of Life," The Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds," The Beatles' "Let It Be," Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A," and The Rolling Stones' "Exile on Main Street." Bruddah Iz is the first Island honoree. ...

SIGHT 'EMS: When Olympics medalist Apolo Anton Ohno appeared on "Dancing With the Stars," he flashed a shaka sign. You recall he visited us for the first time last year and took a shine to the food, the people, the lifestyle. He ate (appropriately) at Ono's Hawaiian Food two days in a row, chomped on shave ice at Waiola Bakery & Shave Ice, and left with T-shirts that said "Ohnolulu." ...

When Paul Ogata was here for the Asian Kings of Comedy show at the Hawai'i Theatre, he skewered his dad (from the stage) for being "too Japanese" and never saying he loved his son. The next day, both shared an epiphany: Dad told Paul he loved him, patted the stand-up on the back and excused himself to another room. "It lasted exactly 5 seconds, but at least he told me he loved me," Paul said. A return comedy booking is in the works. ...

Another moment to remember: at the Hawai'i Music Awards, when Alex Anderson was honored posthumously at The Royal Hawaiian's Monarch Room, Jimmy Borges sang "Blue Lei" in an a cappella version — and Cha Thompson got up for an impromptu hula. "You could hear a pin drop," said Borges. ...

SHOW BREEZES: Anna Marie Love will join the Society of Seven Las Vegas this weekend at the Outrigger Waikiki's Main Showroom. Thus, the SOS LV joins the classic Society of Seven (the one led by Tony Ruivivar, and featuring Lani Misalucha at the Flamingo in Las Vegas) in showcasing a female among the ranks. Speaking of the SOS in Vegas: Though not named or ID'd, that's Ruivivar and new member Mark Escueta in the current People magazine, pictured with Jasmine Trias, in a layout updating former "American Idol" finalists. Trias, who finished third in Season 3, guest-performed with the group in Misalucha's absence. ...

Single ticket sales to "The Lion King," the much-anticipated Disney musical bowing Sept. 15 at Blaisdell Concert Hall, will go on sale to the public April 28. Group sales continue until then. ...

Tickets to the The Brothers Cazimero's Lei Day concert, set for May 1 at the Waikiki Shell, will go on sale tomorrow — with little regard to the fact that it's Friday the 13th. ...

When it rains, it soars: Rain, the Korean superstar, will perform July 3 at the Aloha Stadium, and seats go on sale May 15 — his could be the priciest proposition ever, with seats going at $80, $120, $190 and $240. K-drama success has raised his ante, for sure. ...

PERSONALITIES: Harry Cooper, former Aloha Festivals executive director, marks his 90th birthday from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Gedatsu Church of Hawai'i in Kuli'ou'ou. ...

Guido Salmaggi renders the "Star-Spangled Banner" at a meeting of the National American Retired Federal Employees this morning at the Ala Moana Hotel. ...

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.