Yuna Ito, a former Honolulan who is a 2001 McKinley High School graduate, is a J-pop fave in Japan. Ito sang "My Heart Will Go On," the "Titanic" theme popularized by Celine Dion, on a tribute album by J-pop stars — and that, apparently, made an impact on the Vegas-based chanteuse.

Dion will collaborate with Ito on a single called "Anata Ga Iro Kagiru (A World To Believe In)," a track from Dion's CD "Taking Chances." The bilingual tune will feature Ito singing in Japanese and English and Dion in English; it's due to be released Jan. 26 in Japan. ...

Singer Yvette Nii is heading to Los Angeles on Thursday to do a recording session with the Los Angeles-based jazz fusion group Hiroshima, and will join them in a Christmas show in Little Tokyo. ...

Barry Flanagan and Nathan Aweau, the duo that is Hapa (they've been on the Japan tour circuit), will make a rare appearance from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 21 at the Veranda of The Kahala Hotel & Resort. A $25 cover prevails, including one drink and validated parking. Reservations are required at 739-8780. ...

AROUND TOWN: The Maloof Brothers, Joe and Gavin, who own the Sacramento Kings and who are the developers of the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, were dinner guests at Aaron's with John Mino and Leigh Steinberg (June Jones' agent, and part of the sports agency firm Tollner, Steinberg and Moon). Peter Aaron Maharaj, who's affiliated with Arron's, also invited Steinberg to the last University of Hawai'i Warriors game (with its requisite tailgating). "He is very low-key and loves Hawai'i," Maharaj said.

According to Maharaj, Steinberg is the inspiration for the movie "Jerry Maguire" — a big hit for Tom Cruise, and the movie that made Jonathan Lipniki (the bespectacled kid with the spiky 'do) a big little star. Steinberg served as a consultant for that hit film and has been an agent for more than 150 athletes over the years. ...

Arts With Aloha, the coalition of PR pros from O'ahu's leading performing and visual arts organizations, hosted "Primal Passions," a press trip, recently.

Writers from national publications convened here to check out museum exhibits, take in such festivities as ArtafterDark at the Honolulu Academy of Arts and a Honolulu Symphony concert, and visits to such places as Shangri-La and the Hawai'i Theatre.

The nightcap was a dinner at Ruth's Chris Steak House at Waikiki Beach Walk, where franchise owner Randy Schoch hosted Rosana Ubanell of American Airlines Nexos, Helen Freedman of the New York Metro Parent magazine chain, Katie Solan of Vacations, Igor Lobanov of Mature Life Features, Sara Evans of Art of the Times and F. Leigh Elmore of Spaces Kansas City.

Nancy Daniels of Outrigger Enterprises shared a historical perspective of the Waikiki Beach Walk development, and Ruth's Chris marketing director Alex Kirley pointed out Hawai'i art by the likes of Solomon Enos, Kathy Merrill and Yvonne Cheng that hangs on the restaurant's walls. Now the ink will flow, as the publications help grow cultural tourism here. ...

NOTABLE 'N' QUOTABLE: When Emme Tomimbang's "Emme's Christmas Island Moments" airs at 9 p.m. Thursday on KHON-2 (retelecast at 4 p.m. Dec. 23), you'll note that it was largely taped at the Halekulani Lewers Lounge. Thus, the nightspot's regulars will be featured — Bruce Hamada and Jim Howard, Azure McCall with Tennyson Stephens. Tomimbang customarily features Willie K doing his iconic "O Holy Night," but he's not on this year's holiday show. Still, Tomimbang sought his blessings to enable the Society of Seven's Lani Misalucha (on tape) to render the favorite holiday tune. He was gracious, Tomimbang reports, saying, "I don't own the song," which he really does. When he found out Lani was going to do it, he said of her, "She's great." The special also features Jasmine Trias, with Stephens providing keyboard support, and more sweet notes from Jimmy Borges, Melveen Leed, Pauline Wilson and the City of Refuge Choir. ...

Willie K is guesting on nearly everyone's Christmas concert this season (The Makaha Sons' on Saturday; Ho'okena's on Sunday; and Na Leo's on Dec. 19-20). He was among the possibilities, too, for The Brothers Cazimeros' Dec. 21-23; instead, they latched on to Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, though there was concern in the Caz camp if Willie's sometimes musical partner in Barefoot Natives, Eric Gilliom, might be feeling left out. ...

Gilliom, who is bald, encountered the smooth-topped Lisa Josephsohn (the hair loss is because of her chemo treatments) at a recent Barefoot Natives appearance on the Perry & Price radio show, and he cheered her on, "God made a few perfect heads ... and the rest, he put hair on." ...

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.