DISC-CUSSION: Looks like Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom's Grammy-nominated "Generation Hawai'i" CD will get new life — with a symphonic or modern dress. Gilliom, one of the participating singers on the Matt Catingub Orchestra of Hawaii's "Romance in Hawai'i" CD, has been working with the maestro on new arrangements of her latest album, the reincarnation targeting a national — or international — perspective, planted with Catingub's pops treatment that would potentially reach a broader audience than a Hawaiian mainstream disc. "We'd like to work with her on the Mainland, perhaps in a cabaret setting, too, which would be totally different from what we're all normally used to," Catingub said. Indeed, Gilliom has a range of styles and levels of appeal — a quick listen to her contributions on the "Romance" CD would be a good indicator of her diverse sounds. Or hear Gilliom in person, with other locals on the CD, in the March 9 Waikiki Shell performance. ...

And interest is mounting for Catingub's inaugural "Return to Romance" festival, March 1 to 11, at various venues. One of the key events, a three-night "The Most Romantic Songs Ever Written ... Part I," is pegged for March 6 to 8 at the Hawai'i Theatre. And one of the participants is Robert Cazimero, sans brother Roland, who will perform "Tenderly," an evergreen that was a hit for the late Rosemary Clooney. "I adore Rosemary and the songs that she left us," says Cazimero. "I can't think of a more appropriate song that speaks so endearingly of new-found love. It gives me great pleasure to share it with all the romantics." ...

NAMES 'N' PLACES: Comedian Frank DeLima will be one of the keynoters at the Hawaii Educational Research Association's 29th annual conference Saturday at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa Campus Center ballroom. His afternoon talk will focus on his motivational visits to Island schools (5,400 — and still counting) through his Frank DeLima Student Enrichment Program, a nonprofit organization. ...

DeLima also makes the rounds of the Neighbor Islands to spread his comic gospel. Next stop: 7:30 p.m. March 9, at the Kaua'i War Memorial. Tickets are $15 ($10 in advance), on sale at various Garden Isle locations including Big Kmart and Larry's Music. ...

What's better than going to Sundance? How 'bout the Academy Awards? Maui-based Ocean Vodka will be poured at an Oscar-viewing party in Hollywood, sponsored by Canadian producers of "Water," a candidate for best foreign-language film. Apropos, because the vodka of choice is made from spirits blended with Hawai'i's deep seawater. ...

HERE 'N' THERE: "Sacs in the City," a silent auction benefit for the Junior League of Ho-nolulu, is set from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 7 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village's Tapa Ballroom.

A fashion runway show, by Anne Namba Designs, is on the agenda; KHON-2's Trini Kaopuiki will emcee. Tickets are $95 per person ($75 before March 1), with corporate tables also available. Information: Naomi Reale at 520-1176. ...

Cody Pueo Pata, local singer-composer, has been chosen to bless the new Waikiki Beach Walk still in the making. The ceremony will be at 4 p.m. Feb. 27 at a site where his 'olelo has been carved into the stage and fountain surface. The Hawaiian saying translates to "I hear the sweetly voiced water; let it ripple, let it rise, let it flow," and was selected by a Mainland graphics consultant who discovered it on Pueo's record label site, Mountain Apple Co. ...

Kimo's Maui is known for being a Hollywood celebrity hot spot, and one of Kimo's own musicians, Peter DeAquino, of the band TBA, along with George Kahumoku Jr., Ozzie Kotani, Ledward Ka'apana, Cyril Pahinui and others, have won another Hawaiian Grammy for "Legends of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar."

It's the second consecutive year DeAquino, along with 'ukulele guru George Kahumoku Jr. and others, have earned the Hawaiian music laurel. ...

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.