Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's 'ukulele is on view at the new Grammy Museum, part of L.A. Live and the Nokia Theatre complex in downtown Los Angeles, across the street from the Staples Center, which is home to the Grammy Awards.

Leah Bernstein, president of the Mountain Apple Co., which distributes the late Bruddah Iz's music and oversees rights to its use, said the uke — provided by Marlene Kamakawiwo'ole, widow of Iz — is on a two-year loan. "They wanted to have something from Hawai'i, so Marlene was delighted to loan it," said Bernstein. "It was his second favorite, made by Chris Kamaka (of Kamaka Ukulele) for his birthday." Iz's very favorite instrument was in his casket and was cremated with his remains.

Georja Skinner, Creative Industries Division chief of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, said the uke is part of the grassroots section on the fourth floor, where fans can explore interactive "history of music" archives featuring the likes of Gabby "Pops" Pahinui, Sol Ho'opi'i, and, of course, Iz. Skinner took in the exhibits and met with Bob Santelli, executive director of the museum, and Ken Viste, curator, to explore ongoing ties with Island music. She said the Hawai'i role in the museum "is another extension of our division's work to build a more active, integrated relationship with the music industry at-large, to create an awareness of the diversity of talent in Hawai'i and support the growth and export of Hawai'i's music industry."

She hopes for Isle visibility before the Feb. 8 Grammys and a future steel guitar exhibit ...

THE LOCAL ANGLE: Look for young Maxim Knight, who was born and raised in Hawai'i but moved to California with his parents in 2007, in Hallmark Channel's "Our First Christmas" movie, starring John Ratzenberger and Dixie Carter, airing Dec. 20 to 21 and 25. He's a cutie — with mounting film, TV and commercial credits. His mom Laura Knight says the family will be returning to the Islands Dec. 20 to spend the holidays here. ...

It's been a busy time at the Avex Honolulu Studio in Hawai'i Kai, where Gaylord Holomalia is honcho. Kanye West spent a lot of time in production there in July, August and September, so his CD title, "808s & Heartbreak," could refer to our area code as well as a drum kit commonly utilized by musicians. Avex studio and assistant engineer Christian Mochizuki are credited on nine of West's songs and Holomalia also receives assistant engineer credits, though his name, unfortunately, is misspelled. ...

A slew of local artists have been working on projects at Avex. Among them: Willie K, Cecilio & Kapono, Afatia Thompson, Eddie Kamae, Peter Apo, Ginai, Amy Hanaiali'i, 3 Scoops of Aloha and Laga Savea. And the Mele Program at Kapi'olani Community College has been working on stuff, too. Holomalia also completed work for Disney Japan, recording Disney tunes done Island-style with C&K, Manoa DNA, Hanaiali'i, Raiatea Helm, Sean Na'auao, Robi Kahakalau, Hapa, Aaron Sala, Na Palapalai and Konishiki. ...

Band members of Grammy nominee Amy Hanaiali'i — which include guitarists Jeff Peterson and Chino Montero, along with bassist Steve Jones and dancer Kehaulani Marzo — are excited to be flying up to L.A. for the 2009 Grammy Award ceremonies. They were all very much involved in the production of the " 'Aumakua" CD and have been helping Hanaiali'i promote it. ...

Steve's actor son, Sean Jones (now at Hunter College in New York), plans to catch buddy Chris Villasenor in the title role in "Peter Pan" at Diamond Head Theatre; they're Mid-Pacific Institute grads who've shared numerous stages together. Sean appears at the Jan. 10 Honolulu Academy of Arts "Starlight Ball" with dad's band, and will celebrate his 18th birthday Jan. 17 here. ...

PERSONALITIES: Bassist Bruce Hamada and pianist Jim Howard are now performing from 8 to 11 p.m. Thursdays at the renovated Warriors Lounge of the Hale Koa hotel. They're still regulars at the Lewers Lounge of the Halekulani on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and at Neptune's Garden at the Pacific Beach Hotel on Saturdays. ...

And George Street fans, take note: The principals long associated with that pop group have dropped that moniker and renamed themselves Sunset, since the trio now is a duo composed of Gail Mack and Gordon Kim. Sunset will be at The Higher Ground Cafe in Wahiawa from 7 to 10 p.m. Dec. 26. As Mack says, "It's a coffee shop, but you can BYOB for a small fee." Mack is in season again as her "Christmas Once More in Hawai'i Nei" is a radio staple. Sunset also does monthly shows at the Honolulu Club and private gigs. ...

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.