David Archuleta, last year's "American Idol" runner-up (David Cook won), had the time of his life while visiting here to perform the national anthem at the Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium.

Off stage, he was a friendly tyke — almost puppy-dog cute, but with a winsome smile instead of a wagging tail. We met him, shook his hand, exchanged pleasantries and signed the guest registry at a Michael W. Perry-Larry Price brunch show at John Dominis.

Archuleta, heating up the charts with "Crush," is boyish and charming, drawing notice from young female fans (and motherly attention from older women, too). He's refreshingly honest and possibly naive — either unaware when folks poke gentle fun at him, or putting on a great act.

Girlfriends? "Nope," with a head shake. Older women like Madonna? "She's old enough to be my mother," with a shrug.

Other radio guests on this particular day: Karen Keawehawai'i, realistic faux flowers a-bloom in her hair; Rolando Sanchez, joined by Pedro Hara and Marlene Baldueza, making her first appearance with Sanchez's Salsa Hawaii; Cerro Negro, the gypsy-flamenco-jazz-folk band from Fresno; and Henry Allen, the jazz guitarist whose "East of the Sun, West of the Moon" CD launch is this Friday at Don Ho's Island Grill.

Keawehawai'i and Sanchez were on hand to help promote "Hooray for Haradawood," a tribute for yours truly, at the the Royal Hawaiian Center's Waikiki nei showroom next Sunday. Don't arrive late: The opening number, "There's No Business Like Show Biz," will be an ensemble sing-out, with personalized lyrics by none other than Jimmy Borges, a master of rewriting standards to fit any occasion.

Sanchez started a regular Saturday night gig last night at Manoa Marketplace's Sweet Basil Restaurant, where there's a dance floor. ...

WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Kamehameha graduate Ashley Huffman, now a junior at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., returns to the Islands with her 72 fellow members of the Concordia Choir, performing at 5:30 p.m. March 1 at St. Andrew's Cathedral. Huffman, who is Hawaiian-Samoan, has taught her choir colleagues proper enunciation for their Hawaiian pieces. "Now I'm just thrilled to be able to sing with this choir for my family and friends in Hawai'i," she says. Tickets: $20 and $10; call 800-838-3006. ...

Pianist Kit Samson is doing a Friday gig from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Aria Restaurant and Lounge at Century Center, third floor, 1750 Kalakaua Ave. 955-9300. Charles "Chip" Jewitt of Aria is eager to provide Samson's fans a spot to enjoy his music. ...

Despite the weak economy, the Mountain Apple Company has signed on four artists and plans to complete new CDs this year. The four signees — Hawaiian musicians you've heard and adored before, albeit with different Island ties — are Cyril Pahinui, a veteran performer who was nominated for a solo Grammy last year; Keli'i Kaneali'i, co-founding member of Hapa and former singer with the duo; Troy Fernandez, the 'ukulele virtuoso of the Ka'au Crater Boys; and Mailani Makainai, of Keahiwai and Mighty J, who just finished recording her solo album. ...

AROUND TOWN: Vanita Rae Smith, the pillar of Army Community Theatre, finally has a full-time assistant. Brett Harwood, from Stuttgart, Germany, is already immersed in duties at Richardson Theatre at Fort Shafter, where "Curtains" opens Feb. 26. His two decades of service with Army theaters should be a big help here. ...

About 150 keiki cardiac patients and their families took part in a Valentine's celebration at the Japanese Cultural Center Manoa Ballroom recently, part of Kapi'olani Medical Center's annual Kardiac Kids reunion. The event capped Kapi'olani's first of five "Heart Week" observances of 2009.

The participants included Papa Tiva Tatofi, formerly of Kapena and now leading 501 Soul on Maui, and his three daughters. The youngest, 11-year-old Melenaite Tatofi, has had several heart surgeries performed by Dr. John Lamberti of Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego, but hard to tell — she performed a heart-pounding Tahitian dance. ...

We were on Kaua'i earlier this week and noticed Frank DeLima posters everywhere to promote his Hilton Kauai Resort show at 7 p.m. March 7. And Danny Couch gave a Valentine's show last night at the Aloha Beach Hotel in Wailua. Can't see either in Honolulu, so gotta go holoholo to Neighbor Islands. ...

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.