Two of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's grandkids — sadly, he died before they were born — are taking 'ukulele lessons at the Roy Sakuma Studios in 'Aiea. Expect them to participate in the 39th Annual 'Ukulele Festival from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. July 19 at Kapi'olani Park Bandstand. ...

Granddaughter Kiara Kaleinanihiwahiwaakawainohiaokauanoela'awehiwaonalani Parker-Kamakawiwo'ole is 8; grandson Elijah Helikopomaika'i Asa Parker-Kamakawiwo'ole is 7. Their mom is Ceslieanne, commonly known as Wehi, the daughter of Iz and Marlene Kamakawiwo'ole. Wehi was 14 when her father died. ...

"You can see that the grandchildren have the 'gift' — a natural rhythmic feel for music," said Kathy Sakuma, who runs the studio with hubby Roy. "When Kiara learned her first Iz song, 'Kainoa,' you could see her processing what she was learning — then she looked up at me with wide eyes and said, 'That's Popo's song!' " "I crossed out the title 'Kainoa' (in her songbook) and replaced it with 'Kiara,' " said Sakuma. ...

GEE, WILLIE-KERS: Willie K had to turn down inaugural festivities last week in Washington, D.C., for President Obama. Instead, he stayed home for a local Royal Hawaiian Monarch Room event last Tuesday. Talk about conflicted emotions.

Willie said the Washington call was "a dream of a lifetime. And because I've been a supporter since he first announced two years ago and have participated in many of the local rallies ... and met him last year at the Kahala Resort fundraiser, I'm even more humbled and thrilled to be asked. He is the hope and change we've all been waiting for. And as a Hawaiian, I know our people believe in those words and are praying for the same things that America and the nation is hoping will occur."

But Willie's optimistic. "I hope and pray there will be other opportunities to perform for him. If and when he should call again, I will be there in a heartbeat," said Willie. "And if I know Barack, he would totally understand the word 'commitment.' " Eloquently and earnestly stated. ...

SIGHT 'EMS: Gloria Estefan took in the Waikiki Lu'au on the Lagoon at the Hilton Hawaiian Village during her Sony Open and Blaisdell Arena concert recently. "She loved my five mo'opuna best," said Cha Thompson, whose Tihati Productions cast periodically features her grandkids.

Estefan also was amazed at performer Pogi Tevaga's tatau (Samoan body tattoo) and asked if they were real (they are). Estefan, hubby Emilio and daughter Emily dined with Thompson, and the Latin superstar was swarmed with autograph seekers after the performance. ...

Nick Faldo, three-time PGA Masters winner and now CBS' lead golf analyst, dined with a friend at Kimo's oceanfront lanai, savoring a delicious smoked marlin dinner with a view of Lahaina as an extra treat. ...

Kim Gennaula and Guy Hagi are reunited on camera via video in Honolulu Theatre for Youth's world premiere of "The Music of Dolphins," now playing Saturdays through Feb. 28 at Tenney Theatre. In the story by Newbery Award-winning Karen Hesse, Gennaula and Hagi — real-life mates off camera, though she no longer is on KGMB9 newscasts, while he remains as a weather anchor — "report" on a feral child, Mila (played by Nina Buck), discovered at age 12 after having been raised by dolphins since age 4, in recurring clips that were taped at the Channel 9 studios. It's a moonlighting homecoming for her. ...

TRADE WINDS: Betty Pang's cuisine at the Green Door CafŽ, first on Pauahi Street in Chinatown and for the past year on Kilauea Avenue in Kahala, earned raves and fans, but she's closed the doors, disconnected the phone, and moved out equipment ....

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.