PEOPLE ARE TALKING about: That dramatic scene in front of hangar 105 at Kaneohe?s Marine base when the main hatch of a DC 10 opened to cheers and tears from friends and families greeting Marine heroes returning from Fullujah, Iraq. Adding to the drama ? the Marine Band?s stirring rendition of Stars & Stripes. Even some hard-bitten news types shed a few tears ? Sights ?n? sounds: Unexpected treat t?other nite for Chai?s patrons when Jimmy Buffett joined uke whiz Jake Shimabukuro for some special music and song ? Entertainment tip for all ages: Don?t miss those spectacular young Irish foot stompers in Lord of the Dance at Blaisdell. Dancin? like you?ve never experienced before ? After 16 years, Kamasami Kong ? still a part-time Honolulu resident ? is ending his radio gig in Osaka to take an exciting new job on Japan?s largest radio network, TOKYO-FM. Known to Hawaii friends as Bob Zix, Kong is a major star in Japan, interviews every visiting celeb on the air ... The restaurant scene: Check out the eatery in Kaimuki (9th & Waialae) called Town, owned by Edward Kenney. Young Kenney is quite the chef. His mom and dad (Bev Noa and Ed Kenney) have enjoyed a long and successful career in show biz. At age 21, Ed starred on Broadway as the lead in Flower Drum Song, and Bev distinguished herself as one of Hawaii?s greatest hula stars. The two headlined at the Royal for years. Bev?s now retired after managing the Chanel store in Honolulu 14 years. Kenney senior retired from show biz and lives on Kauai ?

Faces out front: Rocky Aoki, the former Japanese Olympic rassler who went on to fame and fortune as Benihana?s major domo, recently put his New York townhouse on the market. Asking price: $5.2 million. And it includes Rocky?s noted collection of slot machines. Meantime, his Hilton Haw?n Village Benihana continues to be the numbah 1 grosser in his entire worldwide restaurant chain ? Maui-go-round: I recently mentioned that after a long hiatus from films, Woody Harrelson is back in the acting action, big time. You?ll be seeing a lot of him in upcoming major films. He took a long break from show biz ?five years ? and moved himself, wife Laura and their two kids to Maui after checking many potential home sites worldwide. ?Maui?s the best for me and my family,? he sez. ?And once in awhile when we?re both home, I go visit my buddy Willie Nelson, who lives nearby, and we play chess.? After college, Harrelson moved to New York and hoped for a shot on B?way. A year and a couple dozen restaurant jobs later, he couldn?t get an agent or an audition and decided to forget an acting career. The day before he was leaving New York he got his first break. Woody landed an audition for Neil Simon?s Biloxi Blues. He was hired as an understudy. Six months later he won the rube bartender character in Cheers. He never looked back since ? Friends are calling Frank DeLima ?skinny.? The comedian has shed about 80 pounds ?

eddiesherman@hawaii.rr.com