Great American Comedy Festival winner Kermet Apio shares some 'island time'

LEBANON - After 20 years of making people laugh, self-

effacing comedian Kermet Apio thinks he would have a hard time finding an office job at this point, citing his primary job skills as being "goofy and sarcastic."

Lucky for us, he isn't planning to quit anytime soon.

The native Hawaiian, now based out of Seattle, will provide the entertainment for a luau dinner hosted by the Lebanon Elks at 5 p.m. Saturday, July 18.

Just last month, Apio beat out 23 other contestants to win the Great American Comedy Festival contest, in Johnny Carson's hometown of Norfolk, Neb.

"I was so happy just to be a part of it," he said.

The field of contestants was intimidating: At least four of the comics had already been on the "Late Show with David Letterman" and a few of them had their own Comedy Central specials, according to Apio.

Since turning to comedy full time in 1990, Apio has been on television and radio a fair number of times himself, telling jokes on shows such as "Star Search," A&E's "Evening at the Improv" and NPR's "Rewind."

After years of shows at comedy clubs and colleges, a recent highlight for Apio has been touring with the hilarious Brian Regan.

"He's squeaky clean and fills auditoriums," Apio said. "It's very cool to be able to know your audience."

Apio changes up his material quite a bit, but always includes something about growing up and Hawaii and about being a parent.

"For me, it's just so autobiographical," Apio said of his material. "So, there can be dry spells."

Having children (Apio has a 7-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son) has helped considerably with the writer's block.

"I never knew the material boom that parenting would be," Apio laughed.

"Also, it sort of helped me mature," Apio said of being a parent. "You don't get as worked up about the frustrations and the bad shows."

For more information on Apio, see www.ikerm.com.

CHECK IT OUT

WHAT: Luau dinner and comedy show.

WHO: Comedian Kermet Apio.

WHEN: Pig roast and Hawaiian food served at 5 p.m., comedy show at 8 p.m., Saturday, July 18.

WHERE: Lebanon Elks Lodge, 633 Park St., Lebanon.

COST: $18.50.

INFO: 258-3211.

VIDEO: Watch a video of Kermet Apio tell a joke on his Web site, www.ikerm.com.