Hawaii
B.B Shawn
THAT reminds me, Henry Kapono's new discovery is B.B. Shawn, who's been blind almost since birth, a victim of cancer of the retina in both eyes. Kapono has released Shawn's first recording, the prophetically entitled "Finding My Way," on POI Records . . . Wendy Walker, former Manoa Valley Theatre business manager, is once again reading the Star-Bulletin via the Internet. She checks in from her home in Incline Village, Nev., where she and her retired husband, Harry, now live. Her Nevada license plates still elicit honks and waves. They read: PUNAHOU.
THE symbol of the Junior Achievement Hawaii Hall of Fame is a ladder. Appropriate, too, for one of this year's inductees, restaurateur Rob Thibaut. He worked his way up the ladder of success from his start as a dishwasher to opening his own restaurant by the time he was 23. Thibaut now is co-owner of TS Restau-rants, with eight eateries in Hawaii and five in California. His business motto is "Have fun, make money and give back to the community." Active in community service, Thibaut finds time for surfing and skiing. As for making money, ask the IRS.
IN town last week was Malcolm Holzman of the N.Y. architectural firm specializing in theater restoration. He was here overseeing final details for the Hawaii Theatre opening. Mary Foster, who is chairing the reopening celebration, reports the May 11 headliner is Michael Feinstein, who"reopened" the Rainbow Room in the Big Apple, with Holzman part of the sold-out crowd . . .
THE family of the late Dr. Richard You chose not to announce his death last November 23, nor did they have a service. Instead, daughter Pamela You began a massive project, going through her famous father's mementos and planning a celebration of life service to be held Friday evening at Nuuanu Congregational Church. Dr. You was a tireless volunteer in working on weightlifting programs all over the world. Pamela You has recorded videotapes of numerous athletes who knew him and they'll be shown at the memorial. Happily, just before he died, she was able to read to him a letter from his pal, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who wished him well and thanked him for having been "such a great friend and inspiration to me over the years." . . .
