Hawaii
By Dave Donnelly
Tuesday, September 10, 1996
'Sign' up now for Circle's benefit
IT isn't until you travel to the mainland and see the incredible blight of billboards effectively erasing the visual landscape that you appreciate the fact Hawaii is billboard-free. It was not always so. Look at some old photos of Hawaii with billboard profusion, not far removed from what it was like in, say, L.A. at that time. Fortunately for Hawaii, the Outdoor Circle took up the cudgel and beat politicians into submission, getting laws against billboards on the books, and enabling everyone to see our unparalleled landscape. Now's your chance to thank them ...
WITH billboards beaten back, and nobody on the horizon to challenge the ban on them (except the odd politician running for office, and they, too, should be beaten back), the Outdoor Circle has turned its attention to protecting Diamond Head Crater from future development, strengthening signing laws in general, advocating a coastal park system, promoting the placement of unsightly utility wires underground and creating adult and youth education programs relating to Hawaii's environment. They're having a "Ports to Paradise" fund-raiser, a fall fashion show Sept. 22 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, complete with luncheon and auction. For ticket info call the Outdoor Circle at 943-9658 ...
WHEN a woman stepped onto my elevator yesterday wearing a dressy suit with gold braid on the shoulder, I quipped that I felt I ought to be saluting. "I wish opposing counsels felt that way," replied the woman, who turned out to be attorney Ellen Carson, Hawaii State Bar Association president. "Usually I get the one-fingered salute." ... Lahaina Yacht Club chef Ron Dougherty and longtime girlfriend Judy Capers got married and honeymooned on Kauai just ahead of the rainstorms, still marveling about their helicopter cruise over Na Pali Coast. Dougherty, who used to own O'Toole's downtown, read where it was for sale with the price set at $350,000. He offered $1, which is what he paid for it originally, along with assuming six-figures of debt. He deadpanned, "I figure it's a beginning point for negotiation." ...
No ostriches need apply
WITH "Mad About You" featuring an episode about restaurants serving ostrich, and my own experience with Big Bird at Harris' Steak House in S.F. - I couldn't bring myself to order it - and now Alan Wong's featuring the dish in his restaurant, you might think it's taking over. Not so, they're saying on the Big Island and to prove it, Friday is being called "Forage Field Day." Some 15 Big Isle chefs are featuring a tasting of locally range-fed beef, lamb and even goat cheese. And chef Maha Kraan of Mama's Cafe in Waimea is preparing a marinated salad featuring Big Island buffalo meat from a Ka'u ranch. The idea is to demonstrate isle-grown alternatives to the multi-million dollar beef and ranch product imports each year in an effort to keep Hawaii's 160-year-old ranching tradition alive and thriving. By the way, don't look for Big Isle buffalo to be in your supermarkets soon. Raising buffalo in Ka'u is currently more hobby than business ...
ONE of the highlights standing out from a myriad of lowlights during the Emmy telecast Sunday night was when David Hyde Pierce and Jane Leeves from "Frasier" made their way to the microphone to present an award by tangoing, something they did on the episode of the show which won an Emmy for best writing. When they got to the mike, they eschewed the cornball humor some alleged writers created for other presenters and Hyde Pierce stated, "They gave us a choice. And the nominees are..." (For much more on the Emmy-cast, check out this Internet web site) ...
Royalty on parade
PRINCE Charles won't be there, but the Aloha Festivals "50th Anniversary" Royal Court will make an appearance Thursday at 6 p.m. at Kahala Mall. Court councillor Ambrose "Rosie" Napihaa will introduce King Ian Mahealani Meyers and Queen Julia Analika Van Kuren. It promises to be a "chicken skin" event ...
Dave Donnelly has been writing on happenings in Hawaii for the Star-Bulletin since 1968. His columns run Monday through Friday. Contact Dave by e-mail at donnelly@kestrok.com.
Hawaii by Dave Donnelly is a daily feature of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
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