Traci Toguchi
THERE was a group of sign-wavers near City Hall the other day promoting "Toguchi for Board of Education." No, these signs weren't for Charles Toguchi, former head of the state's department of education. They were were for a fellow named Garrett Toguchi, who's running for a seat on the board. And while Garrett is not related to the other Toguchi, he does have a famous first cousin with that name: Traci Toguchi, Miss Hawaii 1995 . . . And little wonder that former titleholder Toguchi has agreed to be co-celebrity chairperson for the "Memory Walk," a fund-raiser Nov. 2 for the Alzheimer's Association. Her grandfather, whom she described as "my hero," died just 23 days after she'd won the Miss Hawaii title, suffering in his final years from Alzheimer's . . .
THE Hawaii Hispanic News paid tribute to Elia Silverman in its latest issue, and with good reason. The Guadalajara native, married to "Legends in Concert" G.M. Marvin Silverman, is the new Mexican Consul to Hawaii . . . Barbara Holm to a sign-waving candidate in Waikiki: "Why should I vote for you." His reply: "Are you old enough to vote?" Coy Barbara: "You got my vote, honey." . . .
ACCOMPANIED by writer Bob Dye, who lives part-time in Ireland when he's not in Lanikai, we approached a clerk and I asked, "Where can I find 'Angela's Ashes?' " She looked ashen for a second. "It's by Frank McCourt," I explained. The clerk then informed me her assistant's name was Angela and she'd just left there a bit ago, hence the confusion. She found the book under "European World History." I told her it was a personal memoir about growing up poor in Limerick, Ireland, and couldn't possibly be listed under "World History." She escorted me behind the counter and pointed to the computer. Sure enough, there it was, totally misfiled. Dye and I picked up the last two copies they had and I suggested they order a bunch more posthaste, because with reviewers comparing McCourt to a modern day James Joyce, it's sure to top the best-seller lists . . .
ANTIPATHY was in the air this week at Country Club Plaza in Salt Lake where State Sen. Rey Graulty lives. Seems his senatorial opponent, Norman Sakamoto, chose the complex's rec center as a rally site. One Graulty supporter showed up to ask some antagonistic questions, but Sakamoto supporters shouted him down, saying, "We didn't come to hear you." Trouble in his own backyard, literally? ...
