By Dave Donnelly
Thursday, January 30, 1997
Robert Redford, Rev. Abraham Akaka
Robert Redford, Rev. Abraham Akaka
JUST two weeks after leaving Hawaii, where he'd been G.M. at the Manele Bay Hotel, Matt Bailey had moved to Sundance, Utah, to become new G.M. of the resort there. An avalanche in the area suddenly swooped in and tore through the Baileys' rented house, separating them from their 5-year-old daughter, Lauren, who was trapped under several feet of snow. Lauren's mom managed to escape and go for help. Who should spring into action but Robert Redford, whose property is adjacent to the resort, and who has been involved in numerous screen heroics over the years. This time it was for real, however, and the "Sundance Kid" joined Bailey in digging with their bare hands until they were able to free young Lauren from being buried in the snow. Those Sundance Film Festival fans who were unhappy that Redford failed to attend the awards ceremony Saturday night were unaware of the dangerous conditions and real-life heroics that kept him from the awards gala. The rescue of Lauren Bailey, who's now OK, was award enough for Redford ... Sundance Kid
aids keiki in snowSPEAKING of which, Christian Gaines, head of the Hawaii International Film Festival, was spotted by Redford, his former boss, at the Sundance Fest. He asked Gaines what it was like to helm his own festival. The latter exclaimed, "Fabulous," and invited Redford to see it for himself. The "Sundance Kid" replied he'd "love to come" if he's not in production. Wouldn't that spark a little interest? ...
IT seemed a timely occasion for Italiano pianist Paul Conrad to relate to customers around his keyboard about a couple named Turner visiting a marriage counselor. The two dissolved into tears when it came time to speak. The counselor finally threw up his hands and sang out, "Don't Cry for Me, Ike and Tina." (Eat your heart out, Madonna.) ...
SO this "Hilo Foursome," Eddie MacNaughton, Tom Rohr, Jon Sutherland, Carl Smigielski, Bill Yarbrough and Marty Schiller, had just finished a round of golf at Waialae and were in the lounge watching the Phoenix Open on TV. When Tiger Woods hit a hole-in-one (Woods and irons go hand in hand, especially when not in the bag) on the par-3 15th hole, the conversation drifted from Tiger's young age (21) and what he'll do should he join the Senior Tour 29 years hence. One reason the topic came up was that all six are over 50 and their handicaps range from 4 to 12. They wondered if any of them would shoot their age before Tiger becomes a senior. The consensus was that none of them would be around to see it, but only time will tell ... Into the Woods
PUNAHOU communications director Bonnie Judd says that Kamasami Kong has certainly been busy on the phone. The same day it was reported here that he'd chatted with Audy Kimura on the air during his radio show on FM802 in Osaka, Japan, Kong was on the phone to Judd. He was getting info on the Punahou Carnival for his Japan listeners who may be Hawaii bound. Judd described the rides and foods available, but wonders how the Japanese will perceive malassadas. The carnival, for the record, is Feb. 7 and 8, and what began as a way of financing the 1932 yearbook has in 65 years turned into one of the largest fund-raisers in the state with over 4,500 volunteers working on it ...
THE Rev. Abraham Akaka took in the Manoa Valley Theatre production of "Painting Churches" and yesterday I received this card from him: "Aloha and Mahalo Nui to you, Jo Pruden and Maureen Borromeo for your great portrayal of love at work in the Church Family on Beacon Hill - binding the breaking, paying the toll-taking that aging exacts from and lays upon all who begin crossing their end-of-this-road bridge to the other side. Mary Lou and I were moved (as in a worship experience) by your fine thespian 'sermon.' " Kahu added a P.S. "For reasons like this I am grateful that Kawaiahao made its Manoa Apana Aina available to MVT on a long-term lease." The show ends Sunday ... Review of ‘Churches’
