ALFRED APAKA left us 37 years ago, but that marvelous entertainer is still the best draw in town. The Hilton Hawaiian Village Tapa Bar area was jammed with kamaainas and entertainers Wednesday for the dedication of Alfred's statue on what would have been his 78th birthday. His son, Jeff, and the Hilton management deserve a big mahalo for making the tribute possible. It was such a warm affair, with many people visiting with friends they hadn't seen in years. And it was a happy crowd. Usually, you only see these people at funerals. Jeff's sister, Carolyn Kawaauhau, attended. Gladys Ainoa Brandt spoke of Alfred's family. Bobby Evans spoke of Alfred's Roosevelt High days. The Rev. Abraham Akaka blessed the statue, and his brother, Sen. Daniel Akaka, sent filmed congratulations from Washington. The Akakas and Apakas grew up together in Pauoa. Leinaala Heine and Na Pua Lei O Likolehua took part in the ceremony ... Apaka tribute
pulls fans, entertainersBENNY KALAMA, Sonny Kamahele, David Kupele and Alan Akaka made up the house band. All were in Alfred's group except Akaka. Jeff brought back memories of his dad by singing, "Here in This Enchanted Place," and appropriately, "In a Hawaiian Village." Kupele sang "Lehuanani." He also did "Beyond the Reef" as Joni Albao danced. Iwalani Kahalewai sang "Kawohikukapulani" beautifully. Ambrose Rosehill and Gabby Thompson sang along in the audience. Mahi Beamer and "Uncle" Keola Beamer wowed the crowd with their fun segment. Mahi sang "Palisa" as Keola danced. Then they danced "Na Ka Pueo" together. They are priceless. Varoa Tiki took everyone back by singing "Wasamatta You Last Night." She also sang a Tahitian number, and Kimo Mansfield heated things up with his Tahitian dance ...
KENT GIRARD and his Hula Nani dancers were well received. The group Mahiehie performed later in the evening. Georgiana Beckley Pang, a former Apaka dancer, joined Alice Tkachenko dancing "Song of Old Hawaii." Mansfield, Pang and Tkachenko attended Farrington together. Ilima Baker sang as Queenie Ventura danced to "Hawaiian Hula Eyes." Eddie Bush played solo uke, George Holokai danced hula, and Mark Tang sang, as did Myrtle K. Hilo and Cathy Foy. Keith and Carmen Haugen performed. Emcees Harry Soria and Ed Michelman did fine work ...
ONWARD: Bishop Estate Trustee Lokelani Lindsey, speaking to the crowd at Kawaiahao Plaza Tuesday, said she was in an antique shop and spotted an old recording made by singers in Kamehameha's class of 1950. She bought the platter for the school archives and pointed out that fellow trustee Oswald Stender, also in the audience, was in the Class of '50. When Lokelani was pau speaking and emcee Neil Hannahs returned to the mike, he said, "Thank you Oz, for being a nice antique." The affair was to mark the release of a double CD and cassette, "A Musical Tradition: Na Mele Ho'oheno," by Kamehameha students ... Suzy Hemmings and Ann Hogan Perry have joined Coldwell Banker ... Cheers to Waikiki girl Pam Anderson and Ryan's Eddie Niemeyer, who had birthdays Wednesday ... Planet Hollywood is holding an Oscar party Monday night ... Stender an antique?
THE RITZ-CARLTON at Kapalua presents its annual Celebration of the Arts next weekend. It will include a Hawaiian sovereignty panel discussion. On Friday, Hokulani-Holt Padilla will premier her hula production of "Kahekili," which includes Keali'i Reichel. A concert next Saturday features Henry Kapono, the Makaha sons of Niihau, Sistah Robi and Eric Gilliom ...
SEAMUS McMANUS, before his guests were about to dig into a seven-course Irish lunch on St. Patrick's Day at the Kahala Mandarin, said: A seven-course Irish lunch is ordinarily a potato and a six-pack ... 7-course lunch, Irish style
