Linda Wong, Sivan Leoni
TURNED down in her efforts to get permission to build a wedding chapel on family-owned land in Punaluu, Linda Wong, former aide to Frank Fasi when he was mayor, is turning her attention from Japan (sure to be a big player in the wedding market) to China. She's making her first visit to China on Friday to attend the 46th annual PATA conference ... Wong, whose business partner is Danny Kaleikini, was golfing with him at Waialae along with City Councilwoman Donna Mercado Kim and actor Russell Wong, who starred in the TV series "Vanishing Son" and is featured in the new "Hawaii Five-O" pilot with Gary Busey. Linda describes the other Wong as "one of the nicest guys you'd want to meet," quite different from the abusive husband he played in "Joy Luck Club." ... Wong song:
Linda likes 5-0’s RussellALSO flying over the Pacific last week was disc jockey Kamasami Kong, heading back to FM802 in Osaka after a week's stay in Honolulu. He found himself sitting across the aisle from Hari Kojima of "Let's Go Fishing" fame and his "gang" -- family and film crew -- heading for a fishing excursion in Okinawa. The two were busy exchanging fish stories when the flight attendants recognized them. In what was a first for Kong, the chief purser requested he announce an in-flight Bingo game. (The Japan Air in-flight game is called "Bingo in the Sky.") He may have a radio audience of 10 million people, but there was Kong taking to mike to intone in stentorian fashion, "Under the 'G' -- 16." ...
FOR the umpteenth time, I'm not moonlighting as a cheerleader for Hawaii Pacific University! One of the student cheerleaders who finished second in national competition in Florida early this year is named Dave Donnelly. To my knowledge, we're not related ...
THE headline has nothing to do with Tiger Woods, the 21-year-old Masters champion. It's the title, suddenly quite appropriate, of Thursday's benefit golf tourney and auction at Makaha. Proceeds go to Child & Family Service and there are still some foursomes available. You can call 543-8441 to register. Among auction items you can bid on are a trip for two to London; a two-hour, three-island tour in a corporate jet for four; a 1997 Buick Century from Schuman Carriage; and a few hours of experience in chef Alan Wong's kitchen. There's also a limited edition Elvis Presley phone that sings and dances to "Jailhouse Rock." ... 'Child's Play' golf
THAT bring us to Joni Mabe's "Traveling Panoramic Encyclopedia of Everything Elvis," on display beginning Thursday at the Academy of Arts as part of the "Elvis + Marilyn: 2 x Immortal" show. There are some 20,000 different Elvis items on display plus a large selection of paintings, sculptures, photos, videos and other artworks of the two American icons. The exhibit runs through June 8 ...
SORRY to report that Art Samuel, former box office manager of the Blaisdell Center, died at 67 in Las Vegas where he'd been living in retirement. He's survived by wife Gloria ... And former isle liquor industry figure Jack Noonan, who died last November on the mainland, will have his ashes scattered off the Outrigger Canoe Club on Monday. Noonan was a longtime member there. Son Mike is fulfilling his dad's wish that he join his wife Jeannie, who died in 1995 and whose ashes were scattered there ...
SUNDAY was a big day for UH volleyball player Sivan Leoni. Not only did he get married at Lanikai beach, but that night went with his bride, Paula Bruhn of Kailua, to the team banquet at the Hawaiian Regent Hotel. Emcee Jim Leahey had the crowd in stitches, joking that not everyone has 300 people at his wedding reception, and the couple never even got stuck with a bill. Leahey got the audience to crouch and give the 1-2-3-4 quadruple punch salute that the Israeli athlete does whenever he makes a great block and warned the new Mrs. Leoni about Sivan's hair giving him Samson-like strength. Those who've seen him in the weight room will attest to that. And so too, most likely, will Mrs. Leoni ... Many happy returns
Contact Dave by e-mail: donnelly@kestrok.com.