Ron Akana Circa 1949, Jim Hawthorne Circa 1968
GEE, it's nice to write about something I don't remember -- it makes one feel a bit younger than usual. I'm referring to the upcoming 50th anniversary celebration of United Airlines' inaugural service between San Francisco and Honolulu. And while I've taken that trip on many occasions, I wasn't on board the one that began it all on May 1, 1947. One person who recalls it, however, is Ron Akana, a United flight attendant for the past 48 years who's still flying the Friendly Skies. He'll be one of those on board the half-century commemorative flight on May 1, having been hand picked as a flight steward by Hawaiian-born W.A. "Pat" Paterson, elected chairman of the board and CEO of United Airlines in 1963 ... Akana to reprise
1st UAL isle flightAND speaking of trips down memory lane, an e-mail arrived at the paper this week asking if anyone remembers whatever happened to the original Mr. Checkers on the old kiddies TV show, "Checkers & Pogo." The message went on to answer the question, coming as it did from Jim Hawthorne, known as "Weathereyes" for the reports he used to do on the KGMB-9 news before launching the kids show. Many people think I was the original Checkers, but I took over the role created by Hawthorne a few months after he and station owner Cec Heftel came to a parting of the ways, and played the part for a year before Jim Demarest stepped in and I began this Star-Bulletin column. I've since referred to myself more than once as "Chancellor of the ex-Checkers." As for Hawthorne, he reports he's now living by the beach near Santa Barbara "and still dreaming of Hawaii."
BUSMAN'S holiday: When not creating music, what does Honolulu Symphony maestro Sam Wong do for kicks? Well, the other night he was enjoying the music of Loretta Ables backed by Jim Howard and Bruce Hamada Jr. in the Lewers Lounge of the Halekulani. Loretta was as potent as ever, Howard is still a sterling accompanist, but Hamada did a bass solo that night that convinced me he's the finest jazz bassist in Honolulu ...
AN island duo showed up for the grand opening of Larry Manetti's new Westwood restaurant, "Duet," and we're not referring to the Brothers Cazimero. Flying over for their old pal's big night were Fred Piluso of Scruples and car man Jerry Cutter. Piluso can drop names with the best of 'em and everywhere he looked there was another familiar face, many of whom have been in his Kuhio Avenue club. Among Manetti pals who stopped in were his old "Magnum, P.I." mate Tom Selleck (of course), Paul Sorvino, Robert Wagner, Laine Kazan, Robert Blake, Tony Curtis, John Laroquette, Barbara Sinatra, Joe Pesci, Nicolette Sheridan and producers Don Bellesario and John Ashley with their wives. Manetti describes his menu as "California Continental," whatever that is, and Piluso gave it four stars ... Name-dropping
THE Star-Bulletin's "Guess the Hokus" contest went into the Internet online edition as well into as the paper itself. Of the responses via e-mail, the first was from New York, the second from Ewa Beach and yesterday, one from Beijing. Welcome to cyberspace ... Princeville honcho Ron Jeffrey is wearing a big smile these days -- the May issue of Golf Digest has named the Prince Course at Princeville the best course in the state of Hawaii ... You'll forgive Walt Muraoka of Architects Hawaii for missing his 35-year Iolani reunion in Las Vegas next Wednesday, but he has a good excuse. He's off to Japan to accept an award for architectural excellence for his design of a patient clinic at Kameda Hospital ...
IT'S a busy time at the Mountain Apple Co. They've been revving up in preparation for the TV special "Island Music, Island Hearts" featuring the Brothers Cazimero on KGMB-9 tonight, and will be releasing their new album next week, topping off everything with the Caz's 20th anniversary May Day celebration at the Shell. They're also readying new releases by Na Leo Pilimehana, Robi & Amy Gilliom and Willie K in the next month or so ... Mountain Apple corps
Contact Dave by e-mail: donnelly@kestrok.com.