NOT everyone gets a chance to meet Prince Charles in person, but one former localite came this close and was still thrilled off her feet. Paula Jansen Moore, who used to be social director at the Hawaii Polo Club, was in England with her husband and decided to take in a polo game. She was surprised and delighted on arrival at Cirencester to find that one of the participants was the Prince of Wales. Another turned out to be Kollin Dhillon, whom she'd met on several occasions when he played for the English polo team at Mokuleia. He was delighted to see her and invited Paula and her party to the clubhouse after the game to meet the Prince. When Charles walked in, Paula described him as looking like "any other dirty, muddy polo player," but admits to being "knocked off my feet." Unfortunately, Dhillon was called away on an emergency and all she was able to do short of thrusting herself on the future King was to grab some photos. Her son, Walter, put it in perspective for her. Asked if he'd like to meet the man who may one day be King, he said, "I have to go to the bathroom first" ... Prince charming,
even post-polo
I DID meet and talk to Prince Charles after a match he played at Mokuleia over 20 years ago. So it was interesting to hear "Friends" co-star Jennifer Aniston, plugging her new film "Picture Perfect" on the "Tonight" show, telling Jay Leno about meeting the Prince in a receiving line in England. She had the same reaction I did. When Leno asked if his ears were really that huge she said she didn't even notice his ears, and that he seemed like a quite handsome, charming man who simply doesn't photograph well. He may not have the greatest eye for beauty in women -- Camilla Parker Bowles over Princess Di? -- but in person he's quite a handsome fellow, though soon to be eclipsed by his son, William, who's already four inches taller and even better looking. Now Brits are saying he should be the next King ...
BACK from her latest trip to China is artistic photographer Linda Ching, who was putting final touches on her upcoming book, "Story of the Stone." It's an illustrated interpretation of the 200 year old classic "Hong Lou Meng" or "Dream of the Red Chamber." Ching is now off to San Francisco where she'll be honored with an exhibition at the Asian Business League of S.F.'s Distinguished Leadership Awards Dinner. Another Hawaii product, Apple Computer "Evangelist" Guy Kawasaki, will be keynote speaker of the evening and receive the Distinguished Entrepreneur Award. Interesting side note: In an Internet poll of Macintosh enthusiasts, Kawasaki got more votes than current Apple (image) polisher Steven Jobs as to which would make the best CEO ... Stoned in China
FORMER KGMB news reporter Dan Chun is now senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu, but is highly rated on the mainland as well. He spoke to 42,000 in May at the Kingdome in Seattle and the next month got a "standing 'O'" from 47,000 in Bulldog Stadium at Fresno State. He'll jet to Minneapolis next weekend to address 50,000 "Promise Keepers," as they're called, in the Metrodome. A bit of irony -- his topic to these large gatherings has been "Out of isolation, into small groups." ... Since he covers baseball, TV sportscaster Jai Cunningham spends lots of time on diamonds, but never more than on one he selected at the Wedding Ring Shop to give to the former Carla Valdez on their wedding day. It was a surprise to her, as it was actually an "upgrade to the majors" from the first engagement ring he'd given her previously ... Great ratings
Contact Dave by e-mail: donnelly@kestrok.com.