Olympic event
brings out starsTHE Ihilani Resort & Spa was awash again over the weekend with Olympians and beautiful women of Olympian proportions, all gathered to help raise funds for the U.S. Olympic Committee. There were also numerous Hollywood figures on hand for the weekend, which culminated with the annual auction presided over by Marjoe ("Say Hallelujah") Gortner. As he did last year, the former child evangelist managed to elicit numerous gifts and services from friends and sponsors and once again wheedled and cajoled well-heeled friends and supporters into bidding on various trips and baubles. Once again, many sponsors lined up to make it a weekend to remember, not the least of which were Paul Mitchell hair products and Patron tequila . . .
AS always, Ron Rice of Hawaiian Tropic had numerous volunteers on hand who were able to add that touch of beauty which seems so necessary at such functions. Among those on hand was Carolyn Sapp, 1992's Miss Hawaii and Miss America who, if you can believe it, is even more beautiful today than she was when she won her crown. (By the way, did you know she wears a belly button ring? I didn't either.) . . .
AMONG the Olympians on hand making a pitch for contributions to the U.S. effort were multiple gold medal winner Mark Spitz, a frequent isle visitor who keeps an apartment here. Some of us can take consolation in the fact that even he has the makings of a spare tire these days. Tall and lean Matt Biondi, winner of 11 Olympic medals for swimming, stood high above everyone. Other Olympians included gymnast Mitch Gaylord, decathlon champ Dan O'Brien, skier Tommy Moe and vollyballers Kent Steffes and Mike Dodd . . . Athletes and supporters
HOLLYWOOD types there included Peter Fonda, the stunning Traci Bingham of "Baywatch," Cuba Gooding Jr., Alan Thicke, charming actress Marlee Matlin (surprise winner in the SeaDoo racing contest, beating out Buzz Aldrin, no less) and for the younger crowd David Chokachi, Eddie Cibrian, Ian Ziering, Drew & Derek Riker and the ubiquitous Robin Leach. Broadcasters included CNN's original correspondent Bill Tush, Pat O'Brien of CBS and "Access Hollywood," Bill McAtee and Kathleen Sullivan, all sitting poolside and ignoring the World Series game on TV . . .
ASTRONAUT Buzz Aldrin recalled that former Star-Bulletin sports editor Jim Hackleman was his classmate at West Point before parting company with the Academy; Peter Fonda reminisced about the interview I did with him in 1970 on the KHET program "The Green Room." He's currently riding high with "Ulee's Gold" and as proud papa of actress Bridget Fonda. Fonda also has fond memories of his days in Lahaina with his yacht, "Tatoosh." . . . Large among auction bidders once again were TV producer Al Masini and wife April, who says that though their $12 million house in Hawaii Loa Ridge is for sale, they plan to keep a residence here . . . Isle memories
LOTS of athletic contest winners, lots of prizes and loads of fun, but the big winner was the U.S. Olympic Committee, and Hawaii and the Ihilani folks can take a bow for that . . .
Contact Dave by e-mail: donnelly@kestrok.com.