Willie K, Emme win applause
WILLIE K blew everyone away singing "O Holy Night" in English and Hawaiian, backed by the Hawaii Youth Symphony Sunday at the taping of Emme Tomimbang's "Emme's Island Moments" in the Hilton Village Coral Ballroom. He had tough acts to follow, too, including Emme's "the show must go on" act of courage after falling into the Christmas tree at a dark end of the stage while the Krush was singing. "My back hurts," she said laughing. "No laugh, it hurts. I'm so embarrassed." Later in the program the Krush sang a few lines they quickly composed about Emme's tumble. It was truly an "Emme's Island Moment." A "Moment" Emme will treasure more was when she joined her stars, led by Jason Scott Lee, in singing the "Twelve Days of Christmas" pidgin style. It was great. Jimmy Borges, Willie K, Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, the Krush, Brook Lee and Irmgard Aluli and Puamana took part. Harry Soria kept the crowd happy when cameras weren't rolling. The ballroom Yule lights and decor by the Hilton staff and Mamo (Ornellas) Flowers Inc. were exceptional ... Hilton has Paul Anka in the ballroom New Year's Eve ...
AFTER a dazzling Concert Hall performance last Saturday night, Bolshoi Ballet members danced into the Chart House, where promoter Tom Moffatt had arranged dinner. C.H. Manager Scott Okamoto said all the Russians ordered filet mignon or prime rib. House singer-guitarist Tito Berinobis was in good form ... Moffatt brings the great Tony Bennett to the Concert Hall New Year's Eve. The evening starts at 8:30 in the new Galleria with pupu, free nonalcoholic drinks, no-host cocktails and dancing to Willy Barton's band. The Bennett show follows at 10:30. Guests return to the Galleria after the show to welcome in the New Year and dance until 1:30 a.m. Tickets are $175, $135 and $100 ...
Hudgins sprints ahead
BEVERLY HUDGINS, manager of Saks Off 5th in Waikele since it opened in 1994, has been promoted to Western regional director and will oversee 17 Saks Off 5th stores. Assistant manager Joy Oshiro steps up into Beverly's spot. Hudgins will be based in New York. "I'm really looking forward to the challenge, but I will miss Hawaii tremendously," she said. "I feel like I gave birth to this store. I'll be back. I'm not selling my place." Beverly will run the Honolulu Marathon, her seventh, Dec. 14 before leaving ..."IT'S HARD to say but E.Z. to wear," chorus Fernando Ulloa and Noah Alexander, co-managers at Ermenegildo Zegna, to counter a recent Dave Shapiro column about how hard it is to pronounce the store's name. Zegna will send master tailor Mihai Andre with fabric samples to offices to size customers for made-to-measure clothing ...
STACEY Archer-Little directs and choreographs the UH Rainbow Dancers who performed at halftime of the UH-Notre Dame game. Stacey is the daughter of George and Lorna Archer Jr. Her granddad led a group called George Tautu Archer and His Pagans, well known in the old days ... Holiday evening wear and cruise collections will be displayed at the luncheon fashion show at the Kahala Mandarin's Plumeria Cafe Thursday ...
Bill Cox takes final bow
PIANIST Bill Cox, leader of the Over the Hill Gang Jass Band, died Thursday in Kaiser of liver and kidney problems. I called Bill, who was ailing, about 10 days ago. He said he would play with the band at a gig last Saturday. "He was determined to play but he couldn't make it," said his companion Patty Knisley. "His body wouldn't let him" ...