EMMA VEARY singing Irmgard Aluli's "E Maliu Mai" as Irmgard danced a sitting hula to the classic brought tears to the eye at my holiday lunch at the Hawaii Prince Captain's Room Monday. The party was twofold: To thank the many people who have me feeling good again and to recognize this year's winners of the Second Annual Brita Wood Memorial Golf Tournament. Gov. Ben Cayetano and Don Ho tied for first in the tourney, held at the links at Kuilima. The guv attended, as did Frank Steinmiller, last year's champ. The winners' names are on a beautiful wooden trophy carved by Bob Holden. Lunch becomes
a musical feast
The entertainment was first class. Kanoe Cazimero was a riot as emcee. Jim Nabors, a pal from the '60s, joined the party. He and Emma, my Roosevelt classmate, sang duets of "Silent Night" and "O Holy Night," backed by Kit Samson's piano wizardry. They were great. Jimmy Borges' "Christmas Song" was another vocal treat. Gaylen Akaka sang show tunes. Elizabeth Lindsey danced a lovely hula as Emma sang "Pretty Red Hibiscus." Martin Denny got things rolling, playing Christmas carols at the piano as guests sang along. The marvelous house band was made up of Mihana Souza, Owana Salazar and Kii Hugho. Owana also sang solo. Monsignor Charles A. Kekumano blessed the luncheon and spoke kindly about the host, which was appreciated ...
Edgy's riding high
EDGY LEE'S documentary about Hawaii's cowboys, "Paniolo O Hawaii," is informative, entertaining and educational. Comment in the film by paniolo Sonny Keakealani Jr., Yutaka Kimura, Andrew Kauai, Kimo Hoopai and Jiro Yamaguchi was super. Keakealani is priceless. The film was shown at the Royal Hawaiian last weekend, along with plenty of chow and music. Nina Kealiiwahamana and her brother, Boyce Rodrigues, sang "Makee Ailana" as Kaulana Kasparovitch and Nalani Keale danced hula, backed by George Kuo and friends. Fine stuff. Singer-musicians Leabert Lindsey, Sonny Lim, Nani Lim-Yap and husband, Ed, were outstanding ...MARIA FINAZZO was among guests impressed by the paniolo film. Maria has made her dad, Paul Finazzo, proud by becoming a copilot on Hawaiian Airlines' DC-10s. (Paul is a former HAL president.) Now Maria is into horses and is playing polo "with the guys" at Mokuleia, she reveals. Giving her polo pointers are Bob Shriver and Mike Dailey. Maria is just wild about Jojo, her own thoroughbred...
GUESTS WERE asked to come decorated as Christmas carols to Michael and Sharon Tiknis' party Sunday. My Bulletin colleague, Tim Ryan was dressed as Santa. Tim's wife, Nancy, held mistletoe over his head and kissed him. Their daughter, Carly, sang, "I Saw Mommie Kissing Santa Claus" ... Jean-Marie Josselin, A Pacific Cafe owner, placed 346th out of more than 33,000 who signed up for Sunday's marathon with a time of 3 hours, 9 minutes, 49 seconds. C'est magnifique! That's how he keeps his five eateries running and his weight down, with all the ono sauces and food ...
Benny Kalama retires
BENNY KALAMA, one of the grand old-timers of Hawaiian music who was with the Islanders at the Halekulani, retired this week ... The "Stomp" cast offers a taste of the show at Ala Moana CenterStage Tuesday at noon. "Stomp" plays at the Hawaii Theatre through Jan. 4 ... Sad to learn of Pat Olds' Dec. 13 death of lung cancer in Santa Rosa, Calif. Pat was a past president of the Hawaiian Rowing Association and the Koko Head Lions Club ...