A testimonial dinner for Monsignor Charles A. Kekumano, who is battling cancer, will be held Feb. 1 at the Sheraton Waikiki. The event will raise funds for Maryknoll School. The theme, suggested by Kekumano, is "Help a Child Step Up." It gets under way at 6 p.m. with no-host cocktails. Dinner follows at 7. Tickets are $100. Sponsor tables of 10 are priced at $5,000, $3,000 and $1,000. Gladys Brandt is honorary chair and Patrick Downes is emcee. Invocation will be by Father Francis A. Diffley. The keynote speaker is Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo. Nina Kealiiwahamana is in charge of the entertainment, so it is bound to be special. Owen Ho is doing the decorations ... Dinner planned
for Kekumano
MOLOKAI Ranch has honored five cowboys for lengthy service. Jimmy Duvauchelle, with 31 years and Charlie Uahinui, 30 years, both fourth generation ranch paniolo, and Morrency "Porky" Dudoit, 29 years, head the list. They are followed by William "Billy" Starkey Jr., 14 years, and Emerson Makekau, 12 years. All were born on Molokai and are Molokai High grads ... John and Lita Cook's Hawaii'i Pa'u Riders from Waimanalo make their fifth appearance in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year's Day ...
Plaza, Simmons celebrate
THE Polynesian Plaza apartment complex in Waikiki marked its 25th year Sunday under the Shidler Group. It was also the 25th year Rachel Simmons has managed the property. Jay Shidler and partner Ronald Petty attended the party. Longtime residents, led by June Wong, who has 27 years in the building, were among the guests. Music and hula was by Blaine and Caroline Kia, John Porcas, Dale Sugiki and Caroline Julian. A blessing was given by Kahuna Pule R.M.K. Freitas and his entourage. Hawaii Clambake catered ... Danny Kaleikini and Society of Seven leader Tony Ruivivar did guest vocals at the big band dance at the Royal Hawaiian Sunday. They should hold those quarterly dances more often ...DEC. 15 marked California Pizza Kitchen's 10th year in Hawaii. The Kahala store, one of three here, is the highest grossing restaurant in the 75-restaurant chain. On the day before Christmas, CPK gave 300 pizzas to the Salvation Army to distribute to the needy. CPK does this nationwide ... Jim Banigan of Hawaii Metal Recycling, with KHON's Leslie Wilcox, went on a $3,000 shopping spree at Kmart to buy goods for the needy ... Volunteers from the Hilton Hawaiian Village helped Kau Kau Wagon feed 300 homeless on Christmas at Chinatown's Gateway Park ...
OFFICIALS of Roosevelt's Class of '48 are urging classmates to send in reservations now for 50th class reunion events. Bert Komenaka has crafted an eight-string tenor uke out of Honduran mahogany and Brazilian hardwood that will be a door prize at one event. Call Miki Beamer at 988-2042 for further info ... Following his release of a CD of Lena Machado's classics, Mike Cord of Cord International has put out "Journey Through the Years," a CD of Cecilio & Kapono's greatest hits ... Danny Couch has a new CD out entitled, "Almost Paradise" ...
Forever Young
SUNDAY'S death of John Young, 88, was a major loss for Honolulu's art community. I've always loved his art, starting with the seascapes with a touch of the abstract in earlier years, and later his striking horses. I'll always remember John zooming along in his Porsche with the top down, silver hair in the breeze and often with an attractive lady at his side. The man loved life and lived it well ...