THIS is for people who are thanking me for writing a letter printed this week by Midweek, the free tabloid sent unsolicited to mail boxes all over town. The letter berates the publication and calls it "a real rag" -- but a small point should be made. It's signed "Dave Donnelly/Downtown," but I didn't write it! So it was either some other person named Dave Donnelly who wrote it or perhaps a hoax perpetrated on Midweek. (They must check those things, don't they?) For the record, I don't recall ever writing a letter to the editor of any publication in the past several decades. I have nothing against letter writers, to be sure. It's just that I am not one ... Disclaimer
for letter in tab
JUST because you're in Miami Beach instead of Waikiki doesn't mean you can't get a whiff of the fragrance of aloha. Just ask Honolulu dental surgeon Marty Zais. He was in Miami Beach where he was presented one of only five annual volunteer awards from the national American Lung Association. To mark the occasion, Zais and wife Rosemary each were presented with fresh, flown-in leis by such other isle volunteers as Sharon Takiguchi (president of the Lung Association in Hawaii), Dr. Ben Berg, Mal Koga, Jan Meadowcroft, Rose Ann Poyzer and Doug Yee. It marked the second time in three years an isle resident won the national recognition. Randall Chang of City Bank was given the same award two years ago ...
Valentine-y suggestions
IF you're looking for something a little special to do on Valentine's Day, herewith a few suggestions. It'll be your last chance to dine at Keo's Thai Cuisine on Kapahulu. Owner Keo Sananikone is closing his doors that night to concentrate fully on his new Thai eatery in the Ambassador Hotel ... You can take your sweetheart for a ride in a horse-drawn carriage through Waikiki Saturday night. The carriages are on Lewers Street across from the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center ... If you fly BusinessFirst on Continental Airlines on Valentine's day, Continental's Ron Wright will see you enjoy Rose Ruinart Champagne and Godet chocolate liqueur served in chocolate cups. This hardly sounds like "business first." But prospective Valentines say chocolate is a sure-fire secret to success ...FOODIES find themselves mesmerized by the TV Food Channel, and in particular by Chef Emeril Lagasse, host of "Emeril Live" and "The Essence of Emeril." Now they can see him in action in person as he teams with Hawaii's Chef Sam Choy at the Big Brothers Big Sisters fifth annual "Gourmet Affair." It's being held this year on March 20 at the Hawaii Prince Hotel. For tickets call BBBSH at 521-3811 ...
King Charlie
HIS name is Charlie King as almost everyone on Kauai knows, and as president of King Auto Center in Lihue he's been named a recipient of Time Magazine's Quality Dealer Award, one of just 74 selected from more than 20,500 nationwide. The award isn't just for those demonstrating exceptional performance in their dealerships, but for distinguished community service as well. King has been very active with the Kauai Chamber of Commerce, Kauai Business Council, Kauai Junior Golf Association, Kauai Hospice and St. Michael & All Angels Church. In addition, he received the 1997 Governor's Kilohana Award for Outstanding Volunteer and the '97 Humanitarian of the Year award from Kauai Chamber of Commerce and Island Business magazine. When not selling cars, he's also chairman of Mayor Maryann Kusaka's relection campaign. Charlie, like Time, marches on ...
Contact Dave by e-mail: donnelly@kestrok.com.