Tan man now
cigar manTHE "Celebrity Register" back in 1963 said of then "suave motion picture star" George Hamilton that he "hopes some day to work for himself" and be an "original" instead of a type. Well, the handsome epitome of tanned success has done just that. In town over the weekend to promote his line of cigars (Hamiltons, made by H. Uppmann) the actor (most recently playing Jennie McCarthy's dead father appearing on videotape in the actress' short-lived TV series) showed up at a dinner in his honor at Havana Cabana Friday night, and then segued to David Paul's Diamond Head Grill for yet another gathering of cigar lovers. And yes, as you might expect, he was surrounded by gorgeous women. Still, everyone who met Hamilton came away feeling that the nearly-60 actor was a "regular guy" and fascinating conversationalist. As for working for himself, Hamilton has a line of cigar emporiums in Beverly Hills and Las Vegas and more opening in such spots as the Grand Caymans and Marbella, Spain ...
EVER get the idea that movie stars like Jean Claude Van Damme lead shuttered existences? You might, if you knew that while staying at the Halekulani, the actor called G.M. Pat Tam and asked for the name of the company that installed the shuttered doors in his suite. He said he thought they'd be perfect for his house, and one can't help but wonder if he kicks them in from time to time. Actually, Tam says, guests often request info about things, from the hotel's orchid pool to bedspreads, carpeting and even shower heads. She complies, agreeing that imitation is the highest form of flattery ...
Sounding and looking good
SAY what you will about karaoke, but Scott Shirai loves it so much that he not only engages in public singing, but has taught classes on how to do it and has co-authored a book on the subject. Now he and his co-author, Michelle Jerin, public relations director at Straub, plan to play beautiful music together for life. They're getting married ... Designer Anne Namba got some "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" on the "Good Morning America" show Friday. Singer Aretha Franklin showed up to do some cooking wearing an Anne Namba outfit, and showed herself to be still "Namba One," performing songs from her new album ...IT took Cynthia Child, former wife of ex-Alii member Manny Lagod, to point out that I seemed to have morphed two members of the group when I mentioned Don Ho was huddling with Benny Aquino at Kapalua. It was, of course, Rudy Aquino, not to be confused with yet another member of the group, Benny Chong ... Both Penn & Teller shows at the Hawaii Theatre were sell-outs Friday and Saturday. While the two are billed as magicians, they in fact do a comedy act in which magic plays about a 20 percent part. But they're so hip, hysterical and irreverent on stage that they wowed the crowd, and even went outside after their performance to schmooze with those leaving the theater and to sign autographs ...
Jumping into bed
WHAT you didn't see at the Honolulu International Bed Race Saturday: SleepLand USA's G.M. Mike Acree hiring a "Flying Elvis" to dress up in a blue-rhinestoned, bell-bottomed jumpsuit with white scarf and shades and drop into Kapiolani Park. If the "King" were to land on a King-sized mattress, Acree would donate another $1,000 to charity. The FAA grounded the idea -- the drop zone is in the airport flight path -- so Elvis arrived by limo. Acree kicked in the extra $1,000 anyway ...
Dave Donnelly has been writing on happenings
in Hawaii for the Star-Bulletin since 1968.
His columns run Monday through Friday.Contact Dave by e-mail: donnelly@kestrok.com.