Aluli’s first CD
is solid goldTHE CD, "From Irmgard with Love," is a treasure chest of island songs written by a living legend, Irmgard Farden Aluli, 86, and performed by Irmgard and her family group, Puamana. Irmgard's daughters, Mihana Souza and Aima McManus, and her niece, Luana McKenney, make up Puamana. Other family members and Hawaiian musicians dear to Irmgard, such as Mahi Beamer and Anuhea Brown, perform on some numbers. It is the first CD by Aluli and is a gem. Besides her big compositions, "E Maliu Mai" and "Puamana," I particularly like the swinging fun number "Kumu Kalidadidi;" her love song, "One Little Dream of You," and a nice and easy "Maui" ...
Birthdays at the Souzas'
THE Chuck and Mihana Souza Kailua household is jumping more than usual this weekend because their daughter, Mahina, had a birthday yesterday and Mihana and her twin brother, Inoa, have a birthday on Monday. Mihana has been celebrating early, singing and dancing with the Halekulani's House Without a Key trio of Walter Mookini, Harold Hakuole and Helene Woodward as pal Fay Myers cheered. She also was honored at a Kahala Mandarin luncheon by Laurie Tom, Rachel Simmons, Corky Trinidad, Ted McAneeley and other friends Thursday ... Also marking birthdays Monday are singers Jeff Apaka and Dottie Todd and kumu hula Aloha DeLire ...LA MER is offering a six-course dinner with wines and a tour of the kitchen for five days starting Monday for $85, tip included ... Many isle restaurants will take part in the three-day Taste of Honolulu, starting at 5 p.m. Friday on the Civic Center grounds near City Hall ... Steck's boss Zyron Schoniwitz has a new chef, Andrea Carta, who has added Italian specials to the menu ... Field's Dining & Dancing is holding a grand opening party Friday with Tom Moffatt as emcee. Field's, formerly the Pink Cadillac, is owned by Mike and Suzie Field and Kiyoshi Nakasone ...
THE annual golf tourney to benefit the American Diabetes Association is scheduled July 9 at Hickam. Call 521-1142 to enter ... Eddie and Myrna Kamae's film on Luther Kahekili Makekau will be screened tomorrow by KHON at 4 p.m. ... The Over the Hill Gang Jass Band plays at Cafe Sistina Wednesday... Wade Cambern, formerly of the Hawaiian Style Band, performs at 3660 on the Rise Friday, 9 to 11 p.m. ...
IT'S time for the Let's Dance party with Willie Barton's big band at the Royal Hawaiian tomorrow from 6 to 9 p.m.. Al Waterson and Rene Mansho are singing hosts. Other singers are Jan Brenner, George Chun and Sonny McGuire ...
AFTER reading in the Star-Bulletin that Molokai poet Tristan Kiyan, 9, had an interest in volcanoes but has never seen one, Molokai Ranch President Jim Mozley had Tristan and his family flown to the Big Island to see Kilauea this week. The family received VIP treatment at the Volcano House ...
Hop to it
HAWAII Public Radio's International Beer Tasting will be held Thursday 5:30 to 8 p.m. in the parking lot across from Ward Centre. HPR officials Valerie Yee and Judy Neale have been working with distributors of more than 100 different beers that will be available to sample for those who pay the $20 admission. Matt Yee and the Mattaio Band will perform Jawaiian favorites. A beer boutique and food concessions from Dixie Grill, Compadres, Sam Choy's, Alonzo's, Gordon Biersch and other restaurants will be available. Call 955-8821 for tickets ...
Ben Wood, who sold the Star-Bulletin in the streets
of downtown Honolulu during World War II, writes of
people, places and things every Saturday.
His columns appear online every Monday.