Jazz festival has
swingin’ previewABE WEINSTEIN, blowing his clarinet like a pied piper to "When the Saints Go Marching In," led a line of jazz fans around the Plaza Club during a Hawaii International Jazz Festival fund-raiser last weekend. It was a swinging affair with Jimmy Borges and Sydette Sakauye knocking out standards to the hot licks of John Norris on coronet, guitarist Danny Otholt, bassist Steve Jones, drummer Sonny Froman, trombonist Jim Decker, pianist Carolly Erickson and Weinstein. Katie Shriver and Terry Lynn Pershing also sang. Mardi Gras show girls and belly dancers added to the fun. Cuisine was served by Gary Strehl and Benson Lau of the Hawaii Prince and Plaza Chef Paul Jarrett. Weinstein, Lorraine Leslie and Belle Armstrong set up the event. The festival is July 23-26 at the Hawaii Theatre ...
Harry weds Holly
ISLE music authority Harry Soria Jr. wed Holly Midori Honbo Sunday. Many guests performed at the Royal Hawaiian Monarch Room reception for 275 people, emceed by Emme Tomimbang. Singer-guitarists Sonny Kamahele and his son, King, and steel guitarist Greg Sardinha made up the excellent house band. Holly had best man Alan Akaka play piano and Gary Aiko sing "Hawaii's Charm," a song written by Harry's late dad. A surprised Harry was knocked out. Kimo Kahoano, also in the wedding party, did his funny Carole Kai impersonation. Slack key guitarist-singer George Kuo delighted the crowd with his selections, including "Makee Ailana," as Mapuana de Silva danced ...KAHAUANU LAKE'S proteges, who make up the group Kuliaikanuu -- Walter Kawaiaea, Kale Chang and Shawn Pimental -- and hula dancer Luana Kawaiaea, Walter's wife, performed admirably. The lovely bride danced "Pua Ahihi." Also stepping up to hula were: April Chock, Michael Pang, Marmie Kaaihue, Keola Beamer and Mihana Souza. Cathy Foy sang "Dancing Under the Stars" as the newlyweds danced. Other singers included Keau Costa, Mark and Oakleigh Akaka and Japan's George Matsushita. Ethelynne Teves, Leinaala Simerson, Ihilani Miller and Tony Conjugacion sang before dinner ...
ABOUT 80 people turned out to wish Alfred Asup Hong happy birthday on his 80th Sunday. The party for the former Charley's Tavern mainstay was held at the Beachcomber Hotel in Don Ho's showroom. Al and Vera's daughter, Ceseli, is married to Lorrin Lee, Beachcomber showroom manager. Craig Yasaka, the hotel's exec chef, laid out the food. It was also the 5th birthday of the Lees' twins, Courtney and Cody. The twins' sister, Jennifer, only 12, was emcee ...
P.R. women say aloha
SOME 35 people showed up at Compadres last weekend to say aloha to Darien Robin, who has shuttered her public relations firm and is relocating to Santa Barbara. Darien says the poor isle economy forced her exodus after 13 years ... Royal Hawaiian P.R. chief Barbara Sheehan, who has been with Sheraton here 18 years and has lived here 23 years, leaves July 15 for Scottsdale, Ariz. Barbara, like Darien a single parent, also says it's become too tough to make ends meet here ... Kahala Mandarin P.R. director Suzanne Erler leaves for Seattle July 10 ... Yvonne Landavazo has taken over as P.R. regional director of Four Seasons Resorts in Hawaii ...ONE MO ITEM: Herb and Jennifer Zukerkorn had friends at their Diamond Head home to watch the Missouri arrive Sunday and served an all-American meal of hot dogs, hamburgers and potato salad ...
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.