‘Happily’ pokes fun
at whatevaTHE ears of author Lois Ann Yamanaka, who's been getting grief over "racial stereotypes" in her books, notably "Blu's Hangin'," must have been burning Friday night when Lisa Matsumoto's fairy tale evening, "Happily Eva Afta" opened at Diamond Head Theatre. The play, such as it is, likely won't win any awards such as the one first bestowed upon and then taken away from Yamanaka's book, but it far surpasses the latter in both humor and its use of stereotypes. In fact, that's pretty much the plot, with schtik borrowed variously from Abbott & Costello, Mike Myers, etc. Various princes, princesses and "whatevas" exist to pursue happiness in as joyful a collection of racial re-enforcement you're likely to see on stage. My particular favorite was the Filipino shoemaker, who kept saying "Jesus" in his stereotypical accent, which made it hilarious rather than sacrilegious. So the Chinese princess ("Ho Stuck Up") has a dollar sign printed on her kite? So what! It was an evening of delicious fun -- one Frank DeLima would enjoy -- and I hope the "politically correct" stay away in droves ...
WHY can't everyone be as ecumenical as the folks at Temple Emanu-el? Outside their Pali Highway headquarters is a sign promoting a bon dance at the Tendai Buddhist Temple ... Don Murphy is back from attending the All-Star game in Denver. The first 50,000 people to attend got handed Beanie Babies with a number on them, and just a few feet inside the door were people offering to buy each of them for $100. His companions unloaded theirs, but Murph decided to hold on, ultimately turning down $400 for the collectable. He plans to auction it at his next fund-raiser for the UH football boosters club ...
Size doesn't matter
FORGET the "Godzilla" slogan, in the case of the Pacific Cup race from California to the Kaneohe Yacht Club, both large and small came in victorious. First to cross the line was Roy Disney in his 70-foot "Pyewacket," shattering the former record. Now that he's won the Victoria to Maui, the Transpac and the Pacific Cup, Disney was asked at the awards ceremony, what next? Said he, "I'm goin' to Disneyland." (Actually, he's going to Matteo's tonight, for his regular Italian fix with owner Fred Livingston and isle pal Dick Grimm.) The overall handicap winner of the race was California dentist Bob Nance, who brought in his 30-foot boat Saturday. At that night's ceremonies, Nance deadpanned that he'd never seen the yacht club so filled, adding, "Of course, I've never been here on Saturday night before." His little boat usually came bobbing in on a Monday or Tuesday after the awards dinner ...TAKING a break at Havana Cabana late Friday night were David Paul from his Diamond Head Grill and Alex Avery, who runs David Paul's Lahaina Grill. Also stopping by was filmmaker Edgy Lee. Providing music was the Daytrippers, four young guys in black who sang nothing but Beatle songs. The place was filled with what the New York tabloids call the Beautiful People ...
Speaking of Beetles
MANY'S the isle resident who's bought a car on the mainland -- usually with no sales tax -- and shipped it to Hawaii. But Carolyn Hester, a visitor from Maryland, did just the reverse. Here to visit her newlywed sister Lucianne and hubby Warren Kendall, she spotted a 1998 red diesel VW Beetle, the car of her dreams, stopped in, test drove it and bought it on the spot. Hester says there's a six-month waiting period for the same car in Maryland ...
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.