Spengler to chair
Open in 2000HAWAII Hall of Fame golfer Paul Spengler will be general chairman of the 100th U.S. Open when it is played in the year 2000 at the famed Pebble Beach course. Spengler, installed in the Aloha Section Hawaii PGA Hall of Fame Hall last year, is V.P. of golf operations for the Pebble Beach Co. The former islander was also general chairman of the event when it was held there in 1992. Spengler said that in '92 they sold only eight corporate hospitality tents. But they have already sold 51 tents at $150,000 each for the 2000 Open ...
Jim's going to 'Dollywood'
JIM NABORS, with aide Judy Murata at the Halekulani Thursday night, said he soon will be appearing in Tennessee at "Dollywood." Hearing this, the Honolulu Symphony's Michael Tiknis asked Jim to ask Dolly Parton if she would do a pops concert here. Jim said he would. Nabors, home for two weeks, is touring the mainland. Hawaii Newspaper Agency G.M. Dennis Francis, who just celebrated his 40th birthday, was at the same function, a Cartier reception for the Academy Guild of the Honolulu Academy of Arts. He said he watched Nabors on TV when he was a kid. Francis listened to criticism of all the Starr, Lewinsky, Clinton garbage carried by the U.S. media and explained why it is run. Four models in body stockings, wearing precious Cartier gems, stood like statues fronting pillars. Security personnel stood like statues nearby. Jazzy music by pianist Kit Samson, bassist Byron Yasui and flute player Rocky Holmes hit the spot ...THE 16th annual free Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival will be held Aug. 16 at McCoy Pavilion in Ala Moana Park, 4 p.m. The powerful lineup includes brothers Cyril, Martin and James "Bla" Pahinui, Willie K, Dennis Kamakahi, Ozzie Kotani, BB Shawn, Matt Swalinkavich, the Native Hawaiian Band, 'Ohana O Kauai, the Three D's, Jonathan Castillo and Ho'okena featuring Glen Smith ...
RICHARD HANDL, who at one time ran the Kahala Hilton, retired July 4 after 25 years as Hilton's president for Asia, Australia and the Pacific. But Handl is too valuable for Hilton to let go, so the company convinced him to stay on for six months as a consultant ... Hawaii Centers for Independent Living holds its annual golf tourney Aug. 27 at Leilehua. The center provides services for people with disabilities. Call 522-5400 for info ...
THE Iolani Class of '79 unleashed its school spirit at last Saturday'sAll Class Reunion, "A Touch of Iolani," at the school. The '79ers organized the event for 450 people and also helped cook and serve food. Alums working included: Armand Chong, Donn Ariyoshi, Creighton Arita, Brian Chee, Ken Hayashida, Kent Hironaka, Rew Ikazaki, Rand Totoki, Glen Kaneshige, Ronald Nishihara, Troy Miyasato, Paul Kennedy and Jeffrey Mori. Russell Yamamato, '69, received the alumni service award from headmaster Val Iwashita ...
Cheers for UH's Mortimer
THREE cheers for UH Prez Kenneth Mortimer for refusing to play any of the WAC defectors. When they departed, Murphy's Don Murphy was quick to say don't schedule any of 'em anymore. Murphy doesn't just talk. He raised $63,000 for the 'Bow football team last week through a Pigskin Pigout and auction at his joint. UNLV football coach Jeff Horton was shocked recently that UH turned down a 10-year home-and-home series. Duh! What the heck did he expect after UNLV joined the defectors? ...
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.