Neiman Marcus
gala has glitterTHE Neiman Marcus people are planning what they hope will be the party of the year for their gala black tie opening Sept. 17 at Ala Moana Center. It's a benefit for Hawaii Theatre Center, Honolulu Symphony, Academy of Arts and Contemporary Museum. The Kamehameha High Marching Band and pa'u riders will greet guests at the entry. Texas Meets Hawaii is the first-floor theme with Asleep at the Wheel, a Grammy-winning Country band, solo guitarist Ron Tish and a paniolo band featuring slack key guitarist George Kuo. Western food will be offered. On the second floor, continental cuisine will be on the plate with swinging singer Jimmy Borges, sax star Gabe Baltazar and a jazzy combo, pianists Ginny Tiu and Noly Paa and flamenco guitarist Bob Goldsmith. Pacific rim food and popular Puamana with lovely hula dancer Kanoe Miller, Pookela, the Paradise Sisters and Twist & Shout will highlight floor three. Rolando Sanchez and Salsa Hawaii will perform near the exit. Tickets are $175; call 951-3406 ...
The write stuff
JUDGE Jim Burns said he was at Kailua Pizza Hut and when the waitress saw him sign his name, she said, "You write just like my father." St. Louis High grad Burns, recalling how the teachers taught and stressed penmanship, told the waitress that her dad must also be a former St. Louis student. She said absolutely, and identified her father as George Mauliola. Burns smiled because he and Mauliola were classmates from first grade on up at St. Louis ... Emme Tomimbang, Burns' wife, presents "The Best of Emme's Island Moments" on KHON tomorrow at 1 p.m. ...SHOWCASE '98, the benefit for children's art programs at the Academy of Arts Sunday night, drew a sold-out crowd of 600. The Academy Guild put on the fab "Gourmets for Monets" evening, a combination of food, wine and art. The island music of the Yim Brothers -- Kelley, Stephen and Mark -- and Kawika Gapero and Roy Hamada of Pueo further enhanced the evening. Kudos to chairs Philip and Gerry Ching and their daughter, Melissa Benjamin. George Ellis, academy president, was a happy camper Sunday. He said they hope to expand Showcase next year ...
CHEERS to Larry Price and Michael W. Perry, who mark 15 years with KSSK today ... Frank "Tiger Woulds" DeLima's Pocho Shootout, to enrich his Student Enrichment Program, is Sept. 11, at Ala Wai. The $125 entry includes green fees, banquet, beverages, prizes and entertainment. Call Rick Chong at 941-9402 ... The Peter Moon Band performs at the Tapa Bar Sept. 4-6 as part of the Hilton Village Labor Day weekend Moon Festival ...
Beefing up at Hoku's
TODAY and tomorrow are the last two days for the island-style Kobe Beef Festival at Hoku's. The beef comes from Monty Richards' Kahua Ranch on the Big Isle. Myers Advertising and Susan Sunderland are now handling P.R. and promotions for the Kahala Mandarin. Pierre Barthes is the hotel's new food and beverage boss and Markus Greiner is executive chef ... Chef Sam Choy doesn't let the grass grow under his feet. The Kahuku boy who made good will introduce his Big Aloha Beer and poke dishes at Aloha Stadium Thursday when the UH Rainbows open against Arizona. Sam's brewmaster is David Campbell ... Aloha to the Star-Bulletin's Kekoa Catherine Enomoto who is moving to Maui and will be cooking up stories for the Maui News. Her last day at the Bulletin is Monday ...
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.