Sailing along
in the art worldYOU have to love those who dance to a really different drummer. Take Michael Noeth -- please! Noeth is a Navyman serving aboard the USS Russell, and when he decided to re-enlist, he asked if the ceremony could take place at the Honolulu Academy of Arts in front of "Arrangement in Black No. 5" painted by James McNeil Whistler in 1881. How come? Noeth had been an art student at the Fashion Institute of Technology when he got the travel bug and joined the Navy to get some "world experience." The Navy detected his talent for art and put him in the "Illustrator Draftsman" program where he began a new art career. His work has already been featured on the cover of All Hands magazine, a favorite of George Michael's. Why Whistler's painting? Noeth picked him not just because he's one of his favorites, but also because Whistler was kicked out of West Point. But I'm reminded of Oscar Wilde's bromide: "One's temper, like Mr. Whistler's paintings, should never be displayed in public."...
LOCAL actor Lito Capina went to New York to audition for a Filipino play, "Peregri Nasyon" (Wandering Nation.) He didn't get the part he wanted but was made assistant stage manager and dance consultant. While strolling through a supermarket after the gala opening, Capina ran into talk show host Conan O'Brien and had his photo taken with him in the canned goods section. O'Brien said he loved the Big Isle and especially the people and the weather. As for the play, Capina says it's a solid hit and will be performed in Hawaii in October and then in the Philippines...
Pet peeves
READER Larry Eshelman rails against a story in these pages the other day about "the most unique shopping on Oahu." You cannot properly modify "unique" Eshelman says. "It's either one of a kind or it isn't."... Then there's my sports colleague Bill Kwon writing about two golfers going at it mano a mano. To do that, they'd have to throw down their clubs and battle hand to hand, since that's what mano a mano means... Finally, I'm forever reading about a "head honcho" and there's even one mentioned in a popular song. There's a honcho, period. He's the top. There's none higher and there are no sub-honchos...TASTES like chicken: If you check the agenda of the Global Business conference in Istanbul where the East-West Center's Fereidun Fesharaki is slated to speak, you may question whether the topic is substance or sustenance. It reads, "Luncheon: Turkey Today and Turkey Tomorrow." Let's hope the speech isn't -- well, you know... One of the programs that'll be a part of the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel's fitness lifestyle week in December is "lean body resistance." I think I have that down pat...
An Appaloosa a day
THE folks at the Hawaii Humane Society are hoping it won't be raining cats and dogs this weekend. You see, they're concerned about more than felines and canines. That's why the horse show Saturday and Sunday at Maunawili Farm is a benefit for the society. Flying in to judge the horse show is the winningest Grand Prix rider in the U.S., Hap Hansen. He'll also demonstrate his extraordinary jumping skills Saturday afternoon. A number of local riders will be saddling up to try their luck against Hansen, including Olga Anderson on a leopard Appaloosa named Groucho Marx. You bet your life! The event is free all weekend and there'll be a silent auction on Saturday including art, travel, horsey stuff and even Beanie Babies...
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.