Tatsuno has
home-run babyTHOSE of us who saw former UH Rainbows pitcher Derek Tatsuno in action will never forget him. He could have been a major leaguer, but went to Japan instead. Derek recognized a good curve when he saw one and even got to first base on occasion. A great delivery was one of the port-sider's specialties, and fortunately he was equally adept at coaching under pressure. This is prelude to the revelation that he's not about to get any relief in the near future, though you can bet there'll be considerable bunting in the Tatsuno household. I guess what I'm trying to say is that Tatsuno and wife Wendy are in the pink, having become parents Monday of Erin Keiko Tatsuno, who weighed in at 6 pounds, 7 1/2 ounces. She's a hit, this Erin, and all runs are well-earned...
YOU might say that Channel 9 sports guys Neil Everett and Paul Drewes are amazing -- especially if they're taking on kids. The two were challenged by Hauula Elementary students Seini Piei and Tomasi Fuller to see which pair could finish first in the "World of Wonder Giant Maze" at Pearlridge. The teams started at opposite ends of the maze and while you might figure the kids could outsmart their older counterparts, these guys are competitive. They beat the youngsters by more than a minute. I hope they're proud. If you want to try it yourself, the maze will be up until Monday...
Seventh ring of hell
WITH apologies to Dante, tomorrow is the day of the seventh annual Tantalus Tropical Trek, a masochistic exercise created by members of HURT. That's the Hawaiian Ultra Running Team. The "trek" consists of a 10-mile and 50K run and hike on the Makiki-Tantalus trails. Millie Schatz is race director for the second year, after replacing the injured Randy Havre, who did the first five. Havre is a stockbroker, so he's been hurting enough lately...THE HVCB had better watch out! Tourism from Japan is already down, and yesterday the Japan Times reported that the L.A. Convention and Visitor's Bureau has just opened in Tokyo its first full-time international office outside North America. It's function -- to promote L.A. as a tourism destination for Japanese... Karaoke in the nation's Dairyland? Well, sort of. National ads placed by America's Dairy Farmers read, "Don't add keraoke night. Just add cheese." Keraoke?...
THERE'S a victory party reception tonight at Fisherman's Wharf Restaurant for Angel Teves, winner of the national title, Ms. American United States. The reception (from 8:30 to 11 p.m.) is open to the public and will also honor Mrs. Hawaii, Jenny Souza, and Miss Hawaii Teen-United States, Keola Dalire. Hosts Al Waterson and Nancy Bernal, who preside over karaoke at Fisherman's Wharf, hope to get the beauty queens to form a musical trio at the reception...
'Pageant' beautiful
WATCHING six very typical beauty pageant contestants from various parts of the country all trying to win over the judges, is usually not a hilarious experience. Add one new dimension to that. All six are played by men in gowns. Director Andrew Sakaguchi has managed to get just the right quality out of each contestant, and after displaying their wares and showing off their "talents," the contestants are judged by five pre-selected audience members, so there could be a different winner each night. Sounds awful, right? Well, not only isn't "Pageant" awful, it's a lot of fun, though there were times I felt guilty laughing at what was going on. Oh yes, my "girl" won the night I saw it ...
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.