Birthing of
TheBus, Part IIREADING here about politics making strange bedfellows, Anita Brightman has a question. If, as he claims, Kekoa Kaapu (who lost in his race for City Council) fathered the bus system as we know it and Frank Fasi, as mayor, gave birth to it, Brightman wants to know what her father's role was in the entire affair. It was her dad, Hugh George Davis, who was treasurer of the old Honolulu Rapid Transit Co. and who was sent to the mainland to look into transportation systems in various locales. He came away convinced that a bus should be used to replace electric or trolley-operated cars. His choice was accepted by HRT and now Kaapu and Fasi can quarrel about claims of midwifery...
YOU see thumbs both up and down about the decor at David Paul's Diamond Head Grill, but one publication in particular gives it an enthusiastic vote of approval. David Paul Johnson's new establishment is recognized in this month's 10th anniversary collector's issue of Food Arts magazine. It's the only one from Hawaii and one of just 22 nationwide included in a feature on "Looks of the Decade." David Paul's "undulating see-through wine wall," which does "double duty as a room divider" is pictured in the article on hot restaurant designs...
SPEAKING of David Paul's, Hapa will be featured entertainment at the next Full Moon Concert on Oct. 4. Barry Flanagan and Keli'i Kaneali'i, who make up Hapa, have been encouraged by national acceptance of their newest CD, "In the Name of Love." It debuted at No. 5 on Billboard's World Music chart...
Big wheel
HEADING for Vegas and want to make an impression? Just flash a reproduction of the watch Bugsy Siegel used to hand out at the Flamingo when it opened in 1946. Local businesswoman Linda Keisman of Ho'olauna Hawaii won the exclusive rights to reproduce Bugsy's roulette wheel pocket watch with a bezel that actually spins...IT promises to be a grand time for Judy Park Saturday when she takes part in the 5K "Memory Walk" at Ala Moana Park. That is to say, after beginning to line up pledges for the Alzheimer's Association for her participation in the walk, she found she had $850, so she set her sights on an even grand -- $1,000. Park is walking as part of a team from Consolidated Amusement in Pearlridge where she works part time. Most of her pledges were in $5 and $10 denominations, but these things have a way of adding up. You can still register to walk at 6 a.m. Saturday at Ward Warehouse's main stage...
ONE lover of Chinese cuisine was surprised when he visited the Beijing Duck Restaurant at Pensacola and Young for the first time. Somehow he expected to find Peking Duck on the menu, but no such luck. Then he got to thinking, heck, you don't expect to get a filet of dragon at the Golden Dragon Restaurant ...
East-West seafood center
SEAFOOD lovers are applauding the new chef at Orchids in the Halekulani. Chef Jean-Pierre Maharibatcha has this thing for seafood, and has even introduced a "help yourself" seafood appetizer buffet in Orchids that includes such goodies as poke, shrimp, fresh oysters, seafood salad and whatever else hits his fancy on a given night. His regular menu offers Opakapaka East (with Wasabi Mashed Potatoes, Asian Vinaigrette and Wasabi Cream) or Opakapaka West (in a Papillote with Provencale Vegetables.) Other specialties are Paella and Maine Lobster Thermidor, but there are some non-seafood entrees, too. And Orchids now is opened for lunch as well as dinner...
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.