AFTER seeing what Mel Gibson went through in all of those "Lethal Weapon" pictures, I didn't think filmmakers could dream up more ways for him to take a brutal pounding and still come back to dish out more than he gets. But they have in "Payback," the Gibson film that has all the rough stuff that most anyone would desire. Lucy Liu is deliciously bad as a sexy, sadomasochism queen ... Mel pays back
the bad guys
Loggins gets it on
KENNY LOGGINS had the packed Waikiki Shell crowd singing, shouting and dancing in the aisles Tuesday night in his socko pops concert with the symphony. He sang ballads, rock and even a little Hawaiian with Hapa during the Aexceptional performance. Everette Harp's sax solos were outstanding ...STAR-Bulletin Publisher John Flanagan got his hole-in-one Jan. 24 on the Hawaii Kai Par 3 course, and on Monday Bulletin intrepid photographer Ken Sakamoto fired a hole-in-one, his second. Ken used a 6-iron on the 153-yard second hole at Ala Wai ... Pro Bowl quarterback Vinnie Testaverde was driving down the fairways at Hawaii Prince Golf Club last week ... Watercolors by Mapuana Schneider will be shown at Native Books & Beautiful Things at Ward Warehouse, March 4-26 ...
JAZZ lovers can mark Valentine's Day tomorrow by taking in six hours of jazz, starting at 2 p.m., on the grounds of the Downtown Post office. Reserved courtyard seats are $18 but lawn seating is free. Food and beverage will be available. Ruth Lin will brew her Illy espresso with Belgium white chocolate spoons that melt in the coffee. A group including trumpet man John Norris kicks things off with Dixieland music. From 3 to 4 p.m., the powerhouse lineup of singers Jimmy Borges and Azure McCall and musicians Gabe Baltazar, Betty Loo Taylor, Steve Jones and Jesse Gopen cut loose ... Shari Lynn and Fascinatin' Rhythm perform for dancers on Valentine's Day, , 7 to 11 p.m., in the Kahala Mandarin's Lobby Lounge ... The Let's Dance party with the Willie Barton big band is tomorrow in the Royal's Monarch Room ...
AT&T presents a Spring Wine Celebration, a benefit for Rehab Hospital, March 6-7, at the Hilton Village. The centerpiece is a dinner with fine wine on March 6 in Tropics by Piero Selvaggio and chef Angelo Auriana of Valentino in L.A., rated tops in Wine Spectators' list of American 10 Best Italian Restaurants. Cost is $250 per person. The next day will feature a wine tasting, with silent and live auctions, and a wine seminar. Call Susan Kam at 544-3385 for information ...
THE Washington Post called Momix, a company of illusionist dancers booked at the Hawaii Theatre Friday and next Saturday, "a grown-up fantasy world of the best bodies, the neatest toys and a magician's sleight of hand" ... Hawaii lost one of its grand ladies when Kathleen Perry died Jan. 30 at 96. She was instrumental in the Willows becoming a world-class restaurant. Condolences to her son, Grandy, and other family members ...
Singin' the radio blues
OLD pals Brickwood Galuteria and Frank B. Shaner of KINE 105 FM told listeners they were upset that I didn't list their names and station last week in announcing the Aloha Friday monthly luncheon show at the Princess Kaiulani. Brick and Frank are hosts of the fine show that is broadcast live. I heard of the show late and cut other column items to include the luncheon and its stars, the most important things. There was no room for the young whippersnappers. Byeeeeee ...
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.