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Hawaii
HAWAII has its work cut out trying to overcome the bad karma caused by a plethora of purse-snatchings involving tourists. It wasn't widely reported, but the 72-year-old visitor from Japan who was the victim of a purse-snatcher at Ala Moana on Sunday was celebrating her birthday at the time. Fortunately, an off-duty public safety officer spotted the culprits and his info led to their arrest. But the visitor from Japan, a repeat visitor, has bad memories of her birthday in "Paradise." Volunteers from VASH, the group that aids tourists who are victims of crime in Hawaii, sent her flowers, but she was reluctant to see visitors ... Theft mars birthday
CHINESE honeymooners who were robbed at gunpoint were so traumatized by the incident they locked themselves in their hotel room. The pair wouldn't accept calls from VASH, but when a volunteer known as Mr. Li sent them a note in Chinese, they warmed up and by the time the VASH people saw them off at the airport with leis, it was like they'd become old friends. And as they and their tour group were getting on the plane, all stood and applauded Li and the local volunteers who labored to ease their painful experience ...
Eyes on the stars
IF people heading for the Hula Bowl on Maui get there a few days early, they can see a group of football legends, including several Heisman Trophy winners. No, O.J. Simpson won't be among them. But teeing up at the Dunes at Maui Lani Friday will be trophy holders Tony Dorsett,Steve Owens, Joe Bellino, Howard "Hopalong" Cassidy, Johnny Rodgers, Gino Toretta and Mike Rozier. Others joining that elite group will be John Mackay and Hawaii's Russ Francis and Mosi Tatupu. Kids from "Teens on Call" will be on hand to assist in many areas. They've been supported by Maui Lani in all of the resort's promotional events over the years ...
MANY people attending Kokokahi Gym Team's "Aloha Gymfest" this past weekend were awed by the performances of 15-year-old Japanese gymnast Miho Takenaka, who won top honors. Then came word she's headed for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney with Japan's Olympic gymnastics team. One of the judges at the local tourney was also a judge at the 1996 Olympics, and gave Miho a score of 9.9 on her floor routine, even though it appeared flawless. The feeling was that they wanted her to earn her first perfect 10 at the Olympics. Someone to keep your eye on ...
HEARD about the king who won a bellhop award? It's true. Darren Na'ihe, king of the Aloha Festivals Big Island royal court, is a bellman at the Four Seasons Resort, Hualalai, and was honored as "Bell Person of the Year" at the Hawaii Hotel Association's recognition luncheon ...
Different island fare
WHEN we speak of "regional cuisine" in Hawaii, we're generally thinking of the Hawaii region. But other places have regional cuisine as well. Take Micronesia, for example. Chef Stephen Marquard of the Outrigger Marshall Islands Resort on Majuro, is a former Hawaii chef who learned his craft working withRussell Siu and Gary Strehl. He blends fresh Marshall Island staples such as breadfruit, pandanus, coconut, banana, fish and shellfish, with flavors and cooking techniques of Europe and Asia. You can taste the results when he and fellow chef Guy Hulin of the Outrigger Hotel Tahiti share their flavors in a cooking demo at Liberty House Ala Moana on Sunday, Jan. 23 from noon to 2 p.m. ...
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: ddonnelly@starbulletin.com