Hawaii
SOME lovesick female is suspected in the theft of the big color portrait of Bob Jones from the Kapiolani Boulevard window display of KGMB. The word is out that Jones is marrying Denby Fawcett next month and will no longer be "eligible." The reality of marriage is still coming home to Bob. "Just think," he mused the other day, "I'm going to have Bill Pope as a father-in-law." (Feb. 17, 1970) ... As Mrs. David Mitchell of Scottsdale, Ariz. was settling back in the seat of the Pan Am jet that would take her home from Hawaii, she flipped open the paperback copy of "Love Story" she had just purchased. "I hope you enjoy it," said the man across the aisle. Mrs. Mitchell thought he looked familiar, and then realized why. She flipped the book over, and there was a picture of the man across the aisle: author Erich Segal, who is getting very rich off people who are buying his book and seeing the movie that was made from it. (Feb. 23, 1971) ... 1970: The case of the pilfered
portrait of Bob JonesDonna Ching, a sixth-grader at Punahou School, decided to enter a school contest to guess the proceeds of the Punahou Carnival and called her dad for advice. We're not sure if this is the way bankers ordinarily operate, but Donna's dad, Phil Ching (a First Hawaiian Bank exec), asked her what her favorite number is. "Sixteen," she replied. "OK," said Dad, "why not write it down four times?" So Donna guessed the proceeds would be $161,616.16, and won! The total was more like $163,000, but Donna's guess was closest, so she wins a shave ice each week for the rest of the school year. (Feb. 15, 1974) ...
ONE of the most vocal members of Citizens Against Noise, albeit speaking with a soft voice, is state Sen. Jean King. She vows that her upcoming fund-raiser will have no amplified music. The better to hear your pitch with, my dear. (Feb. 22, 1977) ... The phones never stopped ringing yesterday with youngsters and their parents wanting to know what time Shaun Cassidy and his "Hardy Boys" co-star Parker Stevenson arrive tomorrow. It makes believable young Cassidy's comment to Time magazine that he can't even go to McDonald's for a Big Mac without causing a riot. (Feb. 23, 1974) ...
SO there was Gardiner Jones of the UH Med School quietly enjoying some medicinal brandy at the Rose and Crown when a group of tourists sat at the next table. "We went to a Japanese restaurant last night," said one of the women as Gardiner was taking a sip, "and Jack had the temporary shrimp." Splurt, went Jones' drink across the table as he lapsed into gales of laughter. (Feb. 22, 1979) ... It may be Mardi Gras time downtown, but Frank DeLima says Tuesday is "Malasada Day," and to that end will be serving up homemade malasadas (prepared by his mother) to his Noodle House audience tomorrow night. (Feb. 18, 1980) ...
GUESS who's getting married this summer. State Sen. Neil Abercrombie, that's who! He's planning to fly to Palm Springs in July and meet up with longtime girlfriend Nancy Caraway and at long last tie the knot. In the meantime he's here, attending to state business, and Nancy's in New York, where she's become associate producer for a new PBS-TV series called "Inside Story," a critique of the press featuring Hodding Carter as on-air correspondent. The show is due to begin airing May 7. Following the wedding, the Abercrombies will return to Hawaii. (Feb. 18, 1981) ... "The Star-Spangled Banner" is difficult enough to sing, but it was even harder for Melveen Leed at the Big Isle's Waikoloa Rodeo Sunday. She sang the national anthem a cappella, and on horseback! (Feb. 21, 1985) ...
ONE person who wasn't surprised when Dave Brubeck walked into the Royal Hawaiian tea dance Monday was orchestra leader Del Courtney. The two are old pals -- fraternity brothers (Rho Lambda Phi) at the University of the Pacific -- and Brubeck's brother, Henry, played drums in an early Courtney orchestra. Brubeck, who'll be in concert Saturday at the Waikiki Shell, warmed up with the Courtney band by playing a couple of numbers. He must have been in a "take" mood, because the two songs he played were "Take Five" and "Take the 'A' Train." (Feb. 20, 1986) ...
Dave Donnelly has been writing on happenings
in Hawaii for the Star-Bulletin since 1968.
The Week That Was recalls items from Dave's 30 years of columns.Contact Dave by e-mail: ddonnelly@starbulletin.com