Hawaii
BOB BURNS, general manager of the Kahala Hilton, was honored by the Hawaii Chapter of the National Secretaries Association. He was named "Boss of the Year" in Hawse. Bob didn't win the "International Boss of the Year" award, though. TWA President Charles Tillinghast won that honor, and lucky for Burns he didn't win. Since TWA owns the Kahala Hilton (and all of Hilton International), Tillinghast is Burns' No. 1 boss. (Feb. 24, 1969) ... 1969: International Boss of the
Year awarded to TWA chiefGOOD MEN: Red Vest owner Charlie Brown has a lovely blond wife named Lyn Brown. He also has a public relations man named Don Brown, who has a lovely blond wife named Lyn Brown. And when they're together and a call comes in for "Mr. Brown" or "Lyn," they all jump up. (March 1, 1973) ... As a group of Press Club irregulars sat around the club bar just before closing, C. Brewer PR man Herb Conrad was suggesting dinner to manager Elva Johnson. "Do you feel like a little Mexican?" asked Conrad. "Sure," said Elva, and a bearded bystander reached for the phone with, "Fine, I'll call Hector Venegas." (Feb. 27, 1978) ...
SEEMS a shame that Eric Heiden's spectacular performance in the Olympics -- winning five gold medals -- was overshadowed by the U.S. hockey team's totally unsuspected gold medal. Still, even Heiden opined that the victory of the United States over Russia was the most exciting sporting accomplishment he'd ever witnessed. Dr. Wayne Dutton, himself a former professional hockey player, got so excited watching the young American team top the USSR that he leaped in the air and strained a groin muscle. (Feb. 25, 1980) ...
WHEN Judge Jimmy Shigemura went to dinner at the home of Al Chong, he rang the doorbell only to find it inoperative. Then the judge broke up laughing. Chong, you see, is an electrical engineer ... The Corner Liquor Store, which we all know is located in the middle of the block on King Street, has a lovely sign on the door stating, "Doors Don't Work Good." (Incidentally, the same Corner Liquor Store used to be located in the middle of the block on Nuuanu!) (Feb. 24, 1983) ... The new sign that Gene Kaneshiro put up in the back room of the Columbia Inn where a dart board has been installed is a steal from one I saw in a pub in Ireland. It reads, "No Gambling Aloud." (Feb. 26, 1986) ...
AT yesterday's Small Business Hawaii luncheon, director Sam Slom asked magician Marvin Oka if he could make the Legislature disappear. "I do magic, not miracles," replied Oka. (Feb. 26, 1987) ... After playing a Huey Lewis number on 93Q, deejay Michael Qseng said, "That was Joe Moore and the News." Lewis and Moore do look quite a bit alike, and both have News backgrounds. (Feb. 27, 1987) ...
TODAY marks the eighth anniversary of my arrival in Hawaii. Of course, that was 32 years ago. May I remind you this is Feb. 29 ... Attorneys Rich Turbin and Rai St. Chu threw a one-year luau for their son, Derek. He's actually 4, but since he was born on Feb. 29, 1984, today is his first actual birthday. When he was born, Turbin threatened to name him Lee Pierre so he'd never forget when he was born. (Feb. 29, 1988) ... You may recall that $9,000 was raised at a volleyball tourney last August to help defray expenses for Mike Cho, the quadriplegic isle resident who hopes to compete in the Para-Olympics in Seoul. He's the national champ in air gun shooting and reconfirmed his standing last month by winning three gold medals and one silver at the third annual air gun invitational tournament in Adelaide, Australia. He's off March 11 for Colorado Springs to compete in the U.S. Wheelchair International championships, where the U.S. Olympic Team members will be chosen. Good luck, Mike. (March 1, 1988) ...
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